All posts tagged as top Naples caterer

16 Oct

Crave Culinaire Celebrates Five-Year Anniversary Celebrates Milestone with a Contest to Win One of Five Exclusive VIP Events

In Uncategorized by Crave Culinaire / October 16, 2018 / 0 Comments

Naples, Florida, October 16^th, 2018– Luxury Naples catering sensation, Crave Culinaire announces the celebration of its five-year anniversary. Crave Culinaire has been wowing guests across Southwest Florida through innovative food, sublime presentation and exquisite dining experiences, and pushes the envelope when it comes to traditional catering services. To celebrate this milestone, Crave Culinaire is giving five lucky contestants the chance to be a part of one of five exclusive VIP events.

The Legacy Begins

After serving as Executive Chef for many award-winning restaurants, Chef Brian Roland set out to create Crave Culinaire, a revolutionary new take on traditional catering services. Armed with a vision to entice, excite and entertain guests, Roland created a culinary experience like never before. In their first year, Crave Culinaire met many milestones, including:

Hiring of their first team member
First catered wedding
First pop-up dinner
First yacht event
Purchasing their first catering vehicle

This propelled Roland and Team Crave into new areas of the industry, thus creating a name for themselves linking them among the best in the business.

Earning Accolades

The year 2014 brought many nods from esteemed members of the area. Earning such accolades as “Best Caterer” by Gulfshore Life, Crave Culinaire has proven long-lasting success by earning this top spot every year since. Crave Culinaire was also part of their first television show and catered an event for over 200 guests for the first time as well in 2014. The next years brought much-earned success, including Chef Brian’s appearance on CNBC’s Restaurant Startup and the introduction of Thanksgiving and Christmas meal delivery services across Southwest Florida.

A Family is Born

While Nicole Roland was dedicated to working with Crave since its inception in 2013, she came on board full-time in 2015, making Crave truly a family business. Brian and Nicole were married in 2016 and continued to welcome expansion and success as this year brought the first Executive Chef to work alongside Chef Brian and the team moved to a larger kitchen. The year 2016 also brought the opportunity to cater an event for over 500 guests, shooting the Crave team toward even more success.

Venue Naples Gets Its Start

In 2017, Venue Naples was launched. This luxury, high-end event space began to offer its services to thousands of guests with its first event staffing over 60 team members. Months later, when devastation hit Southwest Florida after Hurricane Irma, the Crave team took to the streets, launching Crave2Go to assist residents who were without food after the storm.

The Crave Team Keeps Moving Forward

This year saw the launch of Crave for a Cause, which aims to help various non-profit organizations in the area and cumulatively, the team has catered over 25 events with over 250 guests this year. The team has donated over 150 dinners to local charities, assisting them with raising funds and the team is honored to have worked with over 100 chefs in their kitchen, feeding 85,000 mouths since 2013. The Crave and Venue team is excited for the future, making plans to expand their venue and kitchen and also purchase a third and fourth catering vehicle.

To commemorate this milestone, Crave Culinaire plans to hold a photo contest. Contestants will need to complete the following in order to be entered for the chance to win one of five elite VIP events:

Find your favorite pic of a Crave Culinaire event
Post it to Facebook, Instagram or Twitter using the hashtag #craving5years
Five winners will be selected to receive a private dinner for six by Crave Culinaire
Hurry contest ends December 31^st, 2018

Roland speaks about this accomplishment and his hopes for the future.

“Crave [Culinaire] began as a dream some ten plus years ago. My desire to impact guests with amazing food presentation and to create the ultimate dining experience was what drove me to launch this new adventure. I am so proud of where we have gotten and I can only look to the future and what we can accomplish together,” he says.

For more information about contest rules, please visit www.craveculinaire.com or call (239) 292-1529.

About Crave Culinaire

Crave Culinaire was founded by Chef Brian Roland, Owner and Executive Chef. Chef Brian and his team specialize in creating an exclusive culinary experience through in-home dining, private and public events, cooking classes, customized catering, food and wine pairings and showcasing immaculate culinary delights. Crave Culinaire is driven by their passion for food, and focuses on incorporating fresh and local ingredients. Crave Culinaire is also paired with the fully customizable space of Venue Naples. Venue Naples is a multi-use event space and art gallery incorporating fine dining and exquisite service.

