what's the buzz?... catering internet forums, catering blogs + catering social networking cheat sheet

What's The Buzz....
Keeping Up with Catering Internet Forums,
Blogs + Social Networking

an Internet 
and Catering Social Media 
Cheat Sheet
for Caterers by Caterers

Need to understand what social media is all about and how to use it for your catering bussiness?   

get buzzing + come join 

the "caterBuzz group" on facebook...

+ learn how to utilize Social Media 

for "peer to peer catering networking" 

as well as client marketing and more...

Email your name, company name, location and website address to queenbee@caterbuzz.com - along with a short bio of your professional catering and event experience.  

Here are some  valuable 

resources for fantastic 

"peer to peer 

catering networking" 

on the web.

How to find Caterbuzz online
 click here for facebook link to Caterbuzz Facebook Group -

(or  while on your facebook account,
search for "Caterbuzz" GROUP  + request to join )

or facebook friend the queenbee of Caterbuzz, Lisa Teiger
and ask her to invite you to join.

You must be logged into your facebook account to join.

The Caterbuzz group is a private members only facebook group for catering and event professionals that allows for private + active  peer to peer global catering + event professional interaction/sharing.  With over 450 members + growing daily, links to things of interest to caterers, detailed photos posted. along with  professional level targeted discussions happening daily, it's fast becoming THE social media hub for experienced caterers around the globe.

If you are reading this, you have already landed on the informative caterbuzz ezine and blog but here's the link just in case.

Caterbuzz Blog /E-zine

Other Great Internet 
Catering Forums, Education and Communities

Catersource Forums - click on the caterer to cater and chefs corners sections for current discussions

ChefTalk Professional Food Service Forums 
includes three great resources + more... Professional  Catering Forum, Professional Chefs Forum and Professional Pastry Chefs Forum sections
 Catering Forum -

Chef 2 Chef Professional Catering Forums - click on the catering forum, although there are other sections that might be of interest to catering professionals as well.

Education,
Blogging, 
and 
Social Media 
Networking Resources


Education

The Catersource Annual Convention and Tradeshow -  monthly magazine, on line catering forum, educational seminars and yearly tradeshow dedicated to the education and growth of the professional caterer.

The International Caterers Association (ICA)
you must be a member to see their forums but you can find caterers from around the globe in their directory and information/sign up for email updates about great education programs such as CaterArts - chef driven catering education.

Blogging –
 Google's Blogger + Blogspot - Got to love them...The easiest way to get a blog up and running quickly - http://www.blogger.com/

Wordpress – a powerful and flexible blogging software platform - http://wordpress.org/

Social Media Networking Resources
Twitter – Tweeting Your message/photo in 140 words or less....connect with clients, vendors, event professionals + friends around the world
- http://twitter.com/

Facebook – FB You do have a Facebook page, right? - connect both professionally + personally (ask us first before you start facebooking for some does and don'ts + for help to create a FB company page)
http://www.facebook.com/

Linked In - as place to connect for business to business interaction.  Linkedin is also a good spot to have clients and colleague give you a referral or reference that can be accessed on line or linked by you in email signature lines or proposals.
http://www.linkedin.com/static?key=what_is_linkedin

Want to join caterbuzz on facebook...
and learn how to utilize Social Media for peer to peer professional networking as well as client marketing and more???

Email your name, company name, location and website address to queenbee@caterbuzz.com - along with a short bio of your professional catering and event experience.

Please put “Caterbuzz  Social Media” in the subject line

See you on the Buzz!

here's some examples
of fabulous catering eye candy + photos
posted by caterers globally
that you will be able to  see
and discuss on the caterbuzz forum,

pushupcakepops.com by Caterbuzz Member Dianne McNutly

pushupcakepops.com a new trend for weddings

Kim Lauria, Elegant Touch Catering, Altamont, NY

Dianne Evans, Best Catered Events, Baton Rouge, La.

Dianne Evans, Best Catered Events, Baton Rouge, La.

