Happy New Year! New Times to "Cheat A Little"

January 2021

"Cheat A Little" New Year 2021

Dear Friend,

Out with the old, in with the new.

Leaving 2020 behind …

Indeed, it was an unprecedented year of upheaval, including a global pandemic, bitterly partisan politics, a painful national conversation about race and equity, and a series of regional disasters.

The start of a new year has always brought about new inspiration, renewed commitments, and new goals and aspirations for our lives.

This new year, more than any other in recent times, we all need to look beyond current situations and move forward with new hope and determination for ourselves, our families, and co-workers.

I want to thank each of you for your business, but more importantly, for your support and friendship over these past many years. I wish for you the utmost in health and true happiness in 2021.

We’ve enjoyed being of service to you over the years and look forward to seeing you in person and catering for you throughout this new year.

Sincerely,

Brian Morriss

EVENT PROFESSIONALS SPEAK OUT

As you may know, we at Cheat A Little Catering do our best to stay on the cutting edge of the latest trends, and up-to-date on what’s happening in the culinary, catering and events industry. We’ve been reading articles, attending webinars and perusing the Internet and want to share some of the insight we’ve gained as to what and how events will impact 2021.

For corporate events; “Quality, not quantity, in headcounts.” Face-to-face events will be more important than ever after a full year of isolation, hindered creative conversation, lack of team bonding, and a void of strategic energy. As a trickle-down effect, the guest list will be extremely curated at first, allowing for key individuals who attended to take what they learned at the event and bring it back to their teams in smaller, more intimate settings.

For private and social occasions, “safety is paramount.” Buffet-style displays and bulk serving will need to be minimal, yet re-imagined. Making guests feel that their food is being prepared and served in a safe manner will be integral. Once a significant amount of the population has received the vaccine, and county mandates for restricted gatherings are lifted, comfort and confidence will return. However, people may not want to be elbow-to-elbow at events like they used to; meaning they will either need to opt for a larger event space or a smaller number of guests.

The return of live, in-person events. Once we can gather safely, how we will return will depend on guests’ confidence levels, and how we as professionals create safe, well-run spaces that people can finally, once again, relax and enjoy. We see smaller gatherings accompanied by virtual campaigns and experiences for 2021, and a return to larger-scale in 2022.

Those of us in the catering and event management business, will remain flexible, and work with venues to accommodate the additional precautions required. This includes utilizing higher ceilings, much wider and open indoor spaces, and outdoor, open-air gathering places will be the preferred way to go for many clients in 2021.

CATERING PREDICTIONS

A lot of the shifts that were made due to COVID are predicted to remain for the near future:

▪ Outdoor weddings have always been a popular option, particularly for the ceremony, but we will see a rise in tented receptions

▪ Individualized cocktail hour appetizers, drinks and desserts: mini jars of dips, individual charcutier plates, canned cocktails, and single-serve mini cakes

▪ Micro-Weddings: this trend which boosted to follow COVID guidelines has allowed for more focus, and budget, to go to the individual guest experience

▪ Out-of-the-box-entertainment: eliminating packed dance floors, guests are delighted with other forms of performance entertainment, such as fire dancers, magicians, and drag queens

▪ Upgraded lounge areas: offering proper physical distancing, styled lounge areas will become even more popular, having more than one area dedicated to safe seating

▪ Virtual guest “Care Packages” with Zoom: Even with a smaller guest list, you can still involve loved ones from afar; send a care package to virtual guests that include savory bites and sweet treats, and petite bottles of champagne

Reach out to us for all your event catering needs … Event Request Form

FLAVOR-FORWARD FORECAST

“Beck Flavors,” leaders in flavor innovation and cutting-edge technology based in Missouri, has announced four flavors that they believe will play a big role in the food and beverage industry in 2021.

And, they are:

▪ Yuzu: a tart flavor that tastes like the combination of a grapefruit and a mandarin orange

▪ Cherry Blossom: with a light sweetness that represents springtime and renewal, this flavor can be used in anything from tea to desserts; and can also be paired with gin in an aromatic cocktail

▪ Dill Pickle: can be used in a wide range of applications, including cocktails, beer, chocolate, coffee, candy, ice cream, chips and popcorn

▪ Honeycomb Toffee: both of these flavors are popular by themselves, but the combination is where the innovation happens

As inspiration for your next event, take a look at our menus: Menu Options

DAIRY NEW YEAR RESOLUTION

Every new year brings new resolutions … “eat better,” “exercise more,” or “lose weight.” These good intentions often lead people to restricting their diets or to make incorrect assumptions about what they should and shouldn’t eat.

At Cheat A Little, we serve a wide range of consumers, including vegetarians and carnivores alike; most of whom enjoy healthy amounts of cheese and other dairy products. As such, we offer many cheese-forward menus. The good news is that there are many benefits of cheese that play into dietary and lifestyle needs of today’s consumers. A “less but better” philosophy is trending … scaling back on, but not eliminating, meat and dairy consumption.

