Uncategorized

8 Reasons Why Chocolate Makes For a Great Gift

Chocolate is a rich, sweet treat that people enjoy. You can find it in many different forms and flavours, which means it’s easy to find something for everyone on your list this year. Chocolate makes a great gift around the holidays because of its versatility.

You know your friends or loved ones best, and the truth is no one likes shopping for gifts. It can be nerve-wracking trying to figure out the best gift for someone else. You don’t want to burn bridges, and therefore you have to ensure that you get it right.

Why Gift Chocolate?

There are many reasons why chocolate makes for a great gift. Here are eight major ones;

It is Affordable

Chocolate is not expensive. There are many types of chocolates to select from, and therefore they can be very affordable. You do not have to spend a lot of money on the chocolate either because you will know that your friends or family members will appreciate it all the same. You can get them at great wholesale chocolate prices

It is Personalized

Chocolate has always been associated with love. Even in the old days, people would give a piece of chocolate to their lovers as a sign that they cared for them, and it is no secret that chocolates are still given from one person to another on special occasions or during holidays. This shows how personal giving chocolate can be because you get to choose what type of chocolate your loved ones will enjoy.

It is Convenient to Wrap and Ship

Chocolate can be wrapped in many different types of wrapping paper, which makes it convenient for you when sending or giving chocolate as a gift since you do not have to spend extra time finding the right wrapping paper that matches your loved one’s taste. You also don’t have to worry about how it will be shipped since you can just put the whole box of chocolates inside another bigger one to ship.

It is Versatile

Different types of people enjoy different kinds of chocolates. You get to choose what type your loved ones would like best because some love dark chocolate, while others prefer white chocolate. Some want the chocolates to have nuts, and there are even some people who enjoy a mix of different flavours, so you get to choose what will make your loved ones happy when they receive their box of chocolates from you.

It is Delicious

Of course, it would be a great gift to give if your loved ones will enjoy eating it. There is no denying that chocolate tastes so good, and there are even people who would go crazy just by looking at their favourite type of chocolates, which makes for one very delicious gift idea.

It is Healthy

Studies have shown that dark chocolates can be good for your heart and blood pressure. They also contain antioxidants, which fight disease.

It is Appealing to All Ages

Everyone loves chocolate. From babies eating it for the first time to old folks who claim they can’t eat anything else because of their dentures, there isn’t anyone out there that doesn’t love a little bit of chocolate in their life. It is like the universal food for everyone.

It is Easy to Buy and Store

Let’s face it. Most of us are busy people, so what better than buying chocolate online? It takes little time to order some good old-fashioned dark chocolates or milk chocolates online or any other website where you can buy chocolate. Plus, since chocolate doesn’t expire for a very long time, you can also buy it at the end of the season and save it for next year if need be.

Don’t be stuck again when you have to gift someone because you don’t know what to give them. Chocolate is the perfect solution.

4 Reasons To Engage A Professional Caterer

When it comes to catering, professionalism is essential. A catering company is more than just a business that supplies and delivers food to clients. They have to be ready to provide the experience that most clients crave in terms of expertise, satisfaction and security. If you have a corporate event, it is wise that you select a company capable of offering corporate catering services. This will ensure that the needs of those in attendance will be well catered for sufficiently.

Other food establishments provide catering services, but if you want the job done safely and correctly, you will have to engage a professional caterer. This is someone whose focus on events is top notch and they understand that it is different from running a food establishment. They will come to you in advance to get all the details for the event so that they can plan early enough. This is vital if everything is to run smoothly without any mishaps. The last thing you would want is for your guests to miss out on food and drinks. In your best interest, you supply them with all the information paying attention to any special requirements that some guests might have, especially regarding food allergies. They will then be able to come up with a menu that will fit everyone present at the event.

Various establishments claim to provide corporate catering, but how do you know who is the best or who has the highest professionalism. Corporate events will require professionals to be engaged as they understand the importance of such events and what is at stake. The main reasons that you should hire a professional catering company are;

Experience

Having been in the field, it is inevitable that they have encountered challenges and learned how to deal with them. They have mastered the art of overcoming obstacles and ensuring that they deliver what the client needs. They have fine-tuned their operational procedures to ensure that they fully accommodate the client. They will constantly be in touch with you giving you details on how things are progressing when planning and executing. They will also give you suggestions on how you can make your corporate event more successful.

