Tips for Storing Thanksgiving Day Leftovers

Posted on November 29, 2019 by cateringfft17

There is nothing quite like the comfort of enjoying a big plate of Thanksgiving Day leftovers. In fact, many people look forward not only to Thanksgiving Day, but also the day after, simply for the pleasures of leftover turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and of course, pie! So even though Thanksgiving is over, the holiday will keep on giving, so long as you store all your leftovers properly that is. Improper storage practices can reduce the quality of food, as well as pose several health risks since contamination can happen quite quickly.

In order to get the most of your holiday leftovers, and to protect your loved ones, be sure, you know how to store food the right way. You can give your fridge a quick check right now to see if your storage practices are keeping your foods tasty and fresh.

Continue reading to learn all the tips you need to know for storing Thanksgiving leftovers, safely.

Cooling and Packing

Leftover foods should be stored in a separate container than the one they were served in. So, if you simply put your sweet potato casserole dish in the fridge and covered it with some plastic wrap, it is not the best practice for maintaining quality and freshness. Instead, pack all leftover foods separately in shallow containers with airtight lids, or plastic storage bags. Use the smallest container possible for each type of food you are storing to reduce oxygen exposure.

Length of Time

in order to maintain top quality and freshness, it is best to consume your Thanksgiving leftovers within 5 to 7 days. It is recommended to simply reheat the portion of food that you want to eat rather than heating up the entire container. Although it is safety reheat the entire container, and then store it again, reheating one portion at a time as needed will keep the food fresher for longer. If you wish to freeze your leftovers, be sure to use freezer-safe containers or plastic bags. In the freezer, leftovers should remain good for 2 to 6 months.

Defrosting Frozen Foods

There are three primary ways to thaw out leftover frozen foods. The best way to defrost frozen foods is to simply place them in the refrigerator and let them thaw out overnight. Just be sure to transfer them to a plate and keep them in the container. You can also choose to use cold running water to defrost frozen foods. To do this, run lukewarm water at your kitchen faucet directly on top of the frozen container. Depending on the mass and volume of the item, this can take anywhere from an hour to several hours. If you don’t waste water, you can fill a large bowl with lukewarm water, and place the frozen item inside. This can also take a few hours; however, you will feel like you’re wasting water or money. The least recommended way to de-thaw frozen foods is to use the microwave. If you choose to use this method, just be sure to follow your manufacturer’s instructions for your particular make and model microwave.

Reheating Leftovers

As mentioned, leftover foods can remain in the refrigerator safely for up to seven days. In order to reheat them safely, be sure the internal temperatures reach 165° Fahrenheit. If you are reheating sauces, be sure to bring them to a full boil before consuming to ensure any bacterial growth has been killed. When reheating foods in the microwave, use microwave-safe plate or containers, and rotate them during the heating process to ensure even cooking.

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An Eco-Friendly Approach to Catering

Posted on July 9, 2019 by cateringfft17

“Going green” has become an influential and positive trend over the past decade, promoting healthier living and the conservation of our natural resources through every day practices. To “Go Green” implies the decision and commitment to using and practicing actions and inactions that support our eco-system, both locally and as a whole. One of the greatest elements of green practices is that it can be applied to almost everything you do in life. This includes catering and the methods used to cater an event!

If you plan to cater an upcoming occasion or event with an Eco-conscious agenda, continue reading to learn some of the best tips for green catering, including who to call for professional help!

Basics of Eco-Friendly Catering

? Eliminate Disposal Utensils

There are several easy ways to start out when choosing to cater with an Eco-friendly approach. One popular choice you can choose to incorporate is trading in plastic utensils for real cutlery. Plastic forks, knives, and spoons are a familiar site at family barbeques and graduation parties, but we tend to forget that they are also non bio-degradable, which negatively impacts the environment. By avoiding disposable utensils, you are one step closer to helping the Eco-system around us!

