My Place, Your Space

Volume 14

No.1 2014

Photography: Jason Clarke Designer: Jennifer Goberdhan

Event decor at private residence: Concept and Design by MacFarlane Design Studios

We are excited to fill the pages of our first issue for 2014 with information and inspiration to help you plan and enjoy your events this year. Do you want to hire an event planner or try your hand at doing it yourself? Either way, you will find answers to your questions right here.

Now, what’s an event – casual or formal – without food of some sort? From appetizers, to entrees, to drinks, to dessert and more – catering is just as important as all the other elements that go into making an event a success.

Recognizing this, we have rolled out an issue that focuses on Wedding Cake Decorating, Food Catering and Displays That’s why you will see an interesting line up of topics such as: • • • • • • • •

How to choose a caterer for your wedding Ideas to highlight a wedding reception head table Setting up a banquet table Decorating ideas for your wedding cake Buffet catering for your companys’ party Plan your own graduation party Top 5 dessert trends Planning a romantic dinner for two

That’s not all. For some variety, you will find tips to help you address the challenges in personalizing your rental apartment.

Plus, there is an article that sheds some light on how to choose your wedding party to ensure that you have the best people for those important positions.

Our featured profile section shines the spotlight on Mrs. Jennifer Goberdhan from Signature Weddings & Events. She is a storehouse of knowledge in this field, rich in experience and a fountain of inspiration. She brings her professionalism and boundless passion to every project. Add all of that to the photos in her impressive portfolio, and we’re sure you’ll want to call her to plan your wedding or any other event for that matter.

Are you ready to plan, host and enjoy your events this year and beyond? We have the information and inspiration to help you make wise decisions. And since food would most likely be an integral part of it all, we are offering catering info, tips and tricks to help make your event appealing to all the senses.

Dive in and start taking notes.

We raise our glasses to you in honour of 2014 and all the fabulous and memorable events - perfectly planned, exquisitely designed and seamlessly executed - for the enjoyment of all who will attend.

Welcome to the June 2014 issue of My Place Your Space!

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Volume 14

No.1 2014

THE COMPLETE GUIDE FOR VENUES & VENDOR SERVICES

6 10 Party-Ready Outdoor Spaces

7 How to Choose a Caterer for Your Wedding

8 Theme in Buffet Design

10

12 Choosing Your Wedding Party

Personalize Your Apartment

13 Local Food at Weddings

14

15 Top 5 Dessert Trends

Buffet Catering for Your Company’s Party

16 How to Choose the Right Corporate Function Venue

17

18 Plan Your Own Graduation Party

How to Enhance Your Reception Party Experience

20 Ideas to Highlight a Wedding Reception Head Table

22 Planning a Romantic Dinner for Two

21 Ideas for Displaying Food at Your Wedding

23 How to Decorate a Banquet Hall

inside back cover Venues with Amenities Guide Design & Layout: JG Design Caribbean Published by: Eureka Communications Limited Address: #9 Avenue First, Suite #2, St. James, Trinidad & Tobago Tel: •1 (868) 622-2017/628-1555 • Fax: 1 (868) 628-4475 E-mail: • contacteureka@yahoo.com • lanny11@tstt.com • jasong@tstt.com • jgdesigns.janine@gmail.com

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24 Decorating Ideas for Your Wedding Cake

Contributors Cover Photo, Welcome Note photo Courtesy Jennifer Goberdhan Signature Weddings & Events Welcome Note Editorial: Cheryl Wright

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ennifer Goberdhan began the journey to her successful and satisfying career with wonder and fascination with what her grandmother did – made wedding dresses and bridal bouquets and taught others how to do it. It is that background that inspired Jennifer to follow in her grandmother’s footsteps and carve a niche for herself in the field of wedding planning and all it entails.

It is a more holistic approach to wedding planning. She calls it “customer care”.

With her first paid event (“Blue Clues” themed birthday party) behind her (14 years ago) Jennifer worked her way through local and foreign training and certification, internship, competitions and on-going education, to build a successful business.

Then, in June 2013, at the Trinidad Hilton, she presented her first Wedding Design Showcase and launched her business website www.jennifergoberdhan.com.

Signature Weddings is just that – a couple’s signature personalities and dreams in every aspect of their wedding.

That’s what Jennifer does after asking some key questions and observing how they interact and conduct themselves.

She uses her observations to summon her creative ideas, tap into information, trends, products, vendors and venues to conjure up a concept that expresses her clients’ personalities and captures their dreams. She weaves them all and VOILA! The wedding becomes their signature.

Jennifer is not that dreaded wedding planner who runs off on a tangent of her own creation, leaving her clients to swallow hard and suffer through what she delivers. Instead, realizing that her wedding clients need guidance and direction, she incorporates these elements in the planning stages.

Magic? No. Jennifer is a visionary. She is the consummate professional. She is knowledgeable, creative, meticulous and organized. And that is a winning combination for a signature wedding. Moreover, Jennifer is passionate and that is the proverbial, “cherry on the cake”.

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“The professional wedding planner brings an organized and cohesive approach that facilitates event flow and logistics due to their experience with vendors and venues. This creates a strong signature to every event.” Jennifer Goberdhan

Jennifer’s thoughts on

Jennifer offers these 5 essential tips for brides and grooms in the early stages of planning their weddings:

1. New wedding trends? “The brides who come to me are looking for something that is one-of-a-kind. The more discerning bride is moving away from generic wedding décor and really personalizing their special day. Custom table names and signature cocktails with customized flags that are colour-coordinated to the scheme and design that is really personal to the bride and groom. Signage is now becoming huge! Ring bearers with,”Here comes the bride” signs, dessert tables with cute labels or signage to greet guests making their entrance.”

1. Decide very early on your wedding style.

2. Decide on the number of guests to help you choose the right venue.

3. Book your venue early especially if you are having a June wedding.

4. Choose your wedding style. This will underpin and define all other choices such as, venue, décor, food, entertainment and of course your wedding dress.

5. Keep a record of everything related to your wedding.

Take it with you to every meeting for cross- referencing and referral on the spot.

2. Passé traditions? “Fruit cake boxes. I think we need to start serving wedding cake to guests at the wedding to share and add more depth to the experience for guests If you’re afraid to hire a wedding planner, fear no more, rather than having to cut, box and deliver these after the Jennifer Goberdhan is here to help you enjoy and celebrate your Signature Wedding. wedding is over.”

