'Tis the Season to be Prepared

If you think it’s too early to be planning your end-of-year office Christmas party then you’re wrong! The holidays may be 10 months away but now is the best time to start thinking about it and booking everything in. But be warned: other companies are doing the same thing, so book your catering and venues as soon as possible! The earlier you start to plan for your corporate Christmas party, the more options will be available to you.

Plan now and you’ll avoid these mini-disasters:

• Last-minute preparations
• Holding the party at the office, where there might not be enough room
• Bad entertainment
• Inadequate food 

It’s all about the feeling!

Ask your coworkers what they thought about 2015’s Christmas party. Chances are there were some things they loved and some things they think could be changed. Use their feedback as a jumping off point for planning the 2016 party.

What makes your Christmas party different from all other parties your employees have attended? Keep in mind no amount of good music or skilled acrobatic entertainment can hide bad food or a wrong choice of venue. Everything needs to be up to standard to create an overall successful feeling.

This feeling can be achieved by forging connections that speak to the culture of your company and employees. For example, a geeky theme for an IT or web company could be a huge hit. If the entertainment and service reflect the desires of the company and workers, you can expect good feedback after the event.

Planning

Fast-forward to December - do you see yourself stress free and already enjoying the party or running around at the last minute to pull everything together? If it’s the former, well done! That means you’ve decided to start planning now. Here are some tips to get the ball rolling:

1. Choose the date

Choose a date that won’t interfere with family celebrations or vacations. The date is perhaps the most important thing to get right, as you’ll want as many employees as possible to make it to the event.You’ll also be making plenty of calls too to the venue provider, the caterer, the entertainer and to other miscellaneous event providers. You’ll need to give these contacts a date for your party so they can plan accordingly.

2. Get out of the office, book the venue

The office is first and foremost a working environment. If possible, book a trendy venue for the party. Your workers should feel like they are part of something special, not just having drinks at the office. Remember that venues book fast, so decide now and have it marked for your event. Choose one that is accessible, big enough to accommodate all of you and one that suits your party of choice.Since you’re booking early, there is a chance you will be getting a discount on your venue and the facilities it offers.

3. Choose an impressive menu

Impressive does not mean expensive. Your caterer can still create interesting food without you going over the budget.

You can design your menu based on the party theme. Other guests would appreciate different food stations while food trucks can also be a hit. Of course take into consideration dietary and health requirements of your guests. Most caterers will adjust to these requirements.

Download examples from our extensive range of menu options.

4. Don’t forget the drinks

It’s a Christmas party; people will be hoping to unwind and have fun. Diversify your bar offerings or choose one signature cocktail to stay within budget. Check out our cocktail and refreshments menus for some thirst-quenching ideas.

5. Set the mood 

Make it festive with a hint of professionalism. Use lighting to create the kind of mood you want. Your playlist could be a mix of traditional holiday songs and popular music. You can opt for a live band or use the sound system.

Of course no event is easy to put together and it will probably take you more than 5 steps. That’s why now is the best time to start if you are hoping for a memorable corporate Christmas party in 2016.

The Perfect Venue

The venue is one of the most important aspects of your Christmas party and your choice will depend on how many guests are attending your event and what kind of event it will be.

If your Christmas do is going to be a cocktail event where guests can stand up and mingle, these venues might suit (follow links for more info):

• Australian Technology Park
• Australian National Maritime Museum
• Harbour 220
• The Island
• Cell  Block

If you have any enquiries about our menus, venues or planning your 2016 Christmas party, contact us here.

Click  on the banner below to access our Shared  menu for some refreshing ideas for your Christmas party.

Laissez-faire at One Fine Day Wedding Fair in Sydney

We are very pleased to announce that Laissez-faire will once again be attending the One Fine Day Wedding Fair on February 6th & 7th.

We participated as a vendor in 2014 and we are very happy to once again be a part of this spectacular event at the Australian Technology Park. One Fine Day is the best wedding fair Sydney has to offer, and they've hand-picked over 90 of the best wedding vendors in and around Sydney for you and your bridal party to be inspired by.

At Laissez we have more than 25 years of catering experience. We offer premium event catering with the best ingredients available to make mouth-watering menus and spectacular venues to match. We're very proud of the weddings we've been involved in so far - check out some of the stunning moments captured in our wedding gallery - and we can't wait to get involved in yours.

We know exactly what it takes to make your day special, so come and see us at Stand 52 from 10am-3pm on the 6th & 7th of February at the Australian Technology Park in Sydney and get your wedding organised.

We hope to see you there! Purchase tickets for the Wedding Fair here.

Click on the banner below to access our Wedding Packages menu.

Catering and Sustainability for Large Events

Have you ever been to a huge event and wondered how caterers and organisers are able to manage such an organisational feat? Or how do they do it while being sustainable?

Large events can range from personal celebrations to corporate parties to promotional events. Overall, there are 10 million meetings and events held annually all over the world. The events industry was worth an estimated total of $565 billion in 2015, and some of the largest events had a budget of $200,000 or more.

Big events need to cover factors like the venue, catering, entertainment, theming and audiovisual. Each of these aspects will have a budget allocation and the priorities will be determined by the focus or the aim of the event.

