Archive for the ‘The Ballroom at Church Street’ Category

Chef Paul on Orlando’s Fox 35 Morning Show | Lobster Mac ‘n Cheese | March of Dimes Signature Chefs

Wednesday, October 20th, 2010

Puff ‘n Stuff Catering’s Executive Chef, Paul Lorrain, visited Orlando’s Fox 35 Morning Show today to demonstrate an “at home” version of our popular Lobster Mac ‘n Cheese, and help promote the March of Dimes 2010 Signature Chefs event.

Hosted by anchor Heidi Hatch, Chef Paul taught viewers how to make Lobster Mac ‘n Cheese, as well as a beautiful Cheddar Cheese Tuile to garnish this tasty dish. We were excited for the opportunity to share a fun recipe, while helping spread the word about the March of Dimes’ annual gala fundraiser, Signature Chefs.

Chef Paul and 11 other top executive chefs from Central Florida will be paired with local community celebrities to prepare a gourmet feast for a fun-filled evening.  Participants are invited to bid in a live and silent auction that will include priceless dining and travel packages. Guests experience an amazing evening filled with delicious foods and wine pairings and the feeling that comes with philanthropic compassion, since proceeds benefit the March of Dimes.

The event is Thursday, October 21st at The Ballroom at Church Street and tickets ($195) are still available by calling 407-599-5077.

If you missed the Fox 35 Morning Show today, you can watch Chef Paul’s video right here.

The Lobster Mac ‘n Cheese recipe is also included, and we encourage you to try it at home soon!

Lobster Mac ‘n Cheese
Demonstrated by Chef Paul Lorrain – “Not your momma’s mac ‘n cheese!”
Serves 4

Ingredients
1 Cup Lobster meat, fresh
1 Cup Peas
½ Cup Prosciutto, chopped or thinly sliced
2 TBSP Extra virgin olive oil
2 Cups Pasta, cooked
2 Cups Heavy cream
1 Cup Grana Padana cheese, grated
1 Pinch Nutmeg
½ TSP White pepper
½ lb Butter
2 Egg yolks
1 Cup Cheddar cheese, shredded
6 Basil leaves
1 Cup Vegetable oil

In a saucepan, heat the heavy cream, beaten egg yolks, nutmeg and white pepper. Stir and bring to a simmer. Add the grated Grana Padana cheese and butter, mixing well.

In a large, greased saucepan, sprinkle the cheddar cheese into four piles, and melt over medium heat. Lift the cheese out of the saucepan with a spatula, and drape over a small upside-down bowl to form a semi-cup. Allow cheese to cool and harden.

Heat the vegetable oil in a small saucepan. Drop in the whole basil leaves, frying them until they cease bubbling. Remove and place on a paper towel to drain.

In a large saucepan, sauté the prosciutto in the extra virgin olive oil. Add the peas, pasta and Grana Padana cheese sauce. Warm all ingredients through, and add the lobster meat, stirring until it is completely cooked. Season to taste.

Place the cheese tuile cup on a plate, scoop pasta into the cup, and allow it to flow onto the plate. Garnish with fried basil leaf and serve.

Posted in Chef Paul Lorrain, FOX 35, March of Dimes, Signature Chefs Auction, The Ballroom at Church Street, Uncategorized | No Comments »

A Trip Down Memory Lane

Monday, November 23rd, 2009

On September 30th, Kristine F. called The Ballroom at Church Street with a request like none other. She wanted to surprise her husband for their anniversary with an intimate dinner for two at they place they had originally celebrated marital bliss 14 years prior…and we had 1 week to make her dream into a reality!

With very little time to plan, Kristine and I discreetly exchanged phone calls (a shared email account created a slight obstacle) and a secret rendezvous at our offices to quickly come up with a plan of action: a table for two in an otherwise empty 11,000 square foot ballroom.

Of course it didn’t stop there. Kristine selected her husband’s favorite salad, Classic Caprese, and Marinated Tomato and Artichoke for her. They were to dine on Pepper & Rosemary Crusted Beef Tenderloin with Seared Scallop Brochette Surf ‘n Turf, while sipping Champagne from their original inscribed champagne flutes circa 1995. To complete this meal, our pastry chef, Greg Smitka, created his infamous Passion Fruit Mousse Cake.

To make this day even more special, we created a play list of love songs from the ‘90s to include their first dance song by Bryan Adams, Everything I Do, I Do it for You!

In catering, it’s not the size that a matter….it is the emotion that is evoked from making a dream into a reality!

Happy 14th Anniversary, Kristine and Patrick!

Darby Poole, Special Event Planner

407.398.6309 | darby@puffnstuff.com

Posted in Anniversary Dinner, Anniversary Ideas, Darby Poole, Puff 'n Stuff Catering, The Ballroom at Church Street | No Comments »

Easter Seals’ 10th Annual ‘Vino!’

Thursday, October 29th, 2009
Puff ‘n Stuff Catering was so proud to be a part of the 10th annual ‘Vino!’ event. Over 350 people came out to The Ballroom at Church Street on September 26th to sample fares from 13 participating food & beverage companies, helping to raise over $40,000 for the Central Florida Easter Seals program.

Our Executive Chef Paul Lorrain put together a fabulous station of Turkish Coffee-Rubbed Braised Short Ribs with hazelnut mashed potatoes and frizzled leeks. The station was a hit with guests!

