Catering for the Holidays: Our New Holiday Sample Menus are Out!

Ohhhh, we are so excited about the new sample menus Kathy and our chefs have developed for this holiday season. With prices starting at only $11.95 per person, we really do have something for every holiday occasion.

How about this for your office party or get-together with the neighbors?  Featuring our recipe of the month for November, Holiday Dinner in a Glass, this menu has something for everyone— and all the familiar flavors you crave around the holidays.

Kathy G's Holiday Dinner in a Glass

“Santa’s Favorite”

                     $27.95++ per person

*Holiday Dinner in a Glass*

Roasted Turkey with Mashed Potatoes Cornbread Dressing,

Homemade Gravy and Cranberry Sauce

*Comfort Station*

Grilled Cheese with White Cheddar and Whole Wheat

Served with Tomato Basil with Soup

Coconut Crusted Shrimp

Mushrooms Stuffed with Sausage & Pecans

Hot Spinach & Gruyere Dip with Tortilla Chips

Cheese Display with Crackers & Flatbreads

Assorted Mini Holiday Sweets

Holiday Party Ideas: Learning Luncheons with Kathy G!

We recently hosted a wonderful group for an afternoon of fabulous food and holiday design fun at Park Lane. The ladies enjoyed lunch and learned how to create a special centerpiece, perfect for any fall event and wonderful for a holiday table or buffet. If you and your group want to do something different and engaging this holiday season, why not schedule a day with Kathy and Andy from Kathy G Designs so you can learn some of their secrets for simple yet striking holiday decorations! To learn more about our learning luncheons— call us today! 205.942.4210 or email info@kathyg.com Here’s a look at all of the fun!

Supplies are ready for our guests to make their own centerpieces

Hall of Fame Dinner at The University of Alabama

Serving a seated dinner for 425 guests is quite a feat. Add the pressure of a milestone event with lots of dignitaries, a challenging menu, and a unique dessert designed especially for the event, it’s not just a feat, it’s nearly magical. The menu was a combination of local flavors combined with classic dishes, but with our typical flair and unique presentation. 

The menu started with Radicchio Cups with Local Arugula, Roasted Golden Beets, & Fried Goat Cheese with Raspberry Vinaigrette in a Min Pilsner.

The main course was Herbed Grilled Beef Tenderloin with a Port Wine Reduction atop Gruyere Rosemary Scented Potato Gratin & Jumbo Asparagus served in the shape of the school’s signature “A”.

Double Stacked Praline & Chocolate Cheesecake with Chocolate Houndstooth Sails

But the crowning glory was our dessert. We took the school’s trademark houndstooth pattern and transferred it to chocolate which we cut into triangles that was served on top of a Praline and Chocolate Cheesecake Stack. We just had to show you how beautiful this dessert was! We can even transfer your own logo or design to chocolate to personalize it for your wedding! See more catering images in our Kathy G & Company Catering Galleries on our website!

Park Lane News: American Idol’s Jason Castro Performs!

Jason Castro of American Idol fame appeared at Park Lane recently for the Little Black Dress event sponsored by Q103.7 and Bromberg’s; proceeds from the charity event benefitting the Breast Cancer Research Foundation of Alabama. Jason is touring; his first major tour since “Idol” and readying for the release of his first major label release scheduled for early 2010.

The Breast Cancer Research Foundation of Alabama has raised millions to support research at the UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center. Our own Natalie Pilatos was the event planner; we supplied our signature Kathy G & Company cuisine and cocktails for tickets winners and their guests.

All pink decor let everyone know they were there to support efforts to cure this devastating disease and a great time was had by all.

Kathy, Natalie, & Andy pose with Jason Castro at The Little Black Dress Party at Park Lane

Even if you missed the party, you can listen to Jason’s new single,  Let’s Just Fall in Love Again on Atlantic Records.

Kathy G Weddings: Meet Andy, our Floral Designer

If you don’t know Andy Hopper, our head wedding & event designer for Kathy G Designs, you just haven’t been looking. Andy is everywhere these days— and our Kathy G & Company design division, called Kathy G Design, is hopping from weddings to social affairs all over the state of Alabama. Andy is known for his dramatic use of fabric and texture to change a room or create a magical setting. He believes that color can completely change the room and the mood. He often uses lighting, especially candlelight as a design element. According to Andy, “every room and every person looks better in candlelight!”  Here is one of Andy’s latest creations, perfect for the season. Andy used chocolate brown fabric to drape the room at Park Lane, creating a soft, romantic ambience, perfect for a wedding, or anniversary. For more ideas and photos from Andy and Kathy G Designs to help you with ideas for your wedding, your next party, or a special holiday table, view our photo galleries on the Kathy G Designs photo gallery. And don’t forget the menu! This sneak peek is just a preview; more photos and the full story on this beautiful party setting will be featured in the coming pages of Alabama Weddings magazine—- on sale soon, don’t miss it!

