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.

Georgia Catering Services

Call Food for Thought Catering at 678-340-0510 for professional catering in Newnan, Georgia you can trust! We are skilled culinary professionals who specialize in full-service catering, including decadent desserts like made-from-scratch cookies! You can customize everything down to the very last detail, from menus and service, to themes, décor, venues, and more. Request a free consultation, today!

3 Factors to Consider Before Hiring a Caterer

Posted on October 25, 2019 by cateringfft17

Catering is arguably one of the most important and most memorable part of any event. Food plays an important role in most people’s lives, and the same goes for the success of an event, whether it be an extravagant wedding or an outdoor corporate cook out. So it is important to make sure the catering plans you’ve made are the best fit for whatever event is approaching on your calendar.

The greatest full-proof method to making sure your food plan is delicious, sufficient, and within budget, is to hire a professional caterer. But before you hire a caterer, it is wise to consider a few factors first. These factors will set the tone, budget, and plan for the entire catering process, and give you the tools necessary to create a beautiful event everyone will talk about for years!

Continue reading to learn about these factors and where to begin planning the catering for your special event.

❶ Type of Event

The first aspect to consider is the type of event you are catering. This will also help you narrow down the type of caterer you want to call. For example, a wedding will require a fancier menu, alcohol service, wait staff, prep and breakdown services, specific time schedules, and a caterer that specializes in wedding service catering. Whereas a corporate picnic might require a more relaxed food and beverage menu, buffet-style service, a caterer that specializes in large-scale outdoor catering. See our blog, “Types of Occasions Perfect for Professional Catering Service” for help with your party’s leitmotif and more.

❷ Budget

Your budget is one of the most important aspects of the catering planning process. This is the number that will place you in a particular bracket of service that best fits your type of event. One good tip for setting a budget is multiplying the number of people expected to attend the event by a personally-selected number “per head.” So for a nicer, upper-scale event, you might decide that each attendee is $50 a head. Multiply that number by the number of expected guests, and you have a base budget for catering. You may need to inflate this number just a bit to be more realistic with catering costs and needs. This is an area to discuss and customize with your caterer as well. See our blog, “Cost Saving Advice for Catering a Party.”

❸ Wait Staff and Service

Will your event require any type of wait staff? There are a few different types of service a caterer can provide in terms of bartenders, waiters, cocktail waitresses, food carriers, buffet attendants, and more. You can select a certain level of wait staff as well, from basic bartenders and tray carriers, to full-service formal wait staffs, and everything in between. See our blog, “How to Hire the Right Caterers for Your Event” to get started on the right track.

✨ Once you have all three of these factors planned out, you can contact your local catering company and begin bringing your plan to life!

Call Our Georgia Caterers for Exceptional Service!

Call Food for Thought Catering at 678-340-0510 for Georgia catering services that are guaranteed to exceed your expectations for excellence! 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!

What to Look for in a Large Event Caterer

Posted on July 26, 2019 by cateringfft17

If you are catering an upcoming event, it is important to know that the food will be one of the most memorable portions of the evening. No one ever remembers what guests are wearing, and people hardly think twice about the music, china, and tablecloths. Food speaks the loudest among all other amenities at a catered event. This is why it is so crucial to hire a well-qualified and reputable catering company to get it right.

Continue below to learn some vital tips for hiring a caterer for your big event.

Experience

Experience is the most important requirement when choosing a catering company. It is very difficult to organize food and serving crowds of 100 people or more. Experience means the caterers have learned through years of practice how to handle any situation at any type of event. They come more prepared, organized, and ready for anything. They can keep their heads above water and fix a problem if something goes wrong at the last minute, as well as, come prepared with proper equipment and staff.

Reputation

Along with experience, reputation is a big deal breaker when choosing a catering company for your party. Any business with a great reputation and following advertises that aspect openly. If you cannot find any reviews or testimonials from previous customers, it is not a good sign. If a business cannot give you any testimonials or reviews about their services when you ask, then they are probably not a reputable business, or they are just too new in the industry to have any; which is also not desirable.

Product Samples and Reviews

Since food is such an important part of planning a great event, it is crucial that you sample the caterer’s food before choosing to hire them. Taste test the menu and samplings they provide and determine for yourself if the food is what you are looking for. You can never be sure what to expect when it comes to food, so taste testing is highly recommended. If the caterer does not offer sampling consultations, then you might want to move onto another company. Any professional caterer knows to let their clients sample food in order to make an educated and informed decision.

Entertain Your Options

It helps to interview or test multiple caterers to see who has the best food and amenities. Do not be tempted by low prices; these prices speak directly to the type of food you’ll be getting. It there is anything to go over budget on; it would be the food every time. Do not take short cuts when catering a party or event!

Trusted Event Catering in Georgia

Call Food for Thought Catering at 678-340-0510 for quality event 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! Call 678-340-0510 to learn more about our Newnan catering services, or to request a free estimate, today!

Unique Events Perfect for Professional Catering Service

Posted on May 14, 2019 by cateringfft17

There are certain events that simply go hand-in-hand with professional catering. This includes weddings, banquets, conventions, galas, graduations, reunions, and even birthday celebrations. However, there are countless occasions that we as a society take part in, all of which can benefit greatly from professional catering service. Unfortunately, we tend overlook these opportunities to use professional caterers because most people assume catering companies only accept large bids.

But this is not true!

Just think about all the social gatherings you have personally held in your lifetime. Now from those gatherings, how many of those would have been much easier with a professional catering company handling all the food delivery, setup, breakdown, and cleanup? Most people say, “Sure, catering would be much easier, but it also costs a lot more.”

However, the reality is that you have paid hundreds of dollars buying food and supplies for your each one of your social gatherings, which is basically equivalent to the cost of professional catering. They supply all the necessary plate ware, serving dishes, cutlery, to-go containers, and more, along with all the food and beverage.

Here are some common events that are perfectly-suited for professional catering:

? Wakes

A wake is like an informal gathering to celebrate the life of a loved one who recently passed away. These are generally more light and happy occasions, compared to funerals, which tend to be a bit more morose. For this reason, professional catering is a perfect asset for a wake. Friends and family gathering together to honor and remember the life of their loved one is best done over food, beverage, and libations.

? Game Day Celebrations

Have a big game coming up? Sports fans go all out for their favorite teams and the most important tournaments, matches, and games of the season. But instead of visiting the party store and spending endless amounts of money on game day props and décor, and then going to the grocery store to purchase mounds of meat, side dishes, beverages, snacks, produce, and plate ware, you could just enlist the services of a professional caterer to handle all aspects of your game day. Just tell them your vision and they can make it happen for you at the budget you have set.

? Civil Unions

As an alternative to matrimony, many folks opt for a civil union. This is a legally recognized, informal domestic partnership between two people that is similar to marriage. These ceremonies are very special and intimate, and celebrated with close friends and family. This makes it a perfect occasion for professional catering services. Mark your special union with your favorite cuisines and dishes crafted by a skilled culinary professional. Don’t worry about hosting, and enjoy being your own guest!

Additional Examples:

▻ Sip and See’s

▻ Trophy Ceremonies

▻ Golf Tournaments

▻ School Sports Tournaments

▻ Baptisms and Christenings

▻ Quinceaneras

▻ Fundraisers

▻ Charity Events

▻ Garage Sales

▻ Holiday Parties

▻ Think Tanks

▻ Picnics

Professional Event Catering for All of Georgia

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!

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.

Georgia Catering Services 678-340-0510

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!