volume 7, number 11 November 2002
New Mexico's Premier Food, Arts and Lifestyle Magazine

Lisa De Santo shaving chocolate

The holiday season is approaching, and if you're too busy to deal with slaving in the kitchen and hosting holiday events, many New Mexico caterers are ready and willing to make and serve them for you. A quick phone call to any of the caterers listed below will prove to be a cost-effective way to make any event less stressful, very tasty and a whole lot of fun. Also, try calling your favorite restaurant and asking about their catering services. Most restaurants will provide some catering services.

ALBUQUERQUE

Albuquerque Catering Company
Kim M. Otis
505-299-3999, fax 505-299-3533
6229 Edith NE, Suite G
Albuquerque, NM 87107
www.abqcatering.com
Owner Kim Otis and the crew at the Albuquerque Catering Company have a roster of seasonal recipes that includes hors d'oeuvres such as duck, cranberry and orange zest turnovers; and entrées like leg of lamb with cracked black pepper, mustard and fresh rosemary. They can cater multiple events daily (with a 15 guest minimum), but call as soon as possible for December events. Call or visit their web site to request a planning folder.

Blue Plate Special
Gwen Florio and Scott Clapp
505-255-2583, fax 505-255-2088
432 Montclaire NE
Albuquerque, NM 87108
www.eatblueplate.com
Blue Plate Special offers catering they describe as "comfortable elegance." Owners Florio and Clapp, professionally trained at Scottsdale Culinary Institute, have no set menu lists, preferring instead to create unique combinations of dishes suited to the specific needs of the client's event. See an example of their food-styling work in the "Entertaining with Style" section of November's Bon Appétit magazine—Blue Plate Special prepared the food for the Thanksgiving meal at Albuquerque's Los Poblanos Inn.

Caribbean Temptation
Flaurance Voltaire
At Winrock Mall
505-256-8000, fax 505-256-8001
caribbeantempt@aol.com
Caribbean Temptation's owner, Flaurance Voltaire, is a Haitian native and specializes in all kinds of Caribbean food. The company's menu is flexible to your tastes and includes jerk chicken, Jamaican fritters, black bean fritters and fried plantains, among others. Make sure to ask about special Caribbean dishes created especially for the holiday season. They also make their own line of lemonades flavored with almond, vanilla, coconut and exotic flavors.

Catering By Design
Chef Sean
505-764-9400, fax 505-242-8489
515 Slate NW
Albuquerque, NM 87102
Over the past five years Catering By Design has catered gatherings from two to 10,000 guests. Their menu includes traditional foods such as Christmas chicken, as well as Scottish and Irish foods. Parmesan-crusted pork is one of their most popular dishes. Catering By Design has reasonable rates for their banquet facilities and meeting rooms. Call to reserve a catered Christmas event before Nov. 15 and receive a 10 percent discount.

Creative Catering
Brian McCormack
505-888-6633, fax 505-888-6632
2416 San Mateo Place NE
Albuquerque, NM 87110
www.creativecatering.org
Creative Catering is a full-service, off-premises company that offers a wide range of menus and can customize any event. They specializes in backstage, commercial and movie catering, and have a mobile kitchen for remote locations. McCormack says discriminating clients on strict time schedules will be thrilled with Creative Catering's attention to detail.

Dancing Chef / Eleanor's
David Jacobs
505-265-1535
2209 Silver SE
Albuquerque, NM 87106
www.dancingchef.com
In additional to personal chef services, the Dancing Chef is adept at handling corporate luncheons and events as well as private dinner parties.

Glazed Hams and More
Angie and Loren Dafoe
505-298-4076, fax 505-298-2288
5850 Eubank NE, in the Mountain Run Shopping Center
Try Glazed Hams' newest creations—Chimayo red chile honey glaze or jalapeño jelly glaze on a ham or turkey. From small box lunches and brunches to sit-down dinners of any size, Glazed Hams can make your event special with a full-service Hawaiian Luau or Mexican Fiesta. They can also create custom assembled holiday meals or gift baskets. Ham and turkey are available the day before any holiday, but you may want to call a few days in advance, just to be on the safe side.

Indulgence Catering
Darlene Yachik
505-345-8548, fax 505-345-8918
6713 4th NW
Albuquerque, NM 87107
dycaters@aol.com
Indulgence Catering can easily cater intimate gatherings with up to 1,000 guests. Buffet-style and box lunches, continental and full breakfasts brunches and a grill on site are only a few of the specialties this company offers. Yachik and staff love to create new, exciting appetizers, so feel free to come up with some of your own original ideas.

Mr. Powdrell's Barbecue Catering Service
Joe and Anne Powdrell
505-828-2411, fax 345-9423
www.mrpowdrellsbbq.com
The Powdrells have been serving up their famous beef and ribs at both their restaurants and through their catering service for more than 40 years. They specialize in smoked barbecue, beef, chicken and fish, and can even smoke a whole pig for larger gatherings. They'll be smoking lots of turkeys for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's, so get your order in now, and call at least a week in advance to get your event catered.

Porky's Mud Chops
Brenda Addy
505-873-0405, fax 505-836-5663
porkysnabq@aol.com
Porky's Mud Chops can cater events for 25 people and larger. Their specialty is barbecue with a house-made spicy sauce. They also serve smoked pork, chicken, ribs and more. Porky's is full service and offers a full menu that includes breakfast, lunch and dinner. Elegant meals for weddings or corporate events can be served on china with an ambiance created by linens and candles, or they can go disposable. Call as far in advance as possible.

