couture cuisine » venues

…and the bride wore Gucci

admin — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 20:37:16 +0000

“Fabulous” pretty much sums it up.

On Friday evening, Couture Cuisine catered the wedding of a one-of-a-kind bride who also happens to be an event planner and friend.

As you might expect, many brides are quite detail-oriented and come up with fun and pretty details for their big day. Jordana took it a few (ok, many) steps further with a series of truly unique, perfectly coordinated and utterly gorgeous details. These included crisp linen napkins (hand-pressed by the bride) embroidered with the couple’s initials, engraved acrylic escort cards, a giant photo wall, and everything was perfectly colour-coordinated.

And just what was the colour scheme, you ask? Jordana is a bold, energetic person and her chosen colours reflected that perfectly: the entire wedding was decorated in clean white, inky black, and bright yellow. It was sohpisticated, unexpected and utterly striking at the venue, the Royal Conservatory of Music.

the dining tables after nightfall

..and then there was the dress. The dress! Ivory silk with bold geometric ribbons of black and yellow, with a motorcycle-chic belt to cinch the back. We’ve seen a lot of weddings and a lot of wedding gowns – and we’ve never seen anything quite like this.

the bride's Gucci gown

one half of the seafood duo: seared tuna with wasabi crème fraiche

Dinner began with an amuse guelle of goat cheese and preserved elderberries, served in a miniature risotto bowl. It was followed by a decadent duo of seafood, ricotta gnocchi, and an entrèe of cornish hen stuffed with Spanish chorizo and jasmine rice. Dessert was a huge hit, and we mean that literally: pretty fondant-covered individual wedding cakes were served to each guest. They were, shall we say, generously sized and most guests did not eat even half! But Jordana, being prepared for every eventuality, provided cake boxes and custom labels. Guests were able to take their remaining cake home to enjoy it the next day…and possibly the day after that!

Timbits and cookies served with milk

The couple’s favourite sweets were presented late in the evening: the groom’s beloved campfire treat, s’mores, were given a gourmet spin with dark chocolate and artisanal marshmallows before being circulated to guests on rustic wooden platters. Timbits and freshly-baked cookies were served at a station along with warm milk in a silver samovar, and cold milk served from miniature vintage milk bottles, topped with yellow straws. On top of all this, guests also enjoyed custom coffees at an espresso bar, which also offered classic affogato (gelato topped with a shot of espresso).

It was an unforgettable evening, one the bride calls “beyond perfect.”

For many, many more photos, become a fan of Couture Cuisine on Facebook and scroll through the album.

a very busy week

admin — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 17:55:58 +0000

We are thrilled to be catering not one, not two, but three fabulous weddings at the Royal Conservatory of Music this week.

Last Saturday, we worked with the lovely Melissa Haggerty to stage the largest-yet event at this brand-new venue.

Luxe hors d’oeuvres such as grilled swordfish with salsa verde on mini toast and frenched lamb chops with rosemary, cumin and date glaze were circulated to 210 guests on the ground level, accessed from bustling Bloor Street. Then, guests were invited to the light-filled first floor for a four-course dinner menu:

antipasto
imported Spanish prosciutto, pickled seafood salad, cherry buffalo mozzarella & olive crostini

pasta
agnolotti with chanterelle mushrooms & truffle oil

entrée
oven roasted provimi veal chop with rosemary
caramelized yams, sweet corn, arugula salad, gypsy peppers & aioli

veal chop with fresh corn

dessert
wedding cake with berries and coulis

Circulated late night snacks included mini breakfast-style treats such as French toast with mascarpone and crepes with dulce de leche. These treats were accompanied by lattes, espressos, and cappucino from a barista-attended station.

Our team loved working with the on-the-ball staff at the Conservatory, who are as friendly as they are experienced. We can’t wait for this weekend, when we will cater another two beautiful weddings – one, an intimate affair for 75 with a radically different colour scheme, and another for a multi-cultural crowd of 160. Details to come!

the new event space at The Royal Conservatory of Music

couture cuisine treads the boards

admin — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 13:45:57 +0000

We are so excited to share some details from a completely unique wedding we catered in March.

Working alongside the tremendously talented Melissa Haggerty of Spectacular Spectacular, we took part in a one-of-a-kind wedding at a virgin event space: The Canon Theatre in Toronto.

While The Canon has seen its fair share of large-scale theatre productions (Phantom of the Opera, anyone?), it had never been host to a wedding. In truly Spectacular style, Melissa created a magical, breathtakingly beautiful production. The wedding guests were the audience, the suppliers the crew, and the stars, of course, were the bride and groom.

The wedding menu incorporated the couple’s favourite foods, which meant plenty of seafood hors d’oeuvres following the ceremony, along with pink champagne in custom-ordered crystal coupe glasses.

prologue: pink champagne in crystal coupe glasses

After cocktail hour, the curtains parted and revealed crystal chandeliers, an enormous, hand-painted backdrop, and stunning florals (by Lidia of Fiori); audible gasps were heard as each new element was revealed.