Jennifer’s training - Workshops and seminars, including Wedding Design (2003 -2006) at IBAC, Chicago (2004) IBAC, California (2005) CBA designation at IBAC, Las Vegas (2006) Gift Basket Design in Orlando (2008) Interior Design Certification with Interior Refiners in Manhattan, New York (2012) Certified Wedding and Events Planning and Preston Bailey Signature Wedding and Event Design course with The Lovegevity Wedding Planning Institute (LWPI) of California (2013) Completed an internship with Preston Bailey Florals, LWPI , Las Vegas, Style It Workshop with HGTV’s Celebrity Party Planner, Dina Manzo, America’s Top Model, Naima Mora and Project Runway Designer, Richard Halmarq.

Photo by Dave Goberdhan

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Turn a bland backyard, patio or deck into a stylish space for al fresco entertaining with our expert inspiration.

1. Set the scene No matter how small your outdoor space, you can make it dazzle with paper lanterns, table linens and fresh flowers in look-at-me shades. Set up a beverage station so guests can help themselves and add cushions or pillows to chairs; comfortable furniture will invite guests to sit a spell.

2. Bring the indoors out No patio furniture? No worries!

Weather permitting; bring your dining table, chairs, china, glasses and utensils outdoors to turn your fĂŞte into a fine-dining experience.

Guests will appreciate the extra effort and your carefully-prepared meal will look (and taste) much better served on china instead of a flimsy, disposable plate.

3. Freshen up tired surfaces Turn a shabby patio into a colorful outdoor room with the same kind of finishes you use for an indoor room. Paint any walls or columns and hang coordinating draperies made from weather-resistant fabric.

To ensure a beautiful and comfortable floor, wash the area with a detergent suitable for the finish and let it dry. If you’re still not satisfied with how it looks cover the floor with outdoor mats and rugs. Alternatively, if you have time, install a new floor with outdoor pg 6

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material, such as tile, wood, grass carpet or pavers.

4. Pick a palette The same rule of three (main colors, that is) that applies to selecting an indoor color scheme also works when planning an outdoor party.

Choose three main colors to create a theme, and then carry those colors throughout with accessories like napkins, plates, place cards, paper pom-poms, lanterns, throw cushions and balloons.

5. Create gathering areas Groupings of chairs and tables scattered across the backyard makes for the ultimate backyard party. If your space is limited, you can still create the illusion of separate gathering spots by placing small tables or ottomans along the line of the seating. The tables call guests to gather near them, rest their beverages and chat. Additionally, if you use ottomans, guests can pull them up to the people they want to hang out with at different times during the party.

6. Construct a DIY buffet in a snap If you're short on surfaces for serving guests, try this designers' go-to trick: lay a hollow-core door or thick piece of plywood over evenly-spaced sawhorses, or columns of concrete blocks, cover with fabric and voila - a beautiful buffet table with plenty of serving space that can be broken down again and stored when the party's over.

7. Make a splash Pool parties are a great way to cool off on a hot day, but ensuring guests enjoy themselves without overdoing it can require a bit of planning ahead. Guests may forget to bring pool necessities such as towels, sunscreen, goggles and ear plugs.

So it's best to have several on hand, along with plenty of cold beverages, so they don't become dehydrated from too much fun in the sun.

8. Salad on the fly Combine your passion for gardening and entertaining with a pergola to provide shade and give your outdoor space a secluded feel. Additionally, an exterior wall, covered in edibleplant-filled pouches puts fresh veggies within easy reach so guests can help themselves.

9. Light it up If your party will continue into the evening, illuminate the area with strings of lights, encircling an umbrella, wound around tree trunks or running along cables suspended overhead. Place candle-filled or solar lanterns on tables and at patio edges if your home doesn't have outdoor electrical outlets.

10. Set up a favors table Thank guests for coming and send them off with a souvenir by stocking a fabric-covered outdoor table with an assortment of small gifts and sweets. Place the table near the exit so guests will be sure to grab a keepsake as they leave.

Caterers are often the heart of any function. If the food tastes great and there is plenty for everyone, people will leave the wedding satisfied and with fond memories. However, if you choose a caterer who is not knowledgeable about the amount of food to prepare, your guests will remember this fact, regardless how elegant and special the rest of the wedding was.

Here are a few points to help you choose the best caterer for your wedding.

Attend wedding expos Not only will you find people dedicated to their profession, you will also be able to see how the person reacts in a crowd with a lot going on.

Talk to friends who are already married Get as much information as possible: Who was their caterer? Were they happy with the service before, during and after the wedding reception?

Ask for recommendations from other professionals in your wedding team Experienced wedding professionals will recommend people who are easy to work with and deliver quality products

and services rather than those who will give them a portion of the fee.

Interview several caterers Some of the most important questions are: How long have you been in business?

Do you have a set number of dishes in your repertoire or are you open to a customized menu and individual dietary needs? How do you decide on the quantity of food to provide? Do you provide a full service - delivery, set-up, serve, and clean-up? Do you provide your own silverware, glassware, flatware, napkins, etc? How much do you require as a deposit and do you have a cancellation policy?

Sign a contract Be sure everything the caterer agrees to is in the contract.

Following these tips will help you make a wise decision about who should cater for your wedding.

Additional Tips •

•

•

Check their references Someone whom the caterer thought was pleased may not have been and can give you valuable information.

Begin looking for a caterer long in advance so you won’t have to settle for someone because you're pressed for time.

Ask your favorite restaurant if they cater, even if they normally don't, they might make an exception for two of their loyal customers who are tying the knot.

It is now customary to sample a caterer’s food (appetizers, entrees, desserts). Ask if you are unsure of their meal suggestions. If they refuse, move on to a different caterer.

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A buffet may center on a particular period, special occasion, holiday, or ethnic presentation. The event’s theme is typically the starting point for developing a plan for the buffet itself.

Another fundamental decision is a menu that is developed around a theme.

The season, weather, and the guests’ comfort and expectations will hold the theme together. They have a direct impact upon the specific dishes selected for the buffet as well as the ways they are presented. When a buffet is part of a special event or celebration, the food should set the mood and enhance the occasion without overshadowing the occasion itself.

