Local Businesses Offer Holiday Help For Your Merry Menu

"It's the most wonderful time of the year!"

Lights are aglow, halls are decked and excitement is in the air. Holiday festivities are in full swing, with revelers partaking in the joys of the season most weekend nights, looking to squeeze every bit of merry out of the month.

Once again the pressure is on to pull off the perfect holiday party of 2012.

Menu is always of utmost importance, with many folks thinking about what their menu will feature as soon as the Thanksgiving china is safely packed away. Some choose to go all out with a big family sit-down, while others prefer a varied selection of hor devours to choose from while guests mingle.

A wise woman once told me, “You don’t have to be the best cook, just know where to buy the best foods already cooked!” However you choose to bring your guests together, the holidays are a time to enjoy the blessings of family and friends, the menu shouldn't be a headache.

From high-end, to casual, to corporate, local businesses are ready to help take the edge off this holiday season by adding to your holiday spread. If you’re heading out for a party and need a dish to contribute or you are the host looking to expand the selection on the holiday table, here are a few options for you to help round out your menu this holiday season.

Relish Catering and Events:

This six year old full service catering company located at 41 Prince St. prides itself on being very customer oriented, and their attention to detail, according to owner Kelli Petri.

The special Holiday Menu offers five hor devours: grilled soy ginger glazed shrimp skewers, Dijon Marinated Shrimp wrapped in Prosciutto, Giant Sea Scallops wrapped with Applewood Smoked Bacon and Chili - Jam Glaze, baby rosemary lamb chops and baby beef Wellington. The five main dishes include roast crown of pork, braised short ribs, stuffed quail with fig sauce, lobster mac and cheese, and Beef Wellington. Regular menu items are also available.

Dessert features are a Chocolate Midnight Gateaux, White Chocolate Bread Pudding with Boozy Caramel Sauce, Individual Butterscotch Shortbread Tartlets and an assortment of treats, including the increasingly popular The Cookie Monstah cookies for specialty cookie packages for your dessert table.

"Our dishes are creative, high-end and yummy, but high-end doesn't need to be expensive," Petri explained. Relish prefers 48 hours advance notice, but can work with clients with as little as 24 hours notice. Relish can be reached at 978-468-9609 or on its website. 

The Daily Harvest:

Best known for their breakfast, The Daily Harvest at 103 High St. is also the place for specialty wrap, sandwich and complete lunch platters. This year, Daily Harvest is introducing a new line of Hor D'ourves for the holiday season. Menu items include, but are not limited to: Bacon wrapped Sirloin with Gorgonzola, Chicken Dijon Encroute and Poached Pear and Brie Phyllo Purses. Desserts include cookie and brownie platters, a variety of homemade pies, and bite size dessert bar trays.

A quick look at their catering menu shows the same delicious offerings you find inside available for parties: Coffee, muffins, bagels and quiche of the day for brunch-style gatherings. Balsamic cheese or roasted red pepper tortellini salad; Thai noodle, cobb or caesar tossed salads; Quarts of homemade soups, chili and chowder are available to put into your own crockpot, and Hors D'ourves can be ordered hot or cold with baking instructions. 

Owner Britney Reisly explained. "We make each item with the same attention to detail and the obsession for fresh all natural ingredients that we use with our traditional menu items.”

Staff members are available to pass hors d'ourves at your party, and chafing dishes available for rent if needed. Orders can be placed by fax, or online with 24-48 hours notice, depending on the menu.

Total Entertainment:

You've probably ordered a moon bounce or cotton candy machine from Total Entertainment at 123 Liberty St., but did you know they also offer full service catering for events and parties?

“If any companies are looking for some last minute help for a Holiday party and mention The Danvers Patch, I'd give them a 10 percent discount on everything they order, plus one call to me and I will arrange everything for their event even on short notice. I would act as an event planner/coordinator and oversee everything and be able to give them quality at a great price since we could handle most of it in-house,” offered Owner Rich Kraby.

With everything to make a party complete like a chocolate water fountain, fruit platters and an endless variety of desserts. The entree menus feature several themes from sushi and chinese food to Italian style, clambake or good old American Barbecue, so your event can be tailored to suit your taste. The appetizer menu is packed with assortments of scallops wrapped in bacon, spanakopita, chicken and beef teriyaki on a stick, stuffed mushrooms, quiche, mini hot dogs, sliders, chicken fingers, chicken wings, mini egg rolls, among others.

“We can also supply servers to pass out the appetizers or have it in chafing dishes placed strategically throughout the event,” said Kraby.

Described on their website as New England's only one stop party and entertainment source, rentals include but are not limited to tables and chairs, china dinnerware, linens, chafing dishes, even a deluxe bar with ice bucket.

The folks at Total Entertainment aim to reduce your stress level so you can focus on and enjoy your event, and they guarantee customer satisfaction.