Kim Lauria, Elegant Touch Catering, Altamont, NY

David Paquet, Niagara Gourmet Catering, Niagara on the Lake, Canada

Lisa Teiger, Cuisinetc Catering + Events, NYC

David Paquet, Niagara Gourmet Catering, Niagara on the Lake, Canada

Linda Omura, Cherry Tree Catering, Michigan

Shelly Moore, Michigan

John Homrighausen, Americana Catering, Houston, Texas

Kim Hansen, Kimberly's Catering, Santa Cruz, Ca.

Lisa Teiger, 
Queen Bee, 
Caterbuzz Founder 
+ Forum Moderator

caterers never really retire - One Party After Another - Fifty Years of Catering to the Rich, the Famous and The Guy Next Door Miles Theurich, Caterer Emeritus

If you see a  man in a white signature suit who looks like Col.  Sanders in the halls of this years Catersource 2011 convention, then stop and say hello to Miles Theurich.  You won't regret it, he's got stories to tell !!  You can order a copy of his book by clicking on this link and if you get only one idea for how to create client relationships from that purchase, it will be money well spent, my bet is that you will find several ideas that are still relevant in todays market.

My first memories of meeting Miles Theurich many years ago was when we were just getting into event catering and Miles, as one of the founders of the National Caterers Association (Now ICA - National Caterers Association) was a presenter at a catering conference.

Miles and his wife Angie had started their catering business in the 1950's in his mom's kitchen and went on to become internationally known caterers to celebrities, such as Oprah and  Warren Buffet, as well as the guy next door.  Miles's jovial presentations consistently had caterers in the audience in stitches with many war stories about catering, and his signature white "Cl. Sanders" outfit.   Miles jokes that upon meeting Col. Harland Sanders, the founder of KFC, the Col. quipped


"If Ida Had your recipe for chicken, Ida been a general"

 Col. Harland Sanders

Miles Theurich's wit and charm have only deepened over the years and now at 80 (plus plus LOL) he has mastered facebook and written his first book - once again  reaching out to caterers and sharing his vast experience and knowledge of the catering world he loves so dearly.  

Miles is never afraid to try new things and last year via CaterBuzz, we renewed our friendship on facebook - which Miles quickly mastered - faster than many half his age I might add !!  He has been a great friend and supporter of our CaterBuzz group on facebook.   Miles and I have had many delightful conversations this year and I am so looking forward to seeing him at the Catersource Convention this month in Las Vegas.

His new book,  "One Party After Another - Fifty Years of Catering to the Rich, the Famous and The Guy Next Door  Miles Theurich, Caterer Emeritus" will be available later this month  is available for  sale  pre-orders   on line here.

You can friend Miles Theurich on facebook
and follow him on twitter.   Tell him we sent you and give him a hug from ME.

Caterbuzz is happy to announce that we have a new contest and you can enter to win a copy of "One Party After Another, Fifty Years of Catering to the Rich, The Famous and The Guy Next Door".

see details below

Send an email to queenbee@caterbuzz.com
with the following information

To enter the contest to win a copy of Miles Theurich's book,

"One Party After Another, Fifty Years of Catering to the Rich, The Famous and The Guy Next Door".

Send an email to queenbee@caterbuzz.com

with the following information 

Your name
your company name
your location
your phone number
and answer the following questions

1.what are the two places where the book will be available for purchase?
2.what did Cl. Harlan Sander reputedly say to Miles Theurich.

This contest will be running for a few weeks we will post here when it is over.

If you know Miles Theurich personally or have ever heard him speak, please leave a comment below.

and look for him at the Catersource 2011 Convention.

here's a sample story, one of many, that highlights how Miles diverted disaster and with quick thinking, powerful people skills and great imagination, that only master caterers really have, was able to turn mashed potatoes into a beautiful display and keep his clients happy!

