Tasteful Connections Catering

07/08/2022

04/29/2022

What’s a Caterer to do Part 36

Hi and I know you must be tired of my droning on, but just wanted to take a moment to say THANK YOU for all your lovely, heartfelt, sentimental, good wishes that you sent my way after the last and “final” chapter was sent out a couple Friday’s ago. The posts, notes, calls, emails and texts of good cheer truly warmed my heart. We are not calling this “retirement” but rather “funemployed”, a term a friend suggested to say if it’s not fun I’m not doing it. So that might be a little lofty, but truly a noble goal.

The past 9 days have taught me a couple lessons. Yes, there is life beyond catering, yet old habits die hard and waking up at the crack of dawn, dreaming of food, and spending too much time in the kitchen are tough habits to break. The business was my first baby, and just like it’s hard to see your kids leave the nest, it’s hard to say good-bye to associates, clients, vendors and staff all who have given my life tremendous meaning and fulfillment. Okay, not good-bye, but see you later! With promises of connecting for lunch, cocktails, happy hour, a brisk walk in the park or just an old-fashioned phone conversation, I’m certain we will stay connected in one way or another. Another lesson that I have already witnessed is that the hours fill quickly and time does fly by. My 91 year-old Mom and former business partner with my sister and I, who now lives with my sister, has enjoyed extra time and attention from us during the last couple weeks, especially since a couple of our caregivers have needed time off for health/family issues. Toss in a little volunteer work, a couple exercise classes, an art class, a little church time, bell choir, a little yard work, some social time and there you have it….When did I ever have time to work?

So in closing, please check out the attachment promoting an Art Show and Sale THIS SUNDAY at EAT, the party room at the business at 1 Whipple Lane. I’ll be there assisting my art teacher with the event and hope you can swing by. As always, take good care, have some fun and know how important you have been in our journey. Blessings, Sandra

04/15/2022

THE FINAL CHAPTER

What’s a Caterer to Do Part 35

What’s a Caterer to Do Part 35

Greetings one and all! This is the 35th and final chapter of our “What’s a Caterer to Do” series that chronicled life during a worldwide pandemic from a caterer’s point of view. At this point most of us have had covid, been exposed to someone that has covid, have had multiple nostril swabbings, have had vaccinations and boosters or some other form of covid involvement. We’re tired, we’re weary, we’re a bit cranky, and we’re so done! My congratulations and boundless respect to those hospitality professionals that have hung in there, fought the hard fight, and are hopefully on the other side of this life-changing occurrence. This industry is tough in the best of times, let alone in times like we’ve all experienced in the last 2+ years. As patrons, guests and clients of hospitality businesses whether a restaurant, bar, event venue, brewery/winery/distillery, coffee shop, fast or slow food operation, let’s be grateful and SHOW OUR GRATITUDE to those that continue to show up to work every day to enhance our life and provide us with distraction/entertainment, food/beverage, service/conversation when we need it the most. As a lifelong hospitality professional, I can assure you that every day is a challenge. Every day tests your fortitude. Every day makes you tired. Every day is a balancing act. Every day is a series of unexpected events that require troubleshooting and improvising. That being said, if you can succeed in this industry, you are well-equipped to do anything, anywhere, anytime!

So on that note, I’m hanging up my chef’s hat. Prior to covid, my sister/partner Eileen and I decided that 35 years was enough in the catering business and we began to search for a buyer. Then covid struck. Our staff of 30 rapidly became a staff of 4. We didn’t miss a beat and accommodated our clientele in ways that we never thought possible. Ways that were so far from catering it was laughable! We kept the business strong and healthy. We found ourselves a delightful couple that has 6+ years under their belt catering, and they are also located in Irondequoit. They have a unique brand and were looking for the right opportunity to grow and expand their reach. Enter Sarah and Mike Hasenauer, owners and operators of Farmhouse Table Food. We met in June of ‘21 and realized that we share the same philosophy regarding clientele, staff and food. They have impressed us as young, energetic, creative, hard-working people with a love and respect for food and the hospitality industry. Effective April 13th 2022 Mike and Sarah have purchased the assets of Tasteful Connections and have already begun operating the two businesses in tandem, eventually phasing out Tasteful Connections and operating Farmhouse Table Food with continued commitment and vigor. Please welcome them wholeheartedly as they continue their work creating tasteful events, both corporate and private.