? Use Chemical-Free Cleaning Products

Another form of green catering is the use of chemical-free cleaning products. Household cleaning agents like glass cleaner, multi-surface cleaner, and dish soap are full of toxic chemicals that are harmful to the environment and one’s health. Inhalation of these chemicals can cause respiratory complications and illness in children, adults, and animals. If these chemicals come in contact with the outdoor environment, it can kill plants, grass, animals, trees, and pollute water sources. By switching to chemical-free and all natural cleaning solutions, harm can be avoided.

⚡ Avoid Using Electricity

Using open fires rather than electric grills and stoves is an excellent way to “Go Green” when catering an event. Incorporating fire pits, outdoor rotisseries, and wood burning ovens can all reduce the amount of electricity consumed while preparing food. These are also great ways to add more originality and flavor to your catered food, thus rendering a more memorable event!

Overall, anything that promotes the conservation of our natural resources is an act of going green. So simply apply any of these ideas towards catering, or any other need, and you will quickly discover how simple it really is to make healthy and environmentally-conscience changes to everyday life!

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Call Food for Thought Catering at 678-340-0510 for professional custom catering in Newnan, Georgia. We offer a wide range of catering services for all industries, occasions, events, and more. Choose from our popular catering menu, or work with our catering coordinators to customize a menu according to your particular needs and interests. We can also provide assistance with décor, themes, vendors, and more! Request a free estimate, information, or advice, today!

How to Hire the Right Caterers for Your Event

Posted on April 23, 2019 by cateringfft17

For special occasions, it is nice to provide a food portion in addition to the festivities you plan. Depending on the size of your event or celebration, you might need professional caterers to get the job done to your satisfaction, and everyone else’s as well. But how do you know which caterer is right for the job? It is important to choose a catering company with the appropriate credentials and services you require.

Continue reading to learn some angles to consider when choosing a catering company for your next social gathering, celebration, or special event.

What to Consider When Hiring Caterers

There are several angles to consider, as mentioned before, that can help determine the type of catering company you need. Things like budget, transportation services, food themes, people count, food preparation, and more are all areas to think about before ultimately deciding on a caterer for your event. Not all catering companies offer the same services; they are each individual with different qualities, services, areas of expertise, and qualifications.

Below are the basic topics to consider before hiring a caterer for your special occasion. Be sure to figure out what it is you need from a catering company, so it is guaranteed that they can accommodate you before writing that first check!

✅ Budget

The first item on the list to discuss is the budget. It is important to set the budget ahead of time so that you are not overwhelmed with all the expenses adding up during the process. If you have an overall budget, this number works as a “safe-place” for clients to do business with potential caterers. If you are sure of a budget, then you can walk into a catering business and notify them from the start that you cannot exceed this particular limit. This can avoid having caterers tack on additional expenses and costs your way, once the service is extended. A company can work with its clients to choose services that will allow them to remain within budget without any problems. If this is something important to you, then be sure to hire a catering company that can work within your set budget before committing to do business with them.

✅ Head Count

You must figure out how big your event is going to get, and how many people you should expect. A head count is important so that you can accommodate the people with food, appetizers, and drinks without running out halfway through the night. Be sure to hire a catering company that retains a staff large enough to service your guests; as well as, prepare the food without delays. Also, some catering companies offer wait staffs and floor service. This entails servers walking around and passing out appetizers to guests; while refreshing drinks, re-stocking, and anything else needed on the floor. They may also offer bartender and alcohol services as well.

✅ Food Menu

Another important aspect to consider is the food menus. Food quality is key; as well as, the dining theme you wish to use. Be sure the catering company can prepare a menu with the theme you had in mind. Also, be sure they provide good quality food. Check references, past clientele, and more for answers about their company credentials and food quality.

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Call Food for Thought Catering at 678-340-0510 for professional catering in Georgia and its surrounding areas, like Newnan and Peachtree City. We offer a wide range of catering services for all industries, occasions, events, and more. Choose from our popular catering menu, or work with our catering coordinators to customize a menu according to your particular needs and interests. We can also provide assistance with décor, themes, vendors, and more!

Tips for Planning an Off-Site Catered Event

Posted on March 12, 2019 by cateringfft17

To plan a successful off-site catered event, it is important to start early on and give yourself plenty of time to hammer out all the details. Although this will take some patience and a bit of finesse on your part, proper party planning is the key to a smooth and successful outcome.

