An inside view of the Staff''s performance at Provence Catering

The December event calendar is not slowing down and a record January is on the immediate horizon. The sensational food and world class service from Provence Catering is being toasted throughout the mid-Atlantic region. Our discerning clients are thrilled with our Herculean efforts, especially considering the challenges of this past weekend.

The 2009 Holiday Season has been a huge success in spite of the record snowfall. Everyone one of our parties went off on time and our dedicated employees deserve all of the credit. From our tireless Utility team to our award-winning chefs to our 24/7 Operations Braintrust to our remarkable wait staff, everyone at Provence truly believes that "Perfect Works Just Fine" for every event.

We received a touching and compelling email this week from one of our most experienced waiters lauding his fellow staff members for their exemplary performance at a high-profile corporate Holiday Party on Monday following the weekend's blizzard. We thought you might like to read his insightful comments and kudos.

"I know you know what an incredible staff you and Pam have at Provence Catering , but I gotta tell you anyway. After working through so much over the snowy weekend, your team shows up at Fifteenth and Spring Garden Streets, and to my amazement(I guess I shouldn't be amazed), they walk into a really crazy scene and completely take charge.

The kitchen space limitations were nuts, and guests arrived early so we were pressed for time, but no one kevetched, ( well, I probably did a couple of times ) and with a very professional attitude, your staff just dug in and made it work. A terrific party it was created, the clients, as always, were thrilled and you owe it all to an OUTSTANDING bunch of people."

While we already know this, it's always fantastic to hear how fortunate we truly are. Hail to the Hospitality Hero's who risked their health and sanity to make sure everyone of our client's received a five star dining experience from Provence.

Provence Catering receives an A+ from Swarthmore College President!

Catering a groundbreaking Dinner Party in a College President's private residence is always an unmistakable honor. We know that our role is to provide our VIP guests the highest level of hospitality possible while maintaining a sense of fiscal responsibility.

This especially true when the College President is new to the executive position and looking to create her own sense of style. Few people have impressed us as much as the new President of Swarthmore College, Rebecca Chopp. In just five months, the former Provost of Emory University and the former President of Colgate University, has won over the entire Swarthmore College community with her warmth, grand vision and intellect. We know President Chopp is the ideal choice to lead this internationally acclaimed Liberal Arts college. As always, Honors learning is all the rage on College Avenue.

The President and her husband hosted 25 guests for an intimate dinner party in their beautiful on-campus home. The evening was an unequivocal success. According to our hosts, Provence Catering did an exceptional job delivering a five star dining experience. "You guys were a big hit with us last night. I got compliments all day long! Everyone enjoyed the food and the incredible service. So, since we are a tough-grading academic institution, I should say A+."

We love to receive an honors grade! Thank you Rebecca and Fred.

Elegant Holiday Parties for a Sophisticated Palet.

The busiest week of the year is in full swing and our chefs are doing an amazing job meeting the challenge. Our discerning clients are raving about their holiday parties and our new menu ideas.

Every year our most lavish Holiday Party of the season takes place in North Jersey for a Titan of Industry. He is a remarkable individual with exceptional taste and a very sophisticated palet. His extraordinarily elegant affairs are legendary and always the Toast of the Town. Last September he hosted a 60th Birthday for his mother inspired by the grand Gala in the final scene of the movie "Meet Joe Black." This milestone reception was stupendous and flawlessly executed by Provence Catering in a stylish tent during a Hurricane.

Our client's Holiday Party is actually ten parties at once. There are seven different groupings of incredible Hors D' Oeauvres, a regal raw bar, a spectacular dinner buffet and a dessert extravaganza. Every hour the selection of appetizers change. Here is a sampling of the first three hours of Provence Holiday magic.

In the tent from 5:30 -12:00

SEAFOOD & VODKA LUGE A custom ice luge offering chilled natural and flavored vodkas, Osetra, Paddlefish and salmon caviars, toast points, sieved egg yolks, whites, brunoise onion, capers and lemon and fruits of the sea to include poached Jumbo Shrimp, Alaskan snow crab claws, lobster, Little Neck clams and oysters on the half shell accompanied by Bloody Mary cocktail sauce, Meaux moutarde, Tabasco, lemon, mingionette sauce, and dill remoulade.

HORS D’OEUVRES - Butlered from 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

ADRIATIC SHRIMP Jumbo Gulf shrimp grilled and tossed with sweet
Garlic, Italian parsley and lemon.

ARGMAGNAC SOAKED PRUNES Prunes soaked in aged Argmagnac, filled with foie gras wrapped with bacon and baked until crisp.

HORS D’OEUVRES - Butlered from 7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

MELON, MIDORI AND POP ROCKS Honeydew melon, Midori and pop rocks…a sensory explosion.

CHICKEN ESCARGOT Strips of boneless breast of chicken wrapped around escargot, sautéed in garlic and parsley butter.

GRILLED CHEESE & TOMATO Petite grilled cheese sandwiches served warm with a
BISQUE side of a tomato bisque shooter

LOBSTER ROLLS Cold water Maine lobster blended with a dice of
WITH MICRO GREENS celery and mayonnaise served on a mini roll.

