Archive for the ‘Shira Smith’ Category

Bringing Gourmet Kosher Catering to Orlando

Wednesday, March 17th, 2010

Since October of 2009 Puff ‘n Stuff Catering has had a revolving door of Rabbis and Mashgiachs with one goal in mind – to offer the Jewish community of Central Florida kosher catering at a gourmet level.

It began with a drive to offer another option to Orlando Jewry; it progressed with a fateful phone call to Amira Cohen after she had to close the doors to her own kosher catering company and restaurant.

With the combination of Amira’s matriarch-like reputation in the Jewish community and Puff ‘n Stuff’s 30 years of experience in perfecting events there’s no telling what we can do with Kosher. After a little elbow grease, hours of meetings and a lot of research, we were approved for certification under the Great Orlando Board of Rabbis to provide Orlando with dairy or meat kosher catering at a Conservative or Orthodox level.

Shira Smith, Special Event Planner

407.478.5820 | shira@puffnstuff.com

Posted in Amira Cohen, Greater Orlando Board of Rabbis, Kosher Catering, Puff 'n Stuff Catering, Shira Smith | No Comments »

"Beyond Pasta" – Creative Vegetarianism

Tuesday, November 10th, 2009

Poor vegetarians. Always left by the wayside, picking and poking their plate of pasta, wanting for more. They rsvp’d vegetarian, they made themselves known, and they hoped beyond hopes that their plate would consist of more than an elaborate version of the side dishes or a slab of vegetarian lasagna. Is it too much to ask for a little creativity, a little pizzaz?


Your wait is over vegetarians! For those of you selecting the menu for your cornicopia of guests and their varied dietary needs, we’ve made things a little easier for you. Puff ‘n Stuff Catering offers an array of vegetarian stations, plated, buffet and butler passed options to not only satisfy all of your guests but make you forget you’re eating vegetarian in the first place.

Our new “Faux Pear” makes an excellent plated vegetarian option as well as a unique side dish for those meat-eaters. Delicious mashed potatoes are hand formed around spinach and sundried tomatoes into a pear shape and then fried to a golden brown. Fun and scrumptious.

Butler pass some of your favorite veggie items in a unique way with our cornets. We fill these fun little cones with baba ghanouj, tomato mozzarella caprese, roasted red pepper hummus, kalamata olive tapenade, and more.

If you’re looking for something a bit more interactive, try out one of our unique Vegetarian Chef Attended Stations. A personal favorite is the Risotto station. Creamy risotto is flavored with different fresh purees, including cauliflower and corn, pesto, and truffle oil, then finished off with guests’ choice of vegetables to include mushrooms, fresh asparagus tips, and more.

Our Shabu-Shabu Station is a fun option for both vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike. Your guests will fill a soup bowl with their choice of asian vegetables and hand it to the chef. The chef simmers the ingredients in a soy-sarachi miso broth and finishes the bowl with noodles, guest-selected sauce and garnish. This is one of many Asian-inspired stations that are offered with your choice of beef, chicken, pork or shrimp but still a fantastic option for those who prefer the meatless way of life.

Our Create Your Own Pita Station can be offered as a self-serve option or chef attended. Hand-formed falafel patties are served with a variety of mediterranean delights including hummus, tabouleh, tzatziki, greek olives, and more. Guests choose their ingredients for a fantastic vegetarian pita.

The list of creative vegetarian options goes on and on. No more will a vegetarian guest be subjected to a plain plate of pasta. Be sure to ask your special event planner to suggest one of these fantastic and unique vegetarian delights for your next event.

Shira Smith, Special Event Planner
407.478.5820 | shira@puffnstuff.com

Posted in Puff 'n Stuff Catering, Shira Smith, Vegetarian, Vegetarian Catering, Vegetarian Stations | No Comments »

Puff ‘n Stuff Catering Special Summer Savings

Monday, June 22nd, 2009

Beat the heat and the economy with Puff ‘n Stuff’s special summer savings!

Times are tough and you don’t need a blog to tell you that. Everyone is working harder than ever in this difficult time and we could all use a well needed break. Why not add a little pick-me-up to your week by showing your employees some love. Puff ‘n Stuff has three options for you to do just that.

The first option is our Employee Appreciation Buffet Packages starting as low as $10.95 per guest with complimentary iced tea and lemonade. These menus are designed specifically for summer festivities; from our Caribbean Cookout Package to our Southern Picnic Package we have an option to satisfy every taste and budget. Below is a sample of one of the packages available to choose from:

* * *

SOUTH OF THE BORDER

Create Your Own Taco Bar

fresh flour tortillas, crispy corn taco shells, Mexican seasoned beef, lettuce, chopped tomatoes, onions, guacamole, sour cream, chunky salsa, black olives, cheddar and monterey jack cheeses

Nine Layer Tex Mex Dip

offered with white corn tortilla chips

Chili Conqueso Dip

offered with white corn tortilla chips

Sopaipillas

puffy tortilla “pillows” dusted with powdered sugar and cinnamon, with chocolate sauce on the side

