B-I-N-G-O!

This past Saturday I had the opportunity to work with a great group of parents for the St. Monica's (Berwyn) "Beach Blanket Bingo" auction. From our initial meeting in May, I knew that I was going to be working with a very talented and dedicated group of women. The transformation of the school's cafeteria and gymnasium was unbelievable. The footprint of the event was for guests to arrive on the "Boardwalk" which was the lobby area which had been covered in decorative paper to resemble a boardwalk. Guests proceeded into the cafeteria for 1 1/2 hours of cocktails including "California Coolers" and passed Hors d' Oeuvres, including my new favorite: Baja Mini Fish Tacos. After drinks and a silent auction, the real party began. Shannon and the decorating committee turned your run of the mill school gym into an evening beach party. White Japanese lanterns were hung from the rafters over Aqua draped tables. Faux surfboards painted by the students as well as a few real surfboards borrowed from one of my bartenders for the evening were placed thru out the gym. During cocktail hour the doors were kept closed as we prepared the stations for service. When guests were ushered in they were greeted with an amazing array of smells from my staff preparing dinner at the 3 service pods which were decorated with Tikki torches and some fun beach props:

California Comfort:

"Burger and a Shake"; Mini Angus sliders with a shooter of Fresh Made Milkshakes

" Lobster Mac and Cheese"

California "Green" Salad: Baby Greens, Endaname, Radish Sprouts and Margarita Vinaigrette

Gourmet Grilled Pizzas including Caramelized Onion and Goat Cheese and Pizza Margherita

Beefcake Buffet

Short Plates of:

Braised Short Rib over Horseradish Mashed

"Malibu" Pork Loin over rum glazed apples

Mirin roasted Salmon with a lemon artichoke orzo

Pacific Fusion

Hand Rolled Spring Rolls:

Shrimp with Thai Peanut

Crab with Ponzu

Vegetable Lo Mein served in Chinese Take-out Boxes

For dessert we set up a make your own smores station. The centerpiece of the table was a Pineapple Palm tree with fresh fruit skewers. Guests also had a choice of white or dark chocolate fondue for dipping marshmallows toasted to order and then rolling in crushed graham cracker crumbs. Assorted Homemade Biscotti including cranberry almond finished off the evening.

A well deserved congratulations goes out to the Mary Kay, Jenn, Christine, Shannon and their respective committees for putting on a great event, and hats off to all the parents and friends who came out to show their support for Catholic Education.

** Please excuse the lighting on the pictures, I STILL can't figure out how to use my camera!