273059 Tue Jan 27 16:16:17 -0800 2004 19 28 Kosher 0 1436786 Hi, I'm wondering if anyone can help me with this dillema: We are getting married in August and around 30 of the 125 guests at our wedding keep kosher. The wedding is going to be catered as passed hors dourves, followed by a buffet dinner and buffet desert. I'd like to hire a kosher caterer to provide kosher variants of all three courses for my guests, but several problems come up and I'm hoping people here can suggest some solutions: 1) There's only one kitchen and the kosher caterer can't really work side by side with the non-kosher caterer so how would they heat up the food? Is there some portable food heating option that isn't awful? 2) The kosher caterer won't want to use their china at an event where there's non kosher food. We can solve this by buying new china and silverware for the kosher guests and using that. How should I present that to the kosher caterer in such a way that it would be acceptable to their supervision? Are there other obstacles that I'm not thinking of? Am I going to be able to convince any kosher caterer to do a job like this? Is this going to be possible without the kosher food ending up being worse than the non kosher food? Thanks, -Nissim Tue Jan 27 16:16:17 -0800 2004 0 Nissim 1 1436787 Whenever you're dealing with kosher-observant guests you really must "cater to" the highest level of kashrut. Your best solution, one that will make you happy and work "Shalom Bayit-wise" is to make the entire affair kosher and no, you will not be lowering your standards if you hire the right people. I'm sure that many chowhounders can suggest caterers...if I had my pick I'd have Foremost or Seudah cater my affair with a wedding cake by Ron Ben Israel, I'd be sure to have a wedding that was a knockout! A friend just had an all-kosher wedding at Capitale -- there's a new twist on tradition! Nissim -- you know what to do, do the right thing! Tue Jan 27 16:40:10 -0800 2004 1436786 0 amy t. 2 1436788 Foremost would be my first choice also. Although I would pass on Seuda for a wedding. Many companys, law firms etc. have to provide kosher meals for a select employees at company functions. I'm pretty sure that they bring in Levana's. Levana's is familiar with catering fancy meals for few people in a mixed setting. Try giving them a call. Tue Jan 27 16:57:32 -0800 2004 1436787 0 LittleWave 1 1436789 Why would you not go all-kosher? If it is for the cost, I think it would be cheaper to do all-kosher vs. hiring two separate caterers. You can probably rent kosher plates and such. Also, if you have 2 separate caterers, they are bound to do things differently and the food will look and taste different. Finally, I doubt that you are going to find a high quality and legitimate kosher caterer (one with high kashrut standards) who would cater where kosher food was at the same event as non-kosher food. GOOD LUCK! Tue Jan 27 17:13:33 -0800 2004 1436786 0 texasmensch 1 1436791 I'm confused too. There are VERY good Kosher caterers! Is where you live a problem? Personally I don't keep kosher but if I were observant I would be bothered by having two chefs in the kitchen so to speak. Wed Jan 28 01:46:46 -0800 2004 1436786 0 sylvester 2 1436804 Hi all, This is Nissim's fiancee piping up. The main reason that we aren't having a kosher caterer is that the place where we're having it requires you to use their caterer. We wanted to have an outdoor wedding so that it would be religiously neutral (ours will be a mixed marriage). In the area where we looked (upstate in the Catskills) we found that the only places that don't require you to use them as a caterer were small inns that rent out a field and you put up a big tent. That set-up seemed great at first, since it's very do-it-yourself and you can bring whatever caterer you want. But, it would be really difficult for our elderly guests to get around, and most places require you to rent port-a-johns to use as the bathrooms, which we just thought was gross for a wedding. At the place we ended up booking, the guy said we could bring in a kosher caterer to do some of the meals if we wanted (many places wouldn't even allow that). We're now finding, though, that it's harder than we thought to find someone willing to do this. Any suggestions for small, independent caterers open to what would amount to a 30-person party w/in a party would be very, very much appreciated! Thanks, the Pie Queen Wed Jan 28 17:24:56 -0800 2004 1436791 0 The Pie Queen 3 1436806 Ah, halls that require you to use their catering. At our wedding I believe we paid a per-person charge to NOT use their caterer, then we brought in our kosher caterer. Expensive, but happy with both the food and the location. -=$>Dave<$=- Wed Jan 28 19:07:47 -0800 2004 1436804 0 JugglerDave 4 1436811 (JugglerDave's wife here) No we didn't. We paid a fee to use the kitchen, silverware, and