With the holiday season still upon us, countless parties have been booked, corporate events discussed and catering menus planned out to the smallest ingredient.

Big event management

Managing big events requires lots of staff and manpower. For everything to be successful, the groundwork must be laid out during planning stages. Caterers and suppliers must be sourced and briefed about the event well ahead of time.

All events are different and the way they are managed depends largely on the type of event and the purpose. For example, some events may not require entertainment while others rely on live music or a showcase of some kind.

Venues should be taken into consideration as soon as you know how many guests to expect. For our list of venues suitable for large events, check this out - Laissez Faire venues.

Food choices

For large events, a great deal of pressure lies on us, the catering service. But long guest lists shouldn’t scare caterers into sacrificing the quality and taste of the food they plan to serve.

Here are a few tips to make catering for a large party of guests a little easier:

• Use seasonal produce
• Serve foods that can be easily replenished and easily accessed by guests
• Ask your caterer to map everything out in the floorplan. Carefully consider kitchen locations and guest flow
• When dealing with large events Laissez-faire's strategy is to divide the space into different areas with separate kitchens, bars and staff. This allows us to create small events within a large event and will enhance the guest experience by improving service enormously

Weddings and other lavish parties are all about the right food and the right cocktails. Extra-large corporate events (with thousands of guests) are not usually seated since guests are interested in mingling and networking. This type of event will need a different strategy to cater and would require foods that can be eaten easily anywhere while guests socialise.

Catering and Staffing

Another trick to the success of large venue catering is how organisers staff the party. To ensure smooth sailing, the ratio of service personnel to the number of guests should be observed. As a standard, here’s our guideline ratio for various staff to guests:

• 1 bartender for every 50-75 guests
• 1 wait staff for every 10 guests at sit-down lunches and dinners 
• 1 wait staff for every 30 guests at cocktail events
• 1 wait staff for every 40 guests at conference events
• 1 security guard for every 75-100 guests
• 1 function coordinator for every 200 guests

This of course all depends on the type of event you are holding. Change the ratios to suit your event.

Large but Sustainable

Big events should be aware of sustainable catering. Countries all over the world, including Australia, are trying to build and establish sustainability as a way for life. Big industries like catering should lead by example as a frontrunner in the sustainability practice.

At Laissez, our Foodified policy aims to “take actions to prevent degradations of our natural systems, while supporting the repair and recovery of those systems.” Catering policies such as this can help to change the way large and sustainable events are organised. By making use of composting strategies, minimising use of plastics and use of seasonal and local ingredients in the menu, the catering industry can turn over a new leaf in sustainable practice.

Catering Trends in 2015

2015 was the year for caterers. Check out our round-up of the various trends that graced party tables across the globe.

Ingredient fix

This year, some organisers had very specific requests. One that stood out the most was the ingredient fix trend. Ingredient fix is incorporating one ingredient in one food station. For example, the ingredient is cheese and bacon. All the food in that station would be different but incorporate the two main ingredients. You can have an ingredient fix using a healthier option like broccoli and kale which is very popular with health-conscious guests.

Vegetarian Dishes

There seemed to be a new movement in catering this year - the move to balance diet between fatty foods and vegetarian dishes. According to Daily Telegraph Australia, the new trend is being called flexitarian - being vegetarian but eating meat once in awhile.

Going local

Sourcing produce locally was very in this year and probably will still be over the next few years. Aside from the fact that it saves money, it also means food is delivered fresh. This may have limited organisers to the produce of the season though it did not become a deterrent since it’s a healthy option which supports local growers.

Inventive food preparations

Ever heard of a circus-inspired food preparation style? Catering today is all about keeping guests entertained while you fill their stomachs.

Bite size

Bite sized delicacies were one of the biggest contributors to parties this year. Bite sized burgers, bite sized desserts and bite sized gourmet creations; you name it, caterers can make it fit in the palm of your hand. They’re interesting and quite a conversation starter plus they are the best foods to eat while socialising.

Gluten free

Caterers certainly submit to food trends and food requests. And since people are hopping on the healthy lifestyle wagon, giving them a gluten free option for their parties works really well.

Action stations

Food stations were very popular at all kinds of events this year. From simple comfort food to mini gourmet options, food stations are the number one way to get food to guests at an event. One reason these stations are such a good idea is that they add a spectacle to any event. Guests can watch as their food is prepared by a chef at the station.

Ethnic flavours

Bringing culture to the table is certainly one way to add flavour to an event. More caterers are becoming familiar with different cuisines since the number of clients requesting particular flavours reached an all time high this year.

Upscaled comfort food

Comfort food is in! Hors d’oeuvres and gourmet choices may be appropriate at specific events but comfort food took the limelight this year as one of the most requested foods. They are now served with a chef’s twist on the recipe and presentation, usually designed into bite size pieces and dedicated to one single station for the guests who are avid fans of these delectable comfort foods.

Mini cocktails and hors d'oeuvres

Guests love the presentation of mini cocktails along with bite sized hor d’oeuvres. This trend is making its way into many company events. This way, there's not too much booze for a corporate event.

Brunch

This year, clients were aware of costs and tried to find innovative ways to save. Brunch is one way to save on costs since daytime events are almost always less expensive than night time events.

