From weddings to holiday parties, there are many wonderful reasons to celebrate something special with friends and family, but who says you have to wait for a special occasion to plan an event? There are always reasons to celebrate, and one of the best is the coming of spring!
No other season is full of more promise and new beginnings. It’s also the season when people stop hibernating at home and venture outside to look for fun things to do. No wonder it’s such a popular time for a catering company like Left Coast Catering to plan and host special events!
As is the case with any celebration, your party should include details that are specific to your event, especially if you’re planning a spring-themed shindig. Use the tips below when you’re welcoming the coming of spring at your next event.
When most people think of fresh produce, they think of summer. It’s true that a lot of produce is grown to maturity during the warm summer months, but don’t make the mistake of thinking that every kind of food is harvested during the hottest time of the year. There are plenty of delicious fruits and vegetables that are ready in the spring. They include:
There are some vegetables that aren’t technically ready until the summer, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be harvested a little early. For example, peas can be picked before they’re fully developed and the entire pod can be used in various dishes. Carrots can be picked when they’re still small and sweet, and white potatoes can be dug out of the ground early and cooked.
By choosing a seasonal menu, you can bring the smells and tastes of the spring season to your guests in a tangible, delicious way.
There are some dishes guests might expect to find on a springtime dinner table, like a fresh salad or a strawberry rhubarb pie. However, there are many more ingredients out there that can enhance the food at any celebration.
There are many foods that can be integrated into your recipes that you didn’t know you could eat. A few examples of foods that are surprisingly edible include:
Although many of these ingredients aren’t very tasty on their own, they can enhance many dishes. For example, carrot tops and beet greens can be used in a pesto, while the zest of a citrus peel can be used to brighten up the flavor of soups and desserts.
Many creative ingredients can be used indirectly in the cooking process as well. Nearly anything can be dumped into a pot when making vegetable or chicken stock. Things like pineapple cores, citrus peels, and fruit that is past its prime can be used to flavor drinks like lemonade and sangria.
Did you know many flowers are edible! Freeze pansies in an ice cube tray, add borage to a salad to give it a light cucumber taste, or pickle chive blossoms and mix with cream cheese for the perfect brunch bagel.
It’s true that you can have the biggest impact on your event by choosing a menu that features fruits and vegetables that are fresh in the spring, but don’t forget about the decorations at your event. There are many ways for you to decorate your space with the promise of spring.
Start by determining your color palate. The spring season is associated with many beautiful colors. Shades of green are the most obvious choice. Sage, mint, and pistachio are popular shades of green that will make your event feel like spring, even if your guests are mingling indoors.
There are plenty of other colors that are great for a spring themed event if green isn’t your favorite hue. Yellow is a bright, cheerful color, while pastel shades of pink and purple are reminiscent of the Easter holiday.
Once you’ve determined your color palate, the real fun begins! Use the colors you have chosen to inspire your decorations. That might mean balloons and streamers, but make sure it includes plenty of greenery as well. The spring season is known for budding blooms and flowering trees, so use florals like tulips and daffodils, as well as branches to decorate your space. Unexpected greenery like green onions, garlic, and leafy greens can create especially striking displays.
No other season awakens the senses like spring! It doesn’t matter if you’re planning a small spring-themed gathering for your closest family and friends or you have a corporate event that needs a personal touch, Left Coast Catering can help. Contact our catering company today to learn about our seasonal menus, as well as other services we can provide that will enable you to celebrate the warmer weather and longer days that are just around the corner.
