The sun is shining and the weather is sweet…

Posted on July 31, 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.

Summer is a great time to spend time with friends and family celebrating the lighter things in life. At Creative Concepts NYC, we plan events all year long, but we can’t help being inspired by the elements of summer.

To get the ideas flowing, here are some of our favorite takes on summer get togethers.

The Americana Barbecue Summer is the season of barbecue and purposefully playing up the inherent kitsch this American tradition is quite fun. Bite-size burgers, pigs in a blanket, and a faux-lemonade stand are some of the ways we love to play with this theme.

Slider

lemonaid Stand (AOL Event)

French Picnic Get out the gingham! Picnics are a relaxed way to get your family and friends together and outside. We like the idea of a French-themed picnic with quiche, galettes, and clafoutis—all items that that can be prepared ahead of time and served at room temperature. So, check out these recipes, throw on the gypsy jazz, and head in the park. check out How to plan a picnic !

Mini Quiche

Galettes

Movies Under the Stars-There is nothing more cozy than cuddling up with a loved one in front of a movie, but when the weather is so nice who wants to spend two hours inside? We suggest moving the view outdoors mixing the feel of a rooftop party with the excitement and comfort of watching a movie. At CCNYC, we love the movie theater theme. Popcorn and candy displays keep your party simple and fun. We also recommend making these cute popcorn floral containers for a festive décor.

Candy Station

Popcorn Floral

Fiesta Brunch- Piñatas and mojitos anyone? Ole’! A Latin twist to a traditional barbecue is a great way to add flavor to your summer. We love to change up traditional barbecue for tacos, mini quesadillas, and arepas. Check out this recipe for a great take on Chile-Braised Pork Shoulder Tacos.

Piñata Scape

Mini Fish Taco

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

Welcoming Allison Bottomley to the Team

Posted on June 30, 2014 by ccnyc10168

The Creative Concepts NYC team would like to welcome our newest Associate, Allison Bottomley. Allison is joining us from the world of global nonprofits where she has worked in fundraising and events for the past four years.

Allison Bottomley, CCNYC Associate

With a passion for performance and production, Allison came to New York in 2003 to study musical theatre. Her practice and understanding of performance translates into her event work as she focuses on creative design and putting on a polished show! Allison spends her hours outside of CCNYC performing in NYC’s cabaret and variety shows, cooking—and eating, practicing yoga, and traveling. Her love of travel has taken her to study abroad in Brussels and has carried her throughout Europe and the Americas. One of her first projects at CCNYC will be collaborating with Creative Director Benjamin Lester, to co-create a summer series of blog posts. So keep an eye out for her work here as she highlights summer trends and reveals some of CCNYC’s favorite dishes, décor, and tricks of the trade.

Happy Valentine’s Day

Posted on February 14, 2014 by ccnyc10168

Obsessed with Chevron!

Posted on March 7, 2013 by ccnyc10168

We have been channeling Spring early this year in thanks to our newest obsession chevron! This fabric has offered the perfect pick me up for some of our corporate events around New York City. The beauty of this new pattern trend is that it really can carry through out all seasons. Benjamin Lester, Creative Concepts NYC’s Creative Director, says “The fabric is a great way to whoop up something that otherwise would be just ‘nice,’ in a cost effective way. I’m loving the color block and chevron splash concepts that have transpired! Really looking forward to seeing where the pattern takes us coming into the Spring and Summer season.”

Here’s to you Chevron, we heart you!!!

Happy Holidays

Posted on December 18, 2012 by ccnyc10168

“Event Planning Maestros”

Posted on October 23, 2012 by ccnyc10168

Creative Concepts NYC teamed up with Gotham Magazine, Dominique Ansel Bakery, and Karlsson’s Vodka to produce the after party for the kick off of the New York City Wine & Food Festival. The event benefited Share Our Strength and the Food Bank for New York City.