Continue reading to learn where to start, what to do, and how to get the best results for your catered event.

Setting a Date

Setting a date is the first thing that should be on your to-do list. Once you have a date set, you can move forward with the remaining party-planning tasks. Be sure to set your date within a reasonable time; not too soon but not too far out. Give yourself a realistic amount of time to pull off a great event, while also making sure to not set it so far in advance that people become forgetful or unenthusiastic about it.

It is also important to consider seasonal factors like weather and climate. If you have your heart set on an outdoor event in Indiana, you don’t want to set the date in late November. Likewise, avoid rainy or humid seasons for outdoor events. Not only does rain and humidity affect food and beverages, it affects a long list of other things, like clothing, hair, windows, and more.

Planning a Budget

Discuss what your total budget will be before planning anything else so that you and your team are on the same page in terms of finances. Knowing your budget up front helps you stick by it, and makes the selection process much easier. Let your services know what your budget is, and they can provide the options that fit best.

Choosing a Venue

As soon as the date is set, the very first thing you need to do is find and reserve a venue. Be sure to due ample research, and see what all the local indoor and outdoor venues have to offer in terms of location, aesthetics, packages and amenities. Choose a place that makes sense for the size and type of the group attending.

A space too small will create a cramped and hot event, and a space too large will feel empty, which can cause a disconnection among guests and make your event appear like it had a poor turn out. For a group that is elderly or handicapped, you don’t want to book your event at a place with lots of stairs, or without safety ramps, elevators, and other necessary conveniences.

Deciding on Entertainment

If you were to ask the guests, the catered food and beverages are the best part of any event. In fact, it is often the focal point of a party! For this reason, an exceptionally catered event doesn’t need much more entertaining. But if you do want to spice things up a bit, noting makes a party more memorable than music.

Hire a live band, or provide a platform for guest karaoke. You can also choose to hire a professional DJ, violinist, cellist, harp player, piano player, dueling pianos, and more, depending on the theme of your event. For events with children, bouncing houses, clowns, face painters, magicians, and exotic animals are a fun way to go.

Professional Event Catering in Georgia

Call Food for Thought Catering at 678-340-0510 for professional event catering in Newnan, Georgia and its surrounding areas, including Peach Tree City, Raymond, Sharpsburg, Woodsmoke, Wood Valley Estates, Arnco Mills, Fayetteville, Whitesburg, Chattahoochee Hills, Palmetto, and more. We offer a wide range of catering services for all industries, occasions, and events. Choose from our popular catering menu, or work with our catering coordinators to customize a menu according to your particular needs and interests. We can also provide assistance with décor, themes, vendors, and more! Request a free estimate, today!

Catering Tips for Buffets

Posted on August 27, 2018 by cateringfft17

Many people planning a party or event opt for buffet-style service over plated meals. It is a common and popular options because it provides several benefits in terms of convenience, efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and much more. However, not every event is best suited for buffet catering, so be sure you know the difference.

If you choose to have buffets at your event, there are some important tips you need to know in order to ensure the best experience possible. Continue reading to learn these tips, including how to determine if your event is a good fit for buffet-style catering.

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Types of Events

As mentioned, not all events are good fits for buffets. For instance, if you are dressing up in black tie and formal wear, you wouldn’t expect to navigate through a buffet and serve yourself at dinner. So to help make the determination between plated meals and a buffet simply consider the type of event you are planning. The general rule of thumb is that the more formal the event, the more you should lean toward plated meals. If your guests are dressing up in jackets, dresses, gowns, or tuxedos, a plated meal service would be more appropriate. However, more laid back events, are well-suited for self-service.

There are some exceptions to this rule, however. The higher the guest count gets, the less practical a buffet will be. Large events with hundreds of guests would not do well with a buffet, regardless of how formal or informal. The amount of time and space needed would be too much. Another exception are weddings. Weddings can be formal, but receptions are usually more informal. Wedding receptions would be well-suited for buffets, so long as the guest list doesn’t exceed 100 guests; then it could become less practical.