When the concept or theme is maintained throughout the buffet presentation, guests can easily recognize it as the concept or theme. At each stage of buffet work, from the development of the menu through replenishing the platters during the event, the theme or concept guides you to the best choice for the particular situation.

Buffets are integral to many special events. The event could be a personal or family occasion, such as a wedding, birthday, anniversary, christening, or bar mitzvah. It may have a seasonal or holiday celebration, such as New Year’s Eve, Mother’s Day, or Christmas, for example. Countries and continents can be used as inspiration to develop local, regional, international and ethnic menus for a buffet that will highlight a variety of flavors. Buffets can be part of a fundraiser or a gala, or part of an opening reception for a new business, product, or exhibit at a gallery or expo. Buffets are a part of many meetings, conferences, conventions, and similar corporate events. Buffets that are planned around a pg 8

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special event such as a fundraiser, gala, or wedding are generally planned with the client and must be tailored to their needs and budget.

A featured-concept buffet is designed to attract guests to a restaurant. Examples include Sunday brunches, pasta, or seafood buffets as well as “quick service” breakfast or lunch menus. The chef chooses foods for these buffets that have wide appeal and work to improve the operation’s bottom line. One popular example of a “featured-concept” buffet is the ubiquitous breakfast buffet. Operations that regularly present breakfast bars include hotels, resorts, casinos, and restaurants. A smaller version of a breakfast buffet might include muffins, croissant and doughnuts, fresh fruit, bagels, toast and jam, coffee, orange juice, and milk and cereal.

These types of breakfast buffets, when featured at a hotel, may be included in the price of the hotel stay in order to give the customer a “value-added” experience.

A menu from a more extensive breakfast buffet might include several action stations such as a carving station for hams, roasts, and lox (brined salmon), an omelet station that creates omelets to order, or a crêpe station making filled crêpes.

These stations would be in operation where a person is alongside an extensive buffet that would include many breakfast items such as scrambled eggs, bacon, waffles, hash browns, quiche, and the above-mentioned muffins, bagels, toast, and fruit.

Up the ante on what you offer your customers and your guests at your restaurant, hotel or event with a simple or exotic themed buffet.

By Cheryl Wright The excitement of moving into your first apartment can quickly dissipate when you realize that you will be moving into your landlord’s version of apartment living. Don’t be discouraged, you can turn it into a distinctly personal space without breaking your lease. You can stamp your personality by making the best use of your existing furnishings and improvise with inexpensive surface solutions you can easily remove and take with you to your next apartment or your own home.

Here are a few ideas to help you personalize your rental apartment. CAUTION: Double check your lease or ask your landlord before installing any treatments that alter existing surfaces, such as walls, cabinets and floors.

wrap fabric around the existing rods but put back up the old drapery when you leave. Use coloured glass bottles, teapots or mugs to add colour in a window. Introduce texture with a basket collection or create a beach theme using pieces of drift wood, large shells, bottles with sand, etc.

Rooms Divide a room with folding screens., They are inexpensive to make if you are fortunate enough to find old doors. Use piano hinges to attached two or three louvered doors or even regular hollow-core doors and decorate them with fabric, wallpaper or paint. Separate a room into dining and sitting area using a sofa as a divider. Place a drop-leaf table (it opens into a dining table) against the back of the sofa to serve as a console.

Cabinets Exchange basic knobs and handles for your own decorative cabinet hardware. Purchase plan wood knobs and paint your own designs and favourite colours. Store the original hardware and replace them before you move out. If the cabinet doors look grimy, remove them and store them somewhere. Line the shelves with decorative paper and let your dishes be on open-shelf display.

Windows and doors Use tension rods to mount curtains inside window frames.

Sew a simple rod-pocket valance or swag the pole with a printed fabric. Use muslin, sheeting or a lovely tablecloth.

Use the same tension technique to add colour and privacy to doorways. Make sure the pole is securely tightened and supports the weight of the fabric. Replace dingy drapery and

Bathroom Increase storage by attaching a skirt around the sink. You can stow toiletries in bins or baskets and camouflage unsightly plumbing. Trim a plain wall mirror with a frame made from inexpensive moulding. If the mirror is attached with clips, notch the frame so it will fit over the clips and flat against the mirror. Decorate the moulding with a finish you like.

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Wall Attach several flat sheets to walls with Velcro. This temporary treatment hides tacky paneling, peeling paint or damaged walls. Imitate the look of painted walls by making a frame from pieces of 2 x 2�s. It will fit snugly against the walls, requiring only the ceiling and floor as braces. Wrap the frame in muslin or sheeting and sponge it with paint. Add details with stencils or stamps.

Floor A dingy carpet, worn hardwood floors or stained tiles could give you the blahs - area rugs to the rescue! Use them to delineate the different areas. If you have hardwood, ceramic or vinyl floors, a non-skid pad can keep your rugs from slipping. Make your own rug with small carpet mats or discontinued carpet samples. With an upholstery needle and thread stitch them together on the wrong side. For a simple elegant look, use one colour or slight variations of one colour throughout. Using a combination of different colours can give you a whimsical, modern, eclectic or country style.

Art Hang lightweight art from fishing lines tacked into crown moulding or display them on floor or table easels.

Shelves or consoles are great resting places for framed art.

Set the frames at the back of the table and lean it against the wall. Place heavy objects at the base to keep them from slipping. Framed mirrors make lovely art and you can lean them against the wall for a sophisticated contemporary look.

Mix smaller art pieces with books in a bookcase.

Plants Plants add colour, life and interest to a room and keep the air clean. Try using different sizes and types of plants for a casual garden feel but keep in mind they need care to thrive indoors.

If you have neither the time nor inclination to care for indoor plants, use artificial ones which can look amazingly real.

You don’t necessarily have to break your lease to add a personal touch to a rental apartment. Use your creativity and incorporate some tricks to make your rental space your space.

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Your wedding should include your closest friends, family members or other loved ones. However, choosing your wedding party can bring on some stress, which you should try to avoid as much as possible.

Consider the following tips when selecting your wedding party.

Eliminate drama To accomplish this you’ll want to avoid: heavy drinkers, men-haters, gossipers, picky dressers and party-poopers.

These individuals can easily sabotage your plans and ruin your wedding, especially the reception.

Simplify There is no rule that says you have to have the traditional wedding party of bridesmaids and groomsmen. Consider having only a maid of honour and a best man.

