By “Sherm”

Being in this business as long as I have, I’ve heard my share of horror stories about caterers cutting corners, later charging hidden costs, or staff clashing with location staff.

This business is incredibly competitive and believe me caterers are counting on your limited knowledge of exactly how we operate. Let me lift the napkin for you.

Fresh vs. Frozen ~ ALWAYS taste test your menu. You may pay a small fee for the opportunity, but better to find out now whether the chicken breast you’ve chosen will be fresh or thawed. Believe me, they taste different. Just because someone you know liked the food a year ago, doesn’t mean the same chef is still working at that establishment. This is your special day you should like the food they are serving.

Chinet vs. China ~ Does it really make a difference? Not if you have a great caterer! If guests are going to remember something it’s not going to be your china pattern, it will be the rubbery chicken! Review your catering package closely and if you’re on a budget, this is where you can afford to skimp. A well connected and knowledgeable caterer has access to plastic ware and plates that look just like china and at half the cost of the real thing.

Have It Your Way ~ This is your special day, so make sure you get what you want. You should interview companies until you find one that agrees to personalize your menu. With food allergies these days, there are so many dietary needs to consider. A good caterer will accommodate all your needs. Consider children attending the reception, will your caterer provide child-friendly options. PBJ and Filet? Why not?

Location, Location, Location; is not just for Real Estate ~
More than likely you’ve often dreamt of your wedding day way before your thoughts turned to selecting a caterer. The setting is important from many aspects; the décor and accessibility and can they accommodate all your guests. It is important to consider whether your caterer can accommodate your every need on-site (whether an indoor or outdoor wedding) but, MORE IMPORTANTLY, you need to learn about whether your caterer has a good relationship with the location. The last thing you need the day of the wedding is conflict between the reception site and your caterer.

The Biggie: Hidden Costs ~
Read your contract closely. Let me say that again READ YOUR CONTACT CLOSELY.  Is gratuity included? Is there a room fee? Are there charges for set-up and/or clean-up? Did you take copious notes during your conversation with the caterer; refer back to those notes before you sign anything. Double check your package, is everything you want included? There may be an up-grade charge for certain items. Remember, no matter how large or small the company they may not remember all the little details that aren’t so little to you a year later.

With more than 20 years in the culinary business, “Sherm’s” experience runs the gamut from operating small kitchens to fine dining at Harry’s Savoy restaurants. He has studied HRIM at Del Tech and the University of Delaware. Sherm and his partner own and operate two very successful cafes with the third venue; The Skyline Grill, Sherm’s Catering will be catering events downstairs opening earlier spring in Pike Creek with full catering services.

Testimonials:

“I used Sherm’s Catering for my daughter’s bridal shower … His service and staff were excellent. The food was wonderful and I received many compliments from my guests especially about his crab dip and homemade chips! The prices were great and there was an abundance of food. I highly recommend him for your next event.” ~ Judith Stives;  Bear, DE

“We had Sherm and his group assist us with a fundraiser for March of Dimes. They were wonderfully professional and FUN to work with. There were RAVE reviews from all of our guests on the food. Thank you to all your staff for making our event such a raving success!!” ~  Sue Sokira; Wilmington, DE

“I have used Sherm’s catering for multiple events ranging from small office parties to large benefit fundraisers. The prices are the best around and the food is incredible! At every event, we’ve
received so many compliments about the food!”~  Danielle; Newark, DE

“I will gladly say that I am repeat customer and have been since day one. Excellent food, great customer service and the price is always right. Keep up the good work Sherm and Company!” ~ Mallory Cicchetti; Wilmington, DE

My best to you as you create the perfect wedding!

FoodEase is family owned and operated by
Cathy Hagan and Camie Bailey, former owners of
Super Suppers Wilmington.

After five years operating as franchisees with Super Suppers, we discovered our customers would prefer us to assemble their meals instead of the original Super Suppers model of, “make your own.” With that said, we are excited to announce our official changeover to FoodEase

How did we get our new name? It’s a play on the word foodies. If you haven’t heard the term “Foodie” it means “people who simply love food for consumption, study, preparation, and facts about food.” That’s us … and you get the benefit by the ease of delicious ready-to-cook food! And there you have it , our new name … FoodEase – Take and Bake!!

At FoodEase, we want to help families, couples and singles simplify one area of their lives – DINNER

We take care of the hassle that comes with shopping for and preparing your family meals.

Using only the freshest ingredients makes our chef-designed entrees healthy and delectable and contains zero trans fats. We know that everyone wants a meal “just like mom would make.” That’s why our delicious, home-cooked meals are family favorites. Now, you can spend more time with the ones you love and still put a wonderful, nutritious meal on the table.

Experts say that taking time to enjoy meals together helps families reconnect. FoodEase makes it easier for families to sit down at the table together for dinner. All the shopping, chopping, mixing and prepping is done. All you do is cook it and enjoy your time with the family.

