Food Trend: On A Stick

Posted on July 7, 2014 by ccnyc10168

Join Allison Bottomley as she explores summer trends and reveals some of CCNYC’s favorite dishes, décor, and tricks of the trade.

Putting bite-size foods on a stick is a terrific way to dress up appetizers and make main courses more cocktail party-friendly. CCNYC has done many skewered hors d’oeuvres for our clients some of our classic favorites include: Watermelon, Mint, and Feta skewers with Aged-Balsamic drizzle, Chocolate Dipped Vanilla Cake Pops, and Ancho-Chili Pineapple Glazed Meatballs (pictured above).

We’re constantly experimenting with new ways to keep our menu exciting and the ‘food on a stick’ craze is one we LOVE! The food trend is an incredibly easy DIY item for your next soirée. All you need are skewers (bamboo are our favorite and eco-friendly) and a little ingenuity. Spearing small bites adds elegance to a menu item, while also saving on plates and utensils as these nibbles can often be served on a napkin and nothing else.

Photo courtesy of Mattbits.com

Photo courtesy of Return to Sunday Supper

We’ve combed the lot for inspiration and have seen everything from a Korean “French Fry-Wrapped Hot Dog” on a stick (courtesy of mattbites) to “Baby BLTs” on a stick (courtesy of Return to Sunday Supper), but the gallery below contains some ideas and recipes we’re most jazzed about. So, flip through these sweet and savory recipes and get ready toincorporate ‘food on a stick’ into your next party!

For more information and other recipes check out these fun resources: Sweets on a Stick On A Stick 100 on a Stick

Sweet & Savory Recipes and Ideas Savory: Ham and Melon Pops Scallion Meatballs tomato-bocconcini-basil-skewers Sushi Pops Pork Belly w. 63 degree egg

Sweet Recipes: Strawberry Orange Popsicles Peanut Butter Oreo Pops Bite-Sized Baked Brie Breakfast Pops Macaron Pops

Happy Holidays!

Posted on December 24, 2013 by ccnyc10168

Happy Holidays from CCNYC! What a year we have had moving full speed ahead! Look out for our new sleek branding, amazing new website, and fantastic events, of course! Here is to a happy and healthy New Year from our family to yours.

Happy Holidays

Posted on December 18, 2012 by ccnyc10168

Nikki Lazar, New Business Development Coordinator

Posted on December 10, 2012 by ccnyc10168

Nikki Lazar has been with Creative Concepts NYC for over a year as the New Business Development Coordinator. She has proven to be a social butterfly and a superb addition to the powerhouse team at CCNYC. Her duties include developing new business, event planning, and acting as a client liaison.Hailing from SUNY Binghamton with a degree in human development, Nikki has been in the fast-paced event industry for over eight years. Previously she was the Vice President of Corporate Sales and Events with Strike Holdings and the Director of Events at The One Group.

Nikki, a native of New Jersey, is a self proclaimed wine enthusiast, beach lover, and avid traveler. She has studied abroad in Florence, Italy and has traveled throughout much of Asia. Her drive and humor are welcome additions to the CCNYC Team!

Nikki Lazar- nicolelazar@gmail.com

Thanksgiving Dinner For As Little As $300.00!

Posted on November 8, 2012 by ccnyc10168

Let us do all the heavy work this Thanksgiving, you just wave and smile pretty! Have your Thanksgiving dinner for as little as $300.00! It’s simple, we deliver all the bells and whistles ready to be popped into the oven to be heated up. You arrange on you favorite dishes and voilà ––no sweat, no tears–– just a gorgeous tasty meal! Take a look at Chef Miguel Urrego’s delectable menu that is sure to impress your crowd!

Thanksgiving Menu 2012 by: Chef Miguel Urrego

Main: Herb Roasted Turkey Breast with Herb Gravy Whole Roasted Turkey with Traditional Gravy Baked Honey Glazed Ham with Apple-cranberry Chutney Sweet Mustard Glazed Stuffed Pork Loin with Mushrooms, Fennel, and Thym Horseradish Crusted Salmon with Thyme-mustard Sauce Roasted Herb Salmon with Lemon-butter Sauce

Soups: Butternut Squash with Toasted Almonds, Nutmeg and Creme Fraiche Smoked Turkey Chowder with Corn and Yukon Potatoes

SIdes: Sweet Potato Soufflé with Marshmallow Topping Sweet Corn Stuffing with Roasted Carrots, Caramelized Onions, Mushrooms and Herbs Ciabiatta Bread Stuffing with Bacon, Roasted Apples and Sage Sautéed String Beans with Roasted Fennel, Beets, and Apple Cider Vinaigrette Roasted Root Vegetables with Sherry Vinaigrette Scalloped Potatoes with Caramelized Onions and Gruyere Cheese Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Pearl Onions and Roasted Butternut Squash Rice Pilaf with Julienne of Vegetables

