“Working with you is a wonderful experience! Look forward to doing it again next year.”
- Cathy Sullivan, American Red Cross
Donor Reception – May 7, 2009
“Makes you want to have a party every day! So easy for me when someone else does the cooking.”
- Cam Brauch
MICDS Parent’s Party – April 27, 2009
“Barb, Bridget & Todd did a great job with our reception, and made us comfortable through every step”
- Charles Raiser
Wedding Reception at the Piper Palm House – May 3, 2009
“The service and presentation were wonderful. We have great pictures!”
- Cathy Shelton
Wedding Reception at the Piper Palm House – May 16, 2009
“As always it was great working with Barb and her staff. Everyone is very professional, friendly & helpful. And the food was delicious!”
- Lisa Liebschutz, Jewish Community Center
Millstone Society Appreciation Dinner - May 26, 2009
“Exceeded our espectations. Everything was perfect!! The food, the staff & the atmosphere. We could not have been more pleased.”
- Janice Peurrung
Wedding Reception at the Piper Palm House – May 23, 2009
“You have done your usual fantastic job! We love having you do our events becasue we never have to worry about anything!”
- Goldfarb School of Nursing
Corporate Meeting – May 28, 2009
“From start to finish the event was great; from the coordination, the food and all parties involved. Thank you for making our event so tasty, fun and enjoyable!”
- Joanne Tschudy
Spanish Hawaiian-Dinner Party – February 7, 2009
“It’s graduation season and many people are hosting parties for graduates. Greg Ziegenfuss is the executive chef at Butler’s Pantry, and has some great ideas for you.”
The steps to follow are not unlike the steps a professional follows;
Select a date and make a guest list.
If planning on an out side party make sure you have a rain plan.
If the party will be for an extended period of time be sure to keep food on the buffets at safe temperatures, either hot or cold as necessary.
Decide on a menu, be sure it appeals to all age groups invited
Write a shopping list, be sure to include all beverages, mixers ice etc. Be sure there are sufficient non alcoholic choices to appeal to all age groups. Break the shopping list down into what can be bought in advance and what is better closer to the party.
When planning on what to make ahead keep in mind the amount of refrigeration you have. Don’t hesitate to ask the neighbors to store things in their refrigerator or freezer, just be sure they get an invitation.
Write a prep list, deciding what to do when, and keep to the schedule. Leave as little to do on the day of the party as possible. Be sure to enlist friends and family members who do offer to help.
Consider hiring a college student to help with the food and/or tend bar.
Do not be overly ambitious - keep in mind your limitations be they space, time or culinary ability.
When all else fails do not hesitate to call a professional caterer.
Most importantly enjoy the time with your friends and family!
RECIPES:
Grilled Chicken with Bourbon BBQ Sauce Serves: 8
1 tablespoon kosher salt
¾ cup Hungarian sweet paprika
3 tablespoons dark brown sugar, packed
1 teaspoon white pepper, ground
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
2 each 3½ pound fresh bone-in chickens, cut into quarters (save back bones and gizzards for stock)
45 charcoal briquettes
2 cups hickory wood chips, soaked in water one hour and drained
1 charcoal chimney
Bourbon BBQ sauce (see recipe below)
Arrange chicken in single layer on a large baking sheet. Combine first five ingredients in a bowl. Rub generously on chicken. Allow chicken to stand for one hour.
Meanwhile, prepare the BBQ fire using the charcoal chimney and newspaper to light. When coals are white, approximately 30 minutes, spill coals into half the BBQ pit and scatter with the hickory wood chips. Place the chicken skin side down, on the grill rack away from direct heat. Cover the BBQ pit and cook chicken until cooked through turning every ten minues and mopping with the Bourbon BBQ sauce, approximately 40 to 45 minutes. Serve hot or warm with additional BBQ sauce on the side.
Bourbon BBQ Sauce Serves: 8
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 teaspoons minced ginger root
2 teaspoons minced garlic
2 cups bourbon
2 cups ketchup
Zest of 2 lemons
Zest of 2 oranges
Juice of 2 lemons
2/3 cup Worcestershire sauce
2/3 cup Low sodium soy sauce
4 tablespoons honey
2 teaspoons Liquid Barbeque Smoke
2 tablespoons Tabasco sauce
In a heavy medium-sized saucepan, heat the oil over medium-high setting and sauté the ginger and garlic to aroma. Add the bourbon; allow to flame and reduce by half. Add the remaining ingredients. Bring to boil stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until reduced to 1½ cups, about 20 minutes. Adjust seasoning with salt and white pepper to taste.
Allow to cool. Cover and refrigerate for up to two weeks.
Yield: 3 cups
Serving Ideas: A perfect sauce for grilled chicken, ribs, pork steaks, etc.
“The sign of good catering? If when the party is over, all anyone can talk about is the food! That must be the case with Butler’s Pantry, since our readers gave the delicious and efficient caterer two thumbs up. Whether they’re pulling out the stops for a 500-guest fund-raiser or a family party of 10, each job gets the same attention to detail & deliciousness!” Runners Up:
2. LaChef Catering
3. Bryan Young Catering Plus
4. Russo’s Gourmet Catering
5. Catering St. Louis
Our team was also acknowledged for having great service. We came in 4th place in the category of Friendliest Waitstaff.
Join us every Thursday in July and celebrate the bounty of the Farmers Market in Tower Grove Park.
You can dine on the plaza at the Piper Palm House & enjoy seasonally inspired dishes created by the chefs of Butler’s Pantry while you savor the fruits of Missouri with wine produced by local vineyards.
The dinner buffet will include served dessert and a choice of coffee or tea for $28.00 per person.
On May 2nd, the Butler’s Pantry team was proud to be a part of the hugely successful COCAcabana MADness event. St. Louis native, John Hamm, star of AMC’s Mad Men, was on site to act as Honorary Chair.
More than 500 guests, dressed in their best 60′s attire, were greeted with festive Mai Tais as they walked the red carpet. They dined on food stations that were representative the Mad Men era; including a nod to fondue, Julia Child and Trader Vic’s.
“Working with you is a wonderful experience! Look forward to doing it again next year.”
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