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Eating better is about feeling better. If you feel like you easily lose focus at work and throughout the day, it could have to do with the food that you're using to fuel yourself. But it can be a challenge to start eating right. Here are a few tips for eating healthy from your friends at Laissez-faire.

Start Off Simple

You don't need to start off by trashing everything in the pantry and buying all healthy food. Instead, it's time to start tracking. Figure out your eating habits. Download an app and track what you eat, what you drink, and how you feel. This gives you your baseline.

It could be that you're already eating pretty healthy. It could also be that you're eating more unhealthy than you thought. And there's a third option: There could be something very specific that's contributing to your lack of focus, such as drinking too much caffeine and not enough water.

In addition to tracking calories and health, track your spending habits, too. Look at your grocery bills and your dining out. When you start adjusting your habits, you'll have two motivating factors: your general health and the amount of money you're saving.

Begin With Meal Prepping

Leaving your meals to the last minute is generally what encourages people to stop eating healthy. Start with a simple meal prep. It doesn't have to be all your meals: it can just be your next week's lunches or dinners. Meal prepping means that you'll need to take the time out of your week once a week, but the rest of the week is going to be simple.

Love variety? Invite a friend to meal prep with you. You'll be able to make more dishes and trade those dishes back and forth, and it'll be a fun experience, too. Once you start meal prepping at least one meal out of the day, you're going to be well on your way to eating healthier.

Planning Meal by Meal

Now that you're getting into the habit of planning out your meals, here are some important tips:

• Breakfast. Don't skip breakfast! It's essential for staying focused throughout the day. We have our own breakfast menu with healthy options for exactly that reason. Consider eggs, oatmeal, parfait: Anything light that's going to give you some energy.
• Lunch. Don't give into fast food for the convenience in the middle of your work day. Plan ahead and make yourself lunch before leaving home for work, or do your meal prepping in advance. Remember, you can always make your meals well in advance and then freeze them! Make foods with grains and greens, or bento boxes that contain both carbs and proteins. A soup with plenty of vegetables will give you some energy in the middle of the day.
• Dinner. While the above meals will prepare you to tackle the work day, dinner is what you need to restore you when you get home. A healthy eating routine will help you stay focused long-term. Add seafood and greens, such as salmon with a side of spinach, kale, beans or beets.
• Snacks. During the day, you might need some snacks to give you an energy boost. Often snacks have a negative connotation, but they shouldn't. Morning tea and afternoon tea can be a necessary refresher for staying focused. 

By thinking about your foods in terms of the energy they give and how they make you feel, you'll be able to manage your foods more effectively.

Staying on Top of the Game

• Set and track your goals. The more you know about your habits, the better prepared you'll be moving forward. Your motivation will build as you grow closer to your goals.
• Join up with a friend. They'll help you stay accountable and also have fun. Eating is often a shared experience, and people can miss that when they're trying to eat healthy or on a diet.
• Don't beat yourself up. Everyone has a bad day or a cheat day. That doesn't eliminate your progress.

Staying focused and eating healthy is a continuous process. But it's also something that can become.secons nature over time.

At Laissez-faire, we focus on the idea of food as something healthy and joyous to celebrate. From catering for corporate events to weddings, we can help. Contact us today at (02) 9209 4810 or make an enquiry on our website.

Laissez-faire Catering has been announced as a NSW State Finalist at the 2019 Meetings and Events Australia Awards in the category of Banqueting & Catering! We are proud to see our hard work recognised in an industry we care deeply about. Winners will be announced on 25 March at the NSW MEA Awards night. Laissez-faire Catering was also a Finalist in MEA's 2018 awards, so we are delighted to see our successes celebrated again. At Laissez-faire Catering we have many awards and certifications to our name, and we are appreciative for all recognition we receive. 

What are the MEA Awards

MEA's National Awards program is the longest running, pre-eminent Awards program in Australia. Having run for over twenty-five years, MEA's Awards program is to begin with state-wide awards ceremonies, whereby successful candidates may then advance to an awards night at a national level. 