Keep it in the family Traditional weddings and all that goes with them often give way to modern concepts and practices. Ask some members of your large family (brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews) to fill the role of bridesmaids and groomsmen and leave the maid of honour and bestman positions for your besties.

Switch things up If there are no males or females for the traditional roles, switch things up. Use who you have by designating them with the unisex title of attendants (bride’s attendants and groom’s attendants). And why not a “man” of honour to replace the traditional maid of honour?

Assign alternate duties You love them all but you can’t accommodate them all in

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your wedding party. Stress? Not necessarily. There are a host of other wedding/reception duties you could assign to them.

For example: part or in charge of the overall planning team, specialized duties (cake, flowers, music, décor, transport, ushering, etc.) writing the vows, special reading or song during the ceremony or reception, deejaying, giving a speech at the reception …. Additionally, you could consider planning a special lunch or dinner with a few key people. This is especially significant if they cannot attend your wedding for some reason.

Release the pressure If you suspect that someone you want in your wedding party can neither afford the time or costs involved, don’t stress over it and don’t assume. Ask and offer an alternative – some wedding duty, a special seat, groom’s speech writer, honourable mention, special wedding token … You’ll ease the pressure on both sides.

Institute quality control Say wedding, and dreams soar but ultimately you want a “quality” wedding over an army of bridesmaids and groomsmen, just for show or to eliminate bad feelings.

Remember that each member you add to your wedding party demands additional costs and higher stress levels. Make sure you are limiting the members to those who are most important to you and for the right reasons.

If you want to minimize stress, choose your wedding party with these tips in mind and your wedding memories will be both meaningful and lasting.

In prior years, weddings in Trinidad and Tobago served an assortment of foods based largely on foreign or metropolitan tastes. However, in recent years, Trinidad and Tobago has morphed towards a mixed menu that heavily features local cuisine. As a matter of fact, it would be unwise to have a function and not provide some of these mouth watering dishes.

A few of the most popular dishes are Bake and Shark, Doubles, Pineapple Chow, Corn Soup, and Roti.

Bake and Shark - Made more famous by Richards at Maracas Bay, toppings are crucial to enhancing the flavor of bake and shark. But it is the dressings that personalize the shark and give the WOW factor: pineapple, tamarind sauce, chadon beni, mango chutney, and pepper sauces are some of the most popular.

Doubles - Bara, the Best! Put two together and you get DOUBLES. Curried channa is the filler. And then, there is Gourmet Doubles with the fillers such as shrimp, duck, chicken and beef, with a kick of pepper.

Pineapple Chow - Create magic by mixing chunks of pineapple with lime juice, hot pepper, salt, garlic, and chadon beni. You will go back for more and more; the love affair never ends. Mango and portugal can be substituted for pineapple.

Corn Soup - My pot is bubbling as we speak! Corn soup is another Trini dish that has made its way into the fabric of our society. Corn soup is real liming food in Trinidad and

Tobago; be it a wedding, a fete, panorama, football or a Friday evening lime. Everyone has their own variety; with dumplings, coconut milk, and pig tail. And some people make a hybrid cow heel corn soup that is a winner.

Roti - The three main varieties in Trinidad are Paratha, Sada and Dhalpuri.

Paratha or Buss-up-Shut - This is a layered roti made with ghee and cooked on a tawa. This roti is crisp on the outside and when it is almost finished cooking, the roti is beaten while on the tawa, causing it to crumble. In Trinidad the commercial term used by non-South Asians for Paratha is “Buss-up-Shut”.

Sada Roti - This is a plain roti, made from white or whole wheat flour. It is the simplest roti to make and is the most commonly consumed roti in Trinidad. Sada is a staple carbohydrate and is eaten for both breakfast and dinner.

Dhalpuri - This is a roti made with a stuffing of ground yellow split peas, cumin, garlic and pepper. It is made on a tawa and rubbed with oil for ease of cooking. Chicken, goat, beef and shrimp, along with potatoes and vegetables are some of the favorite contents that are wrapped in a dhalpuri roti. Slight pepper please!

Foods from other countries can be used to highlight the bride and groom’s ethnicity or personal preferences. If, however, you want to spice up the offering for your next event, why not mix in some of these local foods. Better still, why not go for a pure Trini experience, with a full local spread!

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Buffet catering is a great alternative to ordering individual plates at your next company party. Not only is this a more cost-efficient route, but it also gives your guests more variety to choose from and can benefit picky eaters. People appreciate having choices, so opting for buffet catering will also leave you with happier guests, which is an added benefit to all at your corporate events.

It is important to hire a professional caterer who has experience in corporate buffet catering, but first there are a few things you need to think about before arranging the meal for your next event.

basis, so you should have an idea whether they prefer shrimp and oysters versus barbecue and beans.

• Plan the layout of the space. Before the event make sure to clear ample room for the buffet table. Make sure there is extra space to move around and interact. After all, you want your guests to enjoy themselves, and being cramped and running into each other will present a stressful situation.

• Get a fairly accurate headcount. Anywhere from 5-10% of your guests may not show up. But it is always better to have too much food rather than too little.

• Meet with your caterer beforehand and go over all the important details. Your caterer will need to know what time the event will begin and when the food needs to be ready. This is also a good time to go over protocol for cleaning up afterwards and within what timeframe it should be done.

• Decide on the type of foods you want to serve at your buffet. It is unlikely that your caterer is familiar with your guests, but you should. If this is a company party, then these are likely people that you interact with on a daily

Keeping all these factors in mind and your caterer fully apprised of your requirements, your guests will be grateful for having food options and your company party will be a hit.

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Who doesn’t love dessert? It starts when we are kids and the ice cream truck drives by playing that memorable song so you run out and order your favorite treat. Who can forget birthdays? We look forward to our birthday cake all year long and use it as a symbol of celebration. Then of course, there are adult desserts, which we order when we go out to eat and indulge in treating ourselves.

Desserts have come a long way since the days of simply cake and ice cream. The new offerings are interesting, adventurous and memorable. Moreover, they are also great additions for a casual or formal event that includes food.

Here is just a sprinkling of today’s popular dessert trends.

1. Popcorn - The movie theater favorite gets its time in the spotlight with its new variations being featured as desserts.

