We prepared a unique presentation on an upscale and imaginative BBQ for our client(s) during the summer of 2019. The event we themed was named “Caribbean Nights”. We were asked to grill/cook in front of the guests while free-flowing butler passed hors d’ oeuvres and open bar started the evening allowed our guests to arrive at their leisure. Caribbean steel drums played as background music while our guests enjoyed a wonderful evening of dinner and socializing. The client wanted something more substantial than just hamburgers and BBQ chicken. Let us just say the level expectation had to be of the highest magnitude because of the VIP nature of the dinner guest attendees. Our approach was to make everything look lo-tech as one may encounter perhaps in the Caribbean. Decorative materials we chose to work with were wood, iron, stone, burlap and handwritten chalkboard food signs. Tropical florals and orange color scheme to represent corporate colors were also used. Rentals included a wood pallet bar as well as table and chairs made of rustic wood. We also dressed our servers and cooks in orange floral shirts (Hawaiian shirts). To end the evening and thank our VIP guests, we gifted mason jars of homemade authentic Jamaican Jerk Sauce. A small card with some tips and tricks for making some great food at home was included in our orange gift bag. For this event much of the décor was specially created. For instance, we chose outdoor patio lights to help bring out the evening. I went to Home Depot and purchased wood 2×4’s, stain, concrete mix and buckets for building movable posts to position strung lights. We started this project a month out in advance of the dinner. We are so busy with catering and overall business, we had to work weekends just so we could meet our goals and stay on schedule. Our reputation truly was put to the test with the degree of difficulty we aimed for. Well, fortunately all that hard work paid off. At the end of the evening while everyone was seated, we were invited to join the dinner event where the CFO went out of his way to thank us for the truly spectacular evening they enjoyed. This style of food service went over so well, it was requested again by the same patrons which hosted “Caribbean Night Out”, for the following month, with a slightly smaller budget. Anyways, check out the photos. One of the best events created and exceeded even our own expectations. Well done.

The menu table card for the dinner. The Bird of Paradise tropical flower was thematically represented throughout the dinner. Here we used the Bird of Paradise as a background for the menu table card.

The floral centerpiece includes the Bird of Paradise. Simple, yet elegant and not over the top. Sea shells are used to tie in the centerpiece to the table as well as some purple orchids to highlight and maintain color scheme. Orange clementines are put at the base of the arrangement.

As mentioned previously, we had to build light posts that were portable and transportable. We used concrete to set stained posts into buckets. Once concrete cured, we wrapped buckets with burlap. Added orange florals to its base to create the look of a potted plant. As we set the stage for this, we will string patio lights across the table areas the day of the event.

We made 10 gallons of jerk sauce. Since living and working in Jamaica for 4 years at Hilton’s Rose Hall Executive Chef, I have a pretty good handle on Caribbean cuisine. The jerk sauce perfected and bottled in mason jars.

We will gift mason jars as a parting evening gift, along with a small card created to give a taste of Jamaica for grilling outside for the summer with family and friends. Table design both from the buffet and preset wooden tables was worked out with preliminary sketches and the look we wanted. Here are some photos of the process.

We utilized nature and the surrounding natural landscape by borrowing various textured stones and rocks 🙂 We are now into the day of the event, where time is ticking with still lots to do.

Fortunately, for our team, we have always pushed the envelope in our presentations and displays. With all the experience we bring, we move seamlessly through the production. Its starting to take on the look and feel we imagined. Here we have photos of the final buffet table as we are grilling/cooking in front of our guests. The aromas from the grill wafting in the air, the sound of steel drums, and our guests having a wonderful evening brings all our effort and hard work to it’s climax.

What an evening. Thank you Mark for allowing us to bring about a wonderfully received event. Big Thank You’s go out to all those that made this evening happen.

Categories: Dinner