MEA's National Awards program recognises and celebrates the outstanding achievements and expertise of individuals and organisations in the events sector. In particular, MEA looks to celebrate creativity, excellence, and professionalism in the design, management, delivery, servicing and advancement of the events industry in Australia.

NSW State Awards  Night

Laissez-faire Catering has been nominated as a State Finalist for NSW in the category of Banqueting & Catering.

All state finalists are invited to attend the NSW Awards event to be held on Wednesday 25th March at Taronga Zoo. The NSW state winners will be announced at this event, and those who are successful may go on to be national finalists.

State finalists will receive acknowledgement at the state awards presentation as a finalist in their category, and will receive recognition among clients and peers.

State Winners will enjoy automatic entry into the National Awards, and a unique State trophy.

National MEA Awards Night

National winners will be announced at the MEA National Awards Dinner at Evolve on Tuesday 5th May 2020 at Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley.

National Winers will receive automatic entry as a finalist in the Platinum Awards category (either Event, Company or Individual).

For more updates, follow us on Instagram. Contact us today on (02) 9209 4810 or make an enquiry online to find out more about how we can cater for your next event or office meeting.

Every company occasionally hosts corporate events. But are you hosting corporate events because you feel obligated to, or because you really recognise their value? If you're only doing obligatory events, you may not be really taking advantage of the benefits of corporate events.

Events are great opportunities for companies to leave a lasting impression on their audiences and build both internal and external relationships. Here are some reasons why throwing a corporate event could be the best thing you do in 2020.

Build Your Brand Identity

Inviting key industry figures and target audiences to attend events in a physical space makes your brand seem more real, rather than theoretical or exclusively digital. More and more, businesses are spending their time online. And this can make them feel a little less than "real."

If you want to build your brand identity, a corporate event gives you one-on-one time with the most important principles within your industry. Spice it up with some great decor and catering for corporate events, and you'll be able to impress.

Get Face Time With Your Audience

A corporate event provides a real platform for face-to-face communications, rather than just email or Skype. Face time with your customers and even your employees can bring to light opportunities that you might otherwise miss.

Don't commit all your interactions with social media or chat bots; that's a surefire way to miss improvements that you could make in your relationships. While digital automation can improve a lot of early stage interactions, late term interactions and lead commitments really need a personal touch.

Advertise Your Digital Content

Physical advertising can be used to bolster your digital content and digital marketing initiatives. Ideally, you should be augmenting both your marketing types through collaboration. You can use content generated from your event for your digital content, and you can market your digital initiatives during your physical event.

Building Real Relationships

As you start to nurture relationships with vendors, clients, and employees, face-to-face time becomes even more important. Consider the value of networking enabled by a physical activity, such as team-oriented events, award shows, and more.

When more people hear about your business, they will be more likely to come and visit your business. And that means that they're going to be ready and willing to engage. Impress them with some great Sydney corporate catering and thoughtful decor, and they'll be even more ready to commit.

Hosting Giveaways and Offering Merchandise

Giveaways, offering merchandise, and other physical event activities are great in two ways. One, they give your potential customers a gift. This engenders a feeling of reciprocation: They will be more willing to do things for you in the future. Two, they give people physical and lasting proof of the purpose of your company. They will look at the items that they won or were offered, and will remember your business and what it stands for.

Educating About Your Products and Services

There are some products and services that are difficult to express in terms of text-based or image-based content. Rather than trying to launch a product on a website, launch a product in real life. It's an easier way to depict what your product or service can really do, while also being able to pitch and sell directly to an audience face-to-face.

Any content generated from a physical product launch can also be used online, which further improves your company's reach.

Rewarding Customers, Vendors, and Employees

Use your corporate events to reward those close to your company with a massive celebration. The more appreciated people feel, the more invested they become in the success of your business. This brings to the company additional goodwill, which can be instrumental for companies that are looking to grow.