waiters, but there was no penalty. The place did require that their chef approve the caterer, because they said guests may not know it was catered by someone else. One suggestion if the catering thing doesn't work out: look at the thread on this board about good kosher frozen meals that are appropriately wrapped for heating in non-kosher ovens. Link: http://www.chowhound.com/topics/show/273049#1436731 Thu Jan 29 09:12:06 -0800 2004 1436806 0 Bride of the Juggler 3 1436812 While they are not in NYC, We use AGBY Caterers in Philadelphia (Glatt) for catering part of our large department lunches. They send prepared and wrapped trays, which we set out next to the cafeteria-provided deli platters. Those who keep kosher stick to the pre-wrapped trays (which they unwrap) and use the plasticware. In addition to the deli platters or tuna hoagies that AGBY provides for the lunch, I have used them for brunch at my home, where we ordered the poached salmon platter and the grilled veggies. Perhaps you can look for a take-out kosher caterer who will send similar cold platters and salads prepared and wrapped, and the place that is hosting your wedding can just place these platters on a separate serving table, with glass dishes and high-quality plastic serving utensils and flatware. Be sure to instruct them NOT to unwrap the platters -- the guests should do that themselves to be sure that they have not been tainted by the non-kosher kitchen. Thu Jan 29 09:39:41 -0800 2004 1436804 0 Susan H 4 1444116 Do you have the phone number and a contact person at Agby Kosher Caterers? Thu Dec 22 10:13:21 -0800 2005 1436812 0 Jim Weber 2 1436805 Hi all, This is Nissim's fiancee piping up. The main reason that we aren't having a kosher caterer is that the place where we're having it requires you to use their caterer. We wanted to have an outdoor wedding so that it would be religiously neutral (ours will be a mixed marriage). In the area where we looked (upstate in the Catskills) we found that the only places that don't require you to use them as a caterer were small inns that rent out a field and you put up a big tent. That set-up seemed great at first, since it's very do-it-yourself and you can bring whatever caterer you want. But, it would be really difficult for our elderly guests to get around, and most places require you to rent port-a-johns to use as the bathrooms, which we just thought was gross for a wedding. At the place we ended up booking, the guy said we could bring in a kosher caterer to do some of the meals if we wanted (many places wouldn't even allow that). We're now finding, though, that it's harder than we thought to find someone willing to do this. Any suggestions for small, independent caterers open to what would amount to a 30-person party w/in a party would be very, very much appreciated! Thanks, the Pie Queen Wed Jan 28 17:29:20 -0800 2004 1436791 0 The Pie Queen 3 1436807 Pie Queen, call Levana's, they make great food and beautiful presentation. Give it a shot. Wed Jan 28 19:07:57 -0800 2004 1436805 0 LittleWave 3 1436808 I have no idea if they're still around, but I used Simply Divine (owner is Judy Marlow) for my wedding. They were wonderful and really showed a contemporary creative flair that I didn't find with some of the kosher caterers I interviewed. Also, they were quite artistic with presentation. My guests, most of whom don't keep kosher, were totally wowed. She might be someone who would adapt to your situation. As I said, I haven't heard anything about them for a while and don't know if they're still around. If they are, I recommend them highly. Clarissa Wed Jan 28 19:28:21 -0800 2004 1436805 0 Clarissa 4 1436813 Thanks, Clarissa, for the lead! We'll look into it. And thanks all, for your advice. On the frozen meals thing: my future mother in law has said that would be unacceptable. So that's out. I understand where she's coming from...if I were the mother of the groom, I'd be pretty upset if I had to eat a frozen reheated meal on a tray while everyone else dined from a nice buffet. Thu Jan 29 09:42:15 -0800 2004 1436808 0 The Pie Queen 4 1438858 Simply Divine did my wedding a couple of months ago and I can't say enough great things about them. First of all their food was exceptional. It was like nothing I ever tasted that was kosher. Their staff was warm and attentive. Judy Marlow and her staff helped us design the whole event. They were very creative, have great taste and were a very different experience than the one my sister had a few years ago with her kosher caterer. Happy Bride Thu Aug 26 16:54:33 -0700 2004 1436808 0 Sally 1 1436793 I've arranged separate kosher catering for some events in school, and in my experience the biggest problem was always that when faced with a side-by-side choice, almost everyone, whether they kept kosher or not, wanted to have the kosher food, causing a shortage of kosher food. I'd