Make An Impact

The American Institute of Architects, Georgia Association (AIAGA) announced the winners of the 2015 AIA Georgia Design & Honor Awards. Over 175 people celebrated design on Saturday evening, April 11, 2015, at the American Spirit Works, Atlanta, Georgia. Glorious Events was chosen to cater this special event and AIA could not have been more pleased…. Read more
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When the Food Sets the Tone

Atlanta wedding reception planning and wedding catering can be an overwhelming experience but it’s important to read up and have event and catering professionals like us be with you every step of the way when you’re planning your big day. Blushing brides and grooms may have ideas about wedding colors and venues but the experience… Read more
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Party On! Why Work Parties Are Important

Depending on the organization’s size and culture, work parties can vary from the standard lackluster table of plain sandwiches and house wine to open bar and trays of hors d’oeuvres options. Small companies may not be able to afford a huge spread of libations and bites like many large companies in the U.S. but a… Read more
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Party Food 101

The holidays are just around the corner and the early planner gets to enjoy their own party. If you’re entertaining people this holiday season, one of the trickiest things to figure is the amount of food you should be serving. What’s the best way to figure out how much while keeping everyone’s dietary needs in… Read more
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Three Things to Remember for Perfect Party Planning

If you have ever had to plan a party or other special gathering, you know that the details are very important. From the logistics such as the venue and guest list, to the invitations and the DJ, everything must be coordinated so that your party goes perfectly. In addition to the “nuts and bolts”, there are three things that you should remember to make sure that your event is unique, enjoyable, and memorable
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Free, Fun Activities to Enjoy this Summer

Everyone from the oldest to the youngest member of the family seems to be plugged into media these days and busy all the time with the Internet, smart phone, Kindle, notebook, IPad, video games or other electronic distractions.  Summer is here and summer is a time to enjoy the freedom from school and our usual schedules, to get out in the pretty weather and do things together as a family, to get some exercise, and most of all to have some fun.

The sweetest and best experiences in life are the ones that cannot be bought, but are experienced through our times together doing simple things. To make the most of your summer vacation, you do not need a lot of money and a big vacation budget.  All you need is some imagination and a sense of adventure. There are many free activities available for summer fun. Let’s explore some ideas together.

Five Fun and Free Activities

When is the last time you got to play in the sprinkler’s path?  Surprise the kids. Take the family on a walk around the neighborhood, setting a good pace and working up a little bit of  a sweat. Leave the sprinkler on while you are gone to water your grass. When you arrive home, march right into the spray and splash the kids. Chase them around in the spray until everyone is wet and cool. Have a great time getting wet.

Unplug the electronics for a day or a half day each week. Read together, play board games, tell jokes and spend some quality time together instead.  Plan scavenger hunts inside the house: hide and hunt in teams. Cook a meal together with every family member being in charge of some part of it.

Go visit the Atlanta Botanical Gardens to see the plants and butterflies. Peek in on a wedding if one is in progress for some happy vibes. Go to Piedmont Park and take a picnic lunch. Take a Frisbee, some hula hoops, or your bicycles with you. It is a great place to spend the day and it is free.

Celebrate an obscure holiday. (There is one for almost any day of the year!) National Ice Cream Day falls

Finally, camp out in your own backyard. Enjoy stargazing as the sky darkens. Roast hot dogs and marshmallows and tell campfire stories. Catch lightning bugs in a mason jar and turn them loose when you are finished. Make special memories together on these warm summer nights.

Catering Events in Atlanta, GA

When you have a special event to host, you do not have to opt for free activities. You will need professional help planning and preparing for the occasion. You must hire the best event planner in Atlanta that you can find to impress your guests and to make things easier on you. Have no fear – there are plenty of catering companies in Atlanta, so do your due diligence and find the best one for your needs and budget.

5 Favorite Summer Time Desserts

Summer is here, and of course we’re all excited for fun in the sun: vacations, hanging out at the beach, pool parties, and all of those great barbecues.  There’s nothing like great summer food—fresh salads with all of those in-season veggies and fruits we’ve been waiting for weeks to ripen; grilled chicken, fish, ribs, burgers and hot dogs cooked on the grill.  If you’re planning to host a party this summer (or maybe two or three), and you’re going to serve some of your favorite summertime main dishes, you can’t forget about dessert.  Sure, we’re all watching what we eat—especially in the summertime—but it’s O.K. to have special summertime desserts.  Here are five of our favorites:

1. Peach and Blueberry Crispy Crumble

There’s nothing like a great crumble, and summer is the perfect time to make one using two of our favorite fruits while they’re in peak season: fresh peaches and blueberries.   The peaches are juicy and super-sweet; and the blueberries, while sweet, also adds a slight tartness that mixes perfectly with the peaches.  (And don’t skimp on that great crispy topping; everyone loves that!)

2. Frozen Lime Pie

This is the perfect “make-ahead” dessert, like many refrigerated or frozen treats.  If you like the snappy, tart taste lf lime, you’ll love this mix of limes, sugar, whipped topping and sweetened condensed milk; blended and poured into a coconut-infused graham cracker crust.

3. Mango Cheesecake

Add pureed mango to your favorite “go-to” cheesecake recipe, place fresh mango slices on the top once it’s baked and cooled, and you’ve turned a standard cheesecake into a tropical delight!

4. Decadent Picnic Brownies

No worries, chocolate lovers, we didn’t forget about you—we love chocolate just as much as you do.  With or without nuts, decadent, chocolaty brownies are the perfect, portable dessert for a sweet ending to a summer picnic.