Following some heart-warming speeches, guests were presented with a colourful first course of imported buffalo mozzarella with roasted tomatoes, beets, micro herbs, olive oil juice, and warm olive toast.

act one

For the main course, guests were offered the choice of roasted provimi veal rack with rosemary cracked pepper crust, or black cod with miso maple glaze. Keeping the evening theatrical, Couture Cuisine’s team of wait-staff carried plates covered with old-fashioned silver cloche covers and lifted them with a flourish as each table was served.

silver cloche cover each guest's entree selection

The final act was a fully customzed dessert, designed to replicate the wedding’s colour scheme of gold, coral, and seafoam green. Together with the clients and Melissa, Chef Arpi Magyar created a playful mini “wedding cake” presented on a gold-leaf plate.

mini "wedding cake"

The creative couple, accustomed to celebrating into the wee hours, requested a very unusual late night snack. Instead of ubiquitous mini-burgers and fries, wait-staff circulated platters of miniature breakfast treats such as mini blueberry pancakes with chantilly creme and maple syrup, tiny hash browns and petite “egg mcmuffins” complete with customized wrappers. Of course, no breakfast would be complete without coffee, and so Couture Cuisine provided an elaborate espresso bar, attended by a professional barista.

: mini pancakes, hash browns, and egg mcmuffins

Video clips of the event in progress by the inimitable Cloud Nine Creative can be found here and here, and for a backstage look at the crew creating this incredible day, prepare to be stunned by the jaw-dropping timelapse video.

Special thanks to Storey Wilkins for sharing these beautiful photos with us!

a fabulous farewell

admin — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 20:02:10 +0000

The conclusion of an evening wedding reception is obvious. The crowd thins, the bar closes, the final dance is announced. But what about a daytime reception? How will guests know when to say their goodbyes?

We have a few suggestions to end your fête fabulously, adding a flourish to your final goodbye, and clarifying the end of the party for guests.

If time is limited (and a daytime venue booking can be a bit shorter than an evening one), skip a plated dessert in favour of circulated sweets or an over-the-top sweet table. This will encourage guests to spend more time exploring your venue, mingling, and posing for photos while they nibble on something sweet.

an over-the-top sweet table

Orchestrate a truly grand exit: rent an historic car or sporty convertible and invite guests to wave goodbye as you zip away on your honeymoon. For a truly vintage touch, change outfits before departing…Mad Men-inspired suits and pillbox hats perhaps? Once the guests of honour have said their goodbyes, the guests will too.

There are plenty of ways to encourage guests to take part in your exit; playful bubbles, rose petals, or colourful paper flags can be handed out and used to send the couple off in style.

the power of lighting

admin — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 17:40:56 +0000

What do you think of when you imagine decorating a space for a party? Flowers, linens, tables and chairs? Perhaps some prettily coloured glassware? One of the most powerful ways to add colour, depth and drama to a room is with lighting, but it is an element often forgotten until late in the planning stages.

We love the simple elegance of candle-light, particularly in an historic setting such as our home venue, Graydon Hall Manor.

surrounded by candlelight, the bride & groom enjoy their first dance

For a more youthful affair, bold lighting transforms the same room from traditional to hip. For a recent bar mitzvah at Graydon Hall, the dining room took on a cool supper club vibe with the help of intense purple lighting.

While some spaces like the one pictured above do not necessarily need high-tech lighting, some venues truly do. For example, a raw loft space can be cold and sterile-looking without the help of some rosy (and flattering!) lighting. A tent is just a tent until it is illuminated; depending on the style of your event and your own personality, you might consider traditional crystal chandeliers on dimmers, or a more modern, coloured look.

dramatic indigo lighting adds glamour to a tent

open house

admin — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 18:15:16 +0000

Last weekend we opened the doors of our home venue, Graydon Hall Manor, for an afternoon of prosecco & prettiness. We set the dining room with a colourful & sparkly collection of rentals from our favourite suppliers, served a variety of hors d’oeuvres & sweets, and popped many prosecco corks. It was a lovely chance to share our event design & home venue with clients past and present.

the dining room set with fun & flashy rentals

In addition to prosecco & mineral water, our staff served a variety of delicious hors d’oeuvres. The menu included mini yorkshire puddings with roasted field mushrooms; creamy tomato soup served in espresso cups; and plump shrimp wrapped in kadaifi crust. We were thrilled to have an incredible cappuccino station from the Gourmet Beverage Company, and Chef provided platters (upon platters!) of freshly baked biscotti, mini mousse cakes, and chocolate-dipped strawberries to accompany the delicious hot drinks.

guests sipped cappuccinos in the Conservatory

To keep up to date with all Couture Cuisine events, please susbscribe to our blog, and become a fan on Facebook! An entire album of open house photos can be found there.

Our sincere appreciation goes out to our favourite suppliers for their help with the open house: Contemporary Furniture Rentals, Chair-man Mills, & Around the Table. Thank you!

jumping January!

admin — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 16:27:36 +0000

Happy New Year! 2010 is beginning with a bang. January is jam-packed with wedding shows, open houses, and even the launch of a brand-new venue.