There are many event types for corporations: product launches, award ceremonies, news releases, networking events, conferences, seminars, gala dinners, and more. But above all, the major advantage to hosting events is that you're able to get face-to-face content with the people who are instrumental to your company's success.

While we do live in an increasingly digital world, there's still something to be said for personal contact. It's how you can properly gauge the temperature of the room, how you can determine how successful your marketing is, and how you can directly influence those who are most important.

Ready to start planning your next corporate event? Contact us today on (02) 9209 4810 or make an enquiry online.

Starting to plan your 2020 wedding? Before you start booking your caterers and your venues, consider settling on a theme. A themed wedding is fun and whimsical, and can also reduce a lot of the decision-making involved. When you have a theme, things like colours, decor, music, and food come together more easily and you can concentrate on the areas of the wedding that matter most to you.

Garden Weddings

A lovely wedding at the botanical gardens doesn't have to wait for spring. If you love fresh flowers, green plants, butterflies, and delicate food and drink, a garden-inspired wedding is a great choice. Garden weddings often have lighter fare, such as canapés and spritzers, and can be held throughout the year in enclosed garden environments. Pay special attention to floral accents such as bouquets and centrepieces, and consider a gown to match.

Nature-Inspired Weddings

Get in touch with your natural side at a venue like the Prince Henry Centre. Nature-inspired weddings can span the gamut from romantic to rustic, depending on what you and your soon-to-be-spouse enjoy. Go to a cabin retreat, or enjoy your time in the rolling hills. Going back to nature can turn a stressful event into a relaxing one, especially if you don't like the hustle and bustle of the city.

Gatsby/1920's Weddings

Bring the roaring 20s to the 2020s. Gatsby style parties are exceptionally popular and decadent. If you yearn for the fashion styles, arts, and entertainment of yesteryear, consider theming your wedding appropriate to a different time altogether. You can pull up old pictures when planning out your decor, and have your groomsmen and bridesmaids dress accordingly. It'll be a special moment out of time for you and your spouse.

Beach-Themed Weddings

Beach-themed weddings are exceptionally popular, and Australia has some of the best beaches in the world. Wylie's Bath, Coogie Surf Club, and the  North Bondi Life Saving Club are all great choices for weddings and other types of events, such as Sydney corporate catering events. Beach-themed wedding can have casual attire such as sundresses, and are a more laid back choice all around. Choose some modern, BBQ-themed menus, and you'll have everything set for a proper "luau."

Black Tie Weddings

Consider going full formal with a black tie event. A lot of people consider weddings themselves the most formal occasion they'll ever go to, but black tie events are even more formal and give people a great chance to dress up to their very best. It may be the only chance you get to create the gala of your dreams! Elevate your menu with a sophisticated palate, canapés, and custom drinks.

Vintage Venue Weddings

Historical and vintage venues are really a theme of themselves, such as the State Library of New South Wales. If you love certain architecture, consider looking for a building that you love, too. You can theme your wedding around the time that the building was developed, and consequently create a beautiful wedding that will look like it stepped right out of a picture book.

Seasonal Weddings

We've talked about using seasonal produce for catering for corporate events, and seasonal produce seasonal themes can also be used to enhance a wedding. Seasonal produce is better tasting, more visually appealing, and supports local Australian farmers. If you're looking for a theme, consider a winter, summer, autumn, or spring wedding.

As you plan out your 2020 wedding, consider Laissez-faire's partnered venues. By working with Laissez-faire, you can get your catering and venue arranged with ease, and start thinking about the other elements of your wedding now. We even provide complete wedding packages, so you don't need to worry about anything at all.

Contact us today at (02) 9209 4810 or make an enquiry online.

Are you looking for ideas for your Australia Day celebrations? Or is your company celebrating Australia Day?  When booking catering for corporate events, it can be a challenge to distinguish your events from others. Apart from leveraging seasonal produce and fine-tuning your menu to the attendees, there are some tips you can use to put a modern spin on your event.

