Mac n' Cheese

If you've ever been to an event where Colette's was catering and happened to have the privilege of sampling (possibly by stealing it off of the children's meal) some of our delicious macaroni & cheese, than you too are probably suffering from a mild addiction. We've seen adult men ask if it's possible to have a kids plate rather then their intended "adult" dinner. So in response to this overwhelming love of Colette's famous mac n' cheese we're devoting this blog post to just that!

There's absolutely no reason the adults can't relish in our decadent mac n' cheese at any event. There's nothing that says you cant serve macaroni and cheese at your wedding or even a conference, trust us we checked. And as macaroni and cheese grows in popularity we've come up with our own twists on this classic comfort food that dress it up for any occasion!

 One recipe we've been making for years is our delicious mac n' cheese bites, these fried balls of ooey gooey goodness (which can be made with bacon as well!) are perfect as a tray passed appetizer paired with marinara for dipping.

Presentation plays a large part in taking this kid's meal favorite to an adult's meal time dream.  For instance serving this classic in a martini glass knocks it up a decade or two. For even more fun you can try serving up a Mac n' Cheese Martini Bar, very similar to our  Mashed Potato Martini Bar.

Our chefs also love playing with all of the great flavor combos that lend itself mac n' cheese. This goes far beyond cheddar people.

With smoked gouda, roasted chicken, and peas baked in your mac n' cheese do you really need anything else in life? Or how about a three cheese mac with tomato and bread crumbs on top. It is one of those magical foods that has few limitations.

Something else we really love is individual mac n cheese, baked in ramekins for the perfect serving size. Who wouldn't want someone to place one of these gorgeous things in front of them at dinner.

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 And put those individual mac n' cheeses on a station and you might have a frenzy on your hands(don't worry our servers are used to it)!

For an even greater nostalgic treat combine our other favorite classic, the grilled cheese, with macaroni and cheese and it'll change your life!

And for your mac n' cheese eating delights check out this list of beer pairings courtesy of SeriousEats.com;

Rogue Hazelnut Brown Nectar: Built on an English brown ale base, this beer has an extra hazelnut kick that really sings with the nutty flavors of the cheddar and gruyere cheese.
New Glarus Fat Squirrel: Another beer with a pronounced hazelnut character, this one has a bit more bitterness and roasted flavor than the Rogue beer. The added English hops give a shout-out to the sage and clear away the sauce.
Oktoberfest/Märzen
Schell's Oktoberfest: A 2010 GABF gold medal winner, this is a beautiful example of the style. Toasty caramel malt brings out the sweetness of the sauce, while the spicy flavors of continental hops offer a tasty counterpoint.
Paulaner Oktoberfest-Märzen: The original Oktoberfest beer, Paulaner is light with a clean, dry finish. The subtle sweetness enhances the sauce, but really lets the cheese come through.
English Pale Ales
Samuel Smith's India Ale: This classic English IPA is bitter, but balanced and a great partner for cheddar cheese. The flavor-marriage with this dish creates an interesting floral offspring. It's sharp enough to cut through the creamy sauce.
Fuller's ESB: Smooth caramel malt with a balancing blast of bitterness and light, earthy hops make this a delightful mate for mac and cheese. It's another beer that pairs well with cheddar, bringing both sweet and nutty flavors to the table. 

Tell us about your favorite way to serve up mac n' cheese.
Cheers to cheesy goodness!

Shot, shots, shots!

Even though we're well out of college we just cant get enough shots at our parties. So there not exactly the same shots from back then, but they still make for a great party. Whether tray passed or set up as a fabulous station, your favorite foods served in shot glasses are a great addition to any event your hosting.

They can be served as appetizers during cocktail hour, a late night snack towards the end of your event or consider having a "shots" party and try them all!         

  

Starting with breakfast we're serving up "shots" of  french toast and maple syrup, and shots of espresso with mini doughnuts 

 

Add a chic mimosa bar and you've got yourself a truly fabulous brunch.

For those hot summer days around the corner we're serving chilled ''shots'' of veggie crudites and dips, fresh avocado and shrimp ceviche, and cold summer soups like our spicy gazpacho, kiwi and cucumber, and strawberry basil soup shooters.

And a more literal shot option are these bloody mary shots served with bacon wrapped scallops on bamboo skewers

 

 

 For a warmer treat its another appearance from our favorites; The Grilled Cheese served with creamy tomato soup, and from  

The Potato served as a fry with ketchup.

And we didn't forget about dessert either...

 Try a deconstructed cupcake with a thin layer of ganache on the bottom it's a sweet surprise for your guests. Or try a shot of milk with a chocolate chip cookie it's the perfect pick me up.

So put away the plates because we're taking shots!

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The Year Of The Potato

We are a quarter of the way through 2012 and this year is shaping out to be the year of the potato. Not that the potato every really went away (it was just a little shy during that whole low-carb thing) but its featured more then ever now, and we couldn't be happier about it. We're drooling over mashed potato bars with an array of mix-ins, and custom potato chips with assorted dips perfect for any party!
  

 














And a new favorite on the scene is the chocolate covered potato chip, the perfect balance of salty and sweet it's a fun treat that will delight all of your guests come dessert time.

Another new little appetizer we're adding to the menu in all this spud bliss, are mini baked potatoes. Not only are they absolutely adorable, but there perfect as a hearty tray passed appetizer, and a great option for a small plates party as well. And did we mention how cute they are?

And of course we couldn't forget the french fry. We have a fabulous new action station; the custom french fry bar! Our chefs fry your fries on site, so you can enjoy fresh hot fries in a variety of potatoes. And then your guests can select their seasonings, toppings, and dipping sauces!

 

Plus let's not forget that the french fry is the perfect accompaniment to our other favorite dish, and popular food trend for 2012, The Grilled Cheese.

With all of these great potato choices you'll definitely find a place for them at your next event, and we can't wait to make it for you!

Call us today to plan your perfect 'Potato Party'!

The Grilled Cheese

We just fell in love all over again with our favorite childhood sandwich, the grilled cheese. What was once as simple as white bread and cheddar cheese has gotten so much bolder, heartier, and tastier all those old feelings just came rushing back. And now we can't get enough! We're creating chefs stations where guests can choose their own cheese and an array of toppings. And we're going way past cheddar here(but of course we still love a good cave aged cheddar) with options like gruyere, brie, and ricotta this station is fun and exceptionally delicious.

But we're not stopping there! Oh no, we've fallen so head over heals we're serving up grilled cheese paired with a classic tomato soup for lunch and dinner

And we love this combo as a tray passed appetizers for cocktail hour too!

 

Share this nostalgic treat at your next event and you and your guests will fall head over heels in love all over again.