Skill

They have the skills to provide high-end meals for your function. Depending on the location of your event, they will have the necessary systems in place to ensure that the event goes on without any hitches. Professional caterers will have a checklist that guides them in ensuring that everything is in place and nothing has been left out.

Industry Expertise

A catering company has worked with diverse industries all the time. This makes them knowledgeable on what works and what does not work for the different sectors. They have also been exposed to different cultures. This makes them work closely with other players in the event industry like photographers, videographers, vehicle hire, etc. They will share and pinpoint what you need to incorporate in your event to make it stand out and successful.

Safety

The most important thing to look out for when it comes to events is food safety. A professional caterer will take the necessary steps to ensure that food safety is upheld and have the means to transport food safely from one point to the other. This ensures that the food quality is not compromised. The last thing you want is people getting food poisoning, courtesy of their food at your event.

At the end of it all, the most important thing is to ensure that your guests are impressed and your event a memorable one. Holding an event can be draining, and you cannot be everywhere checking on things. This is why you will need service providers that you can rely on to get things done right, even in your absence. They need to be self-driven and capable of handling things without supervision.

Do not ignore the fact that in the corporate world, image is everything as it works to ensure that you maintain your brand identity. This is why you should engage corporate catering Melbourne since they will make sure that quality is experience. The food will be delivered on time, and the setup will leave your guests impressed. They have professionals who will handle your queries and help you come up with a delightful menu.

Japanese Food (An Introduction)

There’s no denying the popularity of Japanese food. Influenced by both the Chinese and Koreans, the Japanese have since then refined and created their own cooking style over the years and have introduced the world to its delightful cuisine.

The words “natural” and “fresh” would probably the first things one would think of when asked to describe Japanese food. They are known to use ingredients that are of premium quality and that are in-season. Japanese cuisine is also known to have an artistic way of delicately displaying and arranging food.

If you want to try getting into Japanese food as well, here is a list of their most popular ones:

Rice

Short-grained, sticky white rice is considered a staple food in Japan and the heart of its cuisine, because of its connections to Japanese history and culture. Rice in Japanese is called gohan, which can also stand for “meal.” They incorporate rice in every meal of the day that the word gohan is present in the Japanese terms asagohan, hirugohan, and bangohan, meaning breakfast, lunch, and dinner, respectively.

A Japanese meal typically contains rice, a main dish of fish or meat, some side dishes, pickled vegetables, and a bowl of soup. This is called ichiju sansai, or “one soup, three dishes.”

Other popular products made from rice are sake (rice wine), and mochi (rice cakes).

Sushi & Sashimi

Sushi is a traditional dish in Japan that is made with rice soaked in vinegar, accompanied by a wide variety of fillings and toppings. It is normally presented on a platter but is also commonly served in Japan through plates that go around on conveyor belts.

Sashimi, on the other hand, is thinly sliced raw fish or meat. It is served on its own, unlike sushi, which has rice. The usual size of the fish (or meat) is similar to that of a domino, but it still depends on the kind of fish.

Both sushi and sashimi can be enjoyed by dipping them in soy sauce to enhance the flavor. A small amount of wasabi can also be put on each piece for some heat.

Miso Soup

Miso soup is typically served at the beginning of the meal and is made primarily with broth, and miso paste derived from fermented soybeans. Other ingredients like vegetables can also be added in, and the result is a smooth and savory soup. Aside from the comfort that this combination of ingredients brings in, miso soup also has health benefits as it is rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

Conveniently, instant miso packets are also commonly used and available inside and outside Japan. These packets just need to be emptied into a bowl, and mixed with boiling water.

Ramen

Japan has various noodle dishes, but ramen is quite possibly the most famous kind. While Japan is the ramen capital of the world and is responsible for its popularity, the dish actually originated in China.

Ramen consists of wheat noodles, flavored broth, and different toppings such as nori (seaweed), and chashu (sliced pork). There is a wide variety of ramen in Japan because almost every region has its own version of the dish.

Instant ramen was invented in Japan and was first launched in 1958. Since then, it has gained popularity all over the world with flavors modified to tailor different tastes.

Okonomiyaki

Okonomiyaki is a savory Japanese pancake. It is cooked by grilling batter and cabbage on a griddle, along with a whole lot of other ingredients that can go from meat, to seafood like squid and octopus, and topped with condiments like mayonnaise. After all, the name okonomiyaki is derived from the word okonomi which means “what you like” or “how you like it”, and yaki, which means “grilled.”

In Japan, restaurants that serve okonomiyaki have iron griddles in each table, allowing customers to grill their own. There are, of course, some restaurants that can serve them ready- to-eat.

