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Plenty of Last-Minute Christmas Day Ideas

Date Posted: 18/12/2017 1:07:53 PM
Posted By: Tara Connolly

Most of us enjoy Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with our families. The day involves a LOT of food, drinks and desserts, plus a lot of laughs.

Take some inspiration from the team at Laissez-faire this Christmas. Instead of the boring ham and pavlova combo, try something new this year.

Here's a few ideas from our instagram to get you inspired to revamp Christmas this year:

1. Introduce new flavours this Christmas.  These bite-sized prawns are a great option for entrees and finger food. Cook with plenty of herbs and include a dipping sauce for the ultimate flavour!

 

2. Decorate! If you've got the time and the budget, pick up some trendy decorations for your table setting (reusable for any other dinner party or holiday). Include plants (real or fake) for a relaxed table.

 

3. Create a signature drink. There's still time before the big day so it's time to experiment! Mix up a new drink to serve on the day. A punch is a great idea because you can make a huge batch on the day and it will last for ages!

 

4. Make a dessert with a difference. Do away with the regular old pavlova and try something new! We whipped up these coconut, ice cream and frozen berry treats a few weeks ago and they were a hit! Christmas day is bound to be a scorcher so offer these to your guests and they'll cool down instantly!

 

5. Keep it simple and healthy. If you've got a BBQ, that's the best option for feeding a lot of people on Christmas day. You can keep it healthy and easy to prepare.

 

6. Think outside the box. Having the entire extended family over for Christmas? Save on washing up time by taking plates out of the occasion entirely! Get some cheap glasses that are easy to hold in one hand and serve up your entrees and desserts in these. It's different and more efficient than cleaning up 20+ plates!

 

7. Get creative! If you've ever tried your hand at decorative baking, you know how much fun it can be. Bake up some Christmas-themed treats. Think santa, reindeers, snowmen, candy canes. Make a cake and decorate it or put together a little work of art like these delicious snowmen cookies we created:

 

8. Follow us on instagram for more food and dining inspiration!

Easy Summer Cool-Down Recipe: Grapefruit and Strawberry Popsicles

Date Posted: 21/11/2017 11:26:41 AM
Posted By: Tara Connolly

Popsicle season has officially started and we all need a little fruit in our lives (and some booze for the adults). Great at a beach BBQ, by the pool or just about anywhere! 

These popsicles are super easy to make and are full of fruit.

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Recipe

Makes 18 popsicles

Ingredients:

  • 230ml fresh-squeezed grapefruit juice
  • 230 grams strawberries (about 12 medium strawberries)
  • 140ml vodka

Instructions:

  • Place the juiced grapefruit and whole strawberries in a food processor or a blender and process until everything is pureed.
  • Add vodka and process for another 20-30 seconds to blend well.
  • Pour mixture into popsicle molds.
  • Place foil on top of popsicle mold and cut a tiny hole in the centre of each.
  • Stick popsicle stick through the hole.
  • Freeze for at least 6 hours or until frozen solid.
  • To release popsicles, run hot water on the outside of the molds for 2-3 seconds.

pexels-photo-236378

Christmas Lunch Special Offer at ANMM

Date Posted: 27/09/2017 4:29:53 PM
Posted By: Laissez-faire Catering

Australian National Maritime Museum – Christmas Lunch Special

If you’re looking for a fuss-free but entirely delicious way to spend Christmas with the team this year then look no further… We have it all wrapped up with this fabulous Christmas Lunch special offer which includes food + beverage + staff + flowers = fun in the sun.

anmm
 

Our $110.00 deal allows you to come in on budget and still have Christmas cheer for all. The Australian National Maritime Museum has a plethora of great spaces within walking distance of the CBD and public transport making the entire process smooth sailing, excuse the pun!!!

To contact us about this offer, email us, give us a call on (02) 9209 4810  or drop us an enquiry here.

Offer includes:

Exclusive Waterfront Venue Tailored lunch menu (entrée + main or main + dessert)

Tea, coffee + petit fours

Tableware, cutlery, glassware and white napery

Blanc beverage package 3.5 hours

Christmas centrepieces

Professional wait staff and function supervisor

Cocktail tables

A dedicated Event Planner to coordinate and assist with the finer details of your event

ANMM EVENT 3

Sydney Corporate Christmas Party Venues

Date Posted: 29/09/2016 11:34:46 AM
Posted By: Laissez-faire Catering

7 Venue Choices for Your Next Corporate Christmas Party

In this guest post, Kim Jones talks about the winning points for seven venues in Sydney.

Jingle bells and jingle that phone! There are only around 13 weeks until silly season starts with a frenzy. If we cut out weekends, we only have around 65 sleeps to go so it’s time to get started on where you’ll hold your Christmas function!

Here are seven great venues and their winning points:

1. The Island

Subisland5

  • Australia’s most exclusive, first and only floating beach club
  • Positioned anywhere in Sydney Harbour
  • Picturesque views of the Harbour Bridge and Opera House
  • Up to 200 guests.

