652374 Mon Sep 14 17:08:15 -0700 2009 12 28 Kosher 0 5029851 Hi, Has anyone ever been to an event catered by Signature Caterers by Roz (Roz and Alan Zachter)? What was your impression? I'm thinking about possibly using this catering company for a wedding. Thank you! Mon Sep 14 17:08:15 -0700 2009 187133 RainLaurel 1 5030780 What are of the US is this? Tue Sep 15 05:27:48 -0700 2009 5029851 193375 vallevin 2 5031213 Based on the fact that RainLaurel asked this question on every possible New York-related food or wedding board, apparently it's in New York, although I've never heard of them. The only Google hits are all of RainLaurel's queries and one company legal registration, so that's not helpful. Tue Sep 15 08:31:31 -0700 2009 5030780 39900 GilaB 1 5031403 They are based in Staten Island. They are exclusive the the Young Israel of Staten Island, and they do stuff at outside halls too. I know the owners, and they are nice people. The food is no frills, but they and their staff will work hard to please you. Tue Sep 15 09:23:27 -0700 2009 5029851 20420 azcohen 2 5041986 Thank you for the information! What do you mean when you say that the food is no frills? Is it average in taste or preparation? Sat Sep 19 09:04:21 -0700 2009 5031403 187133 RainLaurel 3 5046334 I mean that if you are looking for fancy, this is not it. Think of it as Blue Collar Catering instead of White Collar. You will get something decent, but people will not walk out saying WOW, THAT FOOD WAS AMAZING. Mon Sep 21 11:07:38 -0700 2009 5041986 20420 azcohen 4 5054127 Thanks for your honest opinion on the catering! Right now, we are trying to decide between using Roz at the Vanderbilt or going to Crystal Plaza. Do you have any thoughts on Crystal Plaza? Wed Sep 23 21:00:24 -0700 2009 5046334 187133 RainLaurel 5 5057884 I was at a wedding there by Roz, and it was nice, but again, I was there for the friends getting married, not for Roz's food. Best way to see if you like her food, is to ask for samples. I did that when I got married at Crest Hallow CC....OK, I just wanted the free food. Fri Sep 25 09:42:07 -0700 2009 5054127 20420 azcohen 6 5062506 When weddings cost so much, you would think that the food would be amazing! I think that we're probably going to go with Crystal Plaza because I've only ever heard one not so wonderful review about the food there. Sun Sep 27 16:07:40 -0700 2009 5057884 187133 RainLaurel 6 5150675 We have attended various events catered by Signature Caterers and have always found the food to be fresh, tasty and presented nicely. Which wedding did you attend at the Vanderbilt? We wonder if it's the same one we were at. Mon Nov 02 17:22:57 -0800 2009 5057884 1121240 hasiny 1 5150696 I recently attended a Bat Mitzvah in New Jersey, catered by them and they offered standard fare, decently presented, but as someone here said, no frills. Then again, I am a caterer and I'm tough to please. (Said more as a disclaimer, than a criticism.) Mon Nov 02 17:31:12 -0800 2009 5029851 1120693 koshermasterchef 2 5152708 Hello koshermasterchef & azcohen Like I mentioned in a previous posting, I've attended a wedding at the Vanderbilt as well as 2 other functions catered by Signature Caterers and have only good reviews. Food very good and fresh and presented nicely. What made the functions you attended a no frills job? By the way where do you cater? Tue Nov 03 12:29:43 -0800 2009 5150696 1121240 hasiny 3 5153560 Hasiny, I'm in New Jersey. I cater sit-down affairs with passed appetizers. Buffets have their limitations and I abhor the limitations that they present, like quality control, hygiene issues, waste, to mention a few. I attended an "after services" kiddush buffet. I can't think of a single thing that was on the table that I have not seen at every other kiddush. It surprised me that whole filets of whitefish were served, instead of them being cut. Not a piece of parsley in sight. One of my biggest gripes are when sliced onions and tomatoes for the bagels are cut very thick. Most people (but most especially women) don't like to eat bagels with a huge piece of onion or a very thick slice of tomato. Bagels were piled high in baskets. Again, nothing particularly wrong, just that, to me, there's nothing special about dumping three dozen bagels into a basket and putting it onto the buffet table. The dessert table was overloaded and overcrowded. Sometimes, less is more. Putting fewer amounts out and replenishing frequently is more elegant and will be especially important at a wedding, but I think is appropriate for a Bat Mitzvah too. The egg salad and tuna salad had been run through a food processor till it was so fine that they were virtually indistinguisable from one another. Food processors have a valuable function in kitchens, but I would NEVER use one to make egg salad or tuna salad, or most salads, for that matter. I told someone that I would be very surprised if the cucumber salad was eaten as the combination of vegetables in it (peppers, among other things) seemed unusual and indeed very little of it was consumed and much of what was taken was left on guest plates. They made little finger sandwiches, which were a nice touch and everyone seemed to like those. The pepper wraps were also not popular at this event. I suspect the french toast was fried in oil. I didn't taste it as it looked unappetizing. If they had sprinkled it with a little confectioner's sugar, it would have looked more appealing. Again, everything they served was "standard" fare, but nothing they served was extraordinary and I really like when events have a touch of the extraordinary. I have grown increasingly impatient having less spectacular, simply because it has to be kosher. I was classically trained in French cuisine and there is an "art." A cook is not a chef. Lots of people cook really, really well. A chef can take things to a higher level and I think, has an obligation to do so. It's what makes the profession a profession. We are hired to do what others cannot do themselves. I always feel that when a person pays for someone to prepare what they themselves could have prepared, then they certainly will be satisfied, but they'll not likely be overjoyed. I strive for "overjoyed," because I was trained to. That, however, is simply my pet peeve and no reflection on the caterers who spend tireless hours catering events. I just think many could do just a little better than they do, yet they don't. I tend to be verbose about this. Sorry for the length of the response, but I think it only fair that you understand what my definition of "no frills" is. Tue Nov 03 16:52:34 -0800 2009 5152708 1120693 koshermasterchef