Traditional BBQ With a Twist

Lam cutlets, barbecue chicken, meat pies, and burgers. They're all quintessentially Australian, and a great way to celebrate Australia Day with family or with colleagues. After all, what's more Australian than a BBQ? BBQs encourage employees to socialise, and they're casual enough that employees don't feel that they're pressured to "enjoy" a corporate event. Instead, they can relax.

But how can you make it a little more modern? By elevating the ingredients. At Laissez-faire, we use fresh, locally sourced ingredients, from farms that we've established relationships with. By introducing seasonal fruits and vegetables, you can make familiar items new again.

Prawns, Yabbies, and Other Seafood

How can you give prawns, yabbies, and other seafood a fresh twist? Think about creating a menu of canapés. Canapés give you the opportunity to create a lot of different foods with different flavours, rather than concentrating on just one. Seafood is a strong taste that lends itself to a lot of different appetisers and treats, and canapés make it more likely that everyone will find something they like.

Vegan and Sustainable Foods

Vegan foods are becoming more impressive every year. You can create a sustainable, eco-conscious menu that includes things such as tabouli, Brussel sprout and mushroom skewers, black bean fritters, fries, and wedges. Consider adding vegan and vegetarian options to your catering menu: more people are eating these types of diets today, and being inclusive is what Australia day is all about.

Seal It With an Excellent Dessert

For many people, dessert is the favourite meal. Consider a pavlova or lamington, with mango or passion fruit flavours. The idea is to use a traditional Australian dessert but also pair it with some modern, seasonal flavours. Think about whether you want things to be bright, or warm and toasty. Wagon Wheels, milo cakes, cheesecakes, and ice-blocks are all quintessentially Australia Day dessert, and they can be livened up with different flavours and presentations.

Don't Forget Any Special Dietary Needs

Australia Day is about what makes Australia special, and a good part of this is celebrating the shared culture of Australia. Don't forget that people may have special dietary needs, such as Halal or Kosher restrictions. Make a list of guests through their RSVPs. Creating a special menu may seem tiring, but a Sydney corporate catering company can handle it all for you.

Don't Forget the Drinks

Cocktails (including virgin cocktails and punches) let you explore different flavours without having to commit to another set of food items. A good drink menu is going to keep people enjoying the catering throughout the event, and give them a palate cleanser between the things that they eat.

Laissez-faire has everything you need for catering for corporate events, whether it's for your Australia Day party or something else entirely. Contact us today if you want to start planning your catering Sydney,  on (02) 9209 4810, or make an enquiry online.

When planning out your summer catering, consider the value of seasonal produce. Seasonal produce is sustainable, local, fresh, and enticing. There are a number of reasons to emphasize seasonal produce, from corporate responsibility, to creating a memorable occasion. Here's what you need to know.

What Produce is Seasonal During the Summer?

You can get just about anything in a grocery store at any time throughout the year, so it may not be obvious what produce is actually in season during the summer. Seasonal produce is fresh from local farmers and supports the local farming industry, whereas other things need to be shipped in. That damages quality and  sustainability.

Here are a few products that are seasonal during the summer in Australia: apples, bananas, berries, melons, pineapple, rambutan, asparagus, beans, beetroot, carrots, corn, eggplant, leeks, radish, shallots, squash, tomato, watercress, and zucchini. Australia has some fantastic produce that's available during the summer, during a time when much of the world doesn't have similar produce available locally.

What Produce Has Been Impacted Due to the Bushfires?

Unfortunately, bushfires have been impacting the produce market in Australia. Some $4.4 billion dollars in damage has already impacted Australian businesses, including farms. Both fruits and vegetables have been impacted by the bushfires racing along Australia's coast. Banana growers have been raising funds to counteract this impact, and many other farmers are still not sure of the true extent of the damage.

With the bushfire damage so extensive, very few areas of agriculture haven't been impacted in some way. This summer, there are likely to be reduced amounts of seasonal produce.