The Collie and the Cake  

by Miles Theurich

On a hot, humid, Wisconsin summer day, we were to cater a wedding reception for the daughter of a local print shop owner. My wife and I were invited guests, but being concerned with the handling of food on this blistering hot day, especially being mindful of how easily frosting melts off wedding cakes, we decided to go directly to the home and help out our catering crew if needed. 

When we arrived, the tent was set up in the back yard and the wedding cake was stored safely on the kitchen table in the host‘s air-conditioned home. 

The family was just leaving for the church wedding when we arrived. They had taken my advice and while they were at the church, had a relative stay in their home to take phone calls and provide a certain measure of security, keeping watch over the bridal gifts and the house in general. 

Tim chose a nephew who hadn‘t planned on attending the wedding and told him to keep the bedroom door shut tightly as the family‘s collie should be kept out of the kitchen. A few minutes after the family left, the nephew‘s girlfriend showed up. My wife, Angie and I were in the tent and decided to check on the nephew, who supposedly was guarding the gifts and the wedding cake.  

We were greeted by the collie with icing all over his snout and ears, and the top of the wedding cake about one half chewed out. Where do you suppose the nephew was? In the bedroom with his girlfriend! In their haste to enter the bedroom, they hadn‘t noticed the dog slipping out, and completely forgot about the instructions to keep the animal out of sight. 

I had a major reconstruction to do. I decided on building up the back of the cake with a wall of cedar branches. I took a knife and walked around a few of the neighboring properties to trim their cedar bushes and to pick some flowers to replace the smashed ones. We always had an emergency catering kit with us, and one of the items in this kit was a box of instant mashed potatoes. I prepared a rather thick batter of potatoes and pressed a few handfuls of them into 

the cake to replace the missing chunks. Laying cedar branches and fresh flowers pretty much camouflaged the damage. 

When the family returned from the church, they headed for the iced champagne in the tent. I asked Tim, the father of the bride, to come into the house. He noticed cake icing on a chair and on the floor. I asked him to take a close look, as I pointed out the repairs I had made and said,:"Tim, what the heck kind of a nephew do you have; he‘s an animal. Just after you left for the ceremony, he went to the cake and with his bare hands, grabbed hunks out of it and ate quite a bit.” I had fun starting a rumor at the young man‘s expense, as I knew in my mind exactly how it would turn out. 

Tim believed me and dragged the nephew into the kitchen and gave him a tongue lashing, repeating the story I had made up. What was the kid supposed to say? "No, I didn‘t touch the cake,” blaming the dog he let out of the bedroom while enjoying the rendezvous he had with his girlfriend? He took it like a lamb and begged forgiveness. I never told my friend Tim the real truth, as his nephew had a lifetime to make up for his mistake! 

For more stories like this - you'll just have to buy the book or enter our Caterbuzz contest to win an autographed copy!

Miles Theurich

Chef Miles 

www.twitter.com/milescater

http://www.facebook.com/milescater

milescater@aol.com

here's what folks are saying about "One Party After Another"

Scott Walsh

Just got done reading your book, absolutely loved it. Thank you for all the hard work you put into it. Going to go back and reread my favorite parts. You are an inspiration in this crazy but addictive business. 

Best Regards, Scott.

 "Ed Manley"  36 Years serving as President of International Food Service Executives Association.

Date: March 16, 2011 8:04:03 AM GMT-07:00

I’m up to about page 150 of your wonderful book. Your book is a great text book for those wanting to own their own business.

About 2 years after my book came out people pointed out a couple of mistakes, which either no one noticed or no one had the nerve to tell me my book wasn’t perfect – smile. A great read, well done my friend.

Ed Manley, MCFBD, CHP, MCFP

E. H. Manley and Associates

*Working with the Global Foodservice Institute at

the State University of NY at Morrisville,

Pearson Learning Solutions and UNLV

JEROD MYERS  

I love  your book - It's a great read!

