Branches Catering plays host to a number of special events, such as weddings, receptions, and more. Although our food menus are very popular, we always want to discover new foods! Recently, culinary specialist Eric Villegas came in and showed us some wonderful entrees. After all, there’s nothing better than a taste of home!

Source: Examiner

The Taste of Home Cooking School Show at Branches Catering, West Long Branch, was a huge success attended by young and old to watch Culinary Specialist Eric Villegas whip up easy, tasty dishes from the Taste of Home Cookbook. The Cooking Show was hosted by 94.3 The Point with Eric Villegas being introduced by morning anchors Lou and Liz.

VIP attendees were treated to special hors d’oeuvres prepared by Branches’ Chef Jaime Fierros and his culinary team while listening to Branches Managing Partner, John Lombardo, give tips on wine selection, tricks to uncorking and the proper way to taste a wine. Following his discussion, he raffled off select wines, as well as a wine tasting dinner for two at Branches.

Once the Cooking Show began, the ebullient Eric Villegas warmly welcomed his guests as he created Pumpkin Whoopee Pies with candied ginger and cream cheese frosting. He explained that the Taste of Home doctrine of cooking is creating easy-to-prepare dishes that are both satisfying and flavorful, many of which are replicated from traditional, comfort food recipes. According to Villegas, Taste of Home is all about “cooking, caring and sharing.” The Taste of Home Cooking School is America’s leading cooking school program, inspiring more than 300,000 passionate consumers each year at 300 events across the country.

During Villegas’ two-hour cooking demonstration, he prepared ten mouthwatering recipes. In addition to the Whoopie Pies, he made a Wisconsin BBQ Chicken Pizza in a quick countertop oven; Pulled Pork Tenderloin Sliders with whole cranberry relish and pickled onions; Chicken & Rice with Thai Curry, and a Ground Nut Stew.

As part of the Taste of Home family, which claims to be the world’s #1 source for family-favorite recipes, Culinary Specialist Villegas conducts Cooking School shows throughout the country from California to New Jersey.  “I thoroughly enjoy meeting so many enthusiastic fans of Taste of Home.  They inspire me with their love and cooking and support for our program,” exclaims Eric. “I also really enjoy the camaraderie that is built working with the local volunteers in putting together the big show.”

For the full article, click here.

Retro designs have been making a comeback and there is no shortage of retro-style dresses and accessories in the wedding industry. Whether you’re throwing a beach wedding or having a beautiful garden ceremony, you’re look will be classic and lovely. We found some great images from OneWed.com to help you make your decision for the wedding style you’d like to achieve.

Source: onewed.com

Have you checked out the Ruffled shop? If not, you’re missing out!

Romantic Birdcage Veil from the Ruffled Shop

For the vintage-inspired bride, this online boutique is a dream come true! You’ll find retro tea-length wedding dresses with bateau necklines and on-trend sleeves, and feminine, frilly petticoats. But the wedding hair accessories and veils are what really took my breath away!

From delicate bridal headbands to mini pouf veils, there’s even a dainty wedding hat. Each piece lovely, romantic and perfect for your wedding day.

Are you swooning? Which dress or accessory do you love?

Wedding hair accessory from the Ruffled Shop

Wedding hair accessories from the Ruffled shop

Wedding hat from the Ruffled shop

Wedding hair accessories from the Ruffled shop

Elegant wedding dress from the Ruffled shop

Wedding dresses from the Ruffled shop

For more about the Ruffled Shop and other wedding ideas click here.

To learn more about Branches Catering for your perfect wedding day Contact Us.

Couples are choosing to be more eco-friendly during their wedding than ever before. With Branches Green Cuisine any couple can be assured that their wedding menu will be filled with locally grown foods as well as using compostable or biodegradable products. This Jersey Shore catering hall also donates products to food banks and other worthwhile causes. Guests will  be showered in LED lighting, with the help of the KOPA group, instead of less eco-friendly options.

Source: Certified Organic Skins

Planning a wedding is a time of excitement and nervousness. More than ever, advance-thinking couples are planning green, organic weddings, or eco-friendly ceremonies. By utilizing services and products that are environmentally friendly, couples may surely create memories which they feel really good about. Planning a wedding that includes pesticide-free flowers in season, organic cotton, hemp and silk, and a menu of locally, fresh food is not only beautiful, but it is a money well spent. There are many ways that a couple can have an organic wedding. The following tips include more organic details into your own celebration.

Invitations

There are some fashionable and environmentally responsible choices for wedding invitations. Look for stationery that are created from fashionably recycled paper or organic cotton. Rather than toxic inks, prefer a safer soy-based inks to print all the information. This can be a good start for your wedding!

Gowns

To make your wedding ensemble more organic, choose bridal gown designers who create dresses from organic cotton, hemp, or fair-trade silk. If none of these gowns attract you, consider re-cutting your mother’s wedding gown to wear for your special day.

Reception Hall

To enjoy a more eco-friendly reception, you may be dreaming of an outdoor wedding on a botanical garden, beach, or even organic farm. Before you plan for any event at a certain natural location, make sure that the impact of having a large number of people at the park or beach will not create a negative effect on the environment.