Desserts: Pumpkin Pie Old Fashioned Apple Pie Blueberry Pie Classic New York Cheesecake

Price: A) 1 Turkey dish (sliced breast or whole), 3 sides, and 2 desserts *$40.00 per person +tax

B) 1 Turkey dish (sliced breast or whole), 2 sides, 1 soup, and 2 desserts *$40.00 per person+ tax

C) 2 main dishes with 3 sides and 2 desserts *$55.00 per person+tax

D) 2 main dishes, 2 sides, 1 soup, and 2 desserts *$55.00 per person +tax

Delivery: On 11/21/12 by 5pm $60.00 On 11/22/12 3pm $100.00

Don’t worry! We will send along printed instructions on how to heat the food with the delivery. The food will be in aluminum trays ready for the oven and all room temp items will be in disposable containers! Contact us today to order at info@creativeconceptsnyc.com, the last day to order is 11/19/12. *10 person minimum

Holiday Season: Book Now Save Later

Posted on September 10, 2012 by ccnyc10168

A tip for the wise: it’s not to early to book your holiday party! The benefits of doing so are endless and many event and catering companies offer incentives for you to do so. The reason for this is because come November it is full speed ahead. In other words, the more planning a vendor can get out of the way now, the better for everyone!

Creative Concepts NYC is offering a ‘Book Now Save 10% Later’ promotion! If you would like to take advantage of this amazing incentive, book your holiday event before November 1, 2012 with Nikki Lazar ( nicolelazar@gmail.com ). Here is to an amazing holiday season (early)!

www.creativeconceptsnyc.com

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Creative Concepts NYC’s Local Summer Inspirations

Posted on June 5, 2012 by ccnyc10168

Earlier this year there was an exploration of the favorite tropical inspired dishes of the principal’s at CCNYC. It was such a hit, so here is another common thread, summer inspired dishes and adventures too!
Julie Sommers, Director of Catering
Julie’s most resent summer ‘staycation’ adventure was a short ride away to Island Park near Long Beach. There she found an amazing off the road seafood joint called Peters Clam House. No fuss no muss, but amazing all on it’s own! She enjoyed old standbys: Blue Point Oysters, Cherrystone Clams, and a Lobster Roll. “They certainly were not glamorously served over a bed of ice, but rather a paper plate, but it didn’t matter because they were so fresh and amazing! The Cherrystone Clams had a nice cold sea flavor and the Blue Point Oysters had an amazing sparkle with salinity. Of course, we didn’t stop there, we had to have a Lobster Roll too. We ate so much we had to roll out of the place!” A true summer adventure with some amazing fresh seafood right here in NYC’s back yard!
Miguel Urrego, Executive Chef
Over Memorial Day weekend, Miguel enjoyed some quality family time while camping at Wildwood State Park in Wading River, New York. The annual family adventure involved several other families as well, “…we took over the place which meant the need to feed a ton of people. One of my favorite meals I made was a simple menu with things that were readily available and literally at arms reach, like BEER! We had Beer Braised BBQ Chicken with Garlicky Chinese Broccoli. Very kid friendly and tasty with an ice cold Modelo Especial. I will be making this again and again, it was out of this world!”
Benjamin Lester, Creative Director
Benjamin took the ‘staycation’ to heart and did exactly that. After a lovely afternoon at the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens he was inspired to stay in and cook up some of his favorite summer dishes. “It was so hot out that weekend, I instantly needed Watermelon and beer!” He enjoyed a simple meal of Watermelon Salad with fresh mint, Kale Salad with Chickpeas, Pecorino Romano Cheese, with a Lemon Thyme Vinaigrette, and grilled Flank Steak with a dry rub of Pepper and Salt. “It was an evening of breaking out my favorite easy summer dishes and BBQ corn chips and Negro Modelo, of course! It’s official, summer is on!”

Creative Concepts NYC at The New York Magazine Wedding Event 2012

Posted on May 8, 2012 by ccnyc10168

Creative Concepts NYC worked the floor with their sublime interactive booth, by Benjamin Lester, at New York Magazine’s 2012 New York Wedding Event! The event took place at Metropolitan Pavilion and was dazzling thanks to touches of creative bliss by Taylor Creative Inc.

Guests had an opportunity to meet with the CCNYC team including, planner extraordinaire, Julie Sommers, while tasting exquisite bites by Miguel Urrego, CCNYC’s Executive Chef. The menu included:

Smoked Chicken Salad with Almond Slivers, Cranberries and Chives Served on Dill Corn Edible Spoon

Wild Salmon Tartare with Caviar on Wonton Crisps

Seared Foie Gras with Sour Cherries on Toasted Brioche

http://weddings.nymag.com/photos.html

All the ‘who’s who’ of the wedding industry attended and participated including CCNYC friends from Curtain Up Events,Generation Events and Sugar Flower Cake Shop. The entire evening was a huge success thanks to the New York Magazine event staff.