CHEF JACK FISCHER CATERING   WAUKESHA, WISCONSIN

Hi Miles

It’s so great reading your book,  It’s a great read

 -I picked it up and couldn’t put it down until I finished it.  

Compliments to you - you’re not only a great chef and  caterer, 

but also a great writer. You can really be proud of your book. 

The theme of the book - it’s wonderful - It’s YOU.  

You are an exquisite and masterful writer.  

I ordered 10 copies and will be ordering more.

GALEN SCHROEDER  (Indexer for this book) 

Fascinating story of a remarkable career. 

I appreciated being selected as the indexer. 

As with a few select memoirs and biographies, 

by the time I am done with the book, I  usually am 

not  "in love" with the main character. 

That was certainly WAS  NOT the case with your book. 

Thank you for the opportunity to be part of this project. 

I look forward to seeing the book in print.

RICHARD ROSSMILLER

I really enjoyed reading your memoirs in  "One Party After Another". 

You really had some interestsing and challenging moments 

in those 50 years. 

I was happy to see that you gave appropriate credit 

to Angie (your wife)  for the success you enjoyed.

Best Wishes  

Richard

He was a classmate of Miles at Rochester Agricultural School, 

attended Univ. of WI. with  Miles, got a Ph.d.,

and became the Superintendant of High Schools for Racine, WI. 

Ken Kasbohm - former CPA to Theurich Catering Service

I  want to tell you that I’m about half-way through your book 

and in all honesty I am enjoying it immensely. 

I’ve actually laughed out loud a few times! 

I wish you had written the book when I was younger 

as it’s a good guide for how CPA’s should treat their clients.

Ken

Don- the limosuine driver at Miles and Angie's retirement residence. 

After reading your book, 

I can understand why you have attained celebrity status 

here among our 250 residents. It’s the best read I’ve had in years. 

Your life was truly technicolor and your writing of it was so entertaining.

Who doesn't like to WIN - a very exciting caterBuzz contest

Caterers in Pursuit 

...for a not so Trivial Prize

PLEASE NOTE - THE TWO CATERBUZZ-CATERSOURCE CONTESTS ARE NOW OVER


IF YOU ARE NOT A CATERBUZZ MEMBER ON FACEBOOK YET AND WOULD LIKE TO JOIN THE GROUP CONTACT "QUEENBEE@CATERBUZZ.COM 
FOR DETAILS.

Happy New Year to Caterers around the globe.

The Holiday season is finally over and we

now start the push for inspiration and 

bookings for 2011 and beyond.

We have very Exciting news 

for caterBuzz members 

and caterers who would like to join 

in the fun at caterBuzz, 

the global social networking hub

for professional caterers.

CaterBuzz is the place to share event photos,

exchanges sources, recipes + menu suggestions,

and network with other creative catering minds daily.

CaterBuzz is thrilled to announce 

a contest with a HUGE PRIZE

one very lucky caterer 

will win one FREE tuition to 

the 2011 Catersource Conference  

and Tradeshow in Las Vegas, Nevada, 

February 27 – March 3, 2011. 

The Catersource Conference and Tradeshow 

is the greatest gathering of caterers worldwide offering exciting education, recognized industry leaders, trends, and inspiration 

– with over 5,000 attendees and 800 catering related vendors exhibiting at a mind boggling and amazing catering tradeshow. 

Just one idea gleaned from 

attending Catersource 2011

and your involvement in Caterbuzz 

can take your business to the next level ...

– and undoubtably you will get more than one idea !!

The winning drawing will be held January 28^th 

and one winner will be notified via email.   

In order to be included in 

the caterBuzz-catersource tuition contest, 

you must perform the following tasks 

and email the answers to the 

following 10 questions or tasks 

by midnight EST on January 24, 2011.

Winner will be announced on 01/28/11.

Email your answers/entry to 

queenbee@caterbuzz.com

And put

“Caterers in Pursuit for a not so Trivial Prize”

in the tag line.