Iced Tea and Lemonade

* * *

Another option to help you stay under that budget is our Corporate Lunch Packages starting at $10.95 for a full hot buffet and $8.95 for boxed lunches. Cutting back on cost does not have to equal cutting back on quality. The hot buffets include a salad, an entrée, a side, dessert and all of your plasticware and paper goods. With entrées such as Margarita Marinated Salmon, Chicken Franzia, Slow Roasted Pork with Apple Fennel Jus and more, you’re guaranteed to impress, even on a tight budget. Here is a sample menu from our Summer Season:

* * *

FRIDAY

Thai Cabbage Salad

with a ginger sesame dressing and crispy wonton strips

Wasabi-Soy Glazed Mahi Mahi
with grilled pineapple

Island Rice
with toasted coconut

Hawaiian Sweet Rolls
with butter

* * *

If you’re looking to do something in the evening or with a little more pizzazz try one of our Hors d’oeuvres Packages. Complimentary gourmet petite desserts are included with these packages either butler passed for a service event or on a beautifully garnished tray for deliveries. Packages start at $14.95 per guest, here is an example of one of the packages:

* * *

HORS D’OEUVRE PACKAGE #2

Oak Grilled Vegetable Display

eggplant, summer squash, zucchini, asparagus, purple onion, portabellas, bell peppers, artichoke hearts and other seasonal vegetables rubbed with balsamic and olive oil, then grilled over an oak fire with aioli dip

Imported & Domestic Cheese Display
cheddar, provolone, Swiss, havarti, bleu, Muenster and jalapeno jack cheeses, with crisp gourmet crackers and garnished with fresh fruits

Hot Spinach & Artichoke Dip
with tri-color tortilla chips

Baked Stuffed Mushroom Caps
with chorizo sausage and pepper confit

Smoked Chicken, Cranberry & Caramelized Onion Bruschetta

Gourmet Meatballs
in Polynesian sweet ‘n sour sauce

Shrimp Potstickers
with ginger soy sauce

Penne Aglio e Olio
e.v.o.o., whole roasted garlic cloves, sun-dried tomatoes and broccolini

*Complimentary* Chef’s Choice of Gourmet Petite Desserts
a selection of the following favorites: rum-soaked mini babas, lemon meringue tarts, cheesecakes squares, chocolate cups filled with raspberry mousse, chocolate éclairs, swans, fruit tarts, profiteroles, petits fours, chocolate truffles, opera cake, napoleons, coconut macaroons, cannolis, rum balls and chocolate-dipped strawberries

* * *


Shira Smith, Special Event Planner

407.478.5820 | shira@puffnstuff.com

Posted in Puff 'n Stuff Catering, Shira Smith, special offer | No Comments »

Kotzin Bar Mitzvah

Monday, April 6th, 2009
From the moment Evan Jon Kotzin stepped foot onto the Bimah until the clock struck midnight at his Philadelphia-themed bash, he was in the spotlight and loving every minute of his bar mitzvah weekend. Puff ‘n Stuff was able to be a part of his special weekend by catering three separate events for the family. The family was in very capable hands with Special Event Planner Shira Smith.


First was the Friday night dinner at the Kotzin residence for close family and friends. We set up a buffet of Chicken Marsala, Israeli Salad, Penne aglio e olio, Israeli Couscous and Broccolini followed by a beautiful assortment of our Little Luxuries for dessert. We also provided the linens and centerpieces for each table consisting providing an elegant, yet festive atmosphere.

The next day, following Evan’s perfect reading from the Torah, was the Kiddush luncheon at Temple Ohev Shalom, also catered by Puff ‘n Stuff. This was a new and exciting endeavor for us and we’d like to thank Ohev, especially Phil Wolgel and Sindi Ackman for allowing us to cater Evan’s Kiddush. Guests enjoyed traditional Jewish fare including a delicious sweet kugel that everyone raved about.

That night was the big celebration event at the Orlando Museum of Art. To represent the Philadelphia theme our logistics manager, Scott, created a 13-foot “Skyscraper Hors d’Oeuvre Buffet” that consisted of our Mediterranean sampler, imported and domestic cheeses, oak grilled vegetables and even a cheese wheel with the skyline of Philadelphia carved into it.

The supervisor of the event, Jeremy, created a Hoagie Shop for the kids buffet complete with a roof and a customized sign. This chef attended buffet allowed the young guests to pick out their favorite ingredients for a custom hoagie.


The adults enjoyed noshing on some Philadelphia pretzels (sent overnight directly from Philly) with a side of mustard while they waited for their entrée. Following the Horrah, the adults sat down to a beautiful meal of Margarita glazed Mahi Mahi with roasted fingerling potatoes and asparagus. They completed the evening with a Caramelized Banana Tart for the adult dessert and a water ice cart from Jeremiah’s for the kids’ dessert.


Shira Smith, Special Event Planner
407.478.5820 | shira@puffnstuff.com

Posted in Bar Mitzvah, Caterer, Catering, Kosher Catering, Puff 'n Stuff Catering, Shira Smith, Simcha | No Comments »