Chinese Chic

If you are a regular reader, then you know how much we adore our talented friend celebrity caterer, PETER CALLAHAN.

In honor of Chinese New Year and to celebrate the Year of the Dragon, Peter created these hip “fortune cookie” hors d’oeuvres. While they may look like cookies, they are made of wonton wrappers and filled with a spiced chicken mixture.

The best part? You can have them shipped directly to your home - perfect for a Super Bowl Party! The chic bites arrive with a little red acrylic tray that has six tiny reusable takeout boxes attached for serving. (Peter and his team are genius when it comes to presentation.) You get three dozen hors d’oeuvres, to be reheated before serving. Add some parsley or shredded lettuce to the bottom of each box for a nice presentation, and put a paper fortune, also provided, on top. You can even order your own custom fortunes. Order HERE 

Credit: Photo and Copy New York Times

Interview: Celebrity Caterer Peter Callahan

If you regularly read this blog then you know how much we love the talented and charming PETER CALLAHAN.  We have been fortunate to work with him and even luckier to consider him a friend. While he looks like he stepped out of J.Crew or off the squash court and is one of the most famous caterers in the country, he is so so nice! Really. Truly. Consider him for a party - you will love working with him and his wonderful team. If you have not yet picked up a copy of BITE BY BITE, it would be perfect for holiday entertaining or for the hostess on your gift list. 

A few images of his work:

Let's get down to the interview, shall we?

How did you get in to catering?
My first wife convinced me to leave Wall Street (and all the money) and open a take out food shop in the Pennsylvania county side. Luckily, I had enough sense to go back to wall street, pigs in a blanket in hand...

Two "must haves" when you entertain at home?
A martini shaker and my wife with her naughty friends!

What is your greatest extravagance?
Aspen for Christmas, it's the only time of year I truly get away.

Two famous people you would love to have at your next dinner party?
Jimi Hendrix and Jim Morrison

A few hot entertaining trends that you think are fantastic?
Anything original. I view a trend as what people copy of someone's original ideas...

And a few that you could leave behind?
Loose the "I'm best friends with my farmer" motif.

Two things you can't live without?
Has to be three: my wife, son and daughter.

The best party you ever attended and why?
My 50th Birthday Party. It was a complete surprise with fifty of my favorite friends and at one table.

With the holidays season upon us, what is your favorite holiday tradition?
Christmas Eve at Ajax Tavern in Aspen. It's everything a holiday winter dinner should be...

What would people be surprised to learn about you?
That my wife does all the cooking at home which is how I stay thin!

Thanks, Peter!

Interview: Celebrity Florist Lewis Miller

Our friend and catering phenom PETER CALAHAN first introduced us to the jaw dropping work of celebrity florist/designer LEWIS MILLER. After seeing a few pictures of a party that Peter and Lewis collaborated on for Labor Day it was love at first sight. Here are a few images of the party with orange pop and I love the faux graffiti.

Lewis is not only crazy talented, he is so so nice (just like Peter). Born and raised in California farm country amid olive, almond and peach orchards and gardens full of cabbage roses, sweet peas, and wisteria, Lewis Miller developed a respect for nature early on. At 18, he moved to Seattle where he studied horticulture and landscape design. After seven years of successfully pursuing his interests in design, flowers, and event planning, Lewis moved to New York. In March of 2002, Lewis’ vision of a country life in a metropolitan setting inspired him to create LMD New York, Lewis Miller Design. 

A few other beautiful examples of Lewis' work - amazing!

Now that you have seen some of his work, and know a bit about Lewis' background, let's get to the interview shall we??

How did you get in to design and flowers?
Long story - not very interesting really. Love to make things beautiful. I am a Gemini with a short attention span. There you go.

Two "must haves" when you entertain at home?
Help and alcohol.

What is your greatest extravagance?
NYC in the winter is assault on the senses. To make it a bit more agreeable, I just ordered from a furrier here in NYC the most magnificent coyote fur blanket lined with grey pinstripe cashmere flannel. I can't wait to sleep in it!

Two famous people you would love to have at your next dinner party?
Madonna and Lady Gaga. Oh, wouldn't that be fun! I would heap the center of the table with masses of hydrangeas and then watch them fly.

A few hot design trends that you think are fantastic? 
I'm feeling the need to glam things up a bit and am loving metallic finishes - especially burnished gold and bronze, minerals, alabaster, mother of pearl - things that look like they were mined from the earth or found in the sea. 

And a few that you could leave behind?

The farmhouse table, Mason jar, weather vane, faux 18th century hipster crafty look has got to go. Shoo shoo.

Two things you can't live without?
Travel and books.

The best party you ever attended and why?
Haven't been there yet.

What would people be surprised to learn about you?
I'm very shy. Used to be endearing, now just mistaken for indifference. Not cute.

Thanks, Lewis!

Peter Callahan Giveaway - The Winner

What fun to partner with Tina from THE ENCHANTED HOME to offer two signed copies of the entertaining book of the year - Peter's Callahan's Bite by Bite. Drumroll please....the winner is

Kathysue of GOOD LIFE OF DESIGN. Congratulations and please email me your full name and mailing address.

Peter Callahan Giveaway - Still Time to Enter

Party Resources wanted to partner with one of our favorite bloggers THE ENCHANTED HOME to offer a giveaway of THE book for entertaining this year. We are delighted to offer two SIGNED copies of Bite by Bite to one of our readers. This way you can give a copy to a friend and keep one for yourself! 

Celebrity caterer Peter Callahan is one of our favorite caterers and someone we consider a friend. His career spans over two decades and a client list including celebrities, politicians, Fortune 500 companies, and socialites. Peter and his staff are not only the best in the business, they are also the nicest! 

Peter's much anticipated cookbook is due out at the end of the month. He welcomes readers to share in his creations, providing inspiration for parties—whether casual gatherings, dinner parties, baby showers, or formal occasions such as weddings and holiday fetes—and recipes for the home cook. According to Callahan, being prepared is the key to pulling off a self-catered party like a professional. With that in mind, he has included a “Kitchen Tools and Conveniences” section, listing the key equipment that will help you create the delicious masterpieces in this book. 

The rules:  Please leave a comment here and then hop on over to THE ENCHANTED HOME and leave a comment there too with your favorite party idea. You must be a follower of The Enchanted Home and Party Resources to be elligible. Friends and family are welcome. The winner will be randomly chosen the morning of September 6th. You must be a resident of the US. Good luck!