1. Sign up as a follower on the caterbuzz blog.

go to www.caterbuzz.blogspot.com 

(indicate the name you sign up with in your response)

2. Be a member of OR

join as a new member of 

the caterbuzz group on facebook.

This is a private group on facebook, 

so you will have to request to join.  

Contact Lisa Teiger @ lisa@caterbuzz.com 

for details on how to become 

a member of the caterbuzz professional catering network. 

(indicate the name you sign up with here)

3. Go to the discussion tab on Caterbuzz Group on Facebook and post a reply under the ongoing “$$$ and Sense” discussion that describes the following:

a great idea that you got from attending a catersource conference or from catersource and/or caterBuzz forum buddies that you implemented in your catering business and made money on.  

List the idea, where you found it and how you implemented it.

(please copy and paste your posting in your response

 BUT it also must be visible on the caterBuzz 

 discussion “$$$ and Sense”)

4. Upload a catering photo from your catering business to the caterBuzz group forum on facebook.

(indicate which photo and the name you used to upload it)

5. What's the name of the dish that was shown 

in the first photo ever posted on the caterBuzz forum on Facebook??

6. What was the date of the first blog post on

www.caterbuzz.blogspot.com  ??

7. What is the host hotel for the 2011 Catersource Conference?

         a.   the Las Vegas Hilton

         b.   The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas

         c.    Ballys Las Vegas

8. On what day is “the Roman Report 2011” being presented at the 2011 Catersource Conference.

         a.  Sunday

         b.  Monday

         c.  Tuesday

         d.  Wednesday

9. Besides the over 800 catering  vendors  booths  at the 2011 Catersource Tradeshow what other fun activities and educational experiences can you expect at the Tradeshow ?? Name three, one of which is new for 2011

10. Name  the founder of Catersource, who is often referred to as the GURU of catering.

P.S.   You are still eligible for this amazing caterBuzz contest 

even if you have already paid for this year's conference.

and for those of you whose company  

has never sent folks to  caterSource,

contact me first to discuss special incentives for newbies.

caterBuzz and Catersource together

are very excited about sharing 

special resources with our catering buddies.

Any questions on how to join caterBuzz,

special incentives for new companies attending, 

or about the contest in general 

can be directed to Lisa Teiger

lisa@caterbuzz.com 

entries should be sent to 

queenbee@caterbuzz.com

by midnight EST 01/24/11.

Good Luck in pursuit of this not so trivial prize!!!

... and we look forward to meeting up with fellow buzzies 

at the 2011 Catersource Conference and Tradeshow 

in Las Vegas, February 27th - March 3rd.

Let the games begin...

caterArts 2010 -opening night party "the art of food" for catering chefs by catering chefs

the International Catering Association
held the 4th annual
CaterArts Master Culinary Catering Conference
in Louisville, Kentucky on August 8-11, 2010.

This conference is for catering chefs by catering chefs
and the opening night party
"the art of food"
was a collaboration of chefs from coast to coast

MENU
tray passed


crispy shrimp diablo with frizzled scallions
Chef Ron Rando
Thomas Preti Catering, NYC


pulled pork mini tacos with
mango salsa + micro cilantro
Chef Jason Mezrano
Kathy G Company, Birmingham, Alabama


pork belly corn dogs
heirloom tomato ketchup + chipotle honey mustard
Chef Mark Baldwin
Blue Ridge Catering, Roanoke, Virginia


red pepper shallot tart tartin
Chef Joanne Purnell,
Good Gracious, Los Angeles
Chef Ken Barrett
Different Tastes, Boston

Chef Mark Baldwin, Blue Ridge Catering
showing off his pork belly corndog

the servers wore t-shirts exclaiming the dish on the front
and the chef creator(s) on the back

pulled pork mini tacos with
mango salsa and micro cilantro
by Chef Jason Mezrano,
Kathy G Company, Birmingham, Alabama

grilled vegetable tower

created by Joanne Purnell and Ken Barrett

included grilled polenta cake, sauteed spinach

grilled eggplant, tomato jam,

mushroom duxelle,

fresh mozzarella + basil pesto

a great pairing of traditional flavors...

