Caterers??

Not sure which forum is most appropriate for this question, didn't seem like Dining Out or Shopping/Cooking. Anyway, mods please move this out if it's inappropriate here, thanks.

So I have a child with special needs that is due to have a bar mitzvah at the end of May here in Northbrook. Monday of Memorial Day weekend to be exact. I say "due to" because he has suffered some considerable behavioral setbacks in recent months and without going into lots of private details, he may or may not be celebrating this event. His preparations are actually going quite well for him, he doesn't have a lot of the baggage learning Hebrew that he has with plain old English, but I digress.

Our temple has a prefectly nice party room in which we could have a celebratory luncheon after the service and since it's that Monday of Mem Day, the room is not in demand for other events and I'm saved the deposit that would be required just about anywhere else (and potentially sacrificed, you see where I'm going??). Theoretically I have until about March 15 to decide what to do about this, but that's the drop dead date for getting invitations prepared and sent by the end of the month.

SO with all that said, I've been thinking about my catering options at the Temple. It is a reform congregation so does NOT have to be kosher but they do require kosher "style" with no pork or shellfish served and no mixing of meat and dairy.

Michael's does lots of events at our temple, it is WAYYYY out of our price range for this. Hel's Kitchen also does a lot with us, and they do have a value menu thing going this year, but I hear very mixed things about them from different people. Others who do events there include Pear Tree Catering and Salt&Pepper (Sault?); I've met people from these places, they're much smaller operations than the big guys but also have the room to be flexible in pricing etc.

Anyone have great experiences with real reasonable caterers who might fit the bill? Or horrible experiences you'd be willing to share to save me some angst? Or know some teenage musicians who might want to provide background music for a pittance? LOL

Thanks for any and all input.

http://www.figcatering.com/

I'm sure Molly or Justin can chime in or contact you with more but why not keep it in the LTH family if you can?

HI,

This caterer understands quality as well as price. Fresh Appetizers by Chef Paul who is quite inventive and willing to work unusual menus. He once prepared a historical menu for a birth or death anniversary of J.S. Bach.

He used to supply appetizers to the trade, then started catering total functions.

Regards,

we used hel's kitchen for our wedding a few years ago and the food was very good. i'd recommend them and use them again.

We were on a budget for our kids' bnai mitvah and had a cold buffet from Fox & Obel. We hired our own staff and saved that way too, and we bought our own (cheap) wine at Trader Joe's. Our temple is in the city, so delivery might be pricier out to Northbrook, but the food was outstanding, and both times, with two different catering directors, F&O was a pleasure to deal with. We had a great tasting each time, and my daughter and especially my son, who likes to cook, enjoyed the attention and the food choices.

EvA wrote:We were on a budget for our kids' bnai mitvah and had a cold buffet from Fox & Obel. We hired our own staff and saved that way too, and we bought our own (cheap) wine at Trader Joe's. Our temple is in the city, so delivery might be pricier out to Northbrook, but the food was outstanding, and both times, with two different catering directors, F&O was a pleasure to deal with. We had a great tasting each time, and my daughter and especially my son, who likes to cook, enjoyed the attention and the food choices.

Sources for hiring staff welcome too!

Thanks all.

I was just at a Bar Mitzvah, and the lunch was just pre-made deli sandwich trays, salads, etc. with cookie trays. It was quite good (also a family on a budget). They brought their own sodas, no alcohol. You don't need live entertainment at lunch, many people are doing an ipod attached to speakers (you can get a mini-jack-to-whatever-they have in that room cable for prob $8-$24).

Try the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra if that might fit the bill. cyso.org I have not hired them, but have heard them perform.

I have a friend who works as a freelance catering server/bartender, and she has worked with Chef Paul, and says everything he does is wonderful, and he's good to work with.

She has also worked often with Kosher Gourmet, and says they do a great job, too. I have no idea what the prices are for either, however.