Garden and Bakery

The CCNYC team received much acclaim for the event. Gotham Magazine referred to the CCNYC team as “…event planning maestros…!” Creative Director, Benjamin Lester explains his design for the event, “ I was interested in encompassing the bohemian feel of the Dominique Ansel Bakery with the complexity of Dominique‘s modern approach to pastry, ‘bohemian chic’, if you will!” Fall was in full force with 20 foot tall fall foliage arrangements on top of mirrored tables. The bohemian mood was set by strung vintage lights with paper lanterns and tons of candlelight.

display, sweet treats, and CCNYC gift box

Foodies, and guests alike enjoyed sweet treats including Dominique’s signature Warm Madeleines and Sweet Croissant Ice Cream Sandwiches. CCNYC’s savory crowd-pleaser, Chipotle Cotija Cheese Popcorn was given as a parting snack to end the the evening of culinary delight. A fantastic evening indeed!

Guests and CCNYC's Nikki Lazar, Benjamin Lester, and Julie Sommers

DIY: Donut Hole Tower

Posted on August 16, 2012 by ccnyc10168

Many of Creative Concepts NYC‘s clients like the idea of a tablescape, and miniature everything! One of the many creative ways CCNYC accomplishes this is by making custom donut hole towers. They are super easy to make and fun, while adding much needed hight to a breakfast spread or themed event. Here is how all you DIY enthusiasts can get in on the action!

left to right: The supplies- foam cone, tissue paper, toothpicks, & stapler. lay out paper and wrap while stapling along the way. cut off excess and staple to bottom.

stick in toothpicks and attach donut holes.....it's that easy!

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!”

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!

Garbage Can Becomes DIY Event Furniture

Posted on February 27, 2012 by ccnyc10168

Creative Concepts NY C‘s creative director, Benjamin Lester, was looking for a cheap alternative for some side tables for an event to be added to a small lounge area. He came across these amazing garbage cans at CB2 and the light bulb came on, BINGO side tables. Not so far off form the famous Knoll Platner Table. Just a quick trip to Target and presto gorgeous side tables, so gorgeous they now live in his very own living room and they only cost $26.00 a piece!

Very simple to do, all you need is the garbage can and glass topper. Don’t forget to get some Self-Stick Rubber Pads to keep the glass balanced and safe! You can also switch up the surface to give the table an entirely different look, try a round tray! Happy table making!!

Creative Concepts NYC’s Tropical Inspirations:

Posted on January 9, 2012 by ccnyc10168

Within the principals at CCNYC are many threads of common inspiration. In hopes of lifting spirits during the cold season it only seems appropriate to share some of our favorite tropical dishes.

Julie Sommers, Director of Catering:

Julie’s favorite tropical dish are fish tacos because it brings her back to one of her first visits to Mexico. Playa del Carmen is where she recalls an amazing taco stand on 5th Avenue, “I’ll never forget that flavor of the first bite years ago! Fish tacos are now a staple and tradition in my kitchen and it’s all about the crispy batter.”

Fish Taco

w/ Crispy Battered Tilapia, Citrus and Cilantro Cabbage Slaw, Spicy Chipotle Aioli, Small Homemade Corn Tortillas, and Fresh Avocado

Miguel Urrego, Executive Chef:

Miguel chose ceviche because it reflects the essence of Latin cuisine. Miguel states that, “Ceviche is a dish that is fresh, light and appealing to my palette. It’s a staple dish served throughout central, south, and the Caribbean region. There are many variations in making ceviche depending on the country, island and/or culture, but the primary ingredient is citrus.”

Tropical Seafood Ceviche

w/ Gulf Shrimp, Baby Octopus, Manila Clams, Red Snapper, Fresh Papaya, Pineapple, Mango, Coconut Milk, Lemon Grass, Ginger, Fresh Lime Juice and Cilantro

Benjamin Lester, Creative Director:

Benjamin discovered this dish while vacationing in Puerto Rico. He recalls, “I was sitting at the bar in the restaurant Santaella, located in the LaPlacita neighborhood in San Juan PR. I was taking in the amazing atmosphere and to my surprise out came White tartare! Buttery and delicious, the asian style sauce complemented the tropical twist on the classic dish. The presentation was stacked and flawless. The dish was so amazing that I ordered it twice!”” The dish was made by Chef José Santaella.

White Tartare

w/ White Tuna & Fresh Avocado in Homemade Sesame Ponzu Sauce