Posts from the ‘Blog’ Category
Our fabulously stylish candy dipped fruits and chocolate dipped sugar cookies are featured in the current issue of Martha Stewart Weddings magazine! We always love collaborating with the talented team at Martha Stewart Weddings on savvy ways to style up dessert stations for today’s chic weddings.
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KDHamptons Magazine asked reigning king of catering, Peter Callahan of Peter Callahan Catering in New York City, if he would share some pix of his haute holiday decor. After seeing his gorgeous Thanksgiving table on KDHamptons {see the pictures here }, we knew we were in for a treat! Check out Peter’s winter wonderland, and get inspired to make your Christmas table as [...]
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Big thanks to Danielle Kosann at The New Potato for including me in the holiday lineup on The New Potato. To see the whole foodie feature, click on the image above, otherwise, you can see see my holiday interview in full below. Best, Peter Peter Callahan is king when it comes to events. An expert on the [...]
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Peter Callahan, author of cookbook “Bite by Bite: 100 stylish little plates you can make for any party,” shares recipes perfect for the holidays, including a white chocolate martini and lollipops in unexpected flavors: mango shrimp, chicken parmesan, and lamb with mint pesto. To watch the whole segment and see Peter’s festive party bites, click [...]
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Last month I headed down to Washington D.C. for an incredible event celebrating the launch of the American Chef Corps, a part of the State Department’s new Diplomatic Culinary Partnership Initiative. In addition to providing food and styling for the event, I was honored and excited to become a member of the Chef Corps! I [...]
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Great feature in the Wall Street Journal about Darcy Miller and Andy Nussbaum’s event honoring Olympic swimmer Lia Neal at Asphalt Green on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. All proceeds from the event were raised specifically to benefit the swimming programs at the aquatic center. Lia Neal won a bronze medal at this year’s Olympics [...]
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Traditionally, Americans serve cheese at the start of a meal, the French before dessert, and the English as the grand finale. I took a European approach to this decadent cheese board (above) I created for the fall issue of Martha Stewart Weddings—using it as a dessert rather than as an appetizer. I wanted to create a fabulously stylish setting that [...]
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My juicy mini cheeseburgers always seem to find themselves on my late night party menus… You know, those wedding after parties when you’re craving salty, casual bar foods? Yeah, these little bites are a must, as are the frites and onion rings that we pair with them…
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One of my all-time favorite fishes to eat and serve is halibut. It’s a fabulous fish for grilling and roasting for many reasons. It is easily available year round, relatively inexpensive (depending on the time of year), easy to cook and lends itself to almost any flavor. This mild flavored, white fish has a kind of [...]
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Always happy to return to the Today Show for Kathie Lee and Hoda’s fourth hour… this time, I’m sharing my favorite bites for back to school parties! As most kids love Italian comfort foods, I’ve got my mini versions and kid-friendly portions of caprese sandwiches, spaghetti and meatballs, caesar salad (hold the anchovies please!) and [...]
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Exciting News! My bestselling cookbook “Bite by Bite: 100 Stylish Little Plates You Can Make for Any Party” is heading back for another printing! That’s the third printing in a year! Big thanks to Clarkson Potter and Crown Publishing! Just in time for holiday gift giving…
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So a HUGE trend is natural wood for furniture and decorative accessories for event design. It’s only natural that our in house workshop has been in overdrive making our own wonderful trays, plates, bars, buffets and more in natural wood. All of the shown trays, plates and platters are being shipped to the Hamptons this [...]
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I have been an avid fisherman for my entire life and nothing gives me greater pleasure than to fish with my son and daughter. Both of whom are avid fishermen as well. On the west side of the island of Nantucket, where the Atlantic Ocean is warm in late Summer, the prized fish Bonito come [...]
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I recently had the pleasure of catering a beautiful garden luncheon and shopping event in the Hamptons. The luncheon was a celebration of the 10th anniversary of Alber Elbaz designing for the French fashion label Lanvin. It took place at a lovely private residence in the Hamptons, and proceeds from the shopping benefitted the non-profit Save Venice. As [...]
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We all love ice cream year-round, but the sunny days of summer just beg for crazy amounts of the creamy stuff. Most of the time, I get inspiration from every day living with my family. These teeny tiny triple-scoop ice cream cones were inspired by Saturday morning cartoons with my daughter. You know the cartoons [...]
