Printing Co. Info

[shroomgirl]

One of the least favorite parts of my business is coming up with copy.....I'm catering an ISES (International Event Planners) lunch next week and need propaganda about my catering company.....so what to emphasize. I have NO set menus. Give me your budget, tell me your guest profile and where you want to have it and I'll design a menu specific to your party...no problem. But to come up with "standardized menus" is a total drag...I can't wrap my mind around the box. Even looking at other similar caterer's websites I'm still flopping around like a fish out of water, like a shroom out of the woods.....like a democrate in rural Missouri.....AARRRRRGGGGG. I've taken to writing out past menus, or dishes that have been popular. My fear is losing that ability to jam which is what thrills me about cooking....take away the creativity and it's dead to me.

next week I need to drop off menus and info to various venues that have requested copies for people that call about events. Now it's worse.....designing two separate things....one for event planners and another for generic callins.....

How do you guys deal with this? Especially those of you who work with seasonal local ingredients and do many various types of events.

[Steve A]

Shroom,

Actually it's much easier than you think. Tell them about yourself, your influences and how you got from point A to Z.

In the flier I use for my personal chef/catering biz, I tell them about my travels and how it has influenced my food. I gloss over my years living in Europe. I mention that I mentor/instruct high school students on various aspects of cuisines of the world and the culinary crossovers into American cuisine.

Or... if you have problems writing about yourself, have a friend who knows you fairly well, write something up. You can edit as needed.

I know that didn't really answer your question about the menu part, but it gives them something to work with and directs them to your abilities.

Ciao,

[diane]

I feel for you shroom, that is my modus operandi too, Except the place is always here. That, at least is a consistant factor. I don't know others agree but while one can churn out a few menus, I much prefer to sit with someone and discuss matters, it's amazing what they say to direct you on the path they really do want.

Steves ideas are good ones. Put the accent on the exclusivity of a tailored menu, and if you get 'what ifs', just spin some lovelys for them off the top of your head. The corporate things are easy, but weddings, birthdays, anniversaries are rather more personal. Someone may wish to repeat their wedding banquet from 50 years ago.

[panini]

Shroom,
The time will come for us all. Maybe you're just done creating.
Ya know, sometimes when you're bored and you get on the internet and just cruise. Then a couple of hours later (like the commercial) I'm done!! done with the internet. I'm finished!
Maybe you are just Done with being creative. It's really nothing to be sad or embarassed about. Just plain ole wore out. End of the road. Finished the last lap. The last spoon of brulee.
Don't fight it. just go with it and copy something you find. Don't waste your time anymore.

[panini]

NOT!!!
pan

[shroomgirl]

Thanks you guys. I got a friend to clean up the script and came up with some menus that are old favorites but it was as I was dragging my heels kicking and screaming that it was unfair...."I JUST DON"T WANNA DO IT"
but in the end it got done and is ok...I even made up names for Entree salads I've not developed yet as a brazen step toward keeping creativity alive.

Classic Nicoise, Greek, Asian, Lyonnaise, Italian, Provence, Mid-West, Southwest, Californian and Pacific Northwest.

Just makes life alittle more fun...those radical kiddies have nothing on me.

I'm athinkin' Nicoise is tuna, boiled egg, french dijon potato salad, green beans, olives and greens with a shallot tarragon dressing
Greek is lamb or chicken marinated in lemon/garlic/olive oil with cukes, olives, peppers, feta on greens with lemon oregano dressing
Asian is chicken, fish or shrimp with rice stick noodles, sugar snaps, napa, carrots, peppers maybe, scallions, with a spicy hoisin dressing crispy wontons for crunch
Lyonnaise....dandilion, or spring mix with haricot verte, bacon, shallots, tarragon and 2 poached farm eggs ( a personal fav)
Italian...romain or spring, chicken or beef...peppers, olives, zucchini, red onions, tomatoes (maybe sun-dried), pesto croutons, ...still a work in progress
Provence...herbs d' Provence with chicken, fish or pork....lettuces, nicoise olives, lettuces, tomatoes, possibly zuke,eggplant, chevre, onions
Midwest...hmmm....asparagus, roasted pecans, scallions, greens, applecider viniager dressing, pork or chicken, chevre (maybe)
Southwest...blackbeans, corn, tomatoes, onions, chicken or beef, tortillas, spicy creamy salsa dressing, greens, chilis then some tortilla crunch
Californian....grilled or roasted chop....greens, thick cut red onions, artichokes, peppers, avacado, mandrian oranges, ....still working on....
Pacific Northwest...salmon with maple glaze, greens, shrooms, scallions, maybe some hazelnuts...again a work in progress.
oh boy this is fun.

[panini]

I will gladly pay you Tuesday for any of those salads today!!!!!!!
Maybe just a little yogurt on my Greek.
SEE!many factors weigh in on creativity blocks.
For me, it's clutter. To fast and furious for my mind to process correctly, really, clinical diagnos. another reason I can't type what I'm thinking.
I really do like your salads. appetizing, and after a pretty big Tuscan meal.
Well, GTG, heard the freezer door creak open which means a few limoncinos before cards

[shroomgirl]

Funny the priest I've PC'd for the past 5 years laughed when the new office manager asked for recipes to dishes I'd made for lunch.......he said, "Julie doesn't have recipes for anything, unless you pay her a bunch and she sits down to recreate it".....she tried a few more times but the only thing I would come up with was an ingredient list and technique....she finally gave up asking and just said whenever I teach a cooking class she'll be there.

Obviously referrals from past clients are the best advertising.....but some of the venues I've cooked at are handing out propaganda to new brides or party planners that have no concept about ave. cost of catering. Or what works well in that venue. Or this new event planner group I joined in Jan. that has potential....hopefully for the stage directing.