April 23rd, 2010 [No Comments]

Herberger Theatre 20th Anniversary Luncheon

Herberger Theatre 20th Anniversary

Santa Barbara Catering Company recently catered a luncheon at the Herberger Theater Center in downtown Phoenix. The Herberger Theater Center is a non-profit organization whose main focus is to support and foster the growth of performing arts in Phoenix as the premier performance venue, arts incubator and arts advocate. The Herberger Theater Center has contributed to the cultural and educational development of the Valley since 1989. Each year, approximately 175,000 patrons, including 30,000 school-aged children share the unique experience of live performing arts.

The 20th anniversary celebration luncheon took place on Center Stage to honor its patrons and to induct Richard Mallery into the Performing & Broadcast Arts Hall of Fame.  Entertainment was provided by SCAN Originals.

The afternoon was filled with appreciation and warm admiration for all patrons involved. The menu included Chilled Avocado Soup topped with Cilantro Cream and Toasted Pepita’s, a Greek Salad that had not only Kalamata Olives and Roasted Tomatoes but also Grilled Shrimp served on mixed greens with Soft Feta and Garlic Hummus. To top it all off, guests received a rich, layered Chocolate Mousse topped with Whipped Cream and a Hazelnut Crunch.

All proceeds from the luncheon went to benefit the Herberger Theater Center’s Youth Outreach programs.

Posted in Community, Events, Venues |

April 2nd, 2010 [No Comments]

Santa Barbara Catering Caters ISES Meeting at The Farm

Healthy eating and sustainable foods were among the topics discussed by the Arizona Chapter of the International Special Events Society at its inspiring meeting this month.  Arizona’s professionals gathered to relax, enjoy delicious food and discuss personal balance. Santa Barbara Catering was happy to share its exquisitely made cuisine while industry peers gathered and discussed sustainable living, time management and healthy cooking.

Santa Barbara’s fare truly highlighted the healthy eating discussions with dishes such as Lemon Parmesan Chicken Skewers with Garlic, Baked Brie en Croûte with Apricot Preserves, and fresh cheese and fruit platters—perfect examples of why Santa Barbara was the right choice for the ISES meeting.

We at Santa Barbara pride ourselves in providing innovative and delicious cuisine with our clients’ goals always in mind and are glad to have done this at the ISES meeting.

The night was sensational. The combination of The Farm at South Mountain’s peaceful surroundings and Santa Barbara’s delightful fare provided both a serene atmosphere and tasty delights.

Posted in Events, The Farm at South Mountain, Venues |

March 15th, 2010 [No Comments]

Santa Barbara Catering Collaborates with Orpheum Lofts Penthouse

Santa Barbara has teamed up with the Orpheum Lofts Penthouse, located in the historic District of Copper Square in Downtown Phoenix, to provide extraordinary downtown events that combine the character of a truly unique venue with that of Santa Barbara’s outstanding service and cutting edge cuisine and presentation. The combination of exquisite food and timeless elegance in this 1930’s brick high rise building will provide anyone a truly special and memorable event in an environment sure to exceed all expectations.

From start to finish, Santa Barbara and the Orpheum Lofts Penthouse will take care of everything. From lobster beignets to your very own “signature” cocktail – the possibilities are endless. Your guests will arrive at the penthouse via a private elevator and will receive a customized welcome announcement sure to impress.

Your guests will never forget the feeling of impact and style that they experience at The Orpheum Lofts Penthouse 11th floor rooftop patio, while sitting next to the fireplace or listening to the cascading rooftop fountains and taking in the striking view of downtown Phoenix. An in-house, state-of-the-art sound system, including rooftop audio and plasma TV’s, can be used to ensure additional sensory delight.

Whether you are interested in an elegant rooftop wedding ceremony at sunset, a company event or a private gathering, Santa Barbara and the Orpheum Lofts Penthouse will provide you with the perfect surrounding for an elegant and flawless event.

*Grand Opening Night of Orpheum Penthouse captured by Rhonda Lewis Photography who can photograph any event held at the Orpheum Lofts Penthouse.

Posted in Community, Corporate Party, Events, Uncategorized, Venues |

March 8th, 2010 [No Comments]

Wedding at the Phoenix Art Museum

Wedding at Phoenix Art Museum

Santa Barbara Catering Company was honored to have been a part of an amazing wedding reception at the Phoenix Art Museum recently. The beautiful day and remarkable venue allowed for some wonderful photo ops. Check out The Bride’s Café, one of the top wedding blogs, to see more pictures. Thank you Phoenix Art Museum for hosting another great event.