Chef Mark Baldwin offered up this fun
Asian Surf n Turf shortplate
Peanut Butter Captain Crunch Crab Cake
and Black Garlic Petit Filet
with Wasabi Mash + Edamame Succotash

clothes pin smores

those ice cream pops brought out the kid in all of us!!!

Chefs enjoy eating other Chef's Creations
Joanne Purnell and Adam Gooch
marvel over the pork belly corndogs

following the cocktail hour,
caterarts attendees
were offered
a selection of short plates

by the talented catering chefs,
and performance desserts by
Pastry Chef James Plocharsky,
Michaels on East, Sarasota, Florida

fire it up  Pastry Chef James Plocharsky,
clothes pin smores

just a few of the myriad of delicious desserts offered

 sticky toffee pudding




Chef Ron Rando, Thomas Preti Catering, NYC, 

explaining  Pan Seared Scallops
with Pickled Watermelon and Crispy Panchetta

lamb three ways

come home to Kentucky with caterBuzz!!!

When caterBuzz put out the call to buzzie members that we would be blogging in the Kentucky area for the ICA caterArts 2010 culinary learning experience we got a more than a few responses from members wanting to share their catering expertise with the caterBuzz community – but none more welcoming than the email from Regina Niece of 4 Star Catering

in Appalachian Mountains in Red Fox, Kentucky, urging us to “hurry home”. 

With a warm and inviting invitation like that, who could resist?

 the lake at 4 Star Catering, Red Fox, Kentucky

Regina and husband Jimmy have an 80 acre spread in the beautiful Kentucky Mountains, with a commercial commissary kitchen built right next door to their lovely home, complete with wrap around porches and countless rocking chairs, hammocks and swings.  The property includes a fully stocked catch and release pond that can host family re-unions, weddings and corporate get-togethers, as well as a pumpkin patch area where local school children look forward to the pumpkin party jack-lantern delights yearly.

In addition to events on their own property,  4 Star Catering (named for their 4 sons) provides off site catering in 3 states – Kentucky, Tennessee and Virginia.

Hi, I'm Lisa Teiger, co-founder of caterBuzz, owner of CuisinEtc Catering and Special Events,  a boutique NYC catering concern, a food stylist, culinary fashionista and roving caterBuzz catering reporter, coming to you from NYC but always going beyond !!!  

We hope that you will consider caterBuzz as your traveling eye for the inquisitive professional catering guys and gals around the globe.  Sharing and learning from each others as only like minded professional caterers can do, through pictures, stories, questions and answers, available here on www.caterBuzz.blogspot.com and also on our facebook caterBuzz group page, a private forum for the catering community.

This caterBuzz  feature highlights a lovely wedding 4 Star Catering produced two hours from their home base commissary at the Allandale Mansion in Kingsport, Tennessee.

  Allandale Mansion, Kingsport, Tenn.

some of the prettiest chair coverings we've ever seen

The lovely wedding of Jasmine and Marcus was celebrated with a sprawling southern style finger food reception included seven food stations ranging from Ice Tea and Lemonade to Fruit and Cheese the 4 Star Catering way, to Southern Fried Catfish Tacos, Shrimp Fountain, Bruchetta Station, Meatballs and more...

that was some chunk of cheese!!

the Allandale Mansion provided a great backdrop

for the Beautiful Offerings by

4 Star Catering, Red Fox, Kentucky

owner, Regina Niece, of 4 Star Catering

proudly serves her bride and groom

Judging from the smiles that never stopped from the bride and groom, as well as their guests, the 4 Star Catering Team completed another successful event (one of 4 that day)...The food was abundant and beautifully displayed and the guests enjoyed it all – graciously commenting the delicious and sumptuous the offerings by 4 Star Catering.  

caterBuzz can happily say, we have yet another HOME!!!