When to Choose a Buffet

Buffets are great options for parties that are offering more than one entrée option. This is especially helpful if you are unsure of the dietary restrictions or preferences of all the guests expected to attend. Another example of when buffets are a good choice is when you are planning an event that is not centered on a dinner. For instance, if you are hosting an event with a focus on a certain activity, such as a poker tournament or networking social, a buffet would be the perfect fit since it comes secondary to the main activity.

Quasi Buffet

For some events, having both plated meal service and buffets can be beneficial. This works by having salads and desserts on each place setting prior to guest arrival, followed by a buffet selection of appetizers and main courses. The advantages of a hybrid buffet approach is mostly centered on efficiency and convenience. Not only does it reduce the amount of foot traffic carrying plates from line to table, it makes certain a consistent start time for dinner.

Another optional approach to this type of buffet-service is to incorporate a “captain’s call”, which means that wait staff will alert each table when it is time to take their turn in the buffet line. This is especially helpful for events with a large guest count.

Professional Event Caterers You Can Trust

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Call Food for Thought Catering at 678-340-0510 for Newnan event catering at an affordable price. We are seasoned culinary specialists with a passion to serve excellent meals with the highest level of professionalisms. Choose from our popular catering menu, or work with our catering coordinators to customize a menu according to your particular needs and interests. We can also provide assistance with décor, themes, vendors, and more! Request a free estimate, today.

Tips for Catering Outdoors This Summer

Posted on July 13, 2018 by cateringfft17

Catering outdoors in the summer heat and sun is much different than catering a party in a restaurant or indoor venue. There are many additional aspects to consider, primarily being guest safety and proper food preservation. Continue reading to learn 5 vital tips for serving food to guests outside in the summer temperatures.

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❶ Maintain Proper Food Temperatures

Food that is to be served warm should stay warm, and food that is to be served cold should be kept cold at all times. This is to prevent your food from spoiling. Spoiled food contain bacteria that can make people very sick. You will need to ensure your food is coupled with the proper equipment and materials to keep it at safe temperatures. This may include coolers, cabinets, carts, ice, ice packs, heat lamps, burners, umbrellas, covers, and more. The general rule of thumb is to keep hot foods above 135 degrees Fahrenheit and cold foods below 41 degrees Fahrenheit.

❷ Do Not Serve Unsafe Foods

There are certain foods that are staples for summer cookouts and picnics, but in the heat, they are not always the safest choice. Foods like deviled eggs, potato salad, and shellfish are not likely to stay fresh throughout the duration of your event. They are more challenging to keep safe because they spoil so quickly in the sun.

❸ Have Plenty of Ice On Hand

On a hot day, ice is key; especially when serving food outdoors. Whatever amount of ice you planned on having at your event, go ahead and double it to be safe. Ice melts quicker than you might think when it is hot outside, and you will need plenty of it for both food preservation and beverages. Keep coolers around filled with ice for backups, and use these reserves to refresh trays, drinks, bars, and more.

❹ Protect Against Insects

Outdoor events that serve food will most certainly attract bugs and other pests. You will need to prepare a plan to protect both your food and your guests from insects. This is especially important if your outdoor event is located right next to a body of water or forest. Use equipment like food covers, netting, candles, and more to thwart insect interference. Also be sure to have extra bug spray and anti-histamines on hand in the case that a guest is affected.

❺ Keep Your Guests Cool

In addition to keeping your food at safe temperatures, you want to also be sure your guests are cool and comfortable during your outdoor event. Plan to have areas of shade using umbrellas, pergolas, or gazebos. You can also set up fans, ice buckets, and more to keep your guests comfortable. Be sure to have plenty of cool drinking water and sports drinks on hand as well.

Trust Our Georgia Catering Professionals for Safe Service!

Food for Thought Catering 678-340-0510

Call Food for Thought Catering at 678-340-0510 for Georgia catering services that won’t disappoint! We are skilled culinary professionals who specialize in full-service catering. You can customize everything down to the very last detail, from menus and service, to themes, décor, and more. Call 678-340-0510 to request a free consultation, today!