Tempura

Another well-known Japanese food is the tempura, which is meat, seafood, or vegetable, that has been coated lightly in batter, and then deep-fried. The most popular kind is made of shrimp, called “ebi tempura.”

This fried and crispy dish is served and eaten with a dipping sauce called tentsuyu, as well as grated white radish. It can be eaten on its own, but can also sometimes be served as a topping on a bowl of soba or udon noodles, or on a bowl of rice.

There are hundreds of different restaurants in Japan that offer a range of dishes from food stalls along streets, to izakaya or pubs that serve yakitori (skewered chicken) and finger foods, to Kaiseki Ryori that serve multi-course haute cuisine.

This list includes only a few of their wondrous gastronomical delights. Japanese food is known for its elaborate presentation and fresh ingredients, and there really is a wide variety to be explored and that are worth a try.

Corporate Catering

Corporate catering is your best choice if you want a stress-free work event, but is not an entirely new concept among the HR and Administrative staff in a company. The goal of corporate catering is to make any work events – be it an intense meeting with company executives or an all-day training session, enjoyable for everyone.

The Importance of Corporate Catering

A catering company can help you from the conceptualization to the execution of a perfect corporate event. A caterer understands the importance of time and productivity in every event, and strives to work on serving food so you don’t have to worry about keeping your employees and guests comfortable, and you can focus on more important things.

Your employees also don’t have to excuse themselves to look for food or worry about bringing their own meals as food and refreshments will be conveniently provided to them on-site.

Types of Corporate Catering Arrangements

There are a lot of possible arrangements that a good caterer can offer. Venue-wise, if you have the proper facilities in your building, they can send their equipment and staff over to your location as agreed. However, some companies also provide venue-inclusive packages and let you choose your location.

In terms of food arrangements, companies can offer different serving types such as buffet, plated, or reception.

In buffet-style, food is served on a table at a certain accessible area in the venue. The table can be manned by an attendant to ensure portion control for each guest, especially if your budget is tight.

A plated service type has a similar concept as that in a restaurant, in which your employees and guests are served meals by attendants at their tables. This is a more expensive setup as more attendants are required, especially if you are hosting a huge event.

Catering companies can also offer a reception service in which appetizers and finger foods are spread on a buffet, and guests can help themselves with the food. This works well with networking parties as they can encourage guests to walk around and mingle with others.

How To Choose A Caterer

For a good caterer, their clients are also their guests.

Of course, the best way to choose the perfect caterer is one that will best fit your needs. A couple of conditions should be able to narrow down your search.

First, you have to consider how big your event would be. Will the catering company be able to accommodate the number of guests? Will they have enough equipment and manpower to attend to your guests’ needs?

The next thing would have to be your budget. You will have to find a caterer that will deliver good results, but is still within your budget, or at least willing to work around the budget that you have.

Also, make sure that your caterer is experienced enough to work on the kind of event that you’re planning. They should also be flexible to adjust their menu to your guests’ dietary requirements and restrictions.

Some caterers also offer complete setup and venue styling. Some of them provide furniture and tableware specific to the kind of event you will be hosting. Be sure to check with them if they can provide what you need; otherwise, you can always contact a supplier.

Good catering companies also provide tastings to prospective clients. Not only is it helpful in your quest to find the perfect caterer, but it’s also fun doing tastings.

Lastly, a simple Google search can prove to be worthwhile in determining if a certain catering company is the best for your event. You should look out for reviews and recommendations from other clients. If they have uploaded pictures, you will also get to see how they handled the events they have worked on.

Communication

Your caterer should be able to communicate directly with you about exactly how you want your event to take place. A good caterer should be responsive and timely, and willing to work out all even the tiniest details to make your corporate event a successful one.

Review and go over the contract details carefully to ensure everything is covered. Discuss billing concerns and cancellation policies, if the company has them. You would want your event to push through, but it helps to be prepared, just in case.

Keep in mind how you chose this particular company and speak to them about any concerns clearly to avoid misunderstandings.

Once the event is over, be sure to provide feedback. Communicate what you and your employees thought of the entire event; what was loved, and what you all think should be improved on.

Building a relationship with a catering company is beneficial if you want to hire them again for your future work events, because they will have an idea of what you want, and they will be able to personalize and fit their services more according to your needs.

Corporate catering is all about ensuring that your employees’ and guests’ experience will be a pleasant one. You would know that your corporate event went well if your employees are still talking about it days after the event!