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One of my daughter’s favorite summertime snacks, S’mores! Might have to treat her to some of these sweet bites at our weekend bonfire on the beach… at least, that’s how I’m explaining my craving for them! Here’s my re-vamped version of the classic comfort food. {Photo: Con Poulos}
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Although Maine lobster is harvested year-round from the chilly coastal waters, in my mind there’s a true Lobster Season. And that’s August! Something about the vacation mindset maybe, as it’s a time when I can squeeze in some much needed playtime in between Hamptons parties. But really, it’s like a lot of my food design. [...]
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If there’s one thing that I’ve learned over the past many years of catering parties, it’s that a great party is never just about the food. It’s about the spectacle of the presentation, too. Designing trays and building one-of-a-kind displays is an important way I honor the spirit of the party as well as highlight [...]
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Weddings in the garden, lunches on the deck, backyard barbecues, beachy clambakes ~ they all require delicious summertime beverages be served, with or without alcohol. Sure, old-fashioned lemonade is always an approachable winner as it’s truly loved by both children and adults. Then there’s the classic trifecta of martinis, mojitos and margaritas which appeal [...]
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Appetizers and hors d’oeuvres have undergone a little change in the last fifteen years. Can’t say I’m sorry, either as it’s been a time of creativity that has brought catering out from the shadows of party planning and into the light. No longer regarded as just a necessity, food service is now widely considered a [...]
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Whether you say ‘to-may-to’ or ‘to-mah-to,’ chances are you’ll agree there’s nothing like the taste of a sun-ripened heirloom tomato in the heart of summer. DEE-licious! Heirloom afficianados know that there are countless different varieties out there, some more readily found in local farmers markets than others. For our cool country wedding taking place [...]
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Years ago, my good friend Darcy Miller, the founding editor of Martha Stewart Weddings, asked me to shrink down the hot dog into one of my bite-sized appetizers. As soon as I did that, lots of other caterers did the same, some more successfully than others. My favorite story is about one caterer who repeatedly [...]
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When you add sparklers to a dessert, it instantly becomes so much more celebratory! Such a simple thing, but I’m a big fan of SIMPLE. Why over-complicate food design when approachable food always puts guests at ease? Then, add a little flash and shimmer, and you’ve got a winning whimsical dessert. Like my Mini Baked [...]
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For the past several years, my catering services have garnered quite of bit of attention from families and businesses out of the United States. Particularly since the success of my bestselling cookbook, Bite by Bite: 100 Stylish Little Plates for Any Party, which has been #1 in sales worldwide for over 9 months in [...]
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My daughter and I are both big cereal eaters, and she sometimes has hers with berries and yogurt instead of milk. Her simple, straightforward morning routine inspired me to come up with this mini cereal bowl canape filled with organic Greek yogurt, topped with fresh whole blueberries (from Maine, when in season) and drizzled with [...]
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I’m always happy to talk about food and parties, and how I approach the two on a daily basis. Particularly when I’m chatting with the creative crew from Martha Stewart Radio’s Morning Living Show, Betsy Karetnick and Brian Kelsey. On every morning on Sirius XM Channel 110 from 7:00-11:00am, Betsy and Brian focus on cooking, home improvement, [...]
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A two-sip shot of your favorite beverage matched with a delicious small one-bite hors d’oeuvre is an incredible icebreaker at cocktail parties. Especially when the small one-bite hors d’oeuvre is playfully served on an edible spoon, in an oyster shell or inside a tiny Chinese take-out box. Whether a simple shot of vodka to accompany [...]
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Candy adds a fun and youthful feel to parties, whether it’s incorporated into the party decor, a lavish sweets table or a take home wedding favor. Personally, I like to use candy in fun, unexpected ways. Like in this bubblegum-inspired cocktail, the Bubblegum-tini! And, go figure, it’s pretty easy to make too! Just mix some [...]
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Celebrating Donut Day with our trio dessert of Mini Donuts + Dippers! For any kind of event with any level of formality, this sweet little dessert is approachable and nostalgic. Something that catches well-heeled guests by surprise at a formal black-tie dinner! I plate them vertically, lined up on a plate with delicious dippers, such [...]