Professional Catering
Chef Bill Keller
505-823-2161, fax 505-797-8081
7638 Louisiana NE
Albuquerque, NM 87109
Chef Keller is a certified executive chef and a graduate of the American Academy of Chefs. H

Blue Plate SpecialÃïs Scott Clapp and Gwen Florio

e can prepare any kind of food your heart desires. American, French, Scandinavian; you name it, he'll make it. Events scheduled on Monday through Thursday receive a 10 percent discount.

Silver Platter Catering
Laurel Tiera
505-248-1593, fax 505-771-2543
Laurel Tiera and Silver Platter Catering have spent five years creating a diverse menu for their clients. From international to vegetarian, Euro-Californian and New Mexican cuisine, they focus on serving fresh fruits and vegetables for gatherings with up to 400 guests. They specialize in corporate and private parties, and will be happy to help you plan your Christmas event.

Snappy Catering Service
Sara Pagliuca, Bruce Woolam
505-828-2394, fax 505-797-8081
7368 Louisiana NE
Albuquerque, NM 87109
From hot or cold hors
d'oeuvres to all-out feasts, Snappy Catering Service can serve food in stations or hand-pass items at any event. Their popular Aztec calendar includes layered beans, guacamole and all the fixings. Other specialties include chile rellenos and miniature beef Wellington.

Soirée Personal Caterers
Craig and Jennifer Sharp
505-922-9367
e-mail soiree@swcp.com
If you're planning a dinner or cocktail party and just can't face the prospect of having to do all the cooking yourself, try Soirée. This unusual catering company only produces intimate gatherings with hand-passed hors d'oeuvres and/or hand-plated dinners. That means no buffets, no chafing dishes, no food made yesterday and trucked over to your party today. Ask about their signature mushroom-crusted prime tenderloin with garlic-roasted mashed potatoes.

SANTA FE

Cuisine Justine
Justine Witlox-Becker
505-982-1681
Previously the owner of Becker's Delicatessen, Justine Witlox-Becker has 23 years of full-service catering experience. Her innovative Southwestern and international menus are only out-shined by her outstanding presentation. Ask about exquisite custom cakes and French pastries, such as Bûche de Noël and chocolate farolitos.

Desserts For All Occasions
Donna Brand
Phone and fax 505-474-8431
www.santafedesserts.com
Who needs entrées when you've got desserts? Owner and chef Donna Brand recommends her showy, delicious Bûche de Noël or pumpkin chiffon pie for any holiday event. Other dessert favorites include mouth-watering mocha mousse cake, lavender honey mascarpone or tiramisù. With 30 years of experience, Brand is an expert at the art of dessert making. She will fax you a menu upon request. Call at least 48 hours in advance of your event.

Peas 'n' Pod Catering, Inc.
Harriet Bleiweiss, Glenda Griswold, Catherine O'Brien
505-438-2877, fax 505-438-2876
6 Camerada Road
Santa Fe, NM 87508
peasnpod@prodigy.net
In 1996, East Coast natives Catherine O'Brien and Glenda Griswold opened Peas ‘n' Pod Catering for business. They brought with them a passion for food, a love of catering and a desire to make every party special. Whether catering a party for six or a feast for 500, Peas 'n' Pod will deliver high-quality service.

Realburger Catering
John Chavez
505-827-5335 or 505-699-5392, fax 505-827-5259
1120 Cerrillos Road0
Santa Fe, NM 87501
Chef and caterer John Chavez was recently approved provider for the Sweeney Convention Center in Santa Fe, which means you can rent the space and have Realburger Catering cater your event. Chavez has been in the restaurant business for 24 years, and specializes in oriental and Native New Mexican cuisine. Try his unique seafood enchiladas.

Walter Burke Catering
Walter Burke, owner
Jodee Chavez
505-473-9600, fax 505-473-1080
1209 Calle de Comercio
Santa Fe, NM 87507
www.walterburkecatering.com
Since opening in 1981, Walter Burke Catering has become a staple in Santa Fe. They can cater events ranging in size from 200 to thousands of guests, and prepare contemporary cuisine with classic service. One of their most popular dishes is salmon stuffed with scalloped ginger mousse, and this holiday they are featuring roasted duck halves with an array of fruit sauces. Call at least two weeks in advance to book a date during the holiday season.

TAOS

The Wooden Spoon
Catering Co.
Lisa De Santo
505-776-8331
P.O. Box 234, Arroyo Seco
Taos, NM 87514
The Wooden Spoon Catering Company has been open for 10 years, and was taken over two years ago by Lisa De Santo. De Santo and staff specialize in any size full-service weddings and elegant events. They can also help you plan every aspect of your event—from decorations to flowers to photography—and even have a romantic casita for rent for weddings and other elegant events. Their jasmine wedding cake will be a hit at any reception.

Taos Catering Co.
Benjie Apodaca
505-758-1922, fax-505-737-2654
www.taosconvention.com
Taos Catering Co. is fully mobile with its Taos Catering Truck, which is always ready to serve. For 11 years, this company has cared for any and all of its customers' food and beverage needs. Owner Benjie Apodaca takes a hands-on approach, guarantees quality and uses only the freshest ingredients. Taos Catering Co. can handle indoor or outdoor events from 50 to 600 people.

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