Sound expensive? Not compared to dining out or your weekly grocery bill. It is hard to imagine that having restaurant quality meals in your freezer can cost less than you would spend at the grocery store to buy the ingredients. But it’s true! At a time of fuel, utility and overall cost of food and living skyrocketing, FoodEase is a luxury that actually saves you money!

Our food is all made and prepared on site here in our store. Some of the customer favorites include, Asian Flank Steak (awesome on the grill), Parmesan Chicken with Wine & Sage Sauce, Chicken Pot Pie, Crispy Apricot Pork Chops, Sunday Pork Pot Roast, Bruschetta Chicken, Heavenly Chicken, Meaty Cheesy Lasagna, Vegetarian Lasagna, Chicken & White Bean Chili, Eggplant Parmesan, Pecan Crusted Tilapia, Classic Shepherd’s Pie, Meatballs and Sauce. Also available are Wheat/Gluten FREE, dairy free and lower sodium entrees and sides. Ten to twelve new entrees are switched each month. Entrees come in three convenient sizes. Single servings, regular (3 servings) and large (6 servings)

FoodEase is not just for dinner. Besides more than 35 different entrees to choose from daily we are stocked with manybreakfast items, like Cinnamon Monkey Bread and Blueberry Cream Cheese French Toast Bake, or Strata Florentine. Some appetizer choices are Crab & Artichoke Dip, Buffalo Chicken Dip, Jalapeño Popper Dip, and Cranberry BBQ Meatballs. A selection of desserts include; Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars, Key Lime Pie, Berry Apple and Caramel Apple Crisp,  Peanut Butter Cup Pie, and Country Peach Cobbler. Veggies and side dishes include Parmesan Garlic Green Beans, Asparagus w/Dill Sauce, Orzo with Grilled Vegetables, Southern Baked Mac & Cheese and lots more! And it’s all made fresh at the store!

Lunch! We now have Wi-Fi in our café area! Bring a friend, sit and enjoy our home-made soup, fresh to order salads or a delicious sandwich from our NEW lunch menu. Choose from a Pretzel Grill, Turkey Reuben, Hot Roast Beef, Mozzarella Meltdown, Turkey BLT or Turkey Slaw and more or choose to build your own sandwich with your choice of turkey, ham, chicken salad or tuna salad. No luncheon meat used here! We cook our turkey breast, ham and roast beef in the store and cut it fresh daily for your sandwich. Our delicious chicken salad is made from all white meat chicken and our tuna salad is from white albacore tuna.

When you bring FoodEase to the table, you know you’ll be serving a meal that not only tastes delicious but is good for your family. As always, we truly appreciate our loyal customers and welcome our new ones. Our hope is to make your mealtime more enjoyable, easier, healthier and tastier.

FoodEase is now offering home and corporate delivery service!

Visit website for details about delivery days in your area www.foodEasetnb.com

302 478 5935
3619 Silverside Road,
Wilmington, DE 19810 Talleyville Center, Rte. 202/Concord Pike

Hours:
Monday & Friday 9:30 to 5pm
Tuesday & Wednesday 9:30 to 6pm
Thursday 9:30 to 7pm
Saturday 10 to 4pm

Call (302) 478-5935

for more info or email us at
info@foodEasetnb.comat

By now, hopefully you have all had the opportunity
to try the spectacular range of specialties at Saketumi in Rehoboth Beach,

off of Route 1. Saketumi, the sister restaurant of Jasmine in Wilmington, is the lower shore’s most chic restaurant.

Saketumi offers well-prepared, modern Asian cuisine;
Japanese, Chinese, Thai, and Korean.

As a soup lover, I am always impressed with the spice and freshness of Saketumi’s soups. The Thai Spicy Lemongrass Soup with Shrimp is my favorite. With bell peppers, shitake mushrooms, fine lemongrass and lime, it is a combination of flavors that will thrill your taste buds.

One of my newfound favorites at Saketumi, as well as Jasmine,
is their wonderfully priced Bento Box Specials.

A complete meal that is sure to leave you with plenty of delightful leftovers, these are offered in Thai, Chinese, Korean, or Japanese. The Thai, for instance, starts with Thai soup, followed by a complete divided tray of papaya salad, jasmine rice, spring roll, and Tom Yum Goong. What a delicious selection at a price that will keep you coming back to try all of the varieties.

If you prefer to stick with an entrée, the succulent Braised Korean Shortribs with Kimchee offer a combination of spicy and sweet that play wonderfully off of each other. Another favorite, the Rainbow Roll, has a gorgeous presentation, as does all of Saketumi & Jasmine’s sushi. The fresh tuna, salmon, and avocado topped with roe, will make you remember why you crave sushi.