Purchasing seasonal, local produce isn't just more sustainable, but can also help farmers local to Australia. Of course, local produce may also see an increase in prices because of this, but it's something necessary to support local economies. If local farmers aren't able to sell their wares, even at these increased prices, they may not be able to continue farming.

What Are the Benefits of Purchasing Seasonal Produce?

Even before the bushfires, there were many reasons to purchase seasonal produce. Laissez-faire has always been a strong proponent of seasonal produce for the following reasons:

• Higher quality goods. Seasonal produce doesn't have to be shipped as far and is allowed to ripen on farms rather than in stores, thereby leading to higher quality goods that both look and taste better.
• Money into the local economy. Money into small businesses helps everyone. When small businesses thrive, the community itself thrives. By pouring money into the local economy, you can create better relationships and a stronger community overall.
• Better, more innovative menu creation. Using seasonal produce can give you great ideas for the type of menu you want, rather than having to create a menu from whole cloth. Choose a few great fruits and vegetables to be the "stars" of your drinks and dishes.
• More sustainable in general. Non-local, non-seasonal produce has to be shipped far distances to get to Australia, increasing your carbon footprint significantly. It's more sustainable to purchase things as close to your location as possible, to reduce on waste.

When planning catering for corporate events, you don't want to just create an interesting and delicious menu; you also want to promote sustainability and corporate ethics. Seasonal produce has tremendous value for catering events.

How Can You Create the Best Summer Events?

Selecting the best catering Sydney can offer is the first step in creating a perfect summer event. Laissez-faire can help you create an excellent summer menu that is centered around delicious, seasonal produce, even if the supply may be light.

At Laissez-faire, we can help you setup your entire corporate catering experience, including choosing a venue. Once you have your catering and venue in mind, you can make critical decisions about your menu, decor, and more.

Are you planning catering for corporate events? Contact us today on (02) 9209 4810 or make an enquiry online. 

Looking for an unforgettable way to end 2019 with your team?

Our current featured Sydney venue, Urban Winery Sydney, is currently offering an exceptional Christmas Cocktail Lunch Package that is sure to leave a lasting impression.

"You will feel as though you have been transported to the vineyards of regional NSW in the heart of the city, and with help from your dedicated event manager, we will look after you each step of the way ensuring your event is a memorable one."

What's Included in the Package?

$98 per person | 12pm - 4pm

• 4 Hour Urban Winery Sydney Beverage Package
• (2 x A.Retief Red wines 2 x A.Retief White wines, 2 x Craft Beer options,
  Soft drinks, Still and Sparkling water)
• Exclusive hire of the Winery / Barrel Room
• A selection of 7 canapés + 2 substantial canapés per person
• Personal Event Manager
• All front of house staff
• Central Bar
• Cocktail tables and stools
• (Minimum 80 Guests)

Give us a call on (02) 9209 4810 or make an enquiry here about this package.

Situated between the Royal Botanic Gardens and Parliament House on Macquarie Street, the State Library has a range of function rooms to accommodate small to large events.

Boasting the grand elegance of the historic Mitchell building and the modern versatility of the Macquarie Street building, the State Library of New South Wales is truly an elegant and a unique Sydney venue.

Function rooms

Dixson Room

The Dixson Room at the State Library of NSW is a spacious room with high ceilings and original oil paintings adorning the walls. It's ideal for:

• conferences
• luncheons
• dinners
• cocktail parties
• sit-down meetings
• weddings

Friends Room

Located on the ground floor of the historic Mitchell Library building, the Friends Room gives out a historic ambiance and intimate charm - perfect for cocktail parties for up to 130 people.

Galleries

The classical Australian craftsmanship of Mitchell Galleries compliment any exhibitions using this space. These are well suited for:

• cocktail parties
• theatre
• presentations

Gallery Room

The Gallery Room at the State Library of NSW is warm and spacious with high ceilings and a decorative stained glass window. It is ideal for:

• conferences
• luncheons
• dinners
• cocktail parties
• sit-down meetings
• weddings for up to 120 people

Metcalfe auditorium

The Metcalfe Auditorium is perfect for a wide range of:

• presentations
• seminars
• meetings
• lectures

Catering is easily organised with the nearby Macquarie Room.

