Let me tell you about my first ever catering gig/party :D

It was held Feb. 12th (two days before Valentine's Day). Julia (the bride) had already told me about her likes and dislikes. I also met with her fiance, Eric (who I didn't like at all being really snobbish and stupid). Julia is really too good for him. All he did that day was list the items he did not want to see and they were like 100!

Anyway, my grandmother and Emma helped me a great deal. I couldn't have done without them so thank you so much Emma and Granny :)

The party was held at Julia's parents' house. They have one amazing REAL English garden. Julia told me she was bringing a small band as her friends and the fiance's felt like dancing.

Number of guests = 50

I made up a lovely menu. I had also agreed with Julia I would set the place up for her. I know a thing or two about decoration. Emma did more in fact and I really liked her taste. Julia's favorite color is lilac and almost everything that day was in lilac including table cloths and decorations. She just loved it. I also made Emma in charge of anything wine-related; from purchasing to food pairing. I don't drink and don't know that much about it :) And thank God, Julia didn't want pork on the menu. I know how to cook it, but I hate its smell and again, I don't eat it.

Back to the kitchen. Here's my humble menu:

Appetizers and Salads

Mushroom Fries
Asparagus Pasta Salad
Taboulah (of course! And they loved it!)
Californian Salad
Greek Salad
Mozzarella Sticks

Main Dishes

Fried Chicken (she begged me for it so what can I say?)
Chicken Risotto
Salmon and Spinach Lasagne
Chips and Fish (by demand as most English adore it)
Baked Penne with Roasted Vegetables
Meatballs

Desserts (next to the Engagement Cake which I proudly baked)

Apple Pies
Banana Tartes
Chocolate Tartes
Chocolate Souffles
Chocolate Hazelnut Biscotti
Chocolate Mousse (yes, by now you realized how Julia LOVES chocolate!)

And of course there were many non-alcoholic drinks as well.

Julia didn't want any waiters or waitresses at the party except for someone to pour drinks for the guests at the small bar and another someone at the buffet. She insisted it was a friendly gathering and she wanted nothing formal about it.

I just hired a waiter for the bar and watched the buffet myself.

I'm still sore, believe it or not. I hadn't slept for days before that and didn't rest a minute that day. I'd thought about calling the whole thing off and had cried right before the party.

I went there in a pink coat, black pants and a black scarf around my neck. Yes, professional and classic.

The party was great. Julia was really pretty and her friends were really nice. I was even asked if I could cater other parties :D I also met someone really interesting there *wink* but more later.

But I also earned a good sum amount of money.

If you like any of the dishes I mentioned above, I can email you the recipe. But then I'd have to kill you. Kidding. Just tell me.

Yes, I'm still here. Mom has found out about my blog as well. I don't mind it at all. As a matter of fact, I told her she should check it more often since I don't always feel like telling her everything :P

As for me, I'm still looking for a nice place to work. Is that too much to ask?! I have got a few offers, but there was always something about the place (and by that I mean restaurant) or the chef that upset me. But I'm not losing hope.

And so just then, my cousin Emma phoned and told me about this friend of hers who was having a small engagement party. Since it hadn't been expected, she had no idea what to do. She is not that rich either and could not afford too much, but at the same time she wants something really nice.

Emma told her how a great chef I was and that I could cater the whole PARTY for her!!!

I absolutely froze in my place when she told me about this. She was so happy she did and I was so nervous that I started going around in circles and finally tripped over and fell on my face. Serves me right.

Anyway, of course I had to say yes. This is my chance and not just that, but I could not disappoint 1. Emma (who so believes in me) 2. Julia (the girl whose party I'm catering) and 3. Me as I deserve to do this.

I have no plan yet. I have to get ready pronto as I only have TEN DAYS left and I've just learned there will be around 70 guests! She said they were only 50.

I already have a menu in my head, but I need to sit down with her and discuss her likes and dislikes and anything else regarding food. And her bloody mobile is always off.

But let me tell you before I forget about the psychic who read for me and Emma. We were sitting at some old coffee shop when this weird-looking woman approached us. I don't mean weird as in strange or freaky, but she looked like psychics you see in the movies or rather like a goth. Anyway, she asked if we were interested in a reading. And mind you, she had been sitting reading and had asked no one but us. May be because Emma and I look young and idiotic? Have no idea really.

But the thing is Emma was so excited and agreed right away. She told us she would give us two readings for 15 pounds and Emma told her she would pay only ten. The woman agreed.

I said nothing and the woman realized I was eying her from head to toe skeptically.

First she told Emma that she had two younger brothers. Now how the hell did she know that? She could not have heard us as we hadn't mentioned them at all earlier and she couldn't have known her as Emma did not live in the area.

Anyway, she told her stuff about the one she liked.

She turned to me, "Would you like a reading?"

I said OK.

She told me I come from very far and that my parents do not live with me! Then she proceeds to tell me about what I like and she told me things would get much better for me. She also said there's a great chance I might find the one for me in 2007 and described him a little.

She turned out to be really interesting. She even started telling us about herself. So, we ended up friends.

Have to go now. Salams!