Flowers

Your wedding decorations can also go organic. To further reduce your carbon footprint, buy locally produced flowers whenever possible. Not only will the flowers have traveled a couple of miles, you will also be helping a local farmer. With your organic flowers instead of using regular petroleum-based candles, you can use soy candles with non-toxic wicks. Thus, creating a reception that is more romantic and environment-friendly as well.

Rings/Jewelry

They are beautiful, they are traditional! But the controversies over gold mining and conflict diamonds make these choices unacceptable. However, there are alternatives. If you choose to buy diamonds, they can be bought from Canada, where they are conflict-free and traced to the source. Gold mining is also very unfriendly to the environment; even small scale mining requires some extraction techniques which are harmful to the workers and environment.

Look for jewelries that have been handmade with cleaner precious materials, suchlike Swarovski crystals in lieu of diamonds.

Food

The first step is to choose a caterer with specialization in sourcing organic and locally grown produce, poultry, etc. Did you know that you can also prefer organic wine or even organic spirits, like vodka? They are the best accompaniment to an organic dinner.

Also think of fair-trade delicacies, like chocolates and after-dinner coffee. You can serve a cup of organic fair-trade coffee with local organic cream for post-meal liquors that will be as environmentally friendly as it is delicious. For your guests who choose to sip a cup of tea, offer some certified organic fair-trade herbal teas.

Entertainment

A chamber music or pianist for the reception may use the least amount of electricity. For small gatherings, you could hire a big band orchestra or a DJ could play pre-recorded music.

Finish off your wedding with some organic favors for your guests. Anything that is edible maybe an excellent choice for favors, so think about things such as organic cookies or organic chocolate in bags or boxes made from recycled materials. You can also prefer favors like packets of organic seeds or lovely room spray made from organic lavender. There are as many wonderful possibilities for organic favors. Once you set your mind, you will realize that it is actually quite easy to plan an organic and earth-friendly wedding.

For the full article click here.

The Asbury Park Press is running their annual Readers Choice Contest. Branches Catering has received an award for the past 6 years in a row! Keep the tradition going and vote for Branches as Best Banquet Facility AND Best Caterer (off-site catering) for 2011!

It only takes a minute to vote. All you have to do is click here by July 31st and fill out the form. Remember to vote two times for Branches Catering under the categories Banquet/Reception Facilities and Caterer.

Thank you in advance for your support and we look forward to serving you in the future!

Branches Catering
123 Monmouth Road (Rt. 71N)
West Long Branch, NJ 07764
Toll Free (877) 316-1753
www.BranchesCatering.com

Here at Branches Catering we think being green is more than just recycling. We’ve taken our green movement to the next level by not only composting food discards, but also providing more organically grown foods and using LED lighting. Take a look at our Green Cuisine program below for more information on how we stay green! If you’d like to host a corporate event, bar/bat mitzvah or wedding at this Jersey Shore catering hall please contact us.

We’ve got a slew of new events going on in the next couple of months at Branches! If you’re planning your wedding or just looking for something fun to do make sure to check out all of our upcoming events.

Upcoming Events:

Tuesday, March 22, 2011 7:00pm: Summers Winery Wine & Food Sampler

One of California’s most highly-rated wineries is coming to Branches Catering!
We’ll be hosting a walk-around tasting with substantial appetizers and short plates led by Barbara Longué.
$42 per person plus 18% service and tax.
You can also purchase your favorite wines by the bottle after dinner and take them home with you at special savings!
To RSVP call 732.542.7790
To view full menu click here.

Wednesday, April 6, 2011: Branches Spring Bridal Showcase

Join us at Branches for our Spring Bridal Show! There will be lots of activities including:

• Runway Fashion Show
• Live Entertainment
• Prizes
• Sample Signature Dishes
• Receive Excellent Coupons
• Discounts and more!

Click to view the flyer.
Free Admission just register here!

Holiday Brunches at Branches!

Saturday, April 16th, 2011: Breakfast with the Easter BunnySunday, April 24th, 2011: Easter Brunch

Sunday, May 8th, 2011: Mother’s Day Brunch

For more information an all of these events and more view our upcoming events.

At Branches we love this timeless classic color palette of Wine, Mauve and Blush! The colors look great outdoors, like out in our waterfall garden, and also indoors, say… in our beautiful ballroom! Either way the colors are no comparison to the beauty of the bride at her wedding ceremony and reception.

Source: The Knot

Check out the hottest vintage wedding color combos that we’re obsessed with right now.

Perfect match for Branches Catering

Good for: Vintage garden weddings

Tips for pulling it off: Dress up this feminine color palette with crystal or pearl details, or dress it down with rustic fabrics like burlap and faded handkerchiefs.

Clockwise from top left: Marie Labbancz Photography, Antonis Achilleos, Jen Kroll Photography, Leigh Miller Photography, Justin and Mary Marantz, Dan & Anne Almasy, Simon Yao Studio

For the full article click here.