Posted in Events, Phoenix Art Museum, Uncategorized, Venues |

February 15th, 2010 [No Comments]

Carnivale at the Phoenix Art Museum

Wedding at Phoenix Art Museum

Valentine’s Day weekend was celebrated Euro-style as guests glided around the Phoenix Art Museum in costumes and masks, surrounded by European art and mystery.  “Friends of European Art,” a support organization for the Phoenix Art Museum, hosted a “Carnivale” themed party on Friday, February 12th.  Santa Barbara Catering provided stimulating food and drink, including Espresso Pot de Crème with a Chocolate Cookie Spoon, pictured below.

Posted in Corporate Party, Events, Phoenix Art Museum, Venues |

February 10th, 2010 [No Comments]

Super Bowl Treats on Fox 10

Santa Barbara Catering Company was recently featured on FOX 10 Arizona showcasing some delicious and creative ideas for your Super Bowl party this weekend.

Santa Barbara Pastry Chef Lynn Elston whipped up a few simple treats that you can easily recreate at home. “I Scream You Scream Ice Cream Sandwiches” were decorated with Super Bowl team logos making a mouth watering treat for Colts and Saints fans alike.

“Super Bowl Fruit Pizzas” made with caramel cream cheese and decorated with fruits according to team colors (blueberries for the Colts and blackberries and mango for the Saints), make for a delectable twist on pizza that is sure to impress.

To wash it all down, enjoy “Orange Cream Circle Pop Floats” made with fresh squeezed orange juice, vanilla ice cream and a splash of vodka.

Below are the recipes from Santa Barbara Pastry Chef Lynn Elston if you would like to make your own yummy Super Bowl themed desserts at home for your guests.

I Scream You Scream Ice Cream Sandwiches

You will need:
24 sugar cookies
½ gallon your favorite ice scream
Cellophane bags and ribbon
Sugar Cookie Dough
1-cup butter
1-cup sugar
2 large eggs
1-teaspoon vanilla
4-cup flour
¾ teaspoon baking powder
¾ teaspoon salt

Preheat oven 325 degrees. Combine butter, sugar, eggs, vanilla. Next add dry ingredients in. Chill dough up to one hour. Roll dough on floured surface to about one quarter of an inch thick. Using a football cookie cutter, cut out 24 total. Place 12 cookies upside down; scoop ice cream onto bottoms of cookies and sandwich with remaining cookies rightside up. Place cookies in freezer for 20 min. Once firm, place in bags and tie with raffia. Place back in freezer and take out 10 minutes before serving.

Super Bowl Fruit Pizzas
Pizza Dough
2 cups water warm 109*-113* degrees
¼ cup plus tablespoon Olive Oil
1-tablespoon instant yeast
5 cups Bread Flour
1-tablespoon sugar
1 tablespoon Salt

In a mixing bowl with dough hooks, mix warm water and yeast. Let sit for about 5 min until yeast foams and dissolves to the top. Add sugar and oil, then flour and salt. Mix with dough hook for 5 min. Place dough in well oiled bowl, cover with plastic wrap and let double in size for 1 hour.

Once risen, punch dough with hand, and portion into 5 pieces. Roll into flat round pizzas with rolling pin on a floured surface. You can grill on outside grill or bake in oven at 400 degrees.

Melt some butter and have some cinnamon sugar on side and brush the fresh baked dough lightly with butter and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar.

Pizza Caramel Spread:

2 cups cream cheese
¼ cup brown sugar

Combine in a mixing bowl and beat until well combined.
Once the baked pizza has cooled,sSpread the cream cheese caramel mixture evenly on pizza leaving a 1-inch edge on crust.

Colts Pizza: Spread blueberries with whip cream.

Saints pizza: Arrange blackberries and mango with thinly sliced mint as a garnish.

You can also make any flavor pizza you want. Enjoy!

Orange Cream Circle Pop Floats

Plastic cup
1 cup Fresh squeezed Orange juice
¼ cup soda spritzer
2 scoops vanilla ice cream
Splash of Grand Marnier or Premium Vodka

Enjoy with a spoon and root for your team!

Posted in Uncategorized |

December 22nd, 2009 [No Comments]

Zion & Zion Selects Santa Barbara Catering for “The Agency Event of the Year.”

On November 5th, Zion & Zion, one of Phoenix’s leading full-service marketing, PR, advertising and interactive agencies celebrated the opening of its new facility just off Mill Avenue in Tempe with a by-invitation-only party.

At the core of the fantastic event, attended by well over 200 of Zion & Zion’s clients, as well as members of the media, political figures and business leaders from throughout the Valley, was Santa Barbara Catering.

Santa Barbara prepared fare for the guests that included such trendy delicacies as Shrimp and Grits, Chicken and Waffles, and a Mac & Cheese bar with martini serving glasses suspended in mid air.

As if the amazing cuisine and exceptional guest list wasn’t enough, Santa Barbara event planners coordinated with Zion & Zion’s internal PR and event planning team to bring to life the Ziontini—an Elderflower, Grey Goose and Bombay Sapphire based concoction, conceived by Scottsdale bartender Cole Apodaca in response to a Valley-wide competition held by Zion & Zion to create the signature Ziontini for the event.

