What we have been doing over the summer

Hi Everyone,

Wanaka Catering has had the most outstanding 2008 so far. This was our first wedding season after purchasing our new van to transport all of our supplies to venues. We can now come to any venue that has a kitchen and cater for your event.

Wanaka catering played a small part in a dozen happy wedding days from January through to April.

Whilst catering for weddings we have also been catering corporate events at the annual A & P show in Wanaka.

There was the odd memorable birthday or two, and I think one of the best days was cooking for the Prime Minister of New Zealand (pictured). What an honor that was, something that will stay with me and my staff that helped, for a long time!

What ingredients we use and where from

I thought I would give you a little insight on where we get some of our produce from, Wanaka Catering tries very hard to use the produce of Central Otago we have the best fruit, which had been supplied generally from Goodies from the Gorge, best herbs from basil parsley in Cromwell, and with a little hunting amazing meat.

We sometimes have to venture further a field to get the best salmon from Aoraki Smokehouse, the whole salmon is something to be seen, and even further to find oysters from Bluff and scallops & mussels from Nelson. But one of our beliefs is keep it simple and use what is around us.

Corporate lunches

If you need a lunch for any event please give us an e-mail info@wanakacatering.co.nz to ask for details on menus.

A yummy winter recipe - Winter lamb shanks with orange & wine sauce

Now that the winter is nearly here, Wanaka Catering thought you might like a recipe to warm you up. This meal can be found on the winter menu. For more information please contact us for details. info@wanakacatering.co.nz

Ingredients

• 4 lamb shanks
• 1 carrot, diced finely
• 1 medium onion, diced finely
• 2 celery sticks, diced finely
• 30-45ml/2-3 tbsp olive oil few sprigs fresh thyme
• 2 bay leaves
• 2 garlic loves, finely chopped
• 2 oranges, juice and finely grated zest (no pith)
• 1 tbsp concentrated tomato purée
• ½ bottle white wine
• 250ml/8½fl oz lamb stock (or water)
• salt and pepper fresh parsley, chopped

Method
1. In a suitable casserole dish, sweat the diced vegetables in some of the olive oil without browning until tender.
2. Add the thyme, bay leaves, garlic, tomato, wine and lamb stock or water, along with most of the orange zest and juice (retain a few pinches of zest and 1 tbsp of juice). Bring to the boil and lower to a gentle simmer.
3. Heat a little more olive oil in a separate pan and brown the lamb shanks on all sides, seasoning with a little salt and pepper as you go.
4. Transfer to the casserole dish and cover with its lid. Cook in a preheated slow-moderate oven (about 150C/300F/Gas 2) until the meat is completely tender and coming off the bone.
5. Remove the shanks from the pan and keep warm while you finish the sauce. Skim off some of the fat that is floating on it. Taste for seasoning and to assess its intensity. Boil to reduce if you think it needs it.
6. Stir in the reserved juice to refresh the citrus flavour.
7. Serve one lamb shank on each warmed plate with a generous amount of sauce spooned over. Sprinkle each shank with a little parsley and a pinch of the reserved zest.
Serve with Creamy mash potato and green vegetables

Up and coming summer 2008/9

For all those that are in preparations of marriage and arranging a wedding. Here are some tips for table decorations that we at Wanaka Catering have picked up along the way.

When it comes to the tables think about the time of day that you are going to be seating your guests and if you will need lights or candles, lighting can be one of the most important aspects create a gorgeous reception. It can showcase those stunning floral arrangements, warm up a cool room to create an intimate feel and light the center of a table while keeping the guests in candlelight.

Always keep this in mind when you are planning your reception. Everyone looks gorgeous in the right light.

Some ideas for table decorations

Table runners are always a great way to bring a colour theme together. And then add in something a little different like succulent plants in little terracotta pots, the plants can be arranged in so many ways and they keep living, so you can give them away as thank you gifts to family and friends.

You could have martini glasses with chocolates or sweets in them they are always a favorite with guests for nibbling on. Or even a beautiful glass water bowl with the goldfish and shells.

Just remember that what ever you choose for your day will look stunning and sometime simple is best. To much on a table can make it cluttered and hard for your guests to see talk to other guests.

For wedding menus and more information please contact Wanaka Catering, info@wanakacatering.co.nz or 03 443 4129.

Accommodation

If you are thinking about coming to Wanaka for a ski holiday and don’t know where to stay we have modern 3 bedroom house has all the facilities that you need on your holiday. The house is situated close to Wanaka and the 3 major ski fields Cardrona, Treble Cone & the Wairoau Snow Farm. It is also closely situated to Wanaka golf club for those days off.

The house offers plenty of indoor/outdoor living enabling you and your party to enjoy there stay. With all the comforts of home such as a log burner to keep you warm in winter and a balcony to laze away the summer afternoon’s on. Who could ask for better.

This house offers spectacular views across Lake Wanaka straight to Mt Aspiring National Park and treble cone, along with a little surprise of a decommissioned Coronet Ski Field chair for those days when you just can’t get enough of the winter.

For more information please contact kingsdrive@wanakacatering.co.nz or visit our website

Restore your stainless steel

If you have a rental house within Otago or you know of someone that does, Stainless Restorations Otago can help with restoring any stainless steel products from sinks, shower trays or handrails to urinals, sculptures and more. If it's made from stainless steel, it can be restored to look like brand new. For more information please contact eldon@stainlessrestorations.co.nz or give Eldon a call 0800 744 634.

Happy winter time.

Wanaka Catering | email: info@wanakacatering.co.nz | phone: 03 443 4129 | fax: 03 443 4129

terms and conditions | unsubscribe