What's in season for 2016?

The future of the catering industry is looking bright, but what’s in store for 2016? Here’s our overview of what to expect:

• Mocktails. Everybody wants cocktails at their event but guests are conscious of staying healthy.
• Crafted cocktails. This trend has crawled its way into the mainstream and now it’s here. Carefully crafted and presented cocktails with small sides of snack food will be a thing of next year.
• Strolling buffets. Portable buffets have been getting a bit of attention this year but next year they will be much more popular.
• Nostalgic desserts. Remember homemade banana pies? Desserts reminiscent of home will be moving into the spotlight. Time to find your copy of grandma’s recipe!
• Multicultural menus. Guests love tasting different flavours. Next year, caterers will be more than happy to cater to this trend. Expect menus inspired by East meets West, European Infused and African recipes.
• Authentic ethnic tastes. Everybody’s tried the semi-authentic ethnic recipes. In 2016, the world will be ready for real ethnic ingredients at their events.
• Healthy over heavy. Looks like the move to healthy food is here to stay with 2016 trends.
• Made-to-order meals. The quest to entertain and engage guests while keeping them filled and satisfied never ends. So 2016 brings you the made-to-order meals (table sides mostly).
• Going local. Going local and supporting sustainability is still in. And it’s here to stay.

Now that 2015 is coming to a close, we’re ready for what catering has to offer in 2016. What’s your own forecast for catering trends for next year?

Cocktail Events are Here to Stay

The event and catering industry is hearing an interesting request from clients: we need something swanky yet casual. And what swankier option is there than a cocktail event? Guests are getting harder to please and impress; event organisers and caterers are constantly thinking up new ideas to keep events fresh and exciting. One very popular idea is cocktail and hors d'oeuvres events.

Cocktail events can cater to almost any event - weddings, corporate, birthdays or any other kind of celebratory party. The benefits of a cocktail party include:

1. It’s relatively inexpensive.
2. It’s simple but looks sophisticated.
3. It takes little work compared to buffets.
4. It’s different from the norm, so guests can enjoy something new and exciting.

The trend towards less formal parties

Cocktail parties give guests an excuse to dress up, eat a little, drink and socialise. This type of setting allows guests to mingle around and get conversational, laugh and really enjoy the event, whether it be a wedding or a corporate event.

Since cocktail events are generally less formal than full dining events, there is less pressure when it comes to preparation. Compared to buffets and formal dinners, cocktail events allow guests to take a variety of small portions of food of their choosing. Hors d'oeuvres and the drinks are the focus of the servings.

For most organisers, choosing this type of settings allows them a lot of flexibility in planning. Cocktail parties are generally shorter than other events and they require little entertainment, just tasteful music in the background will do. If the event is for a product, person or service, a few words from guest speakers can jumpstart things. 

Corporate events are also veering towards this trend. Businesses can be talked about over a glass of wine or a good cocktail. When it comes to weddings, your guests won’t have to worry about being assigned seats next to strangers. Guests will most likely stand for the duration of the event, however, you should provide casual seating like lounges so your guests don’t get tired or uncomfortable.

If you need another reason why cocktail events are becoming more popular than other event settings, just look at the artfully designed platters! Certainly the bite sized morsels, in variety, can be more inviting than a pre-selected two course dinner.

Cocktails and Venues

Cocktail events require only a small venue (depending on number of guests). Venues for cocktail events are efficient with floor space and offer maximum room capacity. Since cocktail events usually run for only two hours, most guests can stand for the entirety without issues. As mentioned above, venues should be able to provide a few bar stools, couches, armchairs or regular seats that can seat a third of your guests.

Venues that host this kind of event range from gardens    to private homes. You can opt for elegant halls to build up the atmosphere or choose open plan banquet halls decorated to your taste.

Drinks and menus

Guests usually find food and drink servings to be satisfying if:

• The menu offers variety
• It’s appealing to the senses (visual first, then olfactory and taste)
• It’s unique and seems like a new or bold idea
• It’s well presented.

 Now, despite the fact that cocktail events only serve bite-sized menus, there should always be enough to go around. No one should leave an event feeling hungry, so don’t skimp on food!

The idea of food stations with substantial food choices, including those that are heavier in the stomach, is always recommended. As for the drinks, make sure you have a nice variety that will pair well with the food you are serving.

Make sure your bar includes the basics like whiskey, gin, rum and tequila as well as a selection of cocktail ingredients. When your guest list is finalised you can decide how much alcohol you will need on site. Select some flavourful bottles of wine and a wide selection of beers. Make sure you have plenty of the basic mixers like orange and grapefruit juice, tonic water, and some soft drink.

Let’s not forget the main benefit of a cocktail party; it gives guests an excuse to dance the night away and have a great time at your event! Enjoy!

 

We can not wait till summer #sesionmoments #sesiontequila #events #laissez_faire_catering #delicious #catering #privateparty #viplifeevents

A photo posted by Laissez-faire Catering (@laissez_faire_catering) on Dec 2, 2015 at 1:49am PST

Click on the banner below to access our Drinks menu

Kosher planning for your next corporate or social event

If you’re gearing up for a Jewish wedding, bar or bat mitzvah, a party or your next corporate event and your guests want to observe kosher requirements, it’s important to plan down to the smallest details and find a caterer with experience and creativity to ensure your event goes off without a hitch. We've put together a few top tips for planning your next Jewish kosher event so you make the best decisions.