have to agree with everyone else that for a buffet-style dinner, you're best off going all-kosher. Wed Jan 28 10:16:34 -0800 2004 1436786 0 Beerhound 1 1436800 First of all, I think it's lovely that you want to go through all of this effort to make sure all of your guests are comfortable and taken care of. As far as using both kosher and unkosher caterers in the kitchen, I'm guessing that it probably depends on the caterer as well as the kitchen itself. Most of the kosher caterers that work at off-site events (as opposed to synagogue caterers or locations where they have exclusive kitchen rights) probably bring the food already mostly prepared, and must heat it up, instead of whipping it up on the spot. If there is adequate space to do so, maybe a part of the kitchen (including adequate oven space) could be kashered and used by them. There are a lot of caterers out there, both kosher and unkosher. I don't know for sure, but I'm guessing that there will be a kosher caterer who would work with these restrictions. Maybe a smaller outfit, since they may be more flexible than a huge, established caterer that is less open to challenges. All caterers work in all sorts of spaces and conditions, from doing office parties to corporate events to private home parties to big affairs, so they must be somewhat used to dealing with all sorts of kitchens and equipment. In this case they only have to provide food for 30 guests, so it won't take a tremendous amount of equipment, particularly if much of the food is actually prepared off-site. I've worked on lots of catered jobs and one would be amazed at the kinds of conditions good caterers will work with. Personally, I can't guarantee that many will be flexible, but I wouldn't be surprised if you find someone who will. Since you're doing it buffet style, it might be easy to label the kosher tables, with a tasteful sign (pretty caligraphy) that indicates kosher food. I'm guessing that unkosher guests will gravitate more to the unkosher food, but I could be wrong. It doesn't matter, if the kosher caterer is willing to have extra things on hand, which might not be so difficult if you're willing to pay for extra. For what it's worth, I love buffet events. I would so much rather graze and get to try lots of different things than sit down and get a big plate of whatever. Sometimes I wish all food was in little portions, so I could taste lots of delicious goodies. I'm assuming that you don't keep kosher, so I imagine that your guests will be really appreciative of the special efforts (from special food to purchasing china and silverware) you're open to making, to make them comfortable. As I said, I'm not expert on what caterers will and won't agree to, but I hope you find someone who appreciates the opportunity to work with you. And congratulations on your engagement! Clarissa Wed Jan 28 13:39:42 -0800 2004 1436786 0 Clarissa 1 1436810 Nissim: I've been involved with many well meaning attempts to accomodate a mixed group and never seem it work to everyones satisfaction. There are Kosher Caterers whom are more capable and competent to put together a excellent "Wedding Dinner", that would be in the upper 10% of any Catered affair. They generally charge more not only because of the food, but mostly because they do a much better job, especially in the pre-dinner services and timing of your meal. Any jewish wedding is different then a traditional non jewish affair. If you must go non-kosher then provide Glassware service dishes, and a brand new silver service as well as servers wearing gloves serve Fish and acceptable other items and provide a professional to make sure that Kasheruth is observed who is introduced to your Kosher eating guests to reassure them that he is in charge of everything they are being served. But as i've reinterated I have never seen anyone who wasn't impressed by a Kosher Catered Wedding done properly. Especially the non jews who will comment about the service for years. Everyone will enjoy as at weddings the magic word is TRADITION. Ask the former member of the band, our esteemed leader, "Jim Leff", what his opinion is about this topic since h's been there done that more often the most. [I hope] Irwin Thu Jan 29 02:19:06 -0800 2004 1436786 0 Irwin Koval 1 1439593 There are all types of heating, warming, and cooking cabinets that a caterer can use. They just have to be plugged in and some work off of sterno. There are even dishes that keep the food warm over long periods of time. Alto Sham is a maker of these cabinets Thu Nov 11 18:11:10 -0800 2004 1436786 0 Harvey 1 1439594 There are all types of heating, warming, and cooking cabinets that a caterer can use. They just have to be plugged in and some work off of sterno. There are even dishes that keep the food warm over long periods of time. Alto Sham is a maker of these cabinets Thu Nov 11 18:12:15 -0800 2004 1436786 0 Harvey