Saketumi offers a fantastic Happy Hour that includes
drink specials from wine, to cocktails, to beer.

The Happy Hour special not only includes a large selection of sushi and vegetable rolls, but also tempting appetizers such as Crispy Crab Wonton. The best part is that everything is priced starting at $1.75 to $5.00 and is offered seven days a week from 4-6 pm. Now that is something you can’t afford to pass up in this economy.

An exciting edition to Saketumi that’s sure to be a hit
this spring and summer
is the new upstairs Ai Lounge and outdoor area.

What better way to enjoy their fantastic martinis such as the Flirtini, complete with raspberry puree and a splash of champagne than on their hip upstairs patio?
So be sure not to miss out on all of these wonderful offerings in the south. Make it a point to experience Saketumi on your next beach trip, because they are so much more than great sushi.

By Sue Ford

Step into Candy for all Occasions to take a walk down memory lane. This quaint, cozy sweet shop in the Fairfax Shopping Center is loaded with your old time favorites from wax lips to candy necklaces, but that’s not all.  From the love of your life to your little one, chocolate is an affordable luxury, especially around the holidays. At Candy for all Occasions, you pick the box, and you choose the chocolates (only their favorites), and we bow your perfect package.  If chocolate isn’t your favorite, there is a wide variety of nuts and trail mixes for the health conscious. And what is healthier than strawberries?  (Dip them in dark chocolate – it’s good for your heart.) Place an order a day ahead so they’re fresh.

Fresh is what Candy for all Occasion does best. This year, start a new tradition; personalize your loved ones’ stockings with chocolates to reflect a favorite sport, hobby or occupation.

For everyday, Candy for all Occasions creates great baskets and gifts for every occasion.  From hostess gifts to baskets for Birthdays, Thank You, Congratulations, and Sympathy, you can’t go wrong with a gift of comfort food.  Choose your favorite products or leave the creativity to us. Local delivery and shipping is available. Phone orders are welcome, but if you stop in, be sure to pick up a treat for yourself.

“At Candy for all Occasions, you pick the box,
and you choose the chocolates
(only their favorites), we bow your perfect package.”

Candy for all Occasions

has two locations:
2211 Concord Pike, Wilmington, DE. and
2049 Newark Road,
Lincoln University, PA.

Call us at
(302) 654-9171 or
(610) 869-3839, or visit our web site
www.candyforalloccasions.com

One of the services I offer to my clients is a grocery store tour.

It’s hard enough to know what to eat, let alone navigate the boundless choices at the market, so my experience as a regular person AND a licensed nutritionist enable me to assist individuals with what can be a daunting undertaking. So where does one begin?

First things first, take an inventory.
Before you leave the house, check the cabinets, frig, and pantry to see which foods you need. Next, plan your menus for the week. Knowing what you and your family are going to eat for breakfast, lunch, and dinner ahead of time will save you valuable time and money.

Second, bring a list.
That way you will get what you need, and be less apt to purchase items on impulse (which tend to be high in fat, sugar, sodium, and calories). It helps if you organize the list into the different areas of the store (i.e. frozen foods, dairy, produce, canned goods, meats, breads). This is a great way to get the older kids involved by giving them each an area to shop.

Third, don’t shop on an empty stomach.
If you can, eat a meal before you go, or grab a granola bar to munch on the way.

Fourth, shop around the perimeter of the store.
Foods in the center of the store tend to be more processed then those items found on the outer aisles, such as fruits and veggies, dairy, fresh meats, fish, and seafood.

Fifth, don’t forgo frozen!
It can be even fresher than fresh. Frozen fruits and veggies are harvested at the peak of ripeness and flash frozen to seal in nutrients. Fresh can be exposed to less than ideal handling, shipping and storage conditions, and can lose additional nutrients while exposed to light on grocery store shelves.

Sixth, contrary to popular belief, canned goods can be good!
Don’t be afraid to use canned beans, veggies, and tomato sauce. Just rinse beans and veggies in a colander to remove up to 40% of the sodium, and look for low sodium or no-added salt items.

Lastly, bring your smart phone along for the ride.

There are some great apps that can help you save money, eat healthier, and more! Some of my favorites include “ShopWell”, an app that lets you customize your food selections based on your gender, age, activity level, like and dislikes, allergies and intolerances, specific nutrients you prefer, and additives you don’t. With “Fooducate”, just scan a product’s bar code with your iPhone, and this app will give you the item’s “grade” (“A” for excellent, “F” for put it back on the shelf!), calories per servings, and quick hits on the product’s pros and cons. “GoodFoodNearYou” allows Android users to find healthy food when they are on the go by using GPS technology; the app identifies your location, and then presents you with the healthiest selections from menus at nearby restaurants.