What is kosher?

Before finding a venue, choosing a theme, drafting up a guest list and choosing a caterer for your event, make sure you understand the world of kosher. Kosher (also kashrut) is a set of dietary laws adhered to by most Jewish participants. Allowable food has been termed kosher in English, from the Hebrew word meaning “fit” (for consumption).

Image credit: jeffreyw, Flikr

For foods to be considered kosher, and therefore allowable at a Jewish event, they must comply with certain rules. Listed below are the rules of kosher according to halakha (Jewish law), keeping in mind many Jews today do not participate in such traditional views of kosher eating.

Meat: for meat to be considered “clean” it must be cattle or game that have a cloven hoof and which chews the cud, as per traditional Jewish beliefs. Judaism also observes certain cleaning practices which must be undertaken for meat to be truly kosher. Only birds that are traditionally considered kosher, such as the goose, duck, chicken, and turkey, may be eaten.

Dairy: all dairy products must come from kosher animals.

Eggs: eggs are permitted so long as they come from kosher birds. As they must not contain blood, some strict followers will inspect each egg before use.

Fish: only fish with scales and fins are kosher.

Fruits and vegetables: all fruits and vegetables are considered kosher.

Wine and other beverages: wine must be treated in compliance with halakha during the processing steps. Kosher wines will always be labelled. If you can't find any kosher wines at your local winery, you might want to consider importing. Keeping with kosher is especially important if you are going to be serving alcohol at your event. Other beverages must of course be in keeping with halakha. Drinks manufactured from grapes may only be drunk if they have undergone the same kosher process as wine.

Image credit: Aaron Goodman, Flikr

Have a food plan

When working with so many food restrictions, it's important to have a clear plan of attack for your event. Firstly, find out what your guests want to eat! Some kosher foods can be bland due to the limited amount of allowable foods, however, don't forget there are many kinds of kosher foods; kosher sushi, kosher Indian food, kosher Italian food. Of course, these dishes may not be completely authentic because they lack some ingredients, but there are always substitutes. Your caterer can help you come up with a menu that will please everyone.

Choosing a caterer

Choosing a caterer to work with you on your Jewish event is one of the most important decisions you’ll need to make during the planning process. Not all catering companies will have experience in catering for kosher events, so do your research and ask around for recommendations. A good idea is to create a list of recommended caterers, meet with them and ask them some questions:

• Has the caterer provided for a kosher event before? Do they know the specific requirements and preparation techniques?
• Can the caterer accommodate for the Jewish diet? A creative caterer should be able to develop an interesting and delicious menu without including certain meats and drinks.
• Can the caterer provide a list of ingredients for each meal? Guests will appreciate if this is clearly printed on each menu.

Answers to these questions can help you gauge the skill and flexibility of your potential caterer, giving you some peace of mind regarding food for your event.

Above all, when planning a Jewish event - whether it's a birthday, wedding, religious event or even a family celebration - understand Jewish customs so that your guests will feel at home. Hire a creative and professional team to ensure pulling off the event will be a piece of cake! 

Image credit: Aaron Goodman, Flikr

At Laissez, helping our customers with appropriate menu selections that cater to the many dietary needs of guests is a key part of the planning process, and something we have years of experience with. If you'd like help planning your next event please contact us to discuss your needs further.

A Georgeous Wedding at the Cell Block Theatre

We have hosted some beautiful weddings over the years, sneak a peek here at the special day of one of our recent happy couples and be inspired by all the pretty things featured at this gorgeous event

Via In a Maze films.

The Cell Block Theatre is a wonderful venue for weddings as well as corporate events. Need help planning your wedding? Talk to us today.

View our highly requested Wedding Dinner menu by clicking on the banner below.

Event Inception

Held in ATP’s industrial-chic Exhibition Hall, Event Inception wowed 300 of Sydney’s event planners with the city’s best décor, lighting, technical support, entertainment, pyrotechnics, food, wine and styling.

Guests were greeted by a dazzling fire-lined entrance from pyrotechnics and fireworks specialists Howard & Sons, and enjoyed a front-row seat to world-class entertainment created by SMA Productions, including Miss Bird Sings, The Rat Pack Reloaded and The Diamonds.

AV1 demonstrated their industry-leading audio-visual, lighting and technical production capabilities, showing the venue and the event collaborators in the best light and sound.

Divided into groups, the guests enjoyed three different dining experiences for entrée, main and dessert amongst three of the latest styling collections from Decorative Events & Exhibitions: ‘Miss Antoinette’s Masquerade’, ‘Jungle Funk’, and ‘Future Lines Collective’.

Event Inception was held to inspire the organisers who are crafting and delivering Australia’s best events, cementing Sydney’s role as the host city of choice. More than 37 million people attended business events in Australia last year, generating $28 billion for the nation’s economy – and Sydney hosted the largest share of those events.

Event Inception - Inspiring Intention In Innovation - Highlights from Decorative Events & Exhibitions on Vimeo.

