Catersource Conference

Please excuse the quality of these photos, they were taken from slides at the Catersource conference in Las Vegas. I have attended this annual conference for the last 12 years and I always come back inspired and anxious to implement ideas learned from all of the extremely talented professionals that share their expertise. It always takes me weeks to decompress from the energy at this conference.

This photo is of a signature cocktail station where the bartenders work behind this bookcase and the guests pick up their cocktail from the shelves. What a great idea! This presentation was from Abigail Kirsch's team in New York.

This table setting was presented by Meryl Snow from Feastivities Events in Philadelphia PA. The colors were red, pink and light blue. It is hard to see the red, but the table cloth and napkin were red. The blue strips were wrapping paper!

One of the evening events was a faux wedding reception, catered by Culinary Crafts from Utah. I can not imagine having to produce an event in another state for a discriminating group of fellow caterers. Talk about a challenge! It was a cute idea complete with the bride & groom, their parents and freaky friends, and all the "drama" that we see at real receptions.

Artichoke and Parmesan Chicken Bites w/ Sundried Tomato Pesto & Chive

We were met with waiters passing hors d 'oeuvres.
Smoked Rocky Mountain Trout on Wild Rice Pancakes w/ Lemon Creme Fraiche

Skewered Chorizo and Baby Bakers w/ Shallot Grand Marnier Glaze

This movable cupcake buffet was circulating the crowd.

This presentation was from the groom's menu. Hot wings & lager. I passed on this one. I was really there to get some good photos and study the presentations.

Chef Carved racks of Pasture-raised Lamb w/ Cider Vinegar & Mint Marinade served atop Mediterranean Couscous and Cumin Plantain Chips

A dessert station in the round.

Honey-soy Marinated Sable Fish pan-seared and served over

wilted Spinach and Parsnip Puree

Chamber of Commerce Ribbon Cutting

CarteWheels provided an Hors d Oeuvres Station for the Kerrville Area Chamber Of Commerce Ribbon Cutting last night. Since we only had one table and there were going to be other caterers providing food as well, we wanted to present an eye-catching presentation and show off the concept of mini plates or in this case martini glasses. This style of catering works well for large groups and the table never looked bad or "picked over". We added a vertical buffet to give us more service area in our alotted space. The robin's egg blue and brown color scheme worked well in the neutral room. We used a large coppertone tray filled with white rice to present Mini Corn Cups filled with Hill Country Venison Chile, setting on mini black plastic plates. Mini Martini Glasses held our Avocado Hummus with Mediterranean Salsa and Pita Chips.

Need a Chef

I just want to put this out there.....I am ready to hire another chef! We are busy and only getting busier. The right candidate is someone passionate about cooking, high energy with a "can do" attitude. This is a well established catering business, celebrating our 20th year in business. We need someone well rounded since we serve a wide variety of upscale events and custom design each menu. Resumes can be sent to cartewheels10@yahoo.com.

Show Place

CarteWheels has the opportunity to work in many lovely homes, but this is one of the most unique homes we have been in. The owner's personality is evident in every corner. This is one of those places that each time you visit you discover something new, there is just so much to see. My intention was to get photos of the tables and of the food as we plated, but in our haste to serve I forgot to take pictures of the food.

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Shrimp & Crab Remoulade

Crisp Vegetable w/ Avocado Ranch Dip

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Spinach Salad w/ Oranges & Avocado

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Teriyaki Grilled Salmon

Coconut & Ginger Infused Rice

Steamed Baby Bok Choy

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Banana Cream Tart in Macadamia Nut Crust

Topped w/ Coconut Caramel Sauce

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Holiday Events

Now that the busy Hoilday Season is behind us I thought I should post some photos of the fantastic Hors d Oeuvres we created this season!

Roasted Fingerling Potatoes w/ Creme Fraiche and Caviar

Tiny Yorkshire Puddings w/ Shaved Roast Beef & Cranberry Horseradish Sauce

Phyllo Shells w/ Butternut Squash Risotto

Shrimp Congiglia

Tuna Skewers w/ Wasabi Aioli

All of our sweets were house made!
Mini Reuben Melts

Individual Crudite w/ Red Pepper Dip
Mini Chicken & Artichoke Pot Pie

Chicken Satay w/ Spicy Peanut Sauce

Sage Roasted Fingerling Potatoes

Prosciutto Wrapped Scallops w/ Basil & Red Pepper Aioli

Mandarin Beef Buns

More of our Housemade Sweets including Peppermint Marshmallows

to accompany Hot Cocoa.

We had the great honor to serve a reception for Governor Rick Perry in the Hunt Texas home of one of our clients'.

Waiters Circulated the packed crowd with Mini Grilled Ham & Swiss Sandwiches, and Peppered Tuna Skewers w/ Wasabi Aioli.

Guests were treated to homemade Caramel Corn which they scooped into paper cones as a parting treat.

Allen Wedding at Waldemar

Elements of a Beautiful Wedding

Location: Camp Waldemar, Hunt Texas

Designer/Planner: Trisha Hamil, Viridian Design Studio

Caterer: CarteWheels Caterers

Cakes: Sophies Choice

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Fresh Fruit & Cheese Arrangement

Meditarranean Tapas Table

Bandera Quail Sausage w/ Raspberry Chipotle Sauce
Demitasse Autumn Bisque Soup Sip w/ Parmesan Crouton
Mini Focaccia w/ Chevre & Caramelized Onion Marmalade
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Cider & Chile Glazed Pork Loin
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Market Pasta Stations
Featuring Chefs preparing pasta to order from a variety of Vegetables, Grilled Chicken,
Alfredo Sauce, Marinara Sauce & Pesto Sauce
Big Bowls of Pasta Salad
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Corn Pudding
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Roasted Fall Vegetables
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Mixed Green Salad, Dried Cranberries, Spiced Pecans & Gorgonzola
Dressed in a Blush Vinaigrette
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Market Pasta Station

Floral Design by Viridian

Tejas Chapel

Mother and Bride

Tapas

Cheese & Fruit Display

Sophie's Choice

Kerrville Wine Share

Kerrville has this informal group of wine lovers who get together on the first Friday of each month. Each month is hosted by a different business and it is a wonderful way to showcase whatever you do. CarteWheels hosted last Friday's event and there was a great turn out. Each couple brings one bottle of wine and their own wine glass and sometimes a snack. Since it was at a caterers this month we provided all of the food.

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Calamari Fritto w/ Spicy Aioli

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Baby Portabella Mushrooms Stuffed w/ Braised Short Ribs

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Crab Stuffed Tiny Potatoes

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Thai Peanut Sauced Meatballs

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Avocado Hummus in Mini Martini Glasses w/ Pita Chips

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Smoked Salmon Pinwheels

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Asiago, Artichoke Dip

w/ Toast Points

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Fresh Cranberry Salsa on Chevre

w/ Crackers

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Pinecone Cheese Ball & Apple Cheese Ball

w/ Crackers

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Brownie Bites

Caramel Ganache Tartlets w/ Fleur de sal

Pecan Pralines

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