Each year, The Wedding Co produces a spectacular showcase of the city’s best wedding industry suppliers, including caterers, florists, musicians, DJs, photographers, and much more. From January 15^th-17^th, Couture Cuisine will be participating & displaying beautiful table settings, design ideas, and of course the decadent creations of Chef Arpi Magyar at the historic Carlu. Our designers will be on-hand to discuss your upcoming reception in detail. For more information, please visit www.theweddingco.com. We hope to see you there!

Toronto’s newest event space, the Bram & Bluma Appel Salon at the Toronto Reference Library, is open – and gorgeous! Located at Yonge & Bloor, the light-filled space officially opens this month after much anticipation. We are looking forward to planning all kinds of events here – bar & bat mitzvahs, corporate events, even wedding receptions.

For photographs and more details, visit: www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/salonrentals. To arrange a personal consultation & a guided tour of The Salon, please contact Couture Cuisine by email (yummy@couturecuisine.com) or by phone @416.449.5432.

Finally this month, Couture Cuisine and our home venue, Graydon Hall Manor, welcome you to attend our second annual Open House on Saturday, January 30^th from 1pm-4pm. This is a wonderful opportunity to explore our Georgian mansion, see beautiful table settings from our favourite suppliers, and sample Couture Cuisine’s hors d’oeuvres. Event Designers will be pleased to answer your questions about events in-house or off-site. For more information, please visit www.graydonhall.com.

happy holidays!

admin — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 15:49:50 +0000

As you and yours make final preparations for the holidays, Couture Cuisine is looking forward to a busy 2010 filled with yummy ideas, treats, and surprises.

We are particularly excited to take part once again in The Wedding Co’s show at the historic Carlu, January 15^th – 17^th. (www.theweddingco.com) Created to showcase the finest wedding suppliers in Toronto, The Wedding Show is a wonderful way to gather ideas & inspiration for your upcoming celebrations. Our Design Team has imagined a whimsical yet chic theme which is sure to set your heart a-flutter! Be sure to stop by our display near the elevators to enjoy the beautiful table settings & indulgent treats from Chef Arpi Magyar.

couture cuisine's 2009 Wedding Show display (flowers by Stemz)

Also on our radar: sophisticated colour palettes for winter celebrations, recipes for comforting cocktails, baby shower ideas, and photos of simply spectacular events. 2010 is shaping up to be a fabulous, busy, extraordinary year! We do hope you will join us for the journey.

wines of Chile

admin — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:29:39 +0000

We recently enjoyed a wine-tasting event at Toronto’s Fermenting Cellar in the Distillery District. The fifth-annual Chilean Wine Festival showcased over thirty wineries, each offering several delicious wines to sample. We spent the greater part of the afternoon sipping, chatting and absorbing all we could about Chilean wines.

a Chilean vinyard

Chile is well known for the Carmenère grape, but our favourite wines were overwhelmingly Pinot Noir & Viogner. We were particularly impressed by the very tasty and very affordable Pinot Noir & Viogner offered by Cono Sur. Some of our fellow tasters gushed about these bargain bottles, confiding that they purchased them by the case. At around $10 a bottle, they are perfect for casual, at-home sipping.

Cono Sur also offers a more swish collection with higher – although very reasonable – price tags. Our favourite was the Vision Pinot Noir 2008, which will be released in the spring of 2010. Appealing to most red-wine drinkers and a great match for many foods, this wine would be perfect for a wedding reception.

Now, what to eat with your delish Chilean wines? We suggest…

grilled squid on watercress leaves with capers & olives

roasted garlic, olive oil, lemon, and flat-leaf parsley dressing

barbecued dry aged black angus steak

quinoa salad and roasted summer peppers

airy crepes with home-made caramel filling

Welcome!

admin — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 16:05:04 +0000

Couture Cuisine is pleased to introduce our very own blog. We are dedicated to creating fresh, unique, fabulous events – and that means staying current, sourcing trends, educating ourselves, and brainstorming chic party ideas. Come along for the ride as we post our thoughts, ideas, finds, tidbits and many more yummy surprises!

We are thrilled to introduce you to two new and gorgeous event spaces here in Toronto. The Bram and Bluma Appel Salon at the Toronto Reference Library is sleek, chic and light-filled. Set in the heart of tony Yorkville, The Salon is large enough to host up to 400 dinner guests, which is exceptional for a downtown space. Couture Cuisine is proud to be an exclusive caterer for The Salon, and we look forward creating beautiful events in this sophisticated space.

The Bram and Bluma Appel Salon at the Toronto Reference Library

Another gem is the Royal Conservatory of Music. Freshly renovated, it juxtaposes the historic school with clean, cool, modern elements. It has several different spaces and can cater to groups as large as 200 for dinner. Imagine an intimate wedding ceremony in the elegant Mazzoleni Hall, followed by a sumptuous multi-course dinner under the soaring glass ceiling of the Atrium. Beautiful!

The Royal Conservatory of Music

Are either of these a perfect fit for your event? Let us set up a tour for you; we’d be thrilled to cater your party at one of these beautiful spaces.