HORS D’OEUVRES - Butlered from 8:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.

SHORTS RIB WITH CARROT PUREE Slow simmered short ribs offered atop carrot and potato puree
with a touch of demi glace offered on individual demi spoons.

BEEF TENDERLOIN AND BRIE Charred tenderloin of beef and creamy, smooth warm brie served on a toasted ficelle with pepper chutney.

LIQUID MOZZARELLA CAPRESE A liquid mozzarella pipette injected into a baby cherry tomato with chiffonade of basil, olive oil and fleur de sel.

SEARED SESAME TUNA Ahi tuna coated in sesame seeds and tagaroshi spices, quick seared and sliced served atop a crisp wonton with a “slaw” of radish, cucumber and watercress in a rice wine vinaigrette topped with wasabi cream.

Helping to foster open exchanges at a Peer to Peer Reception is a Provence tradition.

We love to cater on-campus events. There is an unmistakable and unbridled passion to higher education. You can just feel the energy at every event. Provence Catering continually strives to offer every guest the highest level of hospitality while working within our client's budget.

One of our favorite types of university events is a Peer to Peer Conference. It always features the best of the best. Make no mistake about, we are always inspired by a high-profile meeting where the lively exchange of best practices and relevant challenges are the topic of discussion. When combined with the delicious cuisine of Provence Catering, this extraordinary environment provides the perfect setting for the free and open exchange of new ideas.

Last week we catered a VIP luncheon at the University of Pennsylvania and the Executive Assistants to the Dean at every school on campus were invited for groundbreaking event. From keeping the Dean's busy schedule to weighing priorities, these invaluable professionals are the key decision makers that truly make the University of Pennsylvania a center of excellence.

The attendees raved about the spectacular VIP buffet luncheon from Provence that featured our Board Room level of university dining. The unsolicited compliments from this savvy and refined audience were quite inspiring. Thank you MK.

MYI Consulting relys on Provence Catering to deliver a Boardroom standard of excellence.

Smart companies are using the holidays to solidify key business relationships and introduce new products. Many of our savvy clients understand the importance of offering their customers and potential customers the highest level of hospitality. Treating people well never goes out of style.

For the fourth year in a row, MYI Consulting of Chester looked to Provence Catering to provide an upscale Holiday Breakfast for a VIP audience. Company Founder and Visionary Monika Moo Young is a dynamic business leader and prominment companies in the area are beginning to take notice of her impressive list of clients.

With a corporate philosophy focusing on exceptional customer service and process innovation, MYI Consulting has relied upon Provence Catering to deliver a Boardroom standard of excellence. We are honored to held in such high regard by this premier consulting company.

Great News for everyone...Business is Booming!!!

We love hearing great business news, especially when we are the topic of conversation. Everywhere we go, Provence Catering is receiving tremendous accolades for a our sensational food, world class service and innovative marketing strategies. It's certainly a team effort that is only going to get better.

All of our hard work and dedication is paying huge dividends. The Holiday Party season is in full swing and business is booming. Wow!!! With a flurry of recent holiday bookings, we are pleased to announce that Provence Catering will have our most successful month ever. The significance of that statement is not our good fortune, but that economy seems to be regaining strength and jobs creation is soon to follow.

Since we are a non-essential, but important service, our business is an excellent bell weather on the overall health of the economy. Based on our record sales for December, there a lot to be excited about. As the economic outlook improves, we look forward to helping you optimize your next event event with elegant food and stylish fun.

Busy week for Provence Catering at The Wharton School

It was a very busy week for Provence Catering on campus, especially at The Wharton School. From providing the highest level of hospitality to a VIP audience at a closed-door Retail Business Conference to catering a vibrant Holiday Party for a cutting edge International Studies program, Provence Catering showed why we are consistently looked upon as the premier off-premise caterer at the University of Pennsylvania.



Catering high-profile events at The Wharton School requires discipline, exceptional culinary expertise and organizational excellence. Those important attributes are our foundation and the cornerstone of our remarkable customer service. After Monday's VIP event, our savvy client remarked,"the food was great and your staff was outstanding as usual. I look forward to working with you again."

We love a satisfied a client.

Can Do Attitude!

In today's difficult economic times, one of the strongest attributes a company can have is a "Can Do " Attitude! We at Provence Catering make "Can Do" our daily mantra along with "Perfect Works Just Fine" Whether it is the being the first to response to a RFP for an exclusive venue where the competitors are the biggest corporations in the region or being the last one at a Networking Event, helping the venue on event management & close up. Our best testimonials come from our clients who consistently tell us that when there are obstacles to overcome Provence Catering is the company to call. Whether it be a university dinner or a short notice social event Provence Catering will rally the troops, find the resources & deliver the goods. As we jump headfirst into new markets and growing industry issues,we continue to rise to the occasion and hit the nail on the head with our green initiatives, boutique and destination weddings within our region and support and exploration of new market trends. When things have to get done it is best to call the team with the can do attitude!