5. Glazed Grilled Pineapple with Coconut Sorbet

Summer also wouldn’t be summer without a cool, refreshing sorbet.  Our favorite summertime flavor is coconut, paired with grilled pineapple glazed with a little honey.

Summer Catering in Atlanta

No matter which summertime dessert you choose, your guests are sure to love every bite.  Remember that planning a summer get-together doesn’t have to be complicated or stressful—with a little advance planning and asking for advice or catering ideas if you need to, your party will come together perfectly.

Caterers in Atlanta, GA — What do they think?

Summer is here, and so is a new social season.  Whether you’re planning a lunch meeting, an after-work mixer, or a dinner party, it’s important to keep your guests engaged by providing a fun atmosphere of creatively-presented food and drinks.  If your guests aren’t interested in the ambiance or the food fare and libations, your gathering won’t be great.

All caterers in the Atlanta area will tell you that there are some rules of thumb that you can follow to ensure that your summer event is a success.  These rules can be interpreted in a variety of ways; however, following the basic premise will add excitement and flare to your gathering.  Pull suggestions from these five great summer catering ideas for your next event.

Summer Catering in Atlanta — The Top Five

1. Great Libations

Let’s face it: whether they’re spiked or sans alcohol, drinks should be colorful, attractive, and super-tasty.

• Freeze fresh fruit (try blueberries, raspberries or grapes) and use instead of plain ice to add color and sweetness.
• Whenever you can, add fresh herbs such as mint or basil for a colorful edge.
• Canned drinks can be a fun change of pace: present sangria or specialty beers in ice-filled buckets.

2. For the Health-Conscious — Have a healthy variety

• Take advantage of the summer bounty: serve lots of fresh fruit (strawberries, pineapple, mango, kiwi, etc.)
• Veggies don’t have to be boring!  Long strips of zucchini can be wrapped around almost anything for a tasty treat.  Some quick, healthy ideas include protein-packed hummus, seared scallops or grilled chicken strips.

3. When it it’s not an option to indulge…

• Include dishes made with Agave or other natural sweeteners for those who must avoid refined sugar.
• Talk to your caterer about providing a few tasty gluten-free options; there are many out there!

4. When it’s O.K. to be naughty…

• Burger bar, anyone?  Or, consider a variety of sliders (beef, pulled pork, chicken, or lamb) with all of the fixings.
• For an international flare, consider a taco bar.

5. Don’t forget Desert – Or even a Desert Drink!

It’s summer, so how about ice cream?  But not just any ice cream:

• Use petite cones filled with summer sorbets topped with fruit, and present them in clear acrylic stands for a picturesque display.
• Provide uniquely-flavored frozen pops, presented in ice-filled baskets.  (If it’s for a specific occasion, add special labels!)
• There are also many great “desert drinks” out there—how about a strawberry shortcake cocktail?

Catering a summer event doesn’t have to be stressful or break the bank.  With some thought, planning and following these ideas, your gathering will be fun and memorable for all of the right reasons!

Hors D’oeuvres: Small, Perfect, Satisfying Bites For Your Reception

You’ve got a reception to plan, and you’ve picked the date, the venue, and even the color scheme.  But what about the food?  One of the top issues that reception hosts fret over is what kind of food to serve.  All receptions don’t have to involve an elaborate meal; some of the best foods are those delicious little bites—officially called hors d’oeuvres.  Advantages of small bites being the star attraction are that you can include a variety to please everyone, and the atmosphere will be less formal.  Once you’ve decided that your reception will be a great setting for these perfect morsels, you’re ready to forge ahead.

Catering in Atlanta, GA — Food Choices to Consider

You won’t have to look far to find a caterer in Atlanta to help you finalize your menu; once you do, be sure to include a variety of options to suit everyone’s tastes and possible dietary requirements:

• At least two vegetarian options, such as marinated veggie kabobs or guacamole

• Consider a couple of gluten-free options—most caterers have great ideas

• Provide fruit for those who may not be able to—or may not want to—indulge in other sweet treats

Catering for Weddings in Atlanta — Other Important Issues

Depending on the theme, consider tailoring your hors d’oeuvres to be either a little on the fancier side, or casual and fun.  Perhaps caviar or a caprese salad may fit the bill; or, you may prefer meatballs or sliders.  (Remember, sliders don’t always involve hamburger: consider salmon, chicken, or even lamb!)  Even if your menu is casual, you can always ask for a fancier presentation.  Just because hors d’oeuvres can be picked up and eaten with your hands doesn’t mean that they can’t be presented in a fabulous way.  Also:

• Work with your caterer to stay within your budget so you don’t have too much food, but be sure to have enough food so guests feel like they’ve had a satisfying meal.  The rule of thumb for super-heavy hors d’oeuvres—those that replace a standard dinner—is 12-15 pieces per person.

• When considering your budget, take into account whether or not you’d prefer your guests to choose their hors d’oeuvres from a main table, multiple stations, or have them presented table-side by wait staff.  The delivery method you choose will definitely affect the final price.

Hors d’oeuvre-only receptions can be original, innovative, and fun—and will make for an event that you and your guests will remember for years to come.

15 Great DIY Wedding Catering Ideas

Everyone wants their special day to be eventful and memorable. Some couples love DIY food bars for receptions and pre-wedding celebrations because it s a great way to get guests to interact with each other. We ve seen weddings with candy stations, sandwich buffets, and cookie stations but here are some other ways to make your big… Read more
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