Our 4 staff that has hung in there during covid, will continue to work with the new ownership as the businesses transition. When you call 467-4400 with your catering needs you will still speak with Michelle, who is moving toward her 18th year with the business. Kim will still see most of you as she tirelessly and capably delivers/sets-up and orchestrates your parties and gathering. She recently celebrated 27 years with us. Brian C. has been with us just three years, but was my loyal sidekick during the first year of covid. He learned a lot, became a jack of many trades and approaches work and life with a good-natured calm and composure. Victor has been with the business for several years and has a long history in the food business, mainly restaurants. He brings competence, hard work, talent and good humor to each and every task that he tackles. I will miss them all, and I will miss you all, dear loyal clients! Thank you for all the good times!

Good Wishes and God Bless….Sandra

12/02/2021

What’s a Caterer to Do Part 34

Greetings and Happy December! Hopefully the season’s business will be brisker than last year, we’ll spend less time lounging in front of the Hallmark Channel and we’ll actually spend a little more time doing what we were intended to do…CATER!
Yes, it still looks different. Those beautiful, bedecked and bedazzled bountiful buffets are still few and far between. The food service preference for the most part is still those darn individual plastic boxes, multi compartment or not…honestly our food deserves better treatment and better digs than a black plastic box. But, yes we still are in the land of covid, where uncertainty runs rampant, patience is wearing thin, and our world is forever changed. So we’ll just make the best of it and know that “nothing is forever”.
In an attempt to enjoy the holiday season I’m thinking everyday we should do something “holiday”. Something, anything, that we wouldn’t do anytime of the year except the holiday season…you know, bring a tree inside our house and string lights on it and decorate it with baubles and bangles. Shop till you drop. Traipse around stores at all hours of the night and day looking for that perfect gift for that special someone, that someone that already has everything they need and much of what they want. Search for the perfect family photo to include in the holiday greeting cards that you send near and far, to those we see regularly and those we haven’t seen in years and forever scrounging for a current address and trying to remember if they moved since last holiday. Watch the parade of Amazon trucks, FedEx, UPS and all their affiliates drive through the neighborhood multiple times daily as they deliver packages and parcels to those online shoppers that have perfected the art of holiday shopping without leaving their cozy abode. Maybe sprinkle some glitter on some unsuspecting craft projects. Maybe sprinkle some cookies once you locate your favorite holiday cookie recipes. How about fishing out the holiday attire, the seldom worn jewelry that only makes sense for a month or two, the jingle bells and flashing lights, the reindeer antlers on our heads and on our cars, the santa hats, very large or very tiny? How about listening to holiday music that started playing the day after Halloween? Maybe find that perfect “white elephant” gift, that “secret santa” gift, or better yet that “gag” gift for the person that you don’t really know, but to be a good sport you join in the fun. So many fun and festive holiday experiences to participate in. But seriously, enjoy the season, make a little merriment, share a little joy, do something a little nice for someone that doesn’t expect it. But most of all, stay well, get a little extra rest, drink lots of fluids, and make sure it’s not a COVID CHRISTMAS!

