Its Looking Good for Winston

Saturday, March 26, 2011 - Another day foraging around Villa Woodbine.  Today, I got a break.  Bill’s party was a wonderful Bat Mitzvah during the day, so I could have an early dinner without having to hang out in the oak tree until midnight to eat. 

One of Bill’s friends from his BNI Miami Beach chapter, held his granddaughter’s Bat Mitzvah at the villa.  What a great party...pink table cloths, lots of fun foods for the kids like milkshakes served in lit martini glasses for the teens, even brunch for the adults….all served by Bill’s wonderful staff headed up by Steph Lim and Shaneil Sibblies.  Henrik Lilleheim, formerly of Heavy Water Vodka fame, mixed up the non-alcoholic milkshakes, sans vodka of course.  DJ Jody spun some of my favorite tunes, like Born This Way, and E. T.  Spencer’s photo booth was a hit for the kids, and the tattoo artist also drew long lines.  Bill even got a tattoo of a turtle.  He always says that a turtle goes nowhere until it sticks it's neck out.

Ok…so it’s about six o’clock, dinner time for me, Winston the Peacock.   I was strutting in the garden’s looking for french fries when I spotted two lovely peahens in the distance.  They are not as colorful as I am…no Lady Gagas for sure.  In the world of peacocks, we males are the colorful creatures, like Elton John and Cee Lo Green...  Anyway, these two peahens look like possible companionship for lonely old me...but as I finally mustered up enough courage to say hello, they were spooked by all the South Bayshore Drive traffic from the tennis tournament and the two headed over the wall into the neighbor’s yard.  Shucks…so close yet so far.  Well, there’s always tomorrow!

I did check tomorrow’s schedule and there are no events at Villa Woodbine, but Bill and his team are catering a lavish wedding at Villa Vizcaya.  Perhaps I’ll take a flight over there to see what’s up!  Too bad Madonna and Sly are no longer living near Vizcaya…I know they’d help me find companionship.  But I do have faith in Bill to help me…..

Still Waiting,
 Winston

Rose Colored Glasses - The Secret to Marital Bliss

Having been very happily married now for 27 years,   I’ve always thought that marriage is about compromise.  However, I read just today that it’s about more than that...according to Sandra Murray and her research team from the University of Buffalo (I was born in Buffalo in 1945), marriage is also about self-delusion.  Her scientists followed 222 newlyweds through their first three years together.  The ones who went into marriage idealizing their partners ended up happier together than those who went in with clearer eyes.  “Why is it better to look at your flabby hubby and see Fabio?”  According to Murray, it has to do with the vast powers of the human heart over the human brain.  People can convince themselves that a spouse is better looking, smarter, kinder, and more virtuous that he/she actually is…at least for a few years.  So my advice to bridal couples is: get married with rose-colored glasses and never take them off!!!

Winston, The Villa Woodbine Peacock

Greetings, my name is Winston and I live at 2167 South Bayshore Drive in Coconut Grove at Villa Woodbine across from Kennedy Park….if you wish to contact me, you can write me at the above address ……the zip code is 33133….I do not have an e-mail address, but I’m sure you know I love to Tweet.  

And I do accept fan mail when I show off like this….how about those fan feathers?

Anyway, I’ve been trying to hold back on this for many months, but it’s time to reveal the truth.  I’m sure you all want to know to know how I came up with my name Winston….it actually came from my landlord’s client, Kristal Caron who was married at Villa Woodbine 14 months ago on New Year’s Day.  She loved the food, the service and the ambiance…and she loved fine jewelry from Harry Winston…hence the name…..but she loved me most of all (I even was in her wedding as the ring bearer—just kidding).  So she named me and thanks to her I’m now a protected species, forever a part of these magnificent catering grounds.

However, if you’re a peacock trying to live at this villa on South Bayshore Drive, it’s not like living on Easy Street.  Certainly, as a forager, after the parties are over in the garden I can dine on scraps, but the hours are terrible….sitting way up in Bill’s oak tree until 11 PM when the guests leave.  Until then I anxiously await dinner while the party-goers below frolic and dance the night away thirty feet below.

 And those cars and delivery vehicles that scoot up and down Bill’s driveway intimidate me, but I can do my own intimidating by sauntering slowly, tempting them to run me over;  but of course when 3,000 pounds of road kill makers get too close, I can then scurry away, occasionally losing only a feather or two.

I’m really hoping to find companionship in a peahen soon.  Bill is a great matchmaker, but he’s yet to bring me the bird of my dreams……Pray for Me!!!!

Love, Winston

P. S.  Don’t forget to write -- it gets lonely here sometimes.

3,000 Caterers Convene in Las Vegas, Miami Caterer Bill Hansen is featured speaker!!

I’ve been back from Las Vegas one week now, and am still recovering from delivering eight 75 minutes presentations to caterers from all over the world at the annual Catersource Educational Conference.  I did this with humility, since you never know it all, and it’s amazing what you can learn as your talk to your peers.  My topics included, operations, buffets, seated-meals, finances, human resources, marketing, pricing and a wrap-up program called “Leaving Las Vegas”…. it’s always great to arrive there, but it’s also good to leave before your money is gone.  Those casinos are built with our money...and if you’re like me, you go there once a year to visit your money.

Catersource has grown since the  early 1980’s when the founder, Mike Roman entertained a handful of caterers from around the country in his kitchen at his catering commissary in Chicago.  Now the conference and trade show attracts nearly 4,000 caterers, plus another 4,000 exhibitors wishing to sell to these eager-to-learn caterers.  We all go to Las Vegas to build our businesses, and better serve our clients.