Event Catering at the Rabbitohs Celebrations

Laissez-faire was delighted to be part of the recent Rabbitohs celebrations during this bye week thanks to De'Longhi.

Making excellent use of the well-deserved time off, players gathered with their wives, friends and partners to enjoy a night of food, socialising, song-writing and performing. Teaming up with musicians and songwriters, our favourite Rabbitohs players had to come up with original songs and performances to be judged that night - all in the name of good fun and team-building.

As Rabbitohs Head Coach Michael Maguire said, “it’s always fun to get the partners, girlfriends and everyone involved to do something a little different together. De’Longhi play a big part in that family atmosphere that we have at this great Club. Song Division - they’ve come on board and they’re providing the night for us and Laissez-faire catering have jumped in and given us the opportunity for the night.”

City2Surf Catering & BBQ Menu Options from Laissez-faire

Laissez-faire Catering are your City2Surf catering specialists with over 9 years of experience and a dedicated team. We manage all catering aspects of your corporate marquee including food, beverages, staffing and equipment.

Our chefs have created a range of 2015 City2Surf corporate catering packages which can be tailored to your liking.

City2Surf is a popular 14 kilometre road running event held annually in beautiful Sydney, Australia. The event is a "fun run" as well as a race, attracting both competitive runners and community participants who can choose to run or to walk. More than 80,000 entrants participate in the run, starting in staggered groups based on previous running times and early entry.

To book City2Surf catering through Laissez-faire Catering, talk to one of our sales representatives today on 9209 4810.

 Have a similar event coming up? Click the banner below to access our BBQ menu.

Including Superfoods In Your Next Catered Event

Maybe you've been planning the annual office party, an important corporate event or a relaxed social with friends and family, but you have yet to decide on what food you want to serve your guests. You might like to consider one of the most popular, healthiest trends in the food world right now: superfoods! All the foodies out there will know exactly what we're talking about.

These fad foods can be eaten raw, are packed with nutrients and antioxidants and they can look less like health foods and more like five star meals with a little creative flair from your caterer. Serving raw, organic and superfood dishes at your next event can help promote healthy eating within your company, family or group of friends.

What are superfoods?

These are some of the most popular superfoods on the market today which your caterer might like to include in the menu:

• chia seeds
• flax seeds
• brazil nuts
• soy
• goji berries
• quinoa
• avocados
• blueberries
• fish and fish oil
• cabbage
• spinach
• kale
• raw cocoa
• as well as other fruits, vegetables and legumes

Choosing a caterer for your event

One of the most important aspects of serving superfoods at your event is presentation. Choose a caterer who can style meals in an appealing way and make them taste sensational at the same time. One of the best ways to select a caterer is by listening to recommendations. If you've never worked with a caterer before, ask others who they would recommend or not recommend. If you can't get any recommendations, ask prospective caterers for a list of references.

Other aspects which should influence your choice of caterer can be summed up in a few questions:

• Can the caterer schedule a tasting? You should be able to sample foods which demonstrate the skill of the caterer as well as give you an idea of the foods that might be served at your event. This should include samples of canapés, main meals and desserts.
• Does the caterer specialise in raw, organic and superfood menus? It shouldn't be a deal-breaker if they don't, but it can be helpful if they've had lots of experience with these kinds of foods.
• How fresh are the caterer's supplies? It goes without saying that organic food tastes 100% better when fresh. Your caterer should be able to explain their food procurement process to give you some peace of mind.

Creating a superfood menu

Superfoods make great canapés! Planning an entire 3 course menu using superfood ingredients isn't easy, so instead provide your guests with some healthy finger food at the beginning of your event. These are not filling at all (so they won't ruin main meals) and are all about taste, texture and colour. Ask your caterer if they can throw together some interesting combinations using no more than four different healthy ingredients.

Alternatively, focus on creating healthy desserts. Guests are sure to fill themselves up during a main meal and often can't spare room for a filling dessert at the end of the night. Opt for small-portion desserts which contain light, raw ingredients and which are, like the canapés, focused on taste quality and presentation rather than quantity. Your guests will thank you for it!

Selecting a menu is a key aspect of the event planning process. We at Laissez have years of experience in catering to the needs of guests, so if you'd like our help planning your next event please contact us to discuss your needs.

Head to the picturesque Yots Cafe at the Australian National Maritime Museum during Cool Yule and enjoy a main meal with a glass of wine or cold beer for just $18.

Select from a modern menu of Australian cuisine and lovely fresh seafood as you take in stunning views of the Sydney skyline, the HMAS Onslow submarine and the HMAS Vampire destroyer.

Overlooking  Sydney Harbour and city skyline, Yots is an enchanting venue offering open-air dining.

Yot’s is fun, slick, affordable and easy to swing by to have lunch, or a snack. The relaxing atmosphere and the impeccable service keeps our customers coming back.

The offer is valid from this Saturday  27 June 2015 through to  Sunday 12 July 2015.

View more details at the  Darling Harbour site.

View the Yots menu by clicking on the banner below.

When planning culturally inclusive social events, whether it be a wedding or corporate, there are a few things you need to take into account – in particular, the food! As an event planner, you need to be understanding of your guests’ dietary needs and organise accordingly.