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Baby showers are about celebrating new beginnings, so, in my opinion, like real life, these events should be lighthearted and whimsical. Keeping the theme of the event in mind, I like to indulge the mommy-to-be. More than likely, she’s craving something whether it’s Elvis French Toast or French Fries. I start by pulling out all of [...]
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Man, I love these national “food” holidays. There’s one for everything, it seems. But it works for me as I spend my days, living, breathing and dreaming about food and cool ways to style it up. So, Happy National Chocolate Chip Day! I think, in honor of this auspicious occasion, we should immediately whip up a [...]
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Happy Cinco de Mayo! Who says you have to drink your margaritas to celebrate? Why not enjoy mini or regular-sized Margarita Popsicles? You can even line the serving trays and platters with salt for those who just gotta have it… ENJOY!
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One of my signature sweet desserts going back many years now {MANY}, are my tiny sugared donuts. Believe it or not, these tasty little bites are more popular than ever! Particularly with our clients in India and China. I’ve served them in a zillion different ways – passed, as a dessert trio with different dipping [...]
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Peter Callahan Catering is definitely more than your average food service company. I know that as we do serious art projects for events on a regular, if not daily, basis. Custom-designed lucite hors d’oeuvres trays are my signature calling card, but what many people may not know is that our in-house “Workshop Boys” are real [...]
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In honor of National Grilled Cheese Day, I’m sharing my mini, bite-sized version of the American favorite. Buttery toast made in my own custom-mini loaf pans blend perfectly with gooey aged Gruyere cheese sandwiched between. Whether I add smoked turkey, crispy green apple or a slice of fresh tomato, there really is nothing more delicious [...]
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Almost a year ago, I had the pleasure of catering the 82nd birthday party for internationally-renown architect Frank Gehry. Where else could such an amazing party take place but at the top of Gehry’s then still-to-be-completed new residential building, 8 Spruce Street. Originally known as Beekman Tower and currently marketed as New York by Gehry, “8 Spruce Street” is [...]
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As a cross between a champagne cocktail and a dessert, a Prosecco Sgroppino has a frozen frothy fabulousness to it that is fantastic for Spring and Summer parties. Drizzle a little Limoncello liqueur over it at the end, and it’s even better! At PCC, we like to whisk large batches in an iced copper bowl right in [...]
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Having tons of fun with TV personality (and former Bachelorette) Ali Fedotowsky shooting mini foods for her new NBC travel show 1st Look. She loved my margaritas in mini Patron Tequila bottles! Debuting on April 14th, Ali will travel to different locations throughout the U.S. to discover the best in food, hotels and nightlife. 1st Look is produced by NBC’s lifestyle [...]
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So nice to be connected with my alma mater, The Brunswick School, for their Spring Benefit. This is a school like no other. Since 1902, Brunswick School has been, in the words of founder George Carmichael “ably and generously preparing boys for life.” I’m honored to participate in this year’s Spring Benefit, and I’ll definitely [...]
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I’m always on the hunt for new party venues with impact. For years, I’ve been meaning to visit the The Hispanic Society of America Museum and Library in Spanish Harlem. I finally made it up there as I have a wonderful corporate client who is holding a dinner there this Spring ~ such a brilliant idea! [...]
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After shrinking down my favorite foods, it was only natural that I would turn my attention to my favorite cocktails. One of my all-time favorite beverages is a margarita. When I created my shots + bites series of food and drink pairings, my clients loved all the concepts as they had never seen anything like [...]
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Working with other food creatives who challenge and inspire me to design new, playful food is tremendously rewarding. To see the same passion and dedication mirrored in their businesses as I work hard to maintain in my own, is impressive. I recently had the pleasure to work with the uber-talented Buddy Valastro of the wildly-popular television show, Cake Boss. I have to [...]
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My cookbook, Bite by Bite, is officially sold out and heading back into re-print! {again} It’s roclin’ awesome news and I couldn’t be more thrilled to know that people are enjoying seeing what I do, and are hopefully, having fun making my fun food in their own homes! THANK YOU!
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Nothing like sharing Sundays with friends and colleagues in the event industry! And there’s no one cooler than talented event designer, Matthew Robbins. Together with a whole host of awesome wedding professionals, Matthew and I are talking all about the top wedding trends at today’s The Wedding Party at the New York Palace, a delightful [...]