The International Food Information Council Foundation reports that one in four consumers actively seek health benefits from food, such as weight loss, energy, digestive health and heart health. Here are four cheeses with special benefits we are incorporating into our 2021 menus:

MOZZARELLA

In addition to being lower in calories and sodium, mozzarella contains active probiotics, which reduce inflammation, boost immunity, and contain high amounts of Vitamin B12, phosphorus and calcium. Fresh Mozzarella is featured in our delicious Caprese Skewers with Fresh Basil and Balsamic Reduction.

BLUE CHEESE

With its distinctive, veined appearance and sharp, complex taste, you can’t miss blue cheese on a plate or in a dish. It contains more calcium than most other cheeses, which is an essential mineral for healthy bones and teeth. Our Blue Cheese Bruschetta with Caramelized Onions & Roasted Asparagus Tips is becoming one of our popular appetizers.

FETA

Feta is lower in calories and delivers major flavor with its briny edge. It contains high levels of calcium and B vitamins, but usually has a higher salt content, so no need to add salt when using this versatile cheese in salads, omelettes and dips. We’re adding Feta cheese to our Mixed Greens Fresh Fruit Salad with Dijon-Sherry Vinaigrette.

GOAT CHEESE

Also low in calories, with the added benefit of containing more than five grams of protein per ounce, Goat cheese helps you stay fuller, longer. Rich in healthy fats and essential minerals like calcium, magnesium and potassium, and also free of lactose found in cow’s milk, which is great for lactose-sensitive consumers. We are using goat cheese as a main component for spreads on sandwiches and crostini’s, as well as added to baked veggies and meat entrées.

Here is a photo of our Cheese Board, presented for a recent intimate in-home wedding reception.

You can find additional platters and stationary appetizers here: Stationary Platters Menu

RECENT

EVENT HIGHLIGHTS

Sharing a few of the highlights from some of our recent catered events, including holiday parties, a wedding, a few birthday parties, and celebration of life. Thank you to all who chose Cheat A Little to be part of your special occasions. We appreciate your trust and friendship.

Plated Roasted Beet Salad

Dill Vinaigrette

Wedding-Plated Dinner-Cheat A Little Catering

Plated Dinner Table Scape

Wedding Reception

Family-Style Table Scape

Holiday Party

Plated Soup

Lobster Bisque with Cheese Crisp

Mediterranean Chicken

Skewers

Petite Dessert Plates

Family-Style

PANTONE

COLOR(S) OF THE YEAR

2021

For over 20 years, Pantone’s Color of the Year has influenced product development and purchasing decisions in multiple industries, including fashion, home furnishings, and industrial design, as well as product packaging and graphic design.

This is also important for us in the catering and events industry, as this color has a major effect on the look and feel of an event, in the choices made in rentals of china, flatware and table linens, table and room décor, and bridal party dresses and accessories.

PANTONE 17-5104 Ultimate Gray + PANTONE 13-0647 Illuminating, two independent colors that highlight how different elements come together to support one another, best express the mood for Pantone Color of the Year 2021. Practical and rock solid but at the same time warming and optimistic, the union of Ultimate Gray + Illuminating is one of strength and positivity. It is a story of color that encapsulates deeper feelings of thoughtfulness with the promise of something sunny and friendly.

A message of happiness supported by fortitude, the combination of Ultimate Gray + Illuminating is aspirational and gives us hope. We need to feel that everything is going to get brighter – this is essential to the human spirit.

As people look for ways to fortify themselves with energy, clarity, and hope to overcome the continuing uncertainty, spirited and emboldening shades satisfy our quest for vitality. Illuminating is a bright and cheerful yellow sparkling with vivacity, a warming yellow shade imbued with solar power. Ultimate Gray is emblematic of solid and dependable elements which are everlasting and provide a firm foundation. The colors of pebbles on the beach and natural elements whose weathered appearance highlights an ability to stand the test of time, Ultimate Gray quietly assures, encouraging feelings of composure, steadiness and resilience.

--Leatrice Eiseman, Executive Director, Pantone Color Institute

DROP-OFF MENUS

DELIVERY & SETUP SERVICES

IN-HOME & IN-OFFICE

BOXED BREAKFAST, LUNCH & DINNER

HYBRID & FULL SERVICE

MICRO WEDDINGS

MICRO EVENTS

Visit our website for more information:

www.cheatalittle.com

COVID-19 - CORONAVIRUS

PROTOCOL

Cheat A Little Catering maintains strict adherence to all food safety regulations for cleanliness and food preparation, as mandated by the San Mateo County Health Department. Our "Social Distancing" Protocol includes: employees are prohibited from working if they are experiencing any illness; those working maintain six-foot distance and ensure no physical contact, and work alone on different shifts whenever possible; facility is cleaned and sanitized at the beginning of work times, in between stages of food preparation, and at the end of work times; high-contact surfaces are disinfected frequently; non-employees are not permitted at our place of business; we require contactless payment system.