What's new at Teatime

Wedding Cakes

2008-02-25T15:44:00.000-05:00

Carolyn and Scott's wedding cake at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Georgetown, February 23rd, 2008. Four tiers of Yellow Butter Cake w/ Fresh Strawberry Filling, decorated w/ White Buttercream Icing.

Yum!

Gracious Thank You!

2008-02-25T15:13:00.000-05:00

February 23, 2008, client wrote...
"Good Morning Ruth,
I wanted to thank you for the excellent food and service you and your team provided at the engagement party last weekend. Everyone loved the food and commented on how delicious it was. Even the grandchildren loved the food!
The table presentation looked beautiful. All of the guests felt cared for and were well fed. Your attention to detail was greatly appreciated.
Thank you for all you did to make this a special evening for Courtney and Chris.
Sincerely,
Pat P."
Accompanying photo from event, Grilled Indonesian Chicken on Bamboo Skewers w/ Peanut Dipping Sauce.

Victoria's Fruit Display

2007-12-10T19:53:00.000-05:00

One of Teatime's most beloved staffers, Victoria, was married this past October. Teatime catered her Hawaiian themed couple's shower. We wanted to do something special with our fruit display, something crafted especially for the bride and groom. This spectacular fruit arrangement features fresh pineapple, papaya, strawberries, cantaloupe melon, honeydew melon, fresh coconuts, and radish orchids made from daikon radishes. The bride and groom were to honeymoon in Maui, so the menu reflected the islands with Hula Hula Chicken Thighs, Coconut Shrimp, A Mixed Green Salad w/ Fresh Mango and Raspberry Vinaigrette, and appetizers that featured Ruth's Tropical Salsa w/ Tortilla Chips. The bride was radiant (as always)!

Holiday Parties, The Shrimp Has Arrived!

2007-12-10T19:21:00.000-05:00

For an alternative to the classic shrimp cocktail, Teatime has created this sumptuous shrimp appetizer. An enormous shallow glass bowl with marinated jumbo chilled shrimp with garlic, fresh limes, fresh dill, olive oil. Fantastic offering for New Year's Eve party, or New Year's Day brunch. This photo from holiday party at Thomas Birkby House www.birkbyhouse.com
taken in December 2007. It was a smashing success!

Newton White Mansion

2007-11-05T16:00:00.000-05:00

Teatime Delicacies is now officially on the preferred caterers list at Newton White Mansion in Enterprise MD (NWMansion@pgparks.com) This is just a stunning property, with a fantastic ballroom that can accomodate 200 or more guests. Teatime has booked a lovely wedding for August 08 that will feature both brunch and lunch menu items: Baked Cheddar Strata, Mango Chutney Chicken Salad, Grilled Sesame Flank Steak and much more. The grounds are beautiful, and the property has many interesting side rooms for bars, appetizers, and much more.
Check it out today!

Northern Virginia Caterer for Holiday Party!!

2007-11-05T15:49:00.000-05:00

Holy Cow it's November and you just realized it's almost time for your annual Holiday Event!!! Never fear, Teatime is to the rescue! We specialize in utensil free menus that make stand up receptions a breeze. The Farr House in Fairfax City (http://Farrcrofthoa.com) has informed us that they have space available on select dates for events in December. Teatime is happy to come to your office or to private homes for all types of Holiday Celebration. Let the festivities begin!

Great Referral!

2007-07-28T09:59:00.001-05:00

From time to time we receive a written referral from one of our past clients. I am including one from a delightful bride and groom, Mariana and Jeff, for whom we catered a wedding at Thomas Birkby House, http://www.birkbyhouse.com/ recently. A prospecitve new bride for spring 08 asked me for referrals, and this is the response from Mariana and Jeff:

