Culinary's "Concepts"

Culinary Concepts is was honored when we were asked to cater the Asian Heritage Awards for the 2nd year in row, once again hosted aboard the USS Midway.   The event included entertainment by Japanese pop star Masumi, the Thai Classical Ballet and the Silk Road Dancers from San Diego, while Amy Chanphavong, Miss Asian America, welcomed guests and assisted on stage.

On deck, during the reception, Kenneth Nguyen, a local designer and hair stylist, showed off some of his avant garde fashions of snappy cocktail dresses made from trash bags, as he put it –“good for the environment.” Naruwan Taiko, a traditional drum group, called guests to dinner.  An exciting event for all in attendance!

The inside scoop from the experts at Moceri Produce:

• Berries:  Strawberries currently have great quality and fair prices.  Check out organic blackberries from Stehly Farms—outstanding! Prices will be higher on blueberries and raspberries this week. 
  
• Tomatoes: Cherry and grape tomatoes from Baja are showing very good quality and prices are reasonable. Heirloom tomatoes--scarce right now due to the cool weather, expect high prices for a limited time.
  
• Eat your Veggies!: All leafy greens are in good shape this week as weather has been mild.  Check out Romaine hearts, Green, red, and Napa cabbage, Bok Choy and celery—good quality and prices right now!
  
• Seasonal Specialty Items:  Sharlyn Melons are here--known for their sweet flavor and firm texture.  Mango Nectarines and Gold Velvet Apricots are some specialty stonefruit available now.  All colors of Figs are at the best prices they will be all year, take advantage while you can!  Chanterelles and Morels are rounding out the seasonal goods in the mushroom catergory!

We had SOO much fun sponsoring this event! Couples (and friends) converged on Balboa park to participate in a scavenger hunt that would lead them to a $10,000 diamond ring, and they satisfied their hunger at an after party at the San Diego Natural History Museum sponsored by US! Check out Culinary Concepts’ Team members Mallory Woods and Laura Seery at the 0:47 and 3:40 marks.

Culinary Concept was honored to cater the "Honoring Freedom in America" event aboard the USS Midway this past April!  The event marked the 35 year anniversary of the April 30, 1975 fall of Saigon.  The USS Midway played a key role in rescuing thousands of refugees in less than two days, enabling them to come to America.  It became known as Operation Frequent Wind.  We were proud to participate, and we featured fun Vietnamese food on the menu to help commemorate--lettuce wraps, fresh spring rolls and Sweet Red Rice dessert.  It was a great success!

Ayumi and Ryan Wedding Trailer from Alumiq Productions on Vimeo.

Courtesy of Anthony Vu with Alumiq Productions (www.alumiq.com)

Many thanks the dedicated wedding planners that peeled themselves away from the TV to attend the Wedding Planner's Tea Party on the scenic Rooftop high above the San Diego Natural History Museum during the Charger's playoff game (in retrospect, anyone who watched the game knows they were probably better off not watching!!)

Thrown by Kate Capshaw of Resolusean Photography and Events, elegantly decorated by Dawn Stone with Embellishmint Floral and Event Design, and deliciously catered by our chefs here at Culinary Concepts, the event was a great success!    Photos courtesy of Sean Capshaw at Resolusean.