As Valentines day approaches the everlasting question is "how can I make it special and stand out from the rest of them"? You can make a reservation at one of the local restaurants and be herded in and overcharged (I was in the business for many years, they hike the prices up). Or a better more intimate and afforadable option is to create a romantic dinner for two in the privacy of your own home. How? You may ask?

Parties By Panache has a couple Sweetheart options available to you depending on your needs and budget. Starting at only $75 per couple, thats right only $37.50 each, we will have your fully prepared, fine dining dinner for two ready and waiting to be picked up and warmed in your oven at your fingertips. These 3-4 course meals are fully complete and ensure you to look like a star on this romantic evening. All you need is to add a bottle of your favorite wine and "voila", you have it. No mess, no crazy prepration or cooking required.

Just go to our website and click the menu section, or click this link to Valentine's Day menus for a list of your options. Already have reservations? You will also find our "Sweets Only" for when you return home, you surprise your partner with some of our Jumbo Chocolate dipped Strawberries or other delights with nice bottle of sparkling or port wine.

Share the Love - Gary

I am very thankful for this quiet Friday at the Panache office because it has given me a moment to reflect on what a whirlwind few weeks it has been leading up to Thanksgiving.  We certainly had a busy week, what with our regular event schedule combined with preparing Thanksgiving dinners for many families to enjoy.  I lost count of how many turkeys came out of our ovens, but despite the madness, everything was a delicious success.  I think we are all looking forward to a quiet weekend before we take a deep breath and dive head first into next week - Hanukkah is already around the corner and Christmas and New Year's not far behind!

On a personal note, I cannot remember the last time I felt like I had a family at work.  It's been a fortunate series of events that lead me here and I can honestly say that everyone I work with I also consider dear friends.  I think that's a rare and special thing to experience.  Thanksgiving intensified that feeling for me this week and I know that everyone I work with feels the same. 

OK, enough of the mushy stuff.  It's time for pictures!  I really enjoyed photographing our kitchen team this week and I am constantly amazed by what they do on a regular basis.  Making good food is tough enough, but making really good food for hundreds of people at a time is even more difficult; however our team does it with ease.   

Eat well and be well!

Thanksgiving is a mere two weeks away, the presidential election is over, the weather in California is finally beginning to cool and daylight savings time has given us an "extra" hour to revel in all this seemingly sudden change.  With the promise of rain on the horizon here in Orange County, there is a lot to look forward to and much to celebrate at Panache headquarters.  Our new website went live this week (with only a minor snag), and with it all of our updated menus!  Be sure to check them out - especially our Thanksgiving menu - before you click away somewhere else in cyberspace.

As of late, I think we have actually been talking about technology and social media probably just as much as we have been talking about food at Panache.  In the past few weeks not only have we been engrossed in designing a new website, but we have also tackled Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.  I think the most exciting part of it all is being able to have a completely different type of interaction with our clients and friends.  Whereas I usually talk on the phone or via email with our clients and business partners, now we can share pictures and updates with them as well.  It's an incredible tool that will allow us to continue our relationships with many people and organizations we do business with beyond the events we cater for them.  Tweet that!

Be sure to keep checking the blog - some fun bio posts about a few of the amazing people here at Panache are coming soon!  I think it would be criminal not to end this post with a recipe, don't you?  This is a very simple, very delicious little appetizer that now graces the Panache menu.  Enjoy!

Honey Roasted Grape Crostini

Ingredients
About 1 lb of red grapes (removed from stems and washed)
About 1 tbsp olive oil
Kosher salt
1 French baguette, sliced thinly
4-6 oz goat cheese or bleu cheese (room temp)
3/4 - 1 cup walnuts, toasted and chopped
Honey, for drizzling

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.  Place the grapes on a parchment paper lined baking sheet.  Drizzle the grapes with olive oil and season with a bit of salt.  Toss to coat and roast in the oven for about 10-15 minutes, or until they just begin to burst.  Remove and let cool slightly.

On a separate baking sheet, drizzle the crostini with a bit of olive oil and salt.  Toast in the oven until lightly golden brown.  Remove and let cool.

When the crosini is cool enough to handle, spread the cheese on each slice.  Top with the roasted grapes and chopped walnuts, then drizzle with honey and season with a pinch of good flaked sea salt.