Book at the State Library of New South Wales for your Next Event

 Learn more about the State Library of New South Wales here: https://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/

For more information on the beautiful rooms available at the State Library of New South Wales, visit our venue page.

Give us a call on (02) 9209 4810 or make an enquiry about this venue today: https://www.laissez.com.au/make-an-enquiry

Laissez-faire catering has over 30 years of experience as a Sydney catering company, specializing in fresh, local produce, and creative, inventive catering menus. Offering the best in corporate, conference, conference, and retail catering services, Laissez-faire has what you need to make sure your next event is unforgettable.

Every Type of Food, Every Type of Catering, at Laissez-faire

At Laissez-faire, we offer tailored menus for your event. Not only do we customize our menus based on your company's needs, but we also customize them based on the fresh, seasonal produce available. We work directly with local producers and farmers to make sure that our ingredients are of the highest quality — and we match our foods to your type of event.

Whether you need BBQ catering Sydney or modern, contemporary fare, Laissez-faire has it covered. We work with you to create a menu from scratch. Whether you want general catering in a certain cuisine or you want a specialty menu that's designed to suite a theme, we'll develop the perfect solutions for you.

Our menus are carefully crafted depending on type of event — whether you need small, finger foods that are easily eaten, or full lunches and dinners that will leave your guests completely sated. Any type of catering you need can be found at Laissez-faire.

From Venue to Menu, Laissez-faire Offers the Best in Catering Sydney

Planning corporate events and private events can be a challenge. One of the major challenges is finding a venue. Laissez-faire works with a number of spectacular venues throughout Sydney, and can make suggestions for any size of corporate catering or private event. We have a list of venues that we know work well with our catering services, and we can also work around any venues provided by our customers.

Laissez-faire offers:

• Corporate catering Sydney. Depending on the type of your corporate event, Laissez-faire can create the perfect menu for you. Whether you're interested in corporate award night catering or conference catering, the food has to be enjoyable while also facilitating the event itself. We work with you to plan your event out perfectly, whether the food is the star of the show or intended to be something more convenient and unobtrusive.
• Sydney office catering. Bring the catering to your event, with office catering services — customized to your business. Not all corporate events have to be held at a separate venue. We can help you determine whether your office is the better place for a corporate event, and bring catering directly into your office without distraction or disruption.
• Cocktail event catering on Sydney Harbour. One of our most popular and beloved venues, the modern Sydney Harbour is the perfect place for cocktail events. From wedding receptions to Sydney End of Financial Year (EOFY) event catering, Laissez-faire and Sydney Harbour can help. Cocktail event catering provides a relaxed, upscale atmosphere during which employees can socialize and connect.
• Sydney wedding catering. Wedding catering needs to be done perfectly, and that means that the venue and the catering service need to be able to work together. We'll help you find the best catering Sydney CBD location for your wedding, as well as the menus to match.
• Private event catering. If you need it catered, Laissez-faire can help. Laissez-faire provides full, general Sydney catering services for both private and corporate events.

We provide catering for events at our favourite sydney venues, and we provide Sydney event venue recommendations for our clients tailored to their needs. With the best in catering equipment Sydney, catering supplies Sydney, and customized, boutique menu and drink lists — everything that you need to make your next event perfect.

Get the Perfect Menu for Your Next Event Today

If you need conference catering, private catering for events in Sydney, wedding catering, or anything else in between, connect with us today.

Want to see more? You can follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or LinkedIn. We regularly post some of our fantastic menus and catering services.

Sign up to our newsletter for monthly updates on what we're doing around Sydney, exclusive deals and specials, or, contact us today on (02) 9209 4810. You can also make an enquiry online.