Till next time, Happy Holidays,
Season’s Greetings, Merry Christmas….Sandra

11/01/2021

What’s a Caterer to Do Part 33

Remember me? Yes, it’s been 6 months to the day since we’ve chatted. I had to re-read Part 32 to see where we left off. It was May Day, May 1st. Today is November 1st. We’ve survived Spring and Summer, we’ve ushered in Fall, and now it’s November! The season of uncertain weather, unpredictable temperatures, less sunshine, more rain (better than the alternative), and the thought of what’s to come. I’ve heard that the Farmer’s Almanac predicts a tough winter. How do they know what to predict? Do they have a crystal ball? A wind sock? A sixth sense? All I know is that catering under any circumstances is a tough way to earn a living. But I can only imagine the challenges of earning a living as a farmer! They are so dependent on the climate, precipitation, temperature, storage, the “market” and the ever-changing costs of product that they need to do what they do. Yet, we are all so dependent on them for our livelihood! Yes, we all count on each other to do what we do. We truly are intertwined. We need to remember that, and be grateful for the hard work and commitment of the other people/businesses that provide us with what we need to continue our work. We’ve been hearing a lot about “supply chain” issues lately. I guess we blame that on COVID. Might as well! COVID truly has interfered with our lives in most every way possible over the last 18 months. If we can’t get what we need, to provide what our clients want and need, we have no business. Luckily, with ingenuity and flexibility, we’ve been able to continue to hobble along this year, doing business in a strangely different but acceptable way, at least for now.

So why now, you ask? We’ve been out of touch for 6 months. Sure, we’ve chatted with a few of you, maybe even done a little catering for you. Maybe we’ve had a quick lunch together, maybe shared a happy hour, or a quick phone call. But the deal is WE MISS YOU…and you miss us! We’ve had many people mention that they miss our updates. So enjoy! It’s very therapeutic to drop thoughts and sentiments on a page for many to read.

The real deal is that we haven’t stopped long enough in the past 6 months to stay in touch. We’ve been busy cramming beautiful food into divided plastic boxes for delivery. We’ve been tasked with turning beautiful two-sided self- serve buffets into one-sided “served” buffets” (resembles a cafeteria line). We’ve been challenged meeting the ever-growing requests to accommodate dietary limitations. Meat, no meat, gluten, no gluten, dairy, no dairy, lactose, no lactose, vegan, heart healthy! Sometimes we joke that we should change our name to TCDC. (okay I joke, nobody else thinks I’m funny). Tasteful Connections Deli and Cafeteria. We’ve been busy fielding many phone calls reflecting daily changes from clients regarding menu choices/guest count/timing changes for booked events. We’ve been mildly concerned with COVID protocol. We’ve been busy making sure that we have the right people at the right time in the right places to do what we do. We’ve been patient with clients that want to book events, but are unsure, maybe even afraid, that COVID will get in the way. Truly, we’ve come full circle. It’s been a juggling act, sometimes an actual circus! We’ve been up to our ears in trying to get what we need, to do what we do, in a somewhat cost effective fashion. We’ve been overwhelmed by the increasing prices of everything that we use from plastic to paper, fruits to vegetables, meat to poultry, disposable gloves to gas for our vans. That’s kind of how we roll these days. Less parties, more everything else!

06/23/2021

Don't call it a comeback - been here for years* DISPLAYS are baaaaack!!!! *comment if you recognize the text ;)

06/22/2021

Time for a shout out or two! First welcome and thank you for joining us here Tasteful Connections Catering and Otto Reach!!

Thank you to our amazing ambassadors!! Thank you Janice N. Kwitee, Sue Staropoli, Stephanos Saroglidis, Harjeet Kaur,
Robyn DiFrancesco, Andrea Frosini Creary, and Leverett U Copeland!!

Thank you Gita Ramachandran, Jennifer Redding, Kaeyla María, Rick Nangreave, Rochester Gas and Electric, Jodi Rosenshein Atkin, Anne Lisa, and Kathy Barnett!!

You are all so great!!

06/21/2021

After a long hard weekend its nice to be appreciated! A beautiful note from a valued client.

As always, YOU DID IT AGAIN!
Thank you so much for helping us pull off such an impressive Monday morning “breakfast snack pack” for 300 employees today – with virtually no warning! I am so grateful to you and all involved for making it possible.
And of course, your breakfast treats were delicious…and your presentation was perfect! That’s why I’ve loved doing business with you for the past 16 years. You’re simply the best at what you do, and I appreciate your willingness to help me pull it off.