"Ruth from Teatime provided us with service for our wedding in May 07. Ruth and her staff are very, very professional, the food was excellent!!! Months before our wedding we chose the menu, we told her what we liked , what we didn't like in foods in general. We came up with the perfect menu, after that we had the trial for the food, it was exquisite and immediately we decided to go with Teatime.
Ruth was working with us in every single step concerning food, tables, china, timetable, etc. and the delicious Wedding Cake! She will make the wedding cake you want. I can send you the pictures of our cake, beautiful!
They made a beautiful display of the tables and the food table was perfect, everything was at the right temperature, everybody in the wedding was very happy with the food. Regarding the price, we told her an estimated number of guests and one week before the wedding we changed the numbers and added more. She didn't have any problem, the price she gave us at the beginning was the price we ended up paying plus a little bit more for the people that we added at the last moment.
My husband and I did a lot of research for our wedding and Ruth's prices are very food for the excellent service she provides. I just have the best things to say about Teatime, and Ruth kept away a lot of pressure from us during that special day because she was soooo in charge of her part of the wedding without being put in the middle of the people. I have the best memory. I highly recommend Teatime for weddings, they help make our special day a perfect one!"

Husband Jeff also joined in with kind words, adding:
"I agree, both the food and staff were very professional. Throughout the whole planning and conduct of the event, Ruth and her staff were responsive yet out of the way when necessary. Getting food to 70 guests without the guests noticing their presence too much is the mark of a pro to me."

And I have to include here that Jeff and Mariana were two of the sweetest and gracious clients I have ever worked with. Best of luck to them both!

Summer Party Drink!

2007-07-24T11:50:00.000-05:00

Summer parties are a great time to experiment with fun beverages! This weekend we hosted an event where we created what we believe to be the ultimate white sangria.

White Sangria Recipe

1.5 liter white wine (any table white wine will do, not too sweet)

1 bottle sparkling wine (brut)

1/4 cup triple sec (or other orange liquor)

1/2 cup brandy

assorted sliced fruits (suggested: ripe peaches, oranges, strawberries)

3-4 sprigs fresh mint

Place fruit in bottom of pitcher, add ingredients allowing enough space to add ice cubes. Keep long handled spoon in pitcher to stir fruits throughout sangria.

This is incredibly smooth, not too sweet, and packs a whollop!! But we haven't tasted anything quite as yummy as this one, and it's beautiful to look at as well.

This was served with a variety of hot and cold appetizers, the guests were especially fond of the spicy tropical salsa made with fresh pineapple, mango and local peaches.

Manage the summer heat and dog days by bringing good food and friends together!

Unique Wedding Location in Northern VIrginia

2007-06-12T16:13:00.000-05:00

Teatime is always delighted to cater events in Northern Virginia, and one of the most beautiful spots can be found in downtown historic Leesburg, VA. It's the Thomas Birkby House www.birkbyhouse.com, where Teatime catered two beautiful weddings this past May. This historic home has a spectacular outside garden and patio with an stunning tent on one end of the gardens. Holly pulled out all the stops with an appetizer hour that featured no less than NINE appetizers, followed by a carved roast beef and chicken Marsala buffet, followed by a dessert buffet and wedding cake.
On Memorial Day we were back again with the bride and groom marrying in the Gazebo, followed by a cocktail hour on the patio, and a buffet luncheon under the tent. The staff at this facility is tremendously attentive, no detail is missed. Please check out their web site!

Spring Has Finally Arrived

2007-04-25T17:21:00.000-05:00

After an all too brief break in Maui, I am back in the swing of things with spring events. The weekend after Easter found Teatime rocking and rolling with events. Friday night was a rehearsal dinner at a club house in Sully Station, Chantilly VA. These types of venues are great for smaller parties, and are generally not terribly expensive to rent. Saturday we catered a wedding reception at the Farr House in Fairfax City. This is a fantastic historic property right in Fairfax City. Their website is listed on our "resources" page at www.teatimeinc.com. Sunday was an anniversary party at Cabell's Mill, in Centerville VA. We had some crazy weather that day, but were still able to cater to a crowd of about 80 guests.
For a one of a kind date coming up, consider hosting an event 7/7/07! At 7PM even!!

