Finding the Best Mexican Restaurants in Your Area

Posted on March 16, 2017 by Francis Pitt

Many places all over the world have different types of restaurants serving international cuisine, and many big cities, regardless of their location on the globe, have at least one Mexican restaurant. A favorite for many and disliked by few, the colorful dishes and powerful flavor pops of Mexican food have most people coming back for seconds… or thirds!

Finding the best Mexican restaurants in your area

If you are looking to start a heated debate in any given group of individuals, whether they are your coworkers, family members, or fellow passengers on the subway, ask where to find the best Mexican food. Everyone has their favorite that they absolutely swear by and are ready to defend the most loudly. Of course, different people have different tastes and each person could have a different reason behind their choice, but the truly best Mexican restaurants will not only offer a wide variety of options, but also serve authentic dishes, that really bring with them the essence of the actual experience of enjoying a meal in Mexico.

The popularity of Mexican food

One recent look at the prevalence of Mexican restaurants in the United States showed that there were 38,000 Mexican restaurants peppered across the nation. That leaves a lot of room for discussion and debate over which of those are the absolute bet Mexican restaurants. One thing is clear, however, and that is that the popularity of Mexican food has indeed been growing. Salsa now outranks both ketchup and mayonnaise as the most popular condiment, and tortillas have been selling better than hot dog buns for the last few years. This hints at the fact that nearly three quarters of the households across the country cook and eat Mexican food and the ingredients commonly used in the delicious cuisine.

Being the best

There are several types of international restaurants and cuisine available throughout the United States, but with one in 10 restaurants selling Mexican food, the cuisine from our neighbors to the south holds the title for most popular international cuisine in the nation. And that makes the establishments that are commonly referred to as the best Mexican restaurants incredibly popular indeed. While 75% of people indulging in foreign cuisine are seeking new flavors, two thirds are on the hunt for flavors that are bolder, and dishes that are unfamiliar. The best Mexican restaurants know how to deliver each of those!

Why Golf Courses Are One of the Best Wedding Venues

Posted on March 16, 2017 by Francis Pitt

Outdoor weddings are becoming more and more popular. Beaches, gardens and even farms have become favorite locations for couples to exchange their vows. Among outdoor wedding places, golf courses have a number of advantages for couples and event planners. They offer a picture perfect setting as well as all facilities for a memorable party. With indoor reception spaces and ballrooms, and a trained staff of party planners, they can help you create a perfect celebration.

A beautiful natural setting
The largest number of weddings are held in the summer, taking advantage of the warm weather and the natural beauty of the outdoors. In fact over a third, or 35% of all weddings are now held out of doors, according to Hudson Valley Weddings. Outdoor venues can in include beaches, gardens, parks, and golf courses.
Golf courses offer vistas of smooth manicured greens with a backdrop of wooded hills, and a range of indoor and outdoor spaces to enjoy the view and the event. Golf clubs actually are some of the best party venues, because they come fully equipped with all the facilities for a party. They have wedding, banquet, meeting and special events facilities, which make planning a party much easier.

Elegance and convenience in a single package
What makes a golf course one of the best places to have a wedding? Among outdoor wedding places, golf courses have one big advantage, and that’s accessibility. Not everyone can hike up a mountain trail to watch a couple exchange their vows, but grandparents and elderly relatives can make it out to the golf club.
A golf course wedding is also much easier to plan. It’s easily accessible to all caterers, florists, photographers, DJs and other professionals who will make the event happen. As well as outdoor wedding places, there is a club house with elegant decor, and trained staff who understand the art of hospitality.

On trend hospitality and party planning
With the avenge wedding reception costing $ 28,385, a golf club wedding offers some of the best value for your money. There will be a number of indoor banquet halls and reception rooms, lighted terraces and even a grand ballroom for a memorable night of celebration and dancing.
With a kitchen and staff that are experienced in the arts of hospitality and party planning, you can be sure that your event will be on trend. For example, in 2015, ethnic brunch items like Asian-flavored syrups, Chorizo scrambled eggs, coconut milk pancakes were a hot trend, according to 67% of respondents. A wedding brunch may be the perfect weekend party for your family and friends.