It’s been served in ice cream, chocolate bars and as a side at some trendy new restaurants. Flavors vary from butterscotch, mint chocolate chip, caramel to pink strawberry popcorn balls. Popcorn has come a long way since its movie days and can be found at some of the nicest restaurants.

2. Doughnuts - Who knew? Whether it is cinnamon sugar, blueberry, pumpkin spice, bacon or raspberry there are doughnuts everywhere you look. Although, doughnuts have been around for a long time they have been tweaked slightly. Baked doughnuts are the new revolution.

Although they are still covered in frosting or filled with a delicious glaze, we can feel a bit less guilty knowing they were not deep fried. So go out and enjoy.

3. Red Velvet Cake - Who can resist a delicious, moist red velvet cake? Well apparently nobody since it is found everywhere. The unique spins on the classic dessert go beyond the traditional cake and cupcake you find on every bakery’s menu. Bakers are spinning red velvet into cookies, doughnuts, cinnamon rolls, pancakes and even graham crackers. I see this trend sticking around for a while since red velvet seems to be great with anything.

4. Alcoholic Desserts - An obsession with cocktails has influenced our sweets. Alcohol is being added to cakes, bread pudding, cupcakes, and cookies. Kahlua cupcake anyone? Yes please! You won’t have to worry about getting drunk off these since the amount of alcohol is minimal.

It’s simply another fun way to spice up the dessert world and make it a bit more sexy.

5. Push Pops - The idea is simple and marvelous. A plastic tube is filled with layers of cake or cupcakes, frosting, sprinkles, alcohol infused batter, and other fun toppings.

You can find these innovative desserts at select bakeries and at the trendiest restaurants around town.

Whether you are at a cocktail event, business meeting or client event, push pops are a great addition.

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Organizing a corporate event requires a lot of planning and execution. From preparing the guest list, keeping track of the number of attendees, arranging food and beverages to organizing accommodation, there are many aspects to attend to behind the scenes, and leading up to the day of the event.

Deciding on the venue is perhaps the most significant of them all. Corporate events can be of many types - a formal conference with important delegates attending, a board meeting, or even an informal event such as a golf meet.

There are, however, some factors to consider when choosing a venue for a corporate event.

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Location of the event: The most important criterion in picking a venue for a corporate event is its accessibility to the attendees. Since the event is being held with a definite purpose that requires confirmed attendance of all invitees, it is important that people can reach the venue without too much trouble.

The location of the event should be ideally well linked by the popular means of transport. A lot of times,

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an event comprises a side event, show or trip, so it is important to choose a venue that is large enough to host these multiple events. If most of the delegates will be coming from outside the city, it might be a good idea to host the event near their homes, schools or offices.

•

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Suitability of the venue: Venues for corporate events should support the company's image and also enhance the overall purpose of the meeting. For example, an event whose purpose is to announce a company's performance and share it with shareholders requires a large and formal setting, like that of a conference hall.

Availability of the venue: It is important to check the chosen venue's availability well in advance.

You may require extra arrangements in terms of equipment or accommodation for attendees on those dates. Thus, many things need to be coordinated along with the venue, and booking it well in advance to ensure a smooth and successful event.

•

Size of the venue: When determining the suitability of the venue, it is crucial to ascertain its seating capacity. Is the meeting area large enough to comfortably accommodate all the people attending? The seating should be arranged to allow attendees an unobstructed view of the presenter as well as the screen. Also, a traffic plan should allow people to movement about in the room without disrupting the proceedings.

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Cost of the venue: Decide on your budget before choosing the venue, and ensure that payment details are outlined. It also helps to discuss the cancellation policy with the venue owners just in case the event is cancelled.

A successful corporate event includes looking into every aspect of the meeting.

Additionally, it is important for the venue to be equipped with all the facilities, such as - projector, stationery, extra rooms for breakaway meetings and ample parking space. These factors go a long way into the making of a successful corporate event.

If you are planning a wedding, then you are probably starting to realize that wedding reception catering can be the most complex and confusing aspect of this process. You may be unsure of the best food to serve your guests, how much they will eat, whether any of them have food allergies and so on.

These are all valid things to consider when planning your wedding reception catering. Many couples soon realize that there is much more to preparing for their special day than they had realized, and this is why it is wise to enlist the help of a professional catering service to help you address all these concerns.

Wedding caterers can help you plan the perfect menu. They will suggest their most popular menu items and work around any food allergies, so that everyone can enjoy your wedding reception. Most caterers will also provide staff for serving the food.

A good catering service will be able to provide you with professional and efficient servers, giving you one less thing to worry about. Companies that have been in the wedding reception catering business for many years will even be able to go a step further and help you completely visualize your wedding reception.

From the room layout to table arrangements and decorations, your caterer will have the experience and expertise to help you plan a wedding reception your guests will never forget.

Interviewing Potential Caterers Planning your wedding reception catering can be a frustrating task. You want to make sure that everyone at your wedding reception, gets the perfect meal and has a wonderful time, all while staying within your budget.

Start out by contacting a handful of different caterers. Have pre-planned questions to ask each of them and pay attention to how they respond to your inquiries. Take notes on what each caterer offers and their catering methods. This will help you to not get the different catering services mixed up later when you go back to review and make you final decision.

Have a checklist handy of all the things you know you will require at your wedding reception, and inquire about all charges and fees. When selecting additional fees and services, it is important to be aware of rates and how your caterer will be charging you so that there are no surprises later on.

Find out who is going to be responsible for cleanup after your reception is over, and if the catering service will be providing their own tableware and serving staff.

After you have gone over all the details and narrowed your choices, it is time to set up a taste test. After all, exquisite food will be the determining factor that ensures your guests have a wonderful time and happy memories of your wedding reception.

MY PLACE YOUR SPACE

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By Cheryl Wright

Almost every educational institution (from kindergarten to universities) plans a graduation for their students. If you (student or parent) wanted to forego all the pomp and ceremony, you could throw your own at-home graduation party for your class, your study group or just your closest school friends and family, with a few of your favourite non-schoolmate neighbours.

Don’t dismiss the idea. You can do it. In fact you can get an A+ without even having to study, attend class or sit an exam.

The following ideas will help.

Do it in style The party may be a do-it-yourself project but that’s no reason to skimp on style and sophistication. Buy cards at a stationary store, make your own or download and make copies, which you can hand-deliver or put in the post. There are websites that allow you to design and email cards right from their site.