14 Sep

Beyond Pumpkin Spice: Next Level Fall-Inspired Party Food

In Dinner Parties by Crave Culinaire / September 14, 2018 / 0 Comments

When you think of fall, many often think of pumpkin everything…pumpkin spice lattes, pumpkin cookies, pumpkin pie, pumpkin bread, pumpkin muffins, the list goes on. The thing about fall is that there are so many wonderful dishes connected to the season, yet not many people know about them! Fall is a season for reflection and comfort. It’s a time where we’re starting to wind down this year and prepare for the year ahead, and why not take advantage of the bounties that we receive during this time of the year? You may be planning a get-together for the fall season and we challenge you to look beyond pumpkin spice. Here are some next level fall-inspired party foods that you can showcase at your next event.

Embrace Seasonal Ingredients

There’s nothing better than cooking with ingredients that are in season. Not only are they fresh, they are at their peak of flavor. It’s true that some foods are best enjoyed in their season, and for good reason. Many fall foods are rich in flavor and meant to give a warm feeling when enjoyed. Try using maple to add flavor to a savory dish or incorporate figs and winter squash into your cuisine. These ingredients are at their absolute freshness in fall, so try utilizing them in fall-inspired party foods, such as:

These dishes are not only fresh and delicious, they are perfect for creating a comfortable and warm environment for the season.

Incorporate Smoky Flavor

Cheeses, like smoked Gouda and Gruyere are perfect for fall. Not only are they flavorful on their own, they can be incorporated into many appetizers and dips during your get-together or event. Smoked cheeses are the ultimate comfort foods and add a depth of flavor to a dish. The smoky flavor gives the feeling of warmth, preparing you for the cooler weather ahead (we can dream, Southwest Florida!). Try the following recipes as appetizers at your next party:

These smoky flavors are not only divine, they pair well with other savory fall dishes that you serve to your guests.

Sweet & Savory

Autumn is all about comfort food and nothing says comfort like sweet and savory flavors. Pair a little sweet with a little savory to create a warm and comfortable setting at your get-together or event. Sweets, like apples and cranberries are the perfect additions to savory dishes as they give just a hint of sweetness that works perfectly with the savory portion of the dish. Try the following recipes at your next event:

This pairing emanates fall and your guests will fall in love with the perfect mix of flavors.

Set the Mood

The food that you serve your guests sets the tone of the entire event. Remember, fall is about comfort and reflection. Make your guests feel warm with foods, rich in flavor and take advantage of seasonal foods. After all, they are in season for a reason. Enjoy this time of the year as you look forward to what lies ahead.

The team at Crave Culinaire is ready to help you plan your perfect fall menu! Call (239) 292-1529 or visit www.craveculinaire.com to get started today!

Contact Us

24 Jul

Farm to Table: How to Eat Local in Southwest Florida

In Uncategorized by Crave Culinaire / July 24, 2018 / 0 Comments

You may have been hearing the term “farm to table”more and more these days. But what does it mean? Farm to table simply means that the food that is served comes directly from the source of its production, not through an intermediary. Imagine being able to know exactly where the food you eat comes from, without having to wonder. We’re here to show you how to eat local in Southwest Florida, taking advantage of the bounties of scrumptious local fare we get to enjoy in our own paradise.

From the Sea

We’re fortunate enough that we get to live in an area where fresh seafood is plentiful. Southwest Florida is home to many varieties of sea life that make for an enjoyable dining experience, including:

Snapper
Grouper
Snook
Mahi Mahi
Oysters

There’s nothing better than seafood that is freshly caught right out the ocean and prepared with minimal downtime. Seafood is a popular option at many restaurants, since there are so many ways to prepare it, including blackening, grilling or frying it. And it can be paired with fresh, local greens for a light, nutritious meal, full of essential vitamins and minerals.

Locally-Grown Produce

You can’t beat being able to pick your own produce to serve with a meal. The perfect complement to virtually any meal is a freshly prepared vegetable, and Florida’s climate allows for ample production of vegetables, like lettuce, cucumbers and green peppers. Other produce that thrives in our sub-tropical climate includes:

Mangoes
Bananas
Oranges
Papayas

The ability to have these items at our fingertips is unmatched. With proper cultivation and care, you too could start your own backyard garden, filled with delicious and nutritious locally-grown produce.