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Happy National Pie Day! Yes, it’s true, there’s even a day devoted just to PIE. Not that I mind, as it’s one of my absolute favorite desserts to enjoy year-round. Some feel there are four definitive seasons of pie enjoyed in the kitchen ~ Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall ~ and I don’t disagree. Taking [...]
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Chinese New Year starts on Monday, and sometimes, a Dragon Needs to Nibble! {love that title!} It’s the Year of the Dragon, the luckiest of them all, filled with the promise of great success and prosperity! Why not celebrate with some of my signature Peter Callahan Catering mini bites? As exclusively featured in The New [...]
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Happy Friday the 13th! The first of three taking place in the year 2012, each spaced 13 weeks apart. Crazy, right? Scary and/or superstitious for most, I prefer to regard Friday the 13th as a day filled with good luck rather than bad will. I might be in the minority with that view, but looking back [...]
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Rumor has it, today is none other than National Spaghetti Day! Works for me, as anything Italian is the ultimate in comfort food. Particularly in the cold dead of Winter! My mini Spaghetti and Meatball hors d’oeuvres is one of the most popular savory foods we make at Peter Callahan Catering. From its inception, it [...]
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Nothing like having a house filled with the exuberant voices of children to remind you of the joy of Christmas! Earlier today, we hosted a Make Your Own Gingerbread House Party for our daughter and some of her friends. This casual, after-school get-together was just too much fun to watch unfold! As you can see, [...]
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Cold weather is here and nothing warms up a holiday party faster than a cup of Hot Mulled Apple Cider! In fact, these little red beauties are the ideal beverage to hand to guests as soon as they arrive at your party! Particularly if they’re spiked with some delicious dark rum! Bye-bye chilly damp December; [...]
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Whether at a corporate cocktail party or an at-home dinner party, it’s not difficult to build a bar that’s both beautiful and functional. One of my favorite bar styling methods is to decant all the usual spirits (rum, whisky, scotch, bourbon, cognac) and display them in modern glass carafes or classic cut-crystal decanters. The warm, amber colors [...]
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After I’ve totally overindulged on Thanksgiving, I tend to seek out leaner ways to enjoy the piles of leftovers that remain from the decadent feast. Somehow, it all just tastes better the days after so why not enjoy them? If only in mini form with my Turkey Canapés. Known for my re-invention of American classic dishes, [...]
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Spending as much time on Nantucket as I do, it’s hard not to be a huge fan of cranberries. Interestingly enough, cranberries have been grown on Nantucket since 1857 and were an important part of the island’s economy until just prior to World War II. The cranberry, named such because its pink blossoms resemble the [...]
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I’m asked all the time what the perfect menu is for a cocktail reception. Specifically, the ratio of passed hors d’oeuvres, hot and cold, to stationary food displays, bars and cocktail presentations. (and then there’s that whole tapas, mini plate thing which is a whole other story). But what I can tell you, is that [...]
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When it comes to planning a party, I think every host knows there’s got to be something memorable that your guests walk away with, and I’m not just talking about a favor or swag bag. (although, we all know those can be extremely relevant). What I’m talking about is the need for customization. Creating [...]
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I love the contrast between city and country, both balance out well for me. I work in the city and relax at our home in the Pennsylvania countryside. Around the holidays, my wife, Josephine Sasso, makes sure to jazz up our home in festive ways. Halloween is a favorite, and with a 10 year old [...]
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Years in the making and a true labor of love, my first book is FINALLY on bookshelves! The book is called Bite by Bite: 100 Stylish Plates You Can Make for Any Party by Clarkson Potter and I couldn’t be more excited to share it with all of you! My dear friend, Darcy Miller, the Editor of [...]
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Ah, the Jewish Holidays are upon us again. Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. It’s the ideal time for us to subtly incorporate our mini challah bread hors d’oeuvres into our party menus. Yet again, we’re striving for playful interpretations of traditional, and in this case, ceremonial favorites. So rather than making full-sized challah loaves, I [...]
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Welcome to Peterspeak, where I share cool thoughts and tips on entertaining, food, catering, family and whatever else comes up on the journey or is on my mind. Warning! I’ve got lots of opinions, so fasten your seat belts!
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