Kathy G Weddings: Heidi Elnora’s Wedding at the Alabama Theater

The bride, Heidi Elnora

We were so pleased with the results for Project Runway alumni Heidi Elnora’s wedding last week at the historic Alabama Theater in Birmingham.  The bride was magnificent in one of her own creations and the wedding featured all of the couple’s favorite things.

Calling the event Masquerade de Carnival, guests arrived to a red carpet style entrance complete with marquee and lights. Each floor of the Alabama featured a unique menu filled with the couple’s favorite things.

On the first floor, one of our massive vegetable and cheese displays with a beautiful Brie pinwheel and a Bleu Cheesecake with Pear Confit along with Cranberry Champagne Spritzers, perfect for fall.

On the second floor, guests enjoyed our movie theater concession bar with Mini Sliders, Mini Corn Dogs, Candied and Caramel Apples, Sweet Potato Chips and Parmesan Crisps served in mini cones, and a Trick or Treat Halloween candy bar with assorted candies in glass pedestal jars.

On the third floor, the couple shared some of their favorite things with guests. HERS: Southern Comfort Station with Pulled Pork Tenderloin, Blackeyed Pea Salad, Cornbread, and Bourbon Mint Shooters. HIS: Southern Breakfast Bar with Southern Style Grits with shredded cheese, Applewood Smoked Bacon, Chives, and Chopped Pecans, and Krispy Kreme doughnuts with lots of Barber’s Milk.

Kathy dons a pink wig for the ball!

The event was completely magical. Guests donned masks and disguises for the masquerade ball.

An organist, a la Phantom of the Opera performed on the Theater’s renowned pipe organ.

Congratulations, Heidi! What a wonderful wedding!

Kathy G’s Recipe of the Month: Shrimp & Grits

Do you have a big party coming up and want to wow your guests? If you’re not calling on us to bring the cuisine— we’ve got a great recipe for you. Shrimp and Grits, a southern classic, is wonderful for a big crowd and it’s always one of our most requested dishes.

Serve it up in bowls or go a little over the top and serve in martini glasses for some extra pizzaz. This one will feed up to 100 guests but you can reduce the amount for your crowd.  GET THE RECIPE NOW!

Weddings: 2010 Wedding Color Trends

So you have the date, the place, and the dress. Now, you have to start putting the details together and that typically starts with selecting a color scheme for your wedding. Your color palette is one of the best ways to define your overall design theme. From rich to subtle, organic to metallic, here are some of our favorite color combos that are hot for 2010:

Frosty pinks paired with strong metallics: We love this look so much, we did a whole photo shoot for Alabama Weddings 2010 using this color theme! 

Organics: Ocean, fern, sky, lake, tobacco, branch, forest, and ebony all take a cue from mother nature and offer many different options for a theme.

Coffee Colors: Mocha, latte, espresso, and cappuccino and other browns paired with a neutral or with a bright accent color remain popular.

Fruits: Watermelon, mango, berry, pear, honeydew, and lemon offer lots of pairings and options, including a perfect color palette for a signature cocktail!

The Color Purple: Colors like lavender, lilac, eggplant, wisteria, and violet are beautiful in bunches.

  Want more? Get ideas for your wedding including our signature catering and food, wedding venues around Alabama, wedding flowers, wedding designs, color palettes, and wedding trends in the photo galleries on our Kathy G website!

Kathy G. Events: Q103.7’s Little Black Dress Party!

 

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21 6pm-9pm

KATHY G’S PARK LANE IN ENGLISH VILLAGE

FEATURING AMERICAN IDOL STAR JASON CASTRO

Great Kathy G & Company cuisine, cocktails and a chance to WIN  a diamond from Bromberg’s! Meet the Q103.7 morning team of Ace & TJ and all the sidekicks!

All proceeds from this event will go to help the Breast Cancer Research Foundation of Alabama. The BCRFA was founded in 1996 with the goal of establishing and expanding breast cancer research labs at the UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center and has raised millions to help fight this devastating disease.

You can only attend if you win so register for tickets now!!!

Kathy G in the Community: Supporting Voices Against Violence

Did you know that area police respond to over 800 calls regarding domestic violence each month? Kathy serves on the Advisory Board of The Women’s Fund, a non-profit organization committed to improving the status of women and girls by serving as a catalyst for positive social change by reducing domestic violence, increasing women’s economic self-reliance, and helping girls reach their full potential. Recently honored with The Critical Impact Award, the group’s annual reception will be held this Thursday, October 15^th with Associate Justice Lyn Stuart as keynote speaker.

Learn more about Voices Against Violence and the good work The Women’s Fund is doing in the Greater Birmingham Area. From help with understanding credit and finances to home ownership and business skills, The Women’s Fund is empowering women by helping them to help themselves by creating opportunities for educational, physical, emotional, social, artistic, and personal growth for women and girls in the community. The organization has awarded more than $1 million in grants in Jefferson, Shelby, St.Clair, Blount, and Walker counties and also established a $2 million endowment.