Comments on the event included, “This was THE agency event of the year!” and “Phoenix has never seen an agency party this well done!”

The Santa Barbara catered Zion & Zion spectacle was made complete by the placement of popular Phoenix figure DJ Brazilia atop one of the Zion & Zion conference rooms, playing a variety of modern music, and complemented by lighting effects from Sound Lighting FX and modern centerpieces and illuminated décor from Petal Pushers.

Zion & Zion CEO, Aric Zion, commented, “The event was a runaway success. Clients networked with other clients and found new business opportunities; our firm closed significant additional business as a result of the event; and the rave reviews from the media and community leaders continue to echo.”

DuGué Zion, Zion & Zion’s COO, added, “Santa Barbara was key in making this event so successful. I can’t even count how many people commented on the food and the service and asked for Santa Barbara’s contact information.”

Aric Zion summed up by saying, “By all accounts, the event was even more of a success than we had hoped for, and we couldn’t have pulled it off without the contributions of the Santa Barbara team!”

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Posted in Community, Corporate Party, Events |

November 3rd, 2009 [No Comments]

Santa Barbara Catering hosts the 9th annual Silver Plume Awards for Valley concierges

The Farm at South Moutain and Santa Barbara Catering Company hosts Where Magazines gala awards

The Farm at South Moutain and Santa Barbara Catering Company hosts Where Magazine's gala awards

Hundreds of Arizona’s top concierges, managers and travel industry members from the state’s elite resorts, hotels and publications will gather under the glittering Pecan Grove canopy of The Farm at South Mountain for Where Magazine’s Silver Plume Awards.

On Sunday, November 15th, Where Magazine will honor the Valley of the Sun Concierge Network with its annual Silver Plume Awards to acknowledge the industry’s Concierge of the Year, the top Up and Coming Concierge, the Anna Snider Distinguished Service Concierge and the General Manager of the Year Award.

As a major partners and sponsors, Santa Barbara Catering Company and The Farm at South Mountain will host, manage and cater the gala event. Chef Gregory LaPrad of Quiessence Restaurant will kick off the event with fall-inspired hors d’oeuvres during a cocktail reception. Next, Santa Barbara Catering Company will serve a rustic multi-course farm dinner showcasing the season’s bounty.

“Santa Barbara Catering has an established reputation for its pristine cuisine, over the top events and ultimate care for guests,” said Sarah Green, Where Magazine’s marketing manager. “That’s exactly what this event is meant to celebrate.”

Invitations to the Silver Plume Awards were distributed exclusively by Where Magazine. The Farm at South Mountain is one of the Valley’s top event venues for weddings, corporate events, company picnics or gala dinners.

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Posted in Awards, Corporate Party, Events, The Farm at South Mountain, Venues |

October 8th, 2009 [No Comments]

CEO & Son cook side by side, LIVE at Tempe’s Hackett House venue

It’s a family affair! On October 12th, CEO and owner of Santa Barbara Catering Company, Pat Christofolo, along with her son Dustin Christofolo, Chef at The Farm Kitchen at The Farm at South Mountain, will present a cooking class at Tempe’s historic Hackett House.

On the menu is a delicious dinner including appetizers, salad and homemade pasta, all featuring local ingredients. Finish off this great meal with homemade cream puffs…perfect for easy and informal entertaining!

The class is priced at $45 and attendees will learn how to prepare a complete dinner, enjoy wine and taste the dishes as they are prepared. Prepaid reservations are required and may be made by calling the Hackett House at 480-350-8181.

The class kicks off a series of 6 cooking classes located at the Hackett House event venue in downtown Tempe. Funds raised through the Hackett House support City of Tempe programs, as well as the award-winning Tempe Sister City Organization.

More information is available at http://www.hacketthouse.org.

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Posted in Community, Events, Venues |

October 6th, 2009 [No Comments]

Spreading his love for Arizona, local hometown hero Chef Chris Bianco cooks with Kimmel

Although he’s shown cooking at a Los Angeles food festival, local chef and hero Chris Bianco of the famed Pizzeria Bianco and Panne Bianco shouts his love for Arizona products. In this clip from Jimmy Kimmel Live, Chef Bianco crafts a beautiful focaccia sandwich using Queen Creek Olive Oil.

Bianco is a fine example of celebrating flavors and products grown right here in our own back yard. With all the international buzz and fame, he still proudly boasts his affinity for local ingredients, local dining and just about any business and resource in our nearby surroundings.

In fact, fall is a terrific time for everyone to celebrate the bountiful harvest of Arizona’s farmers and artisans.

Get your taste of Bianco’s legendary pizzas and sandwiches at his restaurants. http://www.pizzeriabianco.com

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Posted in Community, Recipes, Tips & Trends |

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