Here are our best tips for planning your next corporate or social event with halal food:

Know your halal basics

The first step of your planning process should be to get to know Islamic customs - specifically their eating habits! Nothing ruins an otherwise perfectly planned event like food that none of the guests will eat. So, if you’re planning an event which requires a cultural touch, whether you’re Muslim or not, you need to be sure you are pertaining to Islamic law in terms of allowable food. This is extremely important especially at cultural events like weddings. Halal simply means "permitted" or "lawful" according to Islamic religion. This plays a large role in Muslim life, and certainly affects the way they eat and prepare food. For any food to be considered halal it must comply with Shari’ah law.

For example, some foods and drinks which are not halal (haram or forbidden) for Muslims to consume include:

• Alcohol
• Pork and pork by products
• Other animals which have not been correctly prepared under Islamic Shari’ah

As you can imagine, planning an event around these requirements can be tricky. To avoid mistakes during preparation, do your research and come up with a draft menu with your caterer, who should know whether it’s halal or not. Another good tip is to visit local halal grocers to get menu ideas.

Selecting a venue

Do you know any Islamic-specific venues? If not, do a quick search in your area or ask for recommendations. A fancy restaurant, the guest of honour's home or some other appropriate venue could all do the trick. It really all depends on the type of event you are planning. When selecting a venue keep in mind the amount of guests, whether the event is formal or informal, the theme and the decorations.

Image credit: Guilhem Vellut, Flikr

Search for a flexible and creative caterer

Keep in mind that not all catering services will have had experience in handling halal events, so do your research and ask around for recommendations. Here are some of the best questions to ask your potential caterer:

• Has the caterer been involved in a halal event before? Do they know the specific requirements and preparation techniques?
• Can the caterer accommodate for the Islamic restricted diet? A creative caterer should be able to develop a unique and interesting menu without certain meats and drinks.
• Does the menu offer options for those with other dietary requirements? As with any event, vegan and vegetarian guests will require some extra thought.
• Can the caterer provide a list of ingredients for each meal? Guests will appreciate it if this is clearly printed on the menu.

Be sure to meet with any potential caterers and explain the nature of the event you are planning. The caterer you hire should be flexible with their menu ideas and embrace the challenges of abiding by halal practice for your event.

Menu input

Your caterer will of course be able to provide some delicious menu ideas, but don’t be afraid to ask guests for their input. A fun way to find out your guests favourite halal meal is to ask them on their individual RSVP cards. When the RSVP cards are returned, you and your caterer will have an idea of what kinds of foods your guests are expecting and would love to eat during the event. This is where a skilled and flexible caterer is essential – given a reasonable time frame, they should be able to adapt the menu to incorporate new ideas and requests.

At Laissez, helping our customers with appropriate menu selections that cater to the many dietary needs of guests is a key part of the planning process, and something we have years of experience with. If you'd like help planning your next event please contact us to discuss your needs further.

She’s fabulous, energetic and amazing with our clients, you would most certainly know her voice if you heard it.

Always helpful and polite, NanaYaa is amazing with events and has a deep affection for food! Get to know her better and why she’s a special part of the Laissez-faire family.

Use 3 words to describe Laissez-faire

DIVERSE- (in as many ways as possible, whether that be food concepts, clients or our staff, they are from all over the world!)

INSPIRED- (opportunities, in-vogue trends, fusions in our menus, presentation)

EXPERIENCE- (luscious cuisine paired with premium beverages, superior service and unique locations throughout Sydney)

What's your favourite Laissez-faire venue?

The Cell Block Theatre at the National Arts School in Darlinghurst – love the originality, history and evolution of the space over the past century – from a women’s gaol to an arts school that has unique and charismatic exclusive venue spaces. I’ve seen the venue transform itself, from a bespoke wedding location, to a fabulous out of this world corporate awards space. The venues ability to adapt to any theme or vision is amazing and inspiring, put simply it exudes creativity.

What has been your favourite event to work on thus far?

My first Laissez-faire supervised event was a 180 guests beach themed Christmas Party, at the fabulous Point Piper Mansion. It was a picture perfect 32 degrees summer day, guests arrived by luxury boat, and the Potbelleez performed LIVE! Our chefs created a magnificent food stations, our BBQ station featured gourmet meats and chimichurri with fresh gourmet salads and the sushi station was a standout as it centred a large 8kg fresh tuna!

What do you eat for breakfast?

Vegemite on brown grainy bread or Cheerios. If I’m not rushing out the door, scrambled eggs and spinach leaves with Moroccan herbs and avocado = Classsic! If I’m feeling a little naughty, vanilla protein pancakes with blueberries and Greek vanilla yoghurt with a sprinkle of cinnamon.

What's your favourite winter food?

Being a huge lover of food (with African and Italian parents – I have no choice but to eat) it’s hard for me to narrow it down to one food. It would probably have to be grilled salmon with lemon, black cracked pepper and Italian herbs with a side of baked sweet potato and steamed broccoli. With a spoon full of pearl cous cous with cumin, turmeric, zucchini carrots and cranberries.

What's the one thing you can't live without?