Cherimoya, the Best Kept Secret!

Posted on March 23, 2012 by ccnyc10168

By Creative Concepts NYC‘s Executive Chef, Miguel Ureggo

My first experience with Cherimoya was when I was in Ecuador visiting a good friend for his wedding, congratulations Diego and Jaclyn! As we toured throughout the countryside we stopped by a stand on a dirt road where local farmers and villagers were selling the delicious fruit. Our friends insisted that we try the Cherimoya and bring some for the road.

Cherimoya is a tropical fruit also known by the native people as, “chirimoya”. The delicious fruit is known to originate from the Andes of South America and is grown naturally in Ecuador, Colombia, Bolivia and Peru. It is now harvested through Central America, California, and the Eastern Hemisphere.

At first, I was a bit hesitant to try the fruit due to the odd rough green appearance. It has a greenish hard cover skin which is not edible, it resembles a fresh artichoke. It seemed like the fruit was unripe and not ready to eat. The treasure of the fruit is in the inside (when ripened properly) which has a sorbet like texture. Once we split it in half and I took the first bite, I was blown out of this world!! The tasty fruit is known to be a ‘custard fruit’ to locals because of the creamy, fresh and sweet flavors. The flavor is a combination of banana, pear, white peach and strawberry. The fruit is absolutely out of this world, It’s one of the best tasting I’ve ever had in my lifetime!!! Once you have one bite, you won’t want to stop eating the delicious fruit!

Creative Concepts NYC Scores with WeddingWire.com !

Posted on January 23, 2012 by ccnyc10168

We would like to thank our past clients for taking the time to review our business on WeddingWire. Thanks to their positive feedback we were able to receive the WeddingWire Bride’s Choice Awards™ for 2012!

WeddingWire, the nation’s leading wedding Marketplace, announced that Creative Concepts NYC has been selected to receive the prestigious WeddingWire Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2012 for Catering!

The esteemed annual awards program recognizes the top local wedding vendors from the WeddingWire Network who demonstrate excellence in quality, service, responsiveness and professionalism within the wedding industry. While many industry awards are selected by the organization, Creative Concepts NYC was selected based on its stellar reviews from past newlywed clients.

Creative Concepts NYC is recognized as part of the top five percent of wedding professionals in the WeddingWire local vendor community, comprised of over 200,000 wedding professionals throughout the United States and Canada. The Bride’s Choice Award recognizes the best local wedding vendors across 20 service categories, from wedding venues to wedding photographers, based on their overall professional achievements throughout the past year.

“WeddingWire is thrilled to honor the success of the top-rated wedding professionals within the WeddingWire Community,” said Timothy Chi, CEO, WeddingWire. “Since the launch of the Bride’s Choice Awards™ program four years ago, thousands of outstanding wedding professionals have been recognized by the bridal community for their supreme service and dedication to the wedding industry. It is with great pleasure that we congratulate Creative Concepts NYC for their continued professionalism and commitment to enriching the wedding planning experience for engaged couples.”

We are happy to announce that Creative Concepts NYC is one of the very best Caterers within the WeddingWire Network, which includes leading wedding planning sites WeddingWire, Project Wedding, Brides.com, Martha Stewart Weddings, and Weddingbee.

For more information, please visit our WeddingWire Storefront today at

http://www.weddingwire.com/biz/creative-concepts-nyc-new-york/826d412bac0a4298.html.

Cater your Tailgating

Posted on December 1, 2011 by ccnyc10168

One of Creative Concepts NYC‘s innovative products is tailgating parties. That’s right, we pull up with you and your crew and whip it up right out of our vehicle and put out a spread. All you have to do is pop open your brewski and enjoy the fruits of our labor! The menus are geared towards your personal tastes and will surely prove to be fun, simple, and delicious grub for all! Menus can be more elaborate or just plain simple and comforting, below is a sample menu of a party we did featuring easy small bites by Miguel Urrego.

Does your tailgate party kick ass? We want to hear about it!

Tailgating Small Bites Menu

Backfin Crab Fondue
w/ Garlic Ciabatta

Grilled Chorizo on Crispy Jalapeño Polenta Cakes
w/ Cilantro Creme

Prosciutto Wrapped Shrimp
w/ Aged Balsamic

Truffled Mac & Cheese Bites

BBQ Pulled Chicken Panini
w/ Pepperjack & Avocado

Mini Kobe Beef Franks
w/ Caramelized Onions & Grain Mustard Aioli

Enjoy The Game!