Benefits of Eating Local

Aside from convenience, there are many other benefits to eating locally-grown items. Locally-grown foods tend to have way more flavor than their store-bought competitors. This is due to the crops being picked at the peak of ripeness, often times having been picked mere hours before being purchased. Locally-grown food is also seasonal, which means that you can enjoy the foods that are at their very best flavor for that particular part of the year. Some fruits and vegetables, during certain months, are flown in from other states, often picked before ripeness, which results in a lower quality product. Eating local also helps to support our economy and helps maintain our precious farmland.

Eating Local in Southwest Florida

There’s no doubt about it…eating local here in Southwest Florida is not only simple, it’s delicious! With our plentiful seafood offerings and ample crops, we have it made when it comes to local fare. Enjoy better food, made with fresher ingredients by choosing to eat local. Farm to table is easy to adopt, and you’ll thank yourself for incorporating this into your cooking style. Eat better. Live better. Enjoy what our area has to offer.

Here at Crave Culinaire, we pride ourselves on choosing to utilize our locally-grown food supply in the meals that we design. Get started with us on your next event, call (239) 292-1529 or visit www.craveculinaire.com.

Get Started

24 Apr

Brian and Nicole Roland Launch ‘Crave for a Cause’ to Benefit Local Charities

In Charity by Crave Culinaire / April 24, 2018 / 0 Comments

Naples, Florida, April 24^th, 2018– Local celebrity chef, Brian Roland and his wife, Nicole have announced their launch of Crave for a Cause, a fundraising effort to benefit local non-profit organizations. Launched in April 2018, Brian and Nicole’s mission for Crave for a Cause is to host dinners for the members and guests of Southwest Florida’s unparalleled collection of hardworking charities, donating a portion of the proceeds back to the organizations.

The inaugural event will be held on Tuesday, May 8^th at 6 p.m. at Venue Naples and will support the American Heart Association, Red Tie Society and Circle of Red. It will feature a three-course heart healthy dinner with informational discussions by Cardiologist, Dr. Brian Taschner. For tickets or more information, please visit www.venuenaples.com/tickets.

The dinners are scheduled to be held at Venue Naples and will partner with various non-profit organizations that will assist them in organizing the dinners for their patrons, supporters, guests and volunteers. Crave for a Cause is open to anyone who wants to enjoy a delicious meal, while giving back to a good cause. Each organization will have the chance to educate their guests about their cause, while Crave Culinaire and Venue Naples take care of the details, tailoring the format of the dinner to the preference of the non-profit organization.

Crave Culinaire (www.craveculinaire.com) pairs innovative culinary techniques with fresh, local ingredients and outstanding presentation, leaving each guest wowed by the immaculate culinary delights at each event. Paired with Venue Naples (www.venuenaples.com), a high-end and fully customizable event space founded by Brian and Nicole Roland, guests are provided an experience like no other.

Nicole Roland comments on Crave for a Cause and how they hope it will benefit the local community.

“It gives us so much joy to give back through the experience of culinary creations and unforgettable experiences, and we wanted to use the tools we have to offer support to the organizations that are near and dear to our hearts. They will receive not only a direct financial benefit, but also a bonding experience for the members, friends and guests that will be remembered forever!” she says.

If you are interested in Crave for a Cause supporting your non-profit organization, please email info@craveculinaire.com for more details.

About Crave Culinaire and Venue Naples

Venue Naples is a multi-use event space and art gallery incorporating fine dining and exquisite service.

Founded by Chef Brian and his wife, Nicole, Venue Naples is the first of its kind in Southwest Florida, and is the area’s premier destination for events, such as weddings, birthdays, corporate events, cocktail parties and more. Spectacular food, top-shelf beverages and outstanding service make Venue Naples the perfect place to host the perfect event.

19 Jan

Should I Offer Vegetarian and Vegan Options at My Catering Event?

In Catering by Crave Culinaire / January 19, 2018 / 0 Comments

Vegan and vegetarian diets are on the rise. More and more people are turning to these eating styles to become healthier and lose weight, and party guests are more health conscious than ever before. 2018 will be about going above and beyond offering vegetarian, organic, and all-natural options and including more vegan, raw, and plant-based plates. People want to find ways to incorporate proteins without eating meats. Let’s break down why you should consider offering more plant-based meals at your event.