Music! All day every day! I can’t sing or play an instrument unfortunately but music has been a significant part of my life with a lot of memories tied to songs or lyrics. Makes me happy and takes me to a creative space yet helps me focus at the same time

The Event:

“compelling performances in the midst of a beautiful 19th century church” MCM Media.

The iconic Live at the Chapel. This event has been throwing musicians into the spotlight for over 20 years. Laissez-faire had the pleasure of catering for the most recent event with Angus & Julia Stone.

The event showcased Samsung’s newest music app – Milk.

The brief was to create a menu that entices and excites guests in between sets. The food should be on trend with nods to the ancient sophistication of the setting.

The Venue:

St Stephen’s Anglican Church and Cemetery in Newtown

This gothic church was constructed in 1874 with elegant stain glass windows and towering pillars.

The Menu:

• Peking BBQ Duck pancakes with Hoi Sin Sauce
• Prosciutto wrapped Rockmelon with Pecorino & Baby Rocket
• Sashimi Tuna & Fresh Herb Rice Paper Rolls with Wasabi Mayonnaise
• Wagyu Beef Burgers
• Pulled Pork Sliders with Coleslaw & a Smokey BBQ Sauce
• Tartlet of Baked Ricotta, Zucchini & Lemon Thyme
• Wild Mushroom & Spinach Arancini
• Salt & Pepper Prawns
• Lamb Kofta & Mint Yoghurt

Selecting the right venue for your event is one of the most important steps in planning a memorable occasion. Whether it's the art deco interior of a town hall, or the vast grandeur of a repurposed shed, the venue sets the tone and expectation for the entire event.

Step 1: Accessibility

Where will you hold the event? Is transport to and from the venue a major factor? Will guests face any difficulty finding or accessing your venue?

For corporate and private events alike, there are three things you need to consider:

1. Transport/Parking
2. Accommodation
3. What else is going to be happening in the same location?

Step 2: Facilities

Does this venue have everything you need?

When planning a once-off event or one in a string of numerous events, you want to understand how many elements you need to manage. You may need to engage with several different suppliers in order to keep everything running smoothly.

Step 3: Cost

It’s hard to put a price on a unique experience.

With so many elements to consider, balancing your budget is a must! Whether it’s a wedding reception, post-conference networking session, or a simple morning tea, budgets are key.

Taking into consideration all costs to do with the venue, can you make it work with the budget you have?

Step 4: Touch and Feel

Once you have a good understanding of the event, layout, numbers and budget, see it for yourself. A picture paints a thousand words, but nothing compares to seeing something in the flesh.

Contact your venue and make a time to meet at the location when it’s set for a similar event. This way you will get a really good feel for how your event might look.

As a catering company in and around Sydney, we always have new venues or spaces to work with, so don’t be shy about asking for our recommendation! Drop a line to the team to find out about new venues.

The End of Financial Year is fast approaching and so is the rush to find the perfect venue to celebrate the year. An EOFY party is a great way to look back on the year and celebrate professional accomplishments. Luckily, Laissez-faire can help! We have a range of venues, ideas and concepts to help you with your search.

Here are our tips on how to plan a memorable EOFY event!

1. Choose the right venue. Depending on your vision, we can help source a myriad of venues. Have you considered the Australian National Maritime Museum in Darling Harbour? This waterfront venue offers spectacular harbour views. Alternatively, if you are looking for a modern, city feel, have you thought about Harbour 220? Located conveniently in the heart of the Sydney CBD, this venue is a perfect space to simply walk from work.
2. Start as early as possible. In terms of planning, it is always best to plan as early as possible. It is easier for you to book your preferred date and venue. If you don’t have time to do the planning yourself, let us know. We will happily do it for you!
3. Think indoor venue! Keep the weather in mind when choosing a location for your EOFY event. June is the coldest period on the calendar so an indoor venue is definitely advisable. Fortunately, we have several indoor/outdoor venues we can offer you. Yots at the Maritime Museum in Darling Harbour offers an undercover balcony – if it increment weather, your guests can still enjoy the view and the fresh air without the event being spoiled by the rain.
4. Choose the right menu. Possibly the most important factor to consider is the menu. We can design the right menu to suit your event concept. Whether you are looking for a lovely canape menu or interactive food stations, we can make sure your guests leave your event full and happy.

Our Recommended Venue:

The Lighthouse Gallery at the Maritime Museum is a perfect venue for your EOFY event. Offering 13 metre high windows and an expansive ceiling, this awe inspiring venue will create the perfect environment for your guests. Located right on the waterfront, this venue is the easy choice.

The Australian National Maritime Museum unveils its plans for the $11 million Warships Pavilion.

MELBOURNE: The Australian National Maritime Museum has today unveiled its state-of-the-art Warships Pavilion at the 2015 Asia-Pacific Incentives and Meetings Expo (AIME). The all-new, $11 million waterfront attraction on Darling Harbour, will host three world-class function spaces, including an outdoor rooftop, a VIP terrace and a cinematic experience.

Due for completion in September 2015, the addition of the Warships Pavilion will increase the Australian National Maritime Museum venue portfolio to eleven, aptly positioning it as Sydney’s ultimate waterfront venue precinct.

