When White Plains-based Combe Inc. - makers of Aqua Velva, Grecian, Vagisil and other personal products - hosted its Founder's Day picnic marking 62 years in business, the company turned to another "seasoned" pro for the festivities: Crystal Spoon in Elmsford.
What you will find hard to find in modern England is traditional English food. Fried food wasn't the only thing on the English restaurant menu, there were also healthy roast meats with vegetables, and dishes such as shepherd's pie (minced meat with mashed potato). These also have to some extent disappeared from the menu.Crystal Spoon offers many options and a complete arc of pricing possibilities. The lowest-priced "no-frills" barbecue is $8 per person, up to what company President Paul Ghiron called "the ultimate steak and shrimp setup - very elaborate" for $45 per person."At a sit-down Christmas party, you might talk to nine or 10 people at your table," he said. "With a barbecue, you can walk around and talk to everybody. And Christmas-type parties are more expensive. I like the barbecues as a better event with more ability to mingle, yet it's still affordable."Crystal Spoon is six years old and Top Chef is 18 months. The company caters some 1,500 events per year "throughout the tristate region," said Ghiron, adding, "We're the No. 1-ranked caterer in the Business Journals (Book of Lists) since 2005."Today's English food has changed, as have the eating habits of the English people. No longer are things fried in fat � even fish and chip shops offer their menu fried in healthier oils! Restaurants, however, have changed beyond recognition since the 1950s and 1960s, with some of the world's finest chefs now working in England's major cities.An alternative to the roast dinner is a ploughman's lunch where crusty bread is served with a piece of cheese, pickles, and salad. Once you're finished your main course, try a pudding of spotted dick (a steamed cake with currents) and custard, or sherry trifle.The recession brought a 30 percent downturn in catering that last year began to reverse itself This year's bookings to date are 10 percent greater than 2010. With the help of a revamped web menu, the company ratcheted up its online business 300 percent in 2010 compared with 2009.The traditional English breakfast would appear in front of you with fried eggs, fried bacon, fried sausage � if it could be fried and eaten for breakfast, it was on your plate! Lunch would perhaps escape the grease, but at supper time, tradition again would lead to fish and chips.Most areas of England have their own local food specialties. Do a little research before you go to see what's local to the area you'll be staying. Smoked kippers might not be your idea of a tasty breakfast, but toast with fresh butter and homemade marmalade could be a great way to start your day!
The company employs 14 full-time and expands as individual projects demand. "We've had no weird requests for Komodo dragons or anything like that," he said. But we just got two contracts to provide lunches for two camps: one in Westchester and one on the Westchester-Putnam border."
Author: Fallon, Bill
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