Mid Winter Adventures

2007-03-08T08:26:00.000-05:00

Teatime has discovered a delightful new facility in Stafford VA, Rock Hill Plantation, www.rockhillplantation.com. Located approximately an hour south of Washington DC, the facility provides a lovely backdrop for a indoor or outdoor ceremony. Check out their site, we were there Sunday March 4th, with a reception of 100 guests. The weather was too chilly for the ceremony to be held outside in the gazebo, but the reception grand room could accommodate both the ceremony and the reception. Guests were particularly enamored with the white chocolate and raspberry filled wedding cake!

Another find earlier this month is the American Legion right in the heart of Fairfax City, VA. While they don't have a website describing the space, you can get general information at www.post177.org, and the contact person is Cindy@post177.org. We did a police officer retirement party March 2, and the space is very pretty, the ballroom can accommodate at least 150 plus guests. In the warm weather, there is a wrap around balcony that provides even more guest accommodations. I didn't even know this property was there!

Trend setting appetizer of 2007? Can it possibly be pigs in a blanket? Stranger things have happened!

Teatime Starts the New Year Running

2007-01-09T17:19:00.000-05:00

December is always a busy and exciting time of year for a cateter and 2006 was no different. Along with countless private events held in offices and homes, Teatime also catered a wedding reception only 2 days after Christmas at the Barns of Wolf Trap!
We then flew through New Year's Eve, and no rest for the weary as we slammed into the first weekend of January with 2 events at Newton White Mansion. The first event was an afternoon tea for 140 ladies, followed by a wedding reception for 200. Newton White Mansion is a historical property in Mitchelville MD and is a stunning property, definetly worth checking out.

If you are newly engaged over the holidays, now is the time to be talking with caterers. It's only Monday and I already have 4 new clients I am talking with this week!

Holday Specialty Drinks

2006-12-05T09:38:00.000-05:00

Mistletoe Martinis were a big hit at a December 2nd, 2006 holiday party. We set the bar with a list of signature drinks including mistletoe martinis, white christmas, candycane-tini, and white snowball.
Mistletoe Martini - Midori, Coconut Rum, and pineapple juice was the most popular
White Christmas - Godiva White Chocolate, Vanilla Vodka was a smooth treat
White Snowball - Vanilla Vodka, Grand Mariner, white cranberry and dried cranberry for garnish
Candycane-tini made one young woman go in search of a couch!

Having at least one signature cocktail at your next event is a fun way to personalize the event, is a great conversation starter, and leaves your guests buzzing with details of your fantastic party.

It doesn't have to be a holiday party, signature coctails work year round. A fabulous summer option is a Stoli-doli, with Regular Vodka, Vanilla Vodka, Coconut Rum and Pineapple juice. Break out the tiki-torches!

October 28th Letter of Recommendation

2006-11-25T13:45:00.000-05:00

"Dear Ruth,
I am fially sending this note to tell you how pleased we were with the catering at Robin/s wedding on October 28th, 2006. The food choices were great, and your staff was very efficient! I know Robin and Nic enjoyed working with you very much when they were choosing what to serve. We also realize the reception site was not the easiet venue to work in, so this was greatly appreciated!
We would be happy to serve as a reference if you need one for someone at a future event.
Sincerely
Sharon and Bob R."

Teatime's First-Time Blogging Efforts

2006-11-24T19:01:00.000-05:00

Teatime introduces What's New at Teatime, an informational supplement to http://www.teatimeinc.com.

There will be periodic updates, testimonies, new venues, menu trends and specials listed in this space. Please bear with us during this initial launch as this is a new medium for our communication efforts.

We've been in business for 25 years, servicing Washington, DC, Northern Virginia and Montgomery, Frederick, Howard and Prince George's counties in Maryland. We've also travelled from Front Royal, VA to Maryland's Eastern Shore.

Over the years we've met many wonderful brides and grooms, birthday celebrants, retirees and those just wishing to have a festive occasion. We hope to share some of our greatest memories with you. Please check back occasionally to find new entries and add your own comments.

Thank you for stopping by

Ruth MacBean
Teatime Delicacies, Inc.