We are honored to participate in these community events and would like to thank the Easter Seals for allowing us to be part of such an extraordinary cause.

Sandy George, Special Event Planner

Sandy@puffnstuff.com | 407.478.5831

Posted in Chef Paul Lorrain, Easter Seals, Puff 'n Stuff Catering, Sandy George, The Ballroom at Church Street | No Comments »

Chef Paul Lorrain on FOX 35

Thursday, October 22nd, 2009

Chef Paul Lorraine appeared on FOX 35 on Wednesday, October 21st to promote the March of Dimes Signature Chefs Auction at The Ballroom at Church Street.


Top Executive Chefs from around Central Florida paired up with local Celebrity Chefs to create a gourmet feast and fun-filled evening. We were so proud to be part of such a meaningful event!

Posted in Chef Paul Lorrain, FOX 35, March of Dimes, Signature Chefs Auction, The Ballroom at Church Street | No Comments »

Gearing up for the Holiday Season

Thursday, October 1st, 2009

Is it possible that we are really in the 4th Quarter of 2009? Where has the summer gone?!

As you may have guessed, this is the busiest time of year for Puff ’n Stuff Catering. The holiday season is an exciting time for the Operations Department. We have been busy gearing up to Passionately Perfect Life’s Celebrations for our clients at their events and parties.

We are sorting linens, organizing our holiday décor, perfecting specialty drink recipes and getting all of our equipment in top working condition so we will be able to produce all of our events to a standard that our clients have come to appreciate over the years.

Having the right tools to cater events is important but that is only one part of the equation. Our events are successful because of our Team Members! Their hard work, dedication and attention to detail set us apart and all they do is most sincerely appreciated by our clients. To get ready for “season” from a staffing perspective, we held our 2nd annual job fair at the Ballroom at Church Street on September 17th. Over 1200 applicants responded to the job posting. We interviewed over 225 prospective new Team Members over a 10 hour day!

When the dust settled, we hired 53 new Team Members to join the ranks as Servers, Bartenders and Road Chefs. Our new Team Members are experienced hospitality professionals and we are looking forward to working with our newest Team Members as we go into our busy season.

Puff ‘n Stuff Catering is committed to Passionately Perfect YOUR next Celebration. Our staff loves what they do and look forward to the opportunity to create a memorable experience for you during this holiday season and beyond!

Kevin Kulikowski
Director of Business Operations

Posted in Holiday Catering, Holiday Parties, Kevin Kulikowski, Puff 'n Stuff Catering, The Ballroom at Church Street | No Comments »

An Unrivaled Venue for Your Reception

Wednesday, August 5th, 2009

The Ballroom at Church Street is Central Florida’s most elegant and distinguished venue. Located in the heart of downtown Orlando, it boasts over ten thousand square feet, a stunning stained glass atrium and enchanting brick courtyards. And whether you’re looking to host an intimate upscale reception or a celebration for over a thousand guests, this unique location can accommodate it all.

It’s easy to see why The Ballroom at Church Street has quickly become Orlando’s “hot spot” for wedding receptions. Winter, spring and summer weekends are filling up fast, so if you’re looking for a spectacular venue for your upcoming wedding reception (or ANY event!), contact us soon so you don’t miss out.


You’ve always dreamt of the perfect wedding held in the perfect place. You should expect no less when it comes to your reception. And no place is better suited than The Ballroom at Church Street.

Sandy George, Special Event Planner
407.478.5831 | sandy@puffnstuff.com

Posted in Church Street Station, outdoor weddings, Puff 'n Stuff Catering, Sandy George, The Ballroom at Church Street, Wedding Reception, wedding venues | No Comments »

Creating a Virtual Walkthrough of Your Event

Tuesday, July 14th, 2009

In this ever-changing world of technology, Puff ‘n Stuff Catering is striving to bring everything we can possibly offer to better suit our clients’ needs. We try daily to stay one step ahead of the curve. Our team is currently working with software developers from across the nation to offer the cutting edge in modern technology. Imagine building your special event from the bottom up and having the ability to do a complete 3-D virtual walkthrough that consists of linen colors, buffets, bars, dance floors, stages, table setups, centerpieces, etc. This little treasure should be available early next year.


Having the ability to do a scaled diagram of our venues has proven itself to be a valuable tool, both for our clients and for our staff. It allows us to create the event from an overhead perspective, complete with placement of everything we need to make the party memorable. It’s very easy to see the big picture once everything is in place. Now, let’s take that a step further.


Once your diagram is complete, let’s take it the extra mile. We put ourselves in the guest perspective and do a virtual tour of your event. You even have the option of the path in which to take. Maybe while doing the virtual walkthrough, you realize that you don’t care for the linen color that you have selected. No problem at all to fix. We make the necessary changes and see if we like it. You can literally walk through your event years before it ever happens. There’s no more “I wonder ifs.”


I have been technology’s biggest fan for years – from owning a Commodore-64 to a reversible HD projection screen on a 5’ x 6’ porch/bedroom window. I am a happy camper to be involved in putting this project together. To help create a program that truly makes a difference is rewarding. Technology and hospitality have managed to unite for me and for that I am grateful.

~No imagination~
~No place for change~
~Know imagination~
~Know time to change~

Scott Foley, Operations Supervisor
scott@puffnstuff.com

Posted in Catering Technology, Church Street Station, Puff 'n Stuff Catering, Scott Foley, The Ballroom at Church Street, wedding venues | No Comments »