Among popular outdoor wedding places, golf courses and club houses offer a combination of natural beauty and elegant surroundings. This, along with a trained staff of party planners, makes them a good place to celebrate one of the most important days of your life.

Too Busy to Cook? Call for a Rotisserie Chicken Delivery

Posted on March 9, 2017 by Francis Pitt

Chicken is a popular protein choice throughout the United States. It’s interesting to note that people in this country eat more chicken than anywhere else in the world. In fact, the National Chicken Council projected that in 2016, each person in the United States would eat a minimum of 91.8 pounds of chicken.

There are so many different ways to prepare chicken, which is another reason why it is such a popular choice. Just imagine the delicious aroma of latin-style barbecue chicken . . .Lightly-spiced chicken wings, for example, make a great afternoon or late-night snack. A rotisserie chicken or two can provide a delicious main course for a meal shared with family and friends.

When you love latin-style cuisine, chicken may be one of your favorite menu items. If you’re looking for where and what to eat after a day at the beach or an evening out on the town, a chicken kitchen is an excellent choice. Furthermore, when compared with other fast foods, chicken wings or a rotisserie chicken are much healthier choices. Add in a side dish or two, and you will have a filling and fulfilling meal.

If you’re having a relaxing afternoon and don’t feel like cooking or going out for a meal, it’s nice to know that there are food delivery and catering services available. This is a convenient and tasty solution when you have an impromptu or planned get-together with family or friends.

It’s also a good idea to pick up a few extra rotisserie chickens so that you have a better chance to have leftovers. You can make chicken sandwiches, add chicken to salads, or mix it up with some rice. Another great idea when there’s a bit of chicken left on the bone is to make soup. Add in onions, garlic, corn, celery, and black beans, and you’ll have a delicious, aromatic soup.

If you’re hungry and are planning to go shopping, why not visit a chicken kitchen before to get something to eat. This is particularly a good idea if you’re planning to go grocery shopping, as you’ll make smarter decisions when you’ve just had a satisfying meal.

Know Your Mexican Food — The Difference Between Flour and Corn Tortillas

Posted on February 12, 2017 by Francis Pitt

In America, one of the most important characteristics is the multicultural fabric of its society and the great things it brings to the table as far as cuisine is concerned. Since there are so many cultures bound together in the same location, the kind of food that is available in America and is consumed on a daily basis by millions of its citizens is interesting to say the least. Influences from multiple kinds of cuisines all over the world make it so exciting to be of food enthusiast in this country, and one of the most important staples when it comes to ethnic cuisine in the country is Mexican food. The best Mexican restaurants in the country serve the best Mexican food that you can find, and if you know how to spot authentic Mexican food, you can embark on a journey that involves exotic spices, a great depth of flavor and aromas, and visual presentation that makes the food even more worth it. One of the things that many people overlook, however, is the nutritional benefits of Mexican food. Not only is it extremely healthy and full of good food value and nutrients, but to the presence of integrated taste and flavors contributes to its appeal.

One of the most important ingredients when it comes to Mexican food is the tortilla. Used in a variety of ways and contributing to a lot of Mexican dishes that we now recognize as staples in the country, the tortilla is something very simple. It is essentially a flat bread, which is created by rolling the dough in a circular shape and then breaking it either in an oven or on the open heat. This creates a very simple, starchy flat bread which can be used with a variety of different ingredients to create amazing Mexican staples that are all well known in this country for their excellent and bold flavors. One of the most important things that decide the kind of tortilla that you end up with is the choice of flour. Tortilla can be made with many different kinds of flour, and the two most commonly used ones are regular flour and corn flour. Indeed, this is the main difference between flour and corn tortillas, and each of them brings something different to the table, and are consequently used in different kinds of recipes and creations.

Let us get more in-depth and explored the difference between flour and corn tortillas, and what each brings to the table in terms of characteristics as ingredients. To start off with, flour tortillas are in general very soft and quite pliable,and have it taste which is extremely neutral with a hint of sweetness. Since they are soft by nature, they are the ideal choice for things like tacos and enchiladas, and you can even use stable wants to create quesadillas. However, due to their soft texture, they are not great for frying. In most cases, they are used in recipes where you really want the feeling or the flavor inside to be the star of the show and the tortilla is just the shell that holds things together.