05/05/2021

Get your last minute gifts ordered!!!!!!

05/03/2021

Its not too late to get in on the Cinco De Mayo Dinner for 4!!!

Hors 'doeuvres - Corona Queso with Tri-Colored Tortilla Chips * Tropical Fruit Salsa
with Cinnamon Crisps
Dinner - Chicken or Veggie Enchiladas * Michelle's Rice & Beans * Tex Mex Garden Salad with ranchero dressing * Mexican Brownies garnished with Festive Sugar Cookie Cut Outs
Margarita Mix (byo salt)
Dinner for 4 presented "family style" ready-to-heat and enjoy - $100 plus tax
Pick up or delivery on 5/5 by noon. Delivery additional charge based on location. Email or call in your order by noon on Monday 5/3

LIMITED QUANTITIES AVAILABLE - ORDER NOW

05/01/2021

What’s a Caterer to Do Part 32

MAYDAY! MAYDAY! That’s an emergency procedure word used internationally as a distress signal. Mayday! Mayday! That’s a lovely word signifying the first day of May, the day to surprise a friend or loved one with flowers, or something else, or a phone call or a note…anything will do!

Funny, that both words seem to apply to today. May 1st, 2021! We haven’t chatted since the end of March. April disappeared into a haze of hospital stays, and time in rehab for my Mama, as she fought through some fairly undiagnosed sickness, loss of strength, balance and mobility, and finally rehabbed her way back to “baseline”, whatever baseline is. Truly, the month was a blur. A time of caregiving, worry, attempting to decipher hospital and rehab’s rules for visitation during covid. Wear a gown, don’t wear a gown. Wear a shield over your mask, don’t wear a shield over your mask. Stay out of the hallways, take a wander if you like. Obey the limited visiting hours, you don’t need to observe the limited visiting hours. Sometimes, we just wanted to holler MAYDAY! We are in distress! Throw us a life preserver, show us what to do and how to do it. MAYDAY!

Mayday! Today, the first of May. New day, new month, new attitude! We awoke to a beautiful morning, brilliant sunshine, the sparkle of dew on the very green grass thanks to all the April showers. Sure it’s only 36 degrees in upstate NY but it’s OK, the sun is shining, and our favorite meteorologists promise mid-50’s by days end. So let’s get a grip. It’s been said that caregivers must take care of themselves in order to be able to take care of others. Seems simple enough, but like most things in life we need a plan. We need to ease into it, not make a 360 change overnight. A walk around the block, a quick visit to the gym, maybe forgo the dessert for a piece of fruit, maybe limit the favorite libation to one, not two or three, maybe have a little fun, find some people crawling out of the covid cave and join them for a chat, do something creative, read a book…do what you need to fuel your mind, body and soul and get into a better place. It’s spring, a time of new beginnings, a time of hope!

So, I know what you’re thinking, “what does all this have to do with the What’s a Caterer to Do series?” I’ll tell you. It’s all intertwined. Remember that catering is not a job, or even a career…it’s a lifestyle. Catering is actually an occupation where there’s quite a bit of flexibility especially if you work with great people. We don’t sit at a desk or computer for 8 hours a day. We don’t sit! We don’t all work at the same time. We juggle, we balance, we manage to cover the bases while keeping our other non-work commitments priority. We run around and make things happen, these days we accommodate even very last minute requests when possible, we brainstorm creative ways to generate a little revenue, we go to the public market and hand-pick produce, we promote, we market, we stay in touch. This is not necessarily all done during a normal work day. We do what we have to do, when it needs to be done. Truly it’s not for everyone, but it seems to work for us, for now.