Keep in mind that you may need to send invitations well in advance to anyone who lives far away so that they can mark their calendars for the grand event.

Make a big deal about the year Place inexpensive cookie cutters on shallow dishes or baking sheets and fill each shape with nuts or sweets. Cut out the year from foam, felt, craft paper or crepe paper. Glue to a sturdy backing if necessary, attach to a length of rope or coloured string, and drape on a wall or stretch across the ceiling. If you want to the monumental year to appear as if it is floating in the room, attach it to fishing wire.

Lay out a varied menu Set a spread of favourite hangout food and home-cooked specialties. Throw in a couple of sophisticated dishes, especially for older graduates who may be heading into the workplace.

As much as your time and budget allows, offer dishes that will appeal to everyone.

Make the food do double duty Use fruits and vegetable to decorate the table, the food and the drinks you serve. Small numbered cookie cutters can be used to cut out the numbers for the year from fruits and arrange them in a large serving tray. Guests, particularly younger teens, would enjoy serving themselves to pieces that make up the year. Who knows, their creative minds might come up with a fun game for the pieces. Carve the year or your guests’ initials from fruits and use them as drink stirrers or on plates pg 18 MY PLACE YOUR SPACE

as place settings. Freeze pieces of fruits and vegetables and slip into glasses to flavour or decorate individual drinks or a punch bowl. Additionally, string the numbers of the year or the name of the school, the class or team symbols cut from fruits, vegetables or solid food pieces onto skewers and pile them on a platter. Alternatively, throw all the shapes and symbols in a wide dish. Your guests will have fun choosing what pieces they want on their skewer. Cut vegetables carrots cucumbers, celery, etc. into long strips to stir drinks. Set bitesized or even smaller bits of fruit in shallow glasses or bowls so that guests and pick and choose edible decorations and flavours for their desserts. Fill coloured bowls with a wide variety of nuts. They will add splashes of colour and loads of variety for desserts, such as ice cream and yogurt.

Set up a drinks station The bar or drink station can be just as appealing, even if you’re not serving alcoholic beverages. Variety must be the name of the game, and to a sophisticated flare, provide the option for guests to have their non-alcoholic drinks in wine and champagne glasses and beer mugs.

Design a photo booth Place your camera or smart phone on a tripod in an area off the main thoroughfare, gathering or dancing area where guests go to take their pictures. You could make and hang a simple backdrop that captures the school colours to offset the photos.

A great addition to this party feature is a printer with photo paper set up nearby. Print the photos instantly so each guest can write a note on the back. You can also post party photos on your favourite social media sites in real time.

A graduation ball has its own appeal. The formality is a fitting end to the years of stress and struggle. Nevertheless, a graduation party you throw at your home reeks of an intimacy you may not see or feel at a big graduation ball. So if intimacy in a casual setting, mixed with loud and crazy fun is more your thing, try your hand at planning a graduation party at your home.

Your wedding reception head table should stand out from, yet complement the tables set up for your guests. It should strike a noticeably different note while still harmonizing with the rest of the décor. The seating arrangement, placement and shape, background, decorations and centerpieces all help to create the perfect environment to celebrate your wedding.

Seating Arrangement The head table typically seats the bride, groom and their attendants. Mix it up by seating your parents with you if your attendants would rather sit with their dates. Or, if your wedding party is small or your head table is large, consider seating your parents, wedding attendants and their dates at your head table with you. Another option is to sit at a "sweetheart" table that only includes you and your spouse.

Placement and Shape The head table is traditionally a long table with only one side of the table occupied so the couple and their attendants face the guests. Alternatives include a "U" shaped table, a "V" shaped table or smaller round tables set up in a triangular shape. The head table can be raised on a platform, with the cake and gift tables in front of them. To be amongst your guests, consider a round table in the center of your guests' tables so that you are surrounded by those who have come to share the occasion with you.

Background What's behind your head table is just as important as what's on it, since a multitude of pictures will be taken while you're seated there. If your reception room has a beautiful outdoor view or stunning architectural element, consider placing your

pg 20 MY PLACE YOUR SPACE

head table in front of it. Otherwise, create your own background using fabric, an arch, balloons, lights or folding screens. The background you choose should complement the overall décor.

Decorations Create a skirt to go around the table in colors and material that fit in with the theme and formality of your wedding. Silk, tulle and organza work for formal and semi-formal weddings.

Place lights beneath the skirt, shining outward for a dramatic and romantic effect. Drape fabric, lights or use swags for additional decoration of the front of rectangular head tables.

Centerpieces The centerpiece (or centerpieces) on your head table should strongly resemble the centerpieces on the rest of your tables, only grander. For example, if your centerpieces include a floral arrangement, the arrangement on your head table should be fuller and larger. If your parents or attendants are at the head table with you, place edible favors and small, special gifts at the place settings, instead of other favors found at your guests' seats.

You can add to your wedding reception décor by having a head table that sets a nice balance, a striking contrast or an elegant complement to the whole event.

There are a variety of eye-pleasing ways to display food at a wedding reception. A wedding reception features a variety of foods. It can include fruit, vegetables, cheese and crackers, hot appetizers, the main entrees, and dessert. Food can look overwhelming just plopped down on a table and can become disorganized once guests begin getting their food. You will want to arrange the food in an eye-pleasing and organized fashion that is elegant and tasteful.

Appetizers Appetizers featuring fruits, vegetables, cheese and crackers should be arranged beautifully on a table. Use silver platters and arrange them in an interesting manner. You can cut the fruits and vegetables into different shapes and arrange them along with flowers or greenery for an enhanced look. Keep the fruit and vegetable trays separate.

The cheeses can be arranged in a circular shape with the variety of different cheeses spread out on the silver platter. Have the crackers in the middle of the cheeses. Spread these out on an obvious table at the reception so guests can enjoy these healthy and light snacks before the reception begins.

Hot Appetizers Hot appetizers or finger foods are becoming a staple at wedding receptions. They contrast deliciously with the light fruits, vegetables and cheeses. Some of these hot appetizers

or finger foods include mini cheeseburgers, Swedish meatballs, spring rolls, stuffed mushrooms, and bacon-wrapped scallops. These delicious delights look attractive placed on raised silver platters. By using risers underneath the tablecloth, the platters of hot appetizers are placed at a prominent vantage point.