Vegetarian and Vegan Meals

When people picture catering, they see traditional meals being served; appetizers, main courses, side dishes and desserts. Typically the entrée is meat with a choice of sides. People’s stance on this way of traditional eating is being influenced. Vegan and vegetarian popularity is growing rapidly today. Vegetarian restaurants and catering companies are popping up everywhere as a growing number of Americans are discovering the health benefits of eating green.

With a growing fan base for vegetarian diets. Vegetables are becoming the stars of the kitchen. Veggies are now the ‘cool’ thing to eat, and it’s our job to dress them up and present them to guests in the most appetizing way. You will see this in leading restaurants and it’s no stranger to the catering world. The variety of fun vegetables, as well as the unique ways chefs are preparing them, is going to inspire more meals with vegetables as the focal point rather than protein.

With a vegetarian or vegan menu, you may think that your menu options are limited, but this is completely untrue! Talented chefs like Chef Brian and the Crave Culinaire team have the ability to present familiar flavors and foods, but do so on an all plant-based pallet.

Offering vegan options means you’re opening the door to a whole new crowd, reaching out to people you would have never connected with when serving typical food.

Benefits

If you’re curious about the benefits of having your event catered with vegan and vegetarian options, then keep reading. You will benefit from our flexibility and creativity. We can construct delicious food that your guests will love and want to come back for more. More benefits include:

Vegetarian foods are high in vitamins and proteins, and have no downsides such as trans-fats.
Vegan or vegetarian menus can cater to guests with a variety of special dietary needs.
Most people have never had the experience of eating a vegetarian meal. We can create a unique dining experience for them centered on vegetarian plates.

Crave Culinaire is known for pushing the boundaries when it comes to dining. We can work with you when catering your event to provide you vegan or vegetarian options, pair them with drinks, and present them beautifully. Consider vegan and vegetarian options when planning your next event with Crave Culinaire to appeal to the masses and bring some diversity to your plate.

To learn more about our menus and catering, call (239) 292-1529 or visit our website at https://www.craveculinaire.com/

20 Nov

Champagne 101: Your Guide to the Bubbly

In Dinner Parties by Crave Culinaire / November 20, 2017 / 0 Comments

A glass of champagne is a spectacular way to celebrate the holidays, special occasions or… who are we kidding, any occasion really. With the many different varieties of champagne, food pairings, and cocktail options out there, we decided to assemble a 101 guide to help you navigate the bubbly. Here is Crave’s Champagne 101:

Champagne Glossary:

BLANC DE BLANCS

Champagne made exclusively from white grapes; true French champagne

DOSAGE

Sugar that is added to champagne to counteract acidity

BLANC DE NOIR

Literally translation: white from blacks. These are white champagnes made from the skins of darker colored grapes.

BRUT

Or “Dry,” meaning that the dosage added to the bottle contains little sugar.

EXTRA DRY

As a popular sparkling white in the United States, “Extra Dry” actually has a mildly sweet taste to it, as it contains a dosage with a small amount of sugar.

About Champagne:

All true Champagnes are made in the Champagne region of France, and are acclaimed as some of the best sparkling wine in the world. When there is a celebration, someone is usually bringing out the champagne. Champagnes are sparkling wines, usually made from a blend of grapes. They range from dry to sweet, and different producers have various flavors and styles. Price range varies widely depending on the champagne.

Fun Cocktails:

Whether you are getting ready for New Year’s or Sunday Brunch – there are plenty of delicious cocktail creations you can make with a bottle of bubbly. Try these recipes, and feel free to get creative with your own special touch!

Passion Fruit Mimosa: The mimosa is the tried and true beverage for Mother’s Day, Easter, or any brunch! Put a twist on this classic by subbing the OJ for some Passion Fruit Juice.

1 Cup Chilled Champagne
½ Cup Passion Fruit Juice
1 Strawberry (optional garnish)

Pomegranate Royale: This is a fun and festival holiday cocktail. The red pomegranate seeds add a beautiful color to this drink.

5 Pomegranate Seeds
1 oz. Pomegranate Liqueur
4 oz. chilled champagne

Classic Champagne Cocktail: If you want to keep it classic and classy, this is the perfect go-to.

1 Cube Sugar
2 Dashes Angostura Bitters
Chilled Champagne to Your Taste
Lemon Twist

Great Pairings:

There’s nothing better than a glass of champagne that just goes perfectly with a delightful meal. We picked out some of our favorite champagne pairings for you to try!