You might wonder if I was asked back….and the answer is “yes”….and over the summer I’ll be working on a new book entitled, The Perfect Fit To Go….named after my program directed at caterers who wish to grow their businesses.  I love to speak publicly since it’s a great way to learn as you prepare.

You might also wonder how I can leave my own South Florida catering firm for over a week.   I can since at Bill Hansen Catering we have amazing team of catering professionals to take care of each and every catering need…they call me “the maestro”…since it’s my job to keep everyone playing in tune and marching to the same beat. 

I hope to see you soon in South Florida.

Your friend and caterer,
Bill Hansen

A Dash Of This And A Pinch Of That

I recently introduced freshly grown herbs to my menu selection.  Unlike other caterers, I grow them at our private mansion, Villa Woodbine, in Coconut Grove.  Here you can find a variety of herbs (listed below) growing in a quaint, fenced-in little garden on the south side of the mansion, just outside the living room. 

English Lavender, Creeping Thyme, Creeping Oregano, French Oregano, 

French Lavender, Orange Mint, Celery, Cinnamon Basil, Lemon Grass, 

Sage, Thai Basil, Italian Parsley, Lemon Balm, Fennel, 

Sweet Basil, Arugula, Chocolate Mint, Nasturiums, Dill, 

Italian Oregano, Mojito Mint, Soft Italian Oregano

Yes, this is expensive, and care is never ending, but in catering, it’s doing the little things better than the competition that creates memorable meals for clients.

National Chocolate Cookie Week

Ruth Wakefield, owner of the Toll House Inn near Whitman, Mass., added chocolate chips to her butter cookies in 1930 and was so pleased with the result that she sent the recipe to the Nestle Co.  
The company printed her recipe on the wrapper of their large semisweet chocolate bar, calling it the Toll House cookie. Everybody started making chocolate chip cookies like crazy, and Ruth Wakefield won a lifetime supply of Nestlé’s chocolate.

In 1997 the GENERAL LAWS OF MASSACHUSETTS made the chocolate chip cookie the official cookie of the commonwealth.

You don’t need to live in Massachusetts to enjoy these fab treats, but you do need to know where the best ones are to be found.

Check out Bart’s Cookies at www.bartscookies.com for cookies that are at least near the top of the best list.  Read what one of Bart’s clients wrote:

"Bart, you almost broke up my marriage with your cookies! As I was sitting on the floor stuffing myself, my wife ran by, grabbed the bag you just mailed us and hid them. Thanks a lot, Bart. Now I only get one every now and then and only if I'm good. Send more! Here's a secret mailing address. May I make a suggestion: 'Stop screwing around with that Internet stuff! Start selling your cookies!' I've worked with a million-dollar cookie manufacturer before and I have to say, your cookies are better!" — Bill M., Reno, NV

Fool Proof Brunch Ideas

Brunches are a great way to entertain...particularly on weekends after worship...or after sleeping in.  By 11:00 AM appetites are primed and whetted for something substantial.  Here are three simple ideas to incorporate into your next mid-day brunch party.

Real Canadian Bacon  

We’re all used to the round kind sold in supermarkets, but check this out...I bet that most readers have never seen this before.  

This is the real deal and will most definitely create some interesting conversations around the table.  For more info visit http://www.realcanadianbacon.com/index.htm

Liqueur Up Your French Toast

Start with day old croissants in lieu of the usual breads, dip and grill as usual and then top with some Grand Marnier Liqueur and powdered sugar….Cheers!!!  

 

The Best Hash Browns You’ll Ever Make
Everyone raves about the hash browns at Cracker Barrel restaurants.  What’s their secret recipe?  I have news for you: It’s no secret.  Here's one, but with a little searching, you can find many.

Cracker Barrel Hash Brown Casserole      

1 cup onion, diced

1/4 lb. (1 stick) butter, thinly sliced

1 (8 oz.) container sour cream or plain yogurt (optional)

1 (8 oz.) pkg. Kraft Cracker Barrel sharp cheese

1 can Cream of Chicken soup

1 (2 lb.) bag frozen hash brown potatoes, thawed

1/2 to 1 cup potato chips or corn flakes

Stir together well the diced onion, sour cream or yogurt, grated cheese, thinly sliced butter, and Cream of Chicken soup. Add the hash browns and mix well.

Spread this mixture evenly in a casserole dish and top with crushed chips or corn flakes.

Bake at 350°F 1 to 1 1/2 hours.

Makes 8 to 12 servings.



Enjoy your weekend entertaining family and friends with these three sure-fire brunch tips.

 

 

These Balls are HOT!!

If you’re looking for an inexpensive, yet trendy way to entertain, take your clue from The Meatball Shop in Manhattan.  This shop serves mainly meatballs along with different toppings, starches, greens...and for dessert -- ice cream sandwiches!

Offerings include everything from basic meatballs like mom used to make, along with other balls including spicy pork, chicken, veggie and a daily special…today, Tuesday, March 1, 2011 is Chile Relleno Pork.  Tastey!!  Pick from such sauces as tomato, spicy meat, mushroom gravy, parmesan cream (yummy) and pesto.  Have your meatballs as a sandwich or with pasta, mashed potatoes or even risotto.

  

At Bill Hansen Catering, we’d be happy to create a customized menu for your next casual cocktail reception or buffet.  All you have to do is ask...