The other side of the contest in the difference between flour and corn tortillas is the interesting corn tortilla, which is also slightly pliable, but mostly firm. They have a more chewy texture, which makes them an interesting ingredient. The taste is also not as neutral as that of flour tortillas, as the corn flavor shines through. One of the main aspects of the difference between flour and corn tortillas is that corn tortillas are excellent for frying, and you can use them as tortillas chips. It can also be used as a shelf for tacos if you want the shell to be a part of the flavor profile and to contribute to the overall taste of the dish. Both of these are extremely interesting ingredients and can be used creatively in a variety of different ways to bring life to Mexican cuisine.

These are the main points of difference between flour and corn tortillas and you should choose accordingly when cooking great Mexican food.

How To Create The Ultimate Wedding Menu Diets, Allergies, Seasonal Options And More

Posted on February 9, 2017 by Francis Pitt

Weddings are one of the most beloved celebrations in the United States. They symbolize a union built on love and trust, creating warm memories that withstand the test of time. Because of this popularity it stands to reason every element of a wedding is held to a high standard, from designs to set-ups, and will be given the utmost quality. A quality menu for weddings is an incredibly involving feature that takes into account everything from unique tastes to particular diets, crafted to offer every guest something delicious to whet their appetite and create an evening to remember.

Food Services Never Go Out Of Style

Everyone loves a good spread. There are an estimated 321,000 American men and women working in both the food management and catering industry today — they do everything from cooking to baking to designing, working night and day to create the most brilliant weddings and after-parties imaginable. Good caterers should be aware of with the most up-to-date food safety regulations and should easily manage a staff of cooks, servers, dishwashers and cleaners. While everyone has different roles, some caterers are also in charge of decor, table arrangements and general presentation.

Seasonally Driven Menus Are Always In

No two seasons are the same. Neither are weddings! A good food catering menu for weddings should properly reflect the changing weather and passing holidays, all the better to cultivate an environment that feels relevant to all attending. A summer spread should have plenty of fun foods as well as classic spreads to cultivate the cheer of the season, while a winter spread should combine a proper mixture of filling and sweet.

Top It Off With A Good Drink

Drinks are so popular they have their own sections and guidelines. Should you be cultivating a menu for weddings in a more rural location, such as a vineyard or ranch, keep in mind your kitchen facilities may be inefficient to meet the challenges of providing a proper spread and drink selection for your guests. There should be a good range of non-alcoholic and alcoholic options for all and sundry, with martinis and vodka mixes still some of the most popular fun choices for adults. Even now ‘Great Gatsby-inspired’ weddings with champagne towers and cocktails are incredibly popular.

Better To Be Safe Than Sorry

A menu for weddings should never neglect allergies, alternate diets or food intolerance. Recipes should be adjusted to cope with the aforementioned issues and there should always be easy-to-find disclaimers so people know what they’re interacting with. Common food allergies include peanuts, tree nuts, seafood, shellfish and wheat. Common intolerance issues include soy, milk and eggs. Alternate diets should take into account vegetarians, vegans and pescatarians. Some allergies are rarer and, at the end of the day, it never hurts to double-check to make sure everyone has a safe and enjoyable time.

Creating A Good Menu For Weddings

Now for a little refresher. A dinner catering menu is one of the most essential elements to a successful wedding and easily takes up a significant amount of time for the couple in question. Seasonally driven menus are some of the most popular decisions, while good drinks should always be in heavy supply. Double-checking for allergies and alternative diets will go a long way in preventing trouble, while hiring the right outside catering services will reduce a lot of stress on your already busy schedule. Ready to create the ultimate wedding? It pays to be prepared!

Three Things To Know Before Choosing A Wedding Caterer

Posted on February 6, 2017 by Francis Pitt

When it comes to event planning and catering, few events are quite as important as a wedding. Yes, there may be some galas that welcome the rich and famous, and there may be some formal ceremonies that are technically more prestigious than the celebration of nuptials. But for a bride and groom, few days are going to top the one in which they exchanged vows and pledged their love to one another. As such, there’s a lot of pressure for the wedding to be as perfect as possible. And while you may find that your dress doesn’t fit quite the way you wanted, or perhaps that the weather isn’t what was expected, if you hire the right special event catering services, you can trust that your meal will go off without a hitch. With that being said, good caterers can’t do all of the work themselves. There are a few things that you, as the bride or groom, will have to know in advance in order to get the most out of your special day. For that matter, the more information you’re able to give professional catering services, the better they will be able to accommodate any specific issues or quirks surrounding your venue. With that being said, let’s look into what you should expect should you hire event planning and catering services for your wedding.

