March 2018
Cheat A Little Catering's News & Updates
Spring is in the air...
There is much to celebrate this month! Spring begins in a few weeks and of course we love the warmer temperatures and all the beautiful flowers that will soon be in bloom. We also love all of the special occasions coming up this month. For example, today (March 1st) is National Wedding Planning Day ! This day marks the kick-off to the wedding planning season. We hope in some small way, we can help make this year's weddings even more spectacular!

We also celebrate St. Patrick’s Day and all things Irish-American. And this month we recognize National Pack Your Lunch Day on March 10 th . This is an important day to remember to pack your lunch and enjoy a homemade meal at work, school or just on the go. While the history around National Pack Your Lunch Day is sparse, it is about packing healthy options to enjoy wherever you are. What you may not know is that Cheat A Little Catering offers a box lunch program. If you would be interested in learning more about Cheat A Little Catering providing you or your company box lunches, let us know and we can create a program to meet your needs. And if you're thinking about creating a traditional Irish menu, our chef can prepare your favorite food items to help celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. 

As 2018 unfurls, we wanted to let you know about some food trends that are worth sharing. For example, pizza is on track to be a 2018 food trend. Look for creative pizza creations like baked ziti pizza, cheese and broccoli pizza, and more. And as the summer months are not far away, barbecue foods are getting a redo. Look for mashups of cultures and meats that make barbecue anything but basic. Korean, Jamaican and Caribbean flavors will influence your favorite items like wings and ribs.

Sincerely,

Brian Morriss
Owner, Cheat A Little Catering

Erin Go Brah!
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with delicious Irish foods. Cheat A Little Catering can take all of the hard work out of planning your St. Patrick’s celebration. We can help you craft a traditional Irish menu that includes your favorite dishes like potato and leek soup, corned beef with cabbage, and more. Of course we’ll serve up your favorite St. Patrick’s Day desserts and can provide a wide selection of celebratory alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages for the occasion! And don’t forget, we can deliver this to your home, office or party venue anywhere in the Bay Area! So who needs luck when you can Cheat A Little?

St. Patrick’s Day Lunch or Dinner Menu Sample:

  • Lucky Leprechaun’s Corned Beef and Cabbage, Tender Slices of Corned Beef, Braised Cabbage, Red Skin Potatoes, and Carrots 
  • Pot O’ Gold Soup Potato and Leek, Irish Soda Bread, Guinness and Onion Soup with Irish Cheddar Croutons (give this French classic an Irish twist with a splash of Guinness in the broth and a gooey Irish Cheddar topping)
  • Whiskey Bread Pudding Old Fashioned Bread Pudding, Bread Cubes, Cinnamon & Sweet Raisins Whiskey Sauce and Baileys Crème Fraiche on the side

$19.95 per person (minimum of 20 persons); excludes 18% service charge and tax

Employee Spotlight: Debby DeOliviera, Cheat A Little Catering's Office Manager
If you have ever called Cheat A Little Catering, chances are you have spoken to Debby DeOliviera. Debby joined Cheat A Little Catering more than three years ago as the Office Manager. In this role, Debby is responsible for managing the day-to-day business of the office and works closely with clients to assist them in planning and creating a magnificent event.
 
Prior to joining Cheat A Little Catering, Debby owned and operated Lucia’s Italian Restaurants for more than 20 years, as well as many other business endeavors. After selling the business in 2000, she began working for Crystal Springs Catering as their Event and Sales Manager. Debby planned and executed hundreds of Private and Corporate Parties. Her background also includes working for AM Party Rental and Unica Party Rentals.

Debby’s experiences in Restaurant Management, Catering and the Party Rental Industry has made her an invaluable asset to Cheat A Little Catering’s clients. Debby works closely with clients and the staff at Cheat A Little Catering to ensure that every event is a huge success.
 
“My years of experience in the hospitality and events industry lend support to the whole Cheat a Little Catering team in making sure your experience is a success," said Debby. "You may not see me at your event, but I have been part of the team who make it all come together."

Let's Dish...
In Honor of Irish Heritage Month, Cheat A Little Catering is sharing a recipe for a delicious and traditional Irish dish: Shepherd's Pie!

Ingredients:
·        1 tablespoon olive oil
·        1 teaspoon black pepper
·        1 lb ground beef or 1 lb lamb
·        1 large onion, finely diced
·        3 -4 large carrots, finely diced
·        1 cup frozen peas
·        3 -4 sprigs fresh thyme, finely chopped
·        2 tablespoons flour
·        1 tablespoon butter
·        1 glass red wine
·        2 tablespoons tomato paste
·        2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
·        1 cup chicken stock
·        1 large quantity mashed potatoes (approximately 6 cups, fresh or leftover)
·        1 egg, beaten
·        grated parmesan cheese (optional)
 
Directions:
1.      Pre-heat oven to 200C/400°F.
2.     Sauté carrots in the olive oil until starting to get tender.
3.     Add in the onions and sauté for a minute or two then add the meat.
4.     Season with black pepper and thyme.
5.      Cook until browned then drain fat.
6.     Add the butter and peas.
7.      Sprinkle with flour and stir through.
8.     Add tomato paste, wine and Worcestershire sauce.
9.     Let this reduce slightly then add the chicken stock. Allow to reduce down until you have a thick meaty gravy. Season to your taste.
10.  Remove from heat. Grease an oven proof dish** (9x13 works for me, as does an oval baker) with butter and add the sauce.
11.   Spoon or pipe the mashed potatoes over top. Brush with egg and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese if using.
12.  Bake for about 20 minutes or until the potato is nice and browned on top.
13.  Garnish with a sprig of thyme and serve with some Irish soda bread!
It isn’t easy being green !

Cheat A Little Catering has been committed to being a green and eco-friendly business since its inception. We strive to reduce our carbon foot print in the communities we serve, as well as the larger world. We sort and recycle all of our waste products, and compost all food scraps. We believe in creating a greener world for today and tomorrow!
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