Developed to mark the centenary of World War I and commemorate over 100 years of service by the Royal Australian Navy, the Warships Pavilion is positioned alongside ex-Navy destroyer HMAS Vampire and submarine HMAS Onslow and is just one of the museum’s unique venues servicing the events industry. From corporate events, cocktail functions, product activations to weddings and ceremonies, the Australian National Maritime Museum is the only event destination to offer a multitude of uniquely Australian experiences right on Sydney Harbour.

Deanna Varga, Director Commercial & Visitor Services at the Australian National Maritime Museum, was thrilled to introduce the museum’s waterfront event precinct, and officially announce the new venue spaces as part of the Warships Pavilion at AIME today.

“We’re very excited to unveil the latest addition to our venue portfolio. The construction of the Pavilion is a key first step in the realisation of the museum’s master plan for the future and shows how quickly we are evolving alongside our neighbours in Darling Harbour.

“An event at the Warships Pavilion, utilising all three unique spaces for pre, during and post event activities, provides guests with a truly immersive harbour experience. Add in our delectable in-house catering offering by Laissez-Faire, and a unique experience like an exclusive tour on the HMAS Vampire or cocktails for an incentive group on the replica of James Cook’s HMB Endeavour and you’ve created a truly one-of-a-kind experience for event organisers and delegates alike,” said Ms Varga.

Early bird bookings for the Warships Pavilion can be made now for events to be held from September 2015.

For more information about events throughout the museum, please contact the Venues team on +61 2 9298 3625 or venues@anmm.gov.au

For more information visit: http://www.anmm.gov.au/venues/

Are you looking for a cocktail event venue, close to the Sydney CBD and with perfect views?  Look no further because Laissez-faire Catering has the ultimate destination for you.

Set by the waterside on the spectacular Darling Harbour, surrounded by a Maritime affair of majestic ships, the Australian National Maritime Museum is the perfect destination for you. The Museum offers eight outstanding venues and your guests will have a front row seat to indulge in the views of the ever changing Sydney city skyline. 

One of the beautiful venues is Yots. This venue is a central feature of the Museum and sits below the iconic Ben Lexcen Terrace and It is a stand out space for cocktail evenings. With a large inside and outside area, let your creativity go wild, we find its alfresco feel always entices guests to spill out Onto the boardwalk to enjoy fresh air and clear city view.

Event Feature:

Event: we hosted a fantastic client rebranding launch event at Yots just recently, where 60 guests indulged in Lychee Martinis and the ultimate Strawberry Caprioska.

Theme: The theme of the evening was elegance with soft beauty and this was brought to life by sophisticated French provincial styling by Divine Events accompanied by soft pastel floral arrangements.

Menu: Laissez-faire complimented this theme, with a custom menu of delicate canapé’s including Beetroot and goat’s cheese coin and Seared scallop, butternut puree, wasabi roe. 

Big Congratulations is to Event Advisors on your relaunch we wish you every success and thank you to the Laissez-faire Catering team on your hard work on this great event. 

Click on the banner below to access the refreshing Yots drinks menu.

The Brief:

Provide a unique garden wedding guests wouldn’t soon forget.

The Couple:

Denneya and Chris. An interior designer and architect. This couple exudes style and know exactly what they want. Guests had travelled from interstate and New Zealand to be part of this spectacular Thursday wedding.

The Venue:

Denneya’s parent’s country home.

The ceremony was held in the garden adjoining the pool house, under a canopy of ancient trees.

Note: click on any of the image to view  full size versions.

The reception was held in a clear marquee dripping in greenery and gold centrepieces.

The tables were adorned in antique gold candle sticks and holders along with delicate vases with pops of colour.

Even the bar – an old horse shed, was themed with florals cascading from the roof.

The Stylist:

She Designs Events – Sheree

A mix of vintage and bohemian. The clear marquee and surrounding gardens were styled to the nines.

Touches of white, gold and pink were dotted throughout the space.

A chandelier hanging over the purpose built dance floor made for a romantic setting as the sun went down.

The Menu:

When guests arrived to the ceremony, they were welcomed with homemade pink lemonade served in beautiful ornate urns.

After the ceremony, the couple chose delectable canapés for guests to enjoy in the garden. Once they moved into the dining marquee, guests were served with an alternate entrée and main. The couple knew their guests would be up and about after the meal, so dessert share platters were sent to the tables and to the dance floor.

CANAPES ON ARRIVAL

• Mini bruschetta of mozzarella, prosciutto and rocket pesto
• Saffron, manchego and fontina arancini with herb aioli
• Peking duck and shallot pancakes with plum sauce
• Lamb shank, pearl barley and stout mini pie

ENTRÉE

• Teriyaki wagyu beef barrelled on smeared edamame and dressed herbs
• Flamed king prawns, asparagus, sliced kumato, baby sorrel and basil vinaigrette

MAIN

• Herb crusted grass fed beef fillet, potato puree, butter beans, roasted root vegetables with rich masala jus
• Atlantic salmon, mint and caper crushed potatoes, charred buttered asparagus with lemon hollandaise

DESSERT

• Lime meringue pies
• Chocolate mousse tartlets with raspberry and crushed honeycomb
• Pink chocolate Macaroon
• Red velvet wedding cake