1. The Food Will Be Delicious — But There Won’t Be Any Leftovers

If you’re careful about the event planning and catering services you hire, the food they give you will most likely be amazing. Many catering services have made an art out of making great food in virtually any location; that’s what they’re known for, after all. But it’s likely that some won’t get eaten over the course of the wedding — and you won’t get to keep it. What you’re paying for with most catering services is the food that you eat, not the amount of food made total. Most catering services will take your guest list and add a certain amount of food that needs to be made, in order to accommodate those who want second helpings. As such, it’s not unusual for there to be food left afterwards, and the catering service will take that food with them. While you may think that you’re missing out on leftovers, the reality is that most people won’t be equipped to take it with them anyway — especially not the bride and groom, who are most likely about to set off on their honeymoon. The removal of food is part of cleanup, and the catering service is taking care of that for you.

2. Special Requirements Can Be Accommodated

Not everyone has the same dietary needs, and this is especially evident when you’re hosting a big wedding. In this day and age, many people are trying to be socially conscious with their meals, and therefore you may need to accommodate vegan and vegetarian guests. More crucially, some guests are vegetarian due to their religious practices, and you certainly don’t want to run into any problems in that respect. Other times, guests have dietary restrictions due to allergies. No matter what the reason, let your event planning and catering services know ahead of time and they will be able to adjust the recipes accordingly, of for that matter help you plan a special menu for your guests with specific restrictions. In this sense, it can be less expensive and more convenient to have pre-plated, pre-ordered meals than buffets or food stations when the caterer is off-site.

3. Caterers Can Help You Stay In Style

It can be difficult to keep up with all of the wedding trends, especially those that revolve around food. With that being said, a good caterer will make it a priority to stay up to date on all of the latest trends in wedding food, and they can help you plan a menu that will impress and delight. If you’re not sure about your wedding menu, feel free to ask your caterer for guidance.

Is Your Food Packaging Meeting Safety Regulations?

Posted on December 15, 2016 by Francis Pitt

So you’re ready to send your edible product out into the world, or at least onto the shelves of a local grocery store. Have you thought of the packaging? In today’s supermarkets, products are sent through packaging machines of all types, from shrink bags to plastic clamshell trays. But there is more to consider than what container will best catch the consumer’s eye. Finding good food safe plastics and detecting possible contamination from foreign objects are also vital.

Food Safe Plastics: BPA is Only the Beginning.

A container must be made to specifically hold a consumable substance to be considered safe. Otherwise, chemicals from the plastic could leach into the food or drink. This is where the BPA scare came from, as many artificially created chemicals cannot be eliminated from the body easily. Instead, the chemical compound builds up and causes problems.

Keep Unsafe Objects Out of Products: Use X-Ray Food Inspections.

Did you know that food can have metallic contaminants? Ferrous, non-ferrous, and even stainless steel can turn up in food. The good news is that x-ray food inspections can detect these contaminants. An x-ray food inspection machine is much more sensitive than a typical metal detector, which can only detect only 2.5 to 3.5 millimeters of matter. By contrast, an x-ray food inspection can detect 1.5 millimeters or even less, which keeps food much safer. You don’t want a customer to find a piece of metal no matter how tiny, especially with social media.

Customers Like Brands That Care About Their Carbon Footprint.

How much plastic do you throw away? We all know we should do our part and reduce, reuse, and recycle. Take the time to decide how your company will do their part, and more importantly, how that information will be made obvious to the customer. As much as 52% of shoppers look at how a brand gives back to the environment, and make their purchases accordingly. Use that to your advantage.

Packaging is an important part of marketing your product. Consumers want to know that the container is safe and will not poison their food. They also do not want to find anything in their food that does not belong there, such as bits of metal. Finally, think about what your company does to minimize their carbon footprint. And make sure the package states that, and loudly.

Organic Food Benefits

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