Oyster Rockefeller: We had to pay homage to this New Orleans classic. It’s no secret that champagne goes fabulously with oysters. Get the full recipe here.

Bagels and Lox with Cream Cheese: This is great for breakfast, brunch, or lunch to pair with your Passion Fruit Mimosa! You can get creative with your bread and opt for an English muffin or baguette instead of the bagel!

Seared Pork with Roasted Grapes: This is an entre that would pair perfectly with brut champagne.

Champagne is an elegant and tasty beverage option to bring out in times of celebration and get-togethers. If you need help finding the perfect bottle, or creating and serving cocktails, Crave Culinaire offers personalized private and large-event catering services. Visit www.craveculinaire.com for more food and beverage inspiration.

“Too much of anything is bad. But too much champagne is just right” – F. Scott Fitzgerald.

Get Started

19 Jul

Lunch and Learn in the Paradise Lounge!

In Uncategorized by Crave Culinaire / July 19, 2016 / 0 Comments

Do you love cooking classes? Do you enjoy drinking great wine?! How about doing both this Thursday at our first ever “Lunch and Learn” in the Paradise Lounge! Details below, limited space and tickets are selling fast!

14 Feb

Happy Chinese New Year – Team Crave’s special event catering

In Uncategorized by Crave Culinaire / February 14, 2016 / 0 Comments

Happy Chinese New Year! It’s the Year of the Monkey and our chefs were pleased to provide a “Crave-Style” Traditional Chinese Cuisine for an elegant plated dinner.

Passed Hors d’oeuvres:

Crispy Wok-fried Vegetable & Tofu Spring Rolls
Curried – Coconut Aioli

Caramelized Sweet Soy Seared Chicken & Daikon Cake –
Chinese Lap Cheong Sausage, Ginger – Herbed Soy Drizzle, Micro Cilantro

First Course:

Braised Shiitakes and Baby Bok Choy –
Toasted Shiro Sesame Seeds, Cantonese Oyster Sauce, Fried Cilantro, Aromatic Jasmine Rice

Second Course:

Sake – Ginger Steamed Seabass-
Black Bean with Chinese Broccoli, Charred Scallion, Pickled Burdock, Maifun Vermicelli, Lemongrass and Shrimp Broth

Third Course:

Seared 7 Spice Chicken & Sui Choy Cabbage Dumplings-
Stir Fried Chinese Long Beans & Snap Peas, Rice Wine Poached Mung Bean Sprouts, Roasted Carrots, Sweet Honey & Spicy Chili Natural Glaze

Dessert:

Eight Treasure Rice –
Soaked Lotus, Date, Lychee, Plum, Ginger, Lemon, Apricot, Sour Cherry
and Sweet Mango Ice Cream

01 Feb

New Appetizers launched by Team Crave

In Uncategorized by Crave Culinaire / February 1, 2016 / 0 Comments

Crave Culinaire launched a few new hors d’oeuvres which have been a hit on the latest events this season. Perfect for any cocktail party or as starter for a night with culinary delights.

Moroccan Spiced Chickpea Cake with Apricot-Date Chutney and Micro Basil

Savory Shitakes-
Fig & Brie Cloud, Rosemary Brined Pork, Crispy Potato

Grilled Artichoke and Crab Salad on Edible Spoon with Meyer Lemon Aioli, Candied Walnut and Tobiko

17 Jan

Foie Gras made by Crave Culinaire

In Uncategorized by Crave Culinaire / January 17, 2016 / 0 Comments

Foie gras is a popular French delicacy made of duck or goose liver. The flavor is rich, delicate and buttery and can vary between the methods used to cook them. Foie Gras can either be mi-cuit (half-cooked) or semi-conserve (in conserve). It is sold whole, or is prepared into mousse, parfait, or pâté, and may also be served as an accompaniment to another food item, such as steak.

Team Crave showcased its own versions of the Foie Gras through its “Menage a Foie”:

Foie Gras Torchon – Goat Cheese Panna Cotta, Tomato Jam, Fleur de Sel
Seared Foie Gras – Toasted Almond -Brioche French Toast, Mirabelle Plum, Honey Powder
Foie Gras Mousse Stuffed Figs – Crispy Prosciutto, Quince, Brie Bruleé, Olive Oil – Cocoa Dust

Page 1 of 312 3