Lisa Harkins is a Registered Dietitian and the owner of Ideal Nutrition and Fitness. She consults for Quest Fitness located in the Village of Five Points in Lewes. Quest Fitness is a full-service fitness facility offering personal training, fitness classes, spinning, yoga, pilates, nutritional counseling, youth camps, and seasonal kayak tours, rentals and sales.

Visit www.questfitnesskayak.com for more information.

Lisa Harkins, RD, LDN

Ideal Nutrition and Fitness LLC

P.O. Box 684, Lewes, DE 19958

Phone: 302-388-2856

Email: lisa@idealnutritionandfitness.com

www.idealnutritionandfitness.com

Follow me on twitter.com: lisaharkinsRD

Become a fan of my business on facebook.com: Ideal Nutrition and Fitness LLC

By Lorie Marrella, Managing Partner, FruitFlowers of

DE, Chester County, PA & South Jersey

The beginning of a New Year is a time when we make many resolutions. Eating healthy is a popular goal so many people set year after year. In an effort to be healthier, we need to eat foods that physically make us feel better, mentally nourish our psyches, and socially feed our souls.  Fruit can fit this bill.

Strawberries are heart healthy and high in iron and vitamin C. Pineapples, kiwi, and melons are also high in Vitamin C. Grapes help to protect the heart as well as make our skin healthier.

It would then seem logical that eating fresh fruits would be a good idea.  It would also make a perfect gift for a loved one or friend.  The problem is that it’s not as easy as it may seem.  It requires some good timing to allow fruits to get to their proper ripeness and then it can be quite time-consuming to cut the fresh produce.  There is one company, however, that has mastered the art of the healthy fruit treat. That would be the business of FruitFlowers™.

FruitFlowers are not normal flowers.  These “flowers” pack a punch when it comes to vitamins and nutrition, plus they warm your heart and force a smile.  FruitFlowers is the company that offers these unique and healthy treats. The bouquets are made of freshly cut fruit that can include red, ripe strawberries, sweet pineapples, succulent melons, luscious grapes, and delicious kiwi. This company’s delightful creations allow us to send a friend a juicy treat without the guilt of depleting their health status.

FruitFlowers is also a tasty and healthy approach to Valentine’s Day! Traditions tell us that red roses are the signature gift of love. However, according to Lorie Marrella, owner of FruitFlowers in Chester County,  Delaware, and now South Jersey, times are changing!

FruitFlowers are the perfect alternative for Valentine’s Day. From pineapple “daisies” to strawberry “tulips,” cantaloupe and honeydew “leaves,”

FruitFlowers bouquets are a sweet treat – delicious, healthy and beautiful, a unique alternative to flowers.

“Today, there is a focus on the creativity and imagination that goes behind gifts”, Marella said. “It is creativity, in fact, that is a foundation of FruitFlowers. We have over 60 different designs that we make by hand for our customers. The unique designs are popular gift-giving items throughout the year,” Marrella said, “but many people enjoy giving FruitFlowers bouquets for Valentine’s Day.”

Discover Unparalleled Fine Dining at The Farmhouse.
Where foods of rare excellence are served in an elegant provincial setting.

Intimate candlelit dining rooms, exceptional service, award-winning menus featuring The Farmhouse famous crab cakes, and many seasonal specials all contribute to a delightful dining experience. Sundays, a superb prix fixe three-course dinner is offered.  The intimate Farmhouse bar with fireplace is a local favorite. Reserve the unique subterranean wine cellar featuring the Wine Spectator Award winning wine list for a very special Chef’s Table.  Enjoy summer evenings of genteel tableside service on the Farmhouse’s covered outdoor patio. The 18th century Farmhouse is open for dinner Thursday – Sunday.

The Farmhouse is the quintessential destination.

Indoor and outdoor catering is available for parties, meetings, and corporate events.  Specializing in weddings, Chef Roland creates your menu from farm-fresh foods. No frozen or pre-made foods are ever used. The gracious Banquet Room connects to a soaring sky lit Round Room offering a beautiful view of gardens and golf course.  Sip a frosted mug of beer or special Martini in the adjacent air-conditioned Tavern with flat screen TV or dine out of doors and watch play from the Tavern’s open-air brick patio.

The Greathouse and Tavern are open daily for lunch and dinner.

Sunday Brunch is served in Country Elegance while enjoying a complimentary flute of champagne. Free Children’s menu.

Loch Nairn’s impeccably groomed Golf Course
is open to the public.

This is a true shot maker’s course with tree lined fairways winding through wetlands, lakes, and ponds.  There’s a fully stocked golf shop, locker facilities, and Men’s & Ladies Associations. Lessons are available for all levels. Be sure to stop by the unique Tavern for food, drink, and conversation.

Discover
unparalleled fine dining at The Farmhouse
Casual dining and all manner of celebration,
The Greathouse at Loch Nairn

Visit us online at www.lochnairn.com or call 610.268.2235.