The Island is a perfect choice for your Christmas party if you want to:

  • Experience Australia’s first and only floating beach club
  • Combine European beach club culture with the iconic Sydney Harbour
  • Enjoy 5 star service and picturesque views of the Harbour Bridge and Opera House
  • Relax on beautifully decorated VIP cabana’s and daybeds
  • Arrive in a private taxi water service
  • Savour a fresh summer menu, cocktails and canapés customised for your event.

Read more about what your event will look and feel like at The Island.

2. Wylie's Baths

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  • A few hundred metres south of Coogee Beach in Sydney’s eastern suburbs
  • Sweeping 180 degree views of the Pacific Ocean and the famous Wedding Cake Island
  • Up to 250 guests.

Wylie’s Baths is an iconic Eastern Sydney spot, perfect for:

  • A relaxed beach vibe
  • Any event from cocktail parties to weddings and formal dinners
  • Overlooking the historic Baths at Coogee Beach and Wedding Cake Island
  • Themed parties.

Read more about what your event will look and feel like at Wylie’s Baths.

3. Harbour 220

Harbour 220 Cover Photo

  • Located on the 15th floor of the Hudson Building on Macquarie Street
  • Exclusive and intimate venue in the heart of Sydney’s CBD
  • Stunning views of Sydney Harbour
  • Overlooking the Opera House and Botanical Gardens
  • Up to 150 guests.

Harbour 220 is for discerning clients who enjoy spectacular expansive harbour and city views:

  • Elegant and sophisticated
  • For functions, events and Board meetings
  • Fabulous outside balcony
  • Secure parking in the building.

Read more about what your event will look and feel like at Harbour 220.

 4. Inglis Newmarket Stables

Inglis Newmarket Stables

  • From 32 guests to 1,000 guests
  • Located in Randwick near the University of NSW
  • Only 10 mins form Sydney’s CBD
  • Secluded destination set on an incredible 11 acres.

With its majestic ceilings, this vintage barn style venue is surrounded by manicured gardens, towering fig trees and heritage listed buildings and provides the perfect backdrop for:

  • Different rooms and spaces that lend to any size function or event
  • Warm country heritage ambience in the city
  • Privacy around your celebration.

Read more about what your event will look and feel like at Inglis Newmarket Stables.

  5. Australian Technology Park Conference Centre

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  • The most original conference and exhibition venue in Sydney within 4kms of Sydney’s CBD
  • Expert event management team with personalised coordination services at your fingertips
  • Outdoor sporting facilities for corporate team building
  • Different dedicated venue spaces to accommodate from 140 to 5,000 guests
  • 1,000 rooms of accommodation in nearby hotels
  • Volumes of on-site easy parking.

The Australian Technology Park marries a living heritage icon with state-of-the-art wireless electronic and video conferencing facilities and security to create the perfect space.

A venue of distinction and versatility to accommodate:

  • A week of celebrations
  • Conferences
  • AGM
  • Exhibitions
  • Gala events like the Australian Fashion Week Award ceremonies
  • Product launches
  • Video or press conferences
  • Easy access for transport of event assets.

Read more about what your event will look and feel like at the Australian Technology Park Conference Centre.

 6. National Maritime Museum

Maritime Museum cocktail view

  • An architectural icon on the water celebrating our maritime history
  • Located on the edge of Darling Harbour with views of the city skyline
  • Events on shore or offshore on a vessel, even a destroyer!
  • Different venue spaces to accommodate your function from 30 to 400 guests.

The National Maritime Museum is the perfect venue to reflect:

  • The Maritime’s history of marine engineering
  • A focus of excellence and detail for each venue space to customise size, shape and themes for your event.

Read more about what your event will look and feel like at the  National Maritime Museum.

7. Prince Henry Centre

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  • Spectacular views over coastal sandstone cliffs and the Pacific Ocean at Little Bay
  • 25 mins from the heart of Sydney’s CBD/ 15 mins from Randwick’s Anzac Parade.

Prince Henry Centre is the perfect backdrop for private celebrations with:

  • Sustainable and innovative design
  • An award-winning function centre
  • A range of flexible spaces to accommodate 10 to 250 guests.

Read more about what your event will look and feel like at the   Price Henry Centre.

Don’t leave it too late!

Enjoy your Christmas party planning; there are a lot of spectacular venues to choose from!

If you'd like some more information about any of our venues   for your  corporate Christmas party, don't hesitate to contact us  or make an enquiry about a venue. Our team would be happy to help you plan a spectacular Christmas party for 2016.

 

More about the author

Kim Jones is a non executive director on private company, government and not-for-profit boards.

Kim is also a management consultant, with more than 30 years experience with roles including superannuation trustee, investor relations and communications specialist with ASX100 institutional fund managers and financial services companies. The earlier part of her career was spent as a marine scientist, high school teacher as well as promoting new technology at the University of New South Wales.

Kim holds a Bachelor of Science (Honours) degree from the University of Sydney, a Graduate Diploma of Education, and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD).