Holiday Decor: Tackling a Conference Room

As crazy as it sounds, the holidays are RIGHT around the corner! While you’re worried about how to design your  home and how to impress family and friends, cutting edge businesses are worried about how they’ll impress you at your holiday lunch!

BizBash approached Shai with this question: What’s a fresh way to transform a conference room into a holiday celebration?

Check out his answer and design suggestions below.

 “What does every conference room have in common? A conference table. The table should be the central focus of the room, simple enough where meetings can still be held, yet chic enough to really bring the holidays to life. The best way to do this is by designing and decorating runners. Depending on the mood of the office, try one of the following!

Snow White

Think:  shimmer, elegance and peacefulness of a recent snowfall 

Sexy Red

Think: sexy dark red hues of the holidays brass, gold and red 

Neutral Green

Think: Snow White, and Sexy Red, but more of a whimsical experience.

 

Does the office have glass walls or windows? Compliment them with ornament or text decals.

Vendor Preference

– Décor concept, production: Shiraz Events

– Fabrics: Ruth Fischl

– Decals: Sign-a-Rama 

Stay tuned for Holiday Catering and Entertainment ideas from Shai!

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Let’s just say, Shai’s ideas were so fab they were “steal” worthy!

Check out the “Steal This Idea” featured in the Chicago BizBash.

Shai Tertner and Super Bowl 2014!

BizBash asked Shai: With the recent announcement of Super Bowl 2014 being playing in the NYC/NJ area, how will planners capture the years of warm weather bliss in Miami, here in NYC’s cold winter months?

Being involved with many Super Bowl events in Miami and experiencing day time and night time activities throughout those times, I can tell that the challenge for planners in New York will be to capture the light state of mind that a warm environment and latin influence  lends to the crowds. I think it is time to spice things up in New York and bring back the playfulness that we are lacking since the collapse of the twin towers. Some ways of doing so: themes, costumes, smart but fun stimulation, expect the unexpected. READ MORE>>

Top Tips for the Last-Minute Wedding

* By Shiraz Events for The Knot’s “Wedding with a View” on the Empire State Building- themed the last-minute bride.

1.  Trust the Caterer:

Don’t go crazy trying to reinvent the wheel. The perfect caterer will have a delectable seasonal menu which can be quickly altered to your preferences. The caterer always knows best! Shiraz always knows best!! 🙂 

2. Keep the Bar Simple, Yet Stimulating:

Try a Bellini Bar! It’s colorful and fresh, and quite easy to display. You can work with fruit purees like: a Strawberry Basil, Peach Elderflower, or Honeydew Rosemary. You can also try fresh fruit infusions with Strawberry, Peach or Mango. Want to add a little bubbly to the mix? Use Prosecco, it’s budget-friendly and hey, who doesn’t love some sparkling?

3.  Do Brunch or Lunch:

Having anything other than a dinner will save you time in planning as well as budget! It allows for a more unique flavorful menu, that your guests may not be used to, but trust us it will be unforgettable.  At Shiraz Events we’ve created a French Toast Station that you should definitely give a try. It’s great because it can be savory or sweet and allows for an interactive and adaptable display. You can please the health conscious guest with a great assortment of breads like Pumpernickel or Brioche, and the more traditional breakfast guest with different poultries or proteins like sausage and eggs. Check out more photos on our Facebook.

4.  Stations with a Purpose:   

Themed stations are a perfect way to make sure your guests have plenty to eat in a creative and intuitive way. Try themes like a Moroccan Cous Cous Bar or Smashed Potato Bar, which offer choice, portion control and personality to your menu.

– Moroccan Cous Cous Bar: Use Semolina Cous Cous and/or Pearled (Israeli) Cous Cous and display in individually portioned tasting bowls. Separately present options of Chicken Tagine, Tagine of Pumpkin and Spiced Carrot Relish.  Sauces for toppings can vary as well; try Aleppo Yogurt, House Made Harissa, and Smoked Tomato Chutney. 

– Smashed Potato Bar: Display several different potato based recipes like Creamy Mashed, Smashed Yukon Gold Potatoes, Cilantro Flecked Mashed, and Spiced Honey Ginger Smashed Yams. Serve them up in Martini glasses for some flair and accompany with a selection of toppings; Lime & Tequila spiked Sour Cream, Roasted Tomato Chutney, Cilantro Pesto and Sautéed Wild Mushrooms. 

5.  Give Traditional a Twist: 

Tradition says the new bride and groom should cut the first slice of cake together, and we don’t want to take the idea of a three-tiered fondant cake away from you, but what if your favorite cake designer can’t make your dream cake in time?

Take a trip with your fiancée to your favorite little bakery, and choose three of the most beautiful and flavor preferred cakes. This is another instance, where you can please everyone. Get the chocolate cake for yourself, vanilla for your hubby and strawberry for Mom, because we know she’ll have a say! The three cakes can be tiered on different levels and beautifully adorned with floral… and you can still cut your slice of cake together!

Check out a write up about our menu for The Knot on Amy Shey Jacobs’ blog!

Outdoor Dining Guide

There’s nothing like a warm slightly breezy day to take your lunch or dinner entertainment outdoors. Just like an indoor gathering though, your ambiance must be just as sophisticated and fun. Here are a few suggestions to bring out the best at your next outdoor gathering.

Bright colored plates are a must to liven up the mood as well as food presentation.  This collection, including an appetizer plate, a salad plate and dinner plate can be found at Crate & Barrel.

Although our days are much longer in the summer, any great gathering should last long after sunset. What to do about lighting? Lanterns of course! Modern designed lanterns can create a classy feel to any backyard or patio. These awesome lanterns, Soji Modern Solar Lanterns, collect light all day and automatically turn on at dusk. They are unique, portable, efficient, and come in several styles to accommodate the stylist in you.

With summer in full swing, days spent outside can make you and your guests feel dehydrated and tired—but you can’t have that because your party will be a success. Get to the liquor or wine cellar near you and grab a couple bottles of wine, after all wine’s main purpose is to divert the mind from accumulated strain.

 Try Montes’ Classic Series Sauvignon Blanc 2008, rated by NYTimes Dining/Wine writer Eric Asimov and his wine panel as their number 1 wine for the summer. Out of a sampling of 20 bottles, they found Montes to be “dry and crisp, with distinctive herbal, mineral and citrus flavors as well. It was exceedingly pleasant yet not overly memorable.” Shiraz Events has supplied recent events with Montes and clients love the choice.

Check out the different wines that were sampled in the NY Times Wine of the Times!