Entrees The classiest way to display entrees is through different stations. Depending on what you are serving at the reception, the specific stations can prominently display the food and how you specifically want it served. There can be a meat carving station, a chicken station, seafood station, or pasta station.

A station of side dishes ranging from potatoes to salad can also be used.

Decorate these stations by using the colors and themes of the wedding through bows, ribbons or centerpieces.

This also keeps the reception organized

as people can go to the stations they specifically desire instead of waiting in line.

Dessert The cake is an important part of the reception, but so are the other desserts.

Having a specific dessert table separate from the cake is delightful for guests of all ages. This is where cookies, pies and other sweet treats can be displayed.

Decorate the dessert table by displaying bowls and jars of candy, which the kids will love. Guests can take home cookies, candy and more by having plates and favor bags - in the colors of the wedding - available on the table. This table should be colorful and decorative with bows, ribbons and a centerpiece.

Don’t let the food table at your wedding leave a sour taste in the mouths of your guests. Make sure that it is as organized and elegant as the other elements of your wedding.

MY PLACE YOUR SPACE

pg 21

By Cheryl Wright A dinner that’s lovingly prepared and attractively presented, can titillate the senses and set the mood for romance.

The time and work involved will definitely lead to cherished memories of an unforgettable evening.

Whether the dinner is a special celebration or a date night event, the steps to making it spectacular is the same.

Be creative with the menu Even if you are a magician in the kitchen, don’t take it for granted that you have everything you need in your pantry and you can wing it. You should ensure that you have everything you’ll need to rev up the flavor, aroma and presentation. While there are recipes galore claiming to have aphrodisiac effect, choose something that both of you will be comfortable with and will not cause you undue stress during preparation. Organize your time well because nothing dampens the spirit of romance as an exhausted dinner partner.

A little research will help whether you’re going for an old recipe or something new and adventurous. Old recipe books, magazines, the Internet, friends – there is a wealth of recipes available to help you create a delicious and tantalizing meal.

To add pizzazz to favourite foods – get creative with appetizers and dips, add extra and unusual side dishes to complement the entrees and roll out tantalizing dessert. Keep in mind any food allergies or health issues to avoid spoiling the dinner, the intimacy or the memory.

Take special care with your choice of wine. In fact, defer to your date’s preference. You could begin the evening with a light flavorful rose or red wine and move on to a nice liqueur to round of the evening. However, if your budget allows, go for champagne for a big celebration.

Set the right mood with (a) Lighting. Dim the ambient light, turn accent lighting towards collectibles, paintings and sculptures, place scented candles at strategic places in the room to provide a soft, flickering glow and choose scents that will not overpower the meal’s aromas. Consider using fragrances such as rose, lavender, jasmine, or vanilla for their stimulated effect on the senses. pg 22 MY PLACE YOUR SPACE

(b) Table setting. Use table linen in soft colours, set out your “best” china, and glassware and use cutlery with a simple design to keep the atmosphere light and not too formal.

Don’t forget flowers: a single rose in a glass vase at each place setting or a small floral arrangement as the centerpiece. Since you must have lighting here as well, include long-stemmed candles on the table. (c) Music. Few things are as successful in creating a romantic ambience as soft music. Whatever your tastes keep the music soft and romantic, and the volume at a level that does not hinder conversation. (d) Food presentation. Don’t bring pots to the table and don’t set out food in plates. Display food tastefully in serving dishes with their individual spoons, forks or tongs for serving. Use cookbook and magazine photos to inspire how you set out dishes on the table. (e) Dessert. You could either keep it simple with a rich cake and ice cream combination, or go for broke with an overthe-top tiramisu, or one of those popular alcoholic desserts.

Plan an after-dinner activity Don’t leave room for any awkward pauses after dessert. Offer your date a few options to choose from: snuggling to watch a movie, dancing, a leisurely walk …. If you enjoy the mystery of playing the evening by air, go with that.

Enjoy the unexpected Don’t fret about the way your perfectly planned dinner veers away from your romantic vision. Enjoy the time, laugh at unexpected moments and chuck it all up to real life and great memories. So, you have no excuse now. You have the steps to help you create a romantic and memorable dinner date for two.

Banquet halls are usually used to celebrate and create special memories, but decorating a banquet hall can be a daunting task. The good news is that you have many options, and with a few tips, you can look forward to the job instead of dreading it. Relax, read below and learn how to create a beautifully decorated banquet hall and create memories that you and your loved ones will always cherish.

Things you'll need: • Linens • Centerpieces • Candles • Flowers or flower petals • Pictures • Picture frames Instructions: 1. Choose a theme, including a color scheme. Deciding on a particular theme for your decor will instantly make your job easier because you will have a focus, not to mention a shopping plan. Use the event as your guide.

Perhaps your guest of honour's birth year can serve as the theme, or you can use Noah's ark for a baby shower.

place your guest of honour's favorite flowers around the centerpiece. Use more or less flowers depending on your budget. Opt for flower petals strewn on the table if flowers are too expensive. Mix real and artificial flowers to stay within your budget and still provide an element of reality.

5. Create a pretty cake table by using a tablecloth with flowers printed on it. Have your caterer or cake decorator add the flowers used on the tables to top the cake, or strategically place them on the cake yourself.

6. Create a picture table with photos of your guest of honour through the years in pretty frames. Be eclectic with your frames. They don't have to match.

2. Start with the table linens. Pick a tablecloth color in your scheme, and choose a complimentary shade for the napkins.

7. Personalize. As long as you think about your guest of honour and what would make the decor special to him or her, your decor is sure to be a hit.

3. Decide on the centerpieces. Design one centerpiece and then recreate it for all of the tables. Whether your centerpiece is a big brown ark filled with pastel animals, or a glittery styrofoam "1968" sign, pick something with personal meaning to the guest of honour.

Tips & Warnings: • Determine your budget and pick decorations that fit into it. For instance, if you want real flowers, you might have to opt for carnations over roses.

•

4. Surround the centerpiece with tall candelabras or small votive candles, depending on your budget. Sporadically

Don't go overboard or the decorations could turn tacky.

Stick with a theme or color palette to pick a few central decor ideas.

MY PLACE YOUR SPACE

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The wedding cake table is usually a focal point at wedding receptions. And since everyone will stop to look at the wedding cake during the reception, the cake table should be an essential part of your overall reception décor. With that in mind, you should think about how you want to decorate your wedding cake table.

While there are lots of ways to decorate wedding cake tables, you should use your overall wedding theme and décor as a guide.

floral patterns, stripes and polka dots all look lovely on wedding cake tables. Just be sure to match or coordinate the colours.

For a garden wedding, use fresh flowers to decorate the wedding cake table. You can also use the cake’s theme as an indicator for decorating the table. Does your cake feature bows or ribbons around each tier? Use ribbon to decorate the cake table. No matter what kind of wedding or cake you’re going to have, you can find a wedding cake table decoration idea that will work for you.

How to decorate a wedding cake table with flowers and plants Flowers are another easy way to add decoration to wedding cake tables. You can use flowers that you’ve already used in the wedding ceremony, or you can use flowers specifically for the wedding cake table. One way to cut costs is to use the bride’s bouquet and the bridesmaids’ bouquets as decoration for the cake table after the ceremony.

Wedding cake table decoration ideas One of the simplest and easiest ways to decorate a wedding cake table is to use an interesting tablecloth. Select a tablecloth that has a pattern or colour similar to your wedding colours or the décor of your wedding cake. Damask,

You could also transfer aisle runners or other ceremony flowers to be used on the cake table. You could scatter flower petals all over the cake table. Make sure that the petals stay put by placing a piece of glass (cut to fit the table) over them. Other plants can also be used for

wedding cake table décor. Alternatively, you could anchor or surround the cake table with potted flowering plants of varying heights, in colours that match or compliment your wedding colours.

Small topiaries work well also. If you just want to add greenery, you could place leaves such as fern and palm fronds under glass on the table.

Decorate a wedding cake table using food items Candy can be used to decorate cake tables. Candies (like Jordan almonds) on silver stands or in china bowls look lovely on a wedding cake table. Fruits like lemons, apples, pears, or grapes are great ideas for this. Artfully scatter groups of fruit around the table or place them in bowls.

Think about your general wedding theme and décor and let your imagination go from there.

Additional Wedding Cake Table Decoration Ideas 1. Use a photo of the bride and groom as décor for the cake table or a collage of photos under a piece of glass on the cake table.

2. For beach weddings seashells, coral or driftwood will work.

3. Candles are nice, but they may melt the icing so don’t use them for a wedding cake table.

If you want to add light to the table, consider using battery operated votives or hang a battery operated paper lantern above the cake table. You can place a mirror beneath the cake to amplify the light.

4. Consider using something other than a traditional table. You could display your cake on a column or on the top of a wood barrel for a country-themed wedding.

5. Make the wedding cake table stand out by hanging something on the wall behind the cake table, such as a fabric backdrop, a painting, a photo, or garden trellis.

6. If the cake serving set is particularly beautiful, you may want to display that next to the cake.

7. You could also cover old books with a decorative cloth and then place them in a small stack beside the cake.

pg 24 MY PLACE YOUR SPACE

My Place Your Space Venues with Amenities Guide Venues Names, Address & Contact Info

Function Room Names & Function Types

Amenities Offered

LE GRANDE ALAMANDIER #2, Hosang Street, Grand Riviera, Toco E-mail: info@legrandealamandier.com Phone: 670-1013/670-2299

La Chateau Restaurant • Restaurant occupancy 50 persons • Private dinners • Roof-top available for outdoor & private dining • Indoor and outdoor wedding 100 persons • Sea bathing, hikes, & turtle watching

• Safe car parking • Child care services • Picnic baskets can be provided for hikes and picnics.

• Internet service available

XANADU TROPICAL RESORT #47 Lopinot Road, Arouca Office: 1-868-646-8628 Website: www.xanadutt.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/xanadutt Email:www.xanadutropicalresort@yahoo.com

Xanadu Conference Room • Holds 30 persons Conference or Theater style • Xanadu Poolside • Accommodations for 100 persons • Corporate retreats • Reunions • Birthday limes • Team building sessions • Baby/Bridal Showers • Family get-togethers

• • • • • •

CIPRIANI COLLEGE OF LABOUR AND CO-OPERATIVE STUDIES Churchill Roosevelt Highway, Valsayn Phone: 662-5014

CLR James Auditorium • Cultural shows, Plays & Concerts Uriah Butler Wing • Workshop, Meetings and Banquets Cola Renzi Wing • Workshop, and Meetings Grounds • Family days, Sporting events

• All rooms are private • Table and chairs • Secure parking

PORT OF SPAIN LIONS CIVIC CULTURAL CENTRE Wrightson Road, Port of Spain Phone: 627-7627

The Centre • Upgraded stairways, and bathroom facilities • All seating arrangements can be accommodated • Dinners 200-300 persons • Cultural shows, Parang competitions, Product launch, Cocktail, Receptions, Carinval fetes 2000 persons

• Secured parking • Table and chairs • Table cloths are provided with each function.

ANCHORAGE BEACH CLUB Western Main Road, Chaguaramas E-mail: info@anchoragett.com Phone: 634-4334

• Corporate functions/ Parties, Dinners, Weddings, Media Launch, Car Shows and Dragon Boat

• Table and chairs available • Car parking • Bathroom attendants

THE TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO CHAMBER OF INDUSTRY AND COMMERCE Columbus Circle, Westmoorings Contact: Mr. Eustace Pierre Email: epierre@chamber.org.tt Phone: 637-6966

Duncan Campbell Meeting Room Leon Agostini Conference Hall • Corporate Functions, Parties, Weddings, Business/Board Meetings, Product Launches, Cocktail Receptions and more

• • • • • •

BHF Ltd Bedding Campaign Embrace your style and express it! We’ll help you find the look that you want to come home to. Come, explore your style, your taste and express who you are with us. Online only - Website coming soon!

• Quality Bed Linen Collections as well as Bath Luxury Linens can be found, available for purchase, in our Album.

www.facebook.com/Bedding Campaign Call: 498-4153

Audio-Visual equipment Chairs & Tables Music system Wireless Internet Catering services Secured Compound

10% discount for all Chamber Members Tables and chairs inclusive of rental Catering services available Audio visual available Secured parking Available weekdays and weekends