So it seems like 2021 is becoming the year of the “micro-event”, the “boutique gathering”, the “mini party”! Face it…if truth be told, micro, boutique, mini, mean one thing. SMALL! Quite a challenge for a caterer like us that thrives on numbers…We’ve built our business to specialize in BIG events. A few hundred guests, a clever theme menu, most of our staff, our fleet of vans, large variety and volumes of food and beverage, now that’s our Happy Place! But we recognize that now, because of covid, we need to find a new Happy Place..a way to observe limitations, a way to keep staff employed, a way to remain at least a little profitable. Talk about a pivot, it’s more like starting over in some ways. But we carry on, we scale back, we survive.

May is a month loaded with celebrations. Kentucky Derby is happening now, Cinco de Mayo on Wednesday (check out our dinner for four), Mother’s Day on Sunday (watch for our special Mom’s day “flowers and food”), Graduations, and finally Memorial Day at the end of the month. There’s no better way to celebrate than family, friends, food and maybe a little frivolity. You provide the family and friends…we can handle the food and maybe a tiny bit of frivolity. Deal?

Enjoy the day! Thanks for your patronage and support during the craziest of times. Till next time, Sandra xo

05/01/2021

Mom's Gourmet Brunch Basket - $100
Includes - Flowering Hanging Plant, Bottle of Bubbly, Homemade 9" Quiche, Sweet Momsy Mini Pie, Biscotti, Cold Latte (2), Yogurt Parfait (2), Gourmet Chocolate Heart, Fanciful Fudge (Delivery & Tax additional)
Call 585 467-4400 or email [email protected] to place your order!
Order by Wednesday 5/5

04/30/2021

Hors 'doeuvres - Corona Queso with Tri-Colored Tortilla Chips * Tropical Fruit Salsa
with Cinnamon Crisps
Dinner - Chicken or Veggie Enchiladas * Michelle's Rice & Beans * Tex Mex Garden Salad with ranchero dressing * Mexican Brownies garnished with Festive Sugar Cookie Cut Outs
Margarita Mix (byo salt)
Dinner for 4 presented "family style" ready-to-heat and enjoy - $100 plus tax
Pick up or delivery on 5/5 by noon. Delivery additional charge based on location. Email or call in your order by noon on Monday 5/3

LIMITED QUANTITIES AVAILABLE - ORDER NOW

04/16/2021

Next week is Administrative Professionals Day - show your appreciation with FOOD - call today and order lunch for the office.

04/14/2021

Did you forget to order your Dinner for 4? There is still time to get an order in for Friday pick up. DON'T MISS OUT 😋

featured ***MENU OF THE WEEK***

Feature Friday - Dinner for 4

Dinner for 4 presented “family style” ready-to-heat and enjoy
$100 plus tax

MENU
Dinner for 4
Minestrone Soup 1 qt. * Greek Salad with kalamata olives, chickpeas, banana peppers, cucumber, tomato and feta with Greek dressing * Chicken Bruschetta (tomato bruschetta with asiago cheese) * Penne Pesto Pasta with Roasted Vegetables * Mozzarella Cheese Stuffed Bread Sticks * Mini Cannolis * Red Wine

Pick up about 11AM - noon on Friday 4/16 or delivery available for an additional charge based on location

Email your order by noon on Wednesday 4/14 - [email protected]

04/13/2021

Time to CELEBRATE the class of 2021!!!!

04/12/2021

featured ***MENU OF THE WEEK***

Feature Friday - Dinner for 4

Dinner for 4 presented “family style” ready-to-heat and enjoy
$100 plus tax

MENU
Dinner for 4
Minestrone Soup 1 qt. * Greek Salad with kalamata olives, chickpeas, banana peppers, cucumber, tomato and feta with Greek dressing * Chicken Bruschetta (tomato bruschetta with asiago cheese) * Penne Pesto Pasta with Roasted Vegetables * Mozzarella Cheese Stuffed Bread Sticks * Mini Cannolis * Red Wine

Pick up about 11AM - noon on Friday 4/16 or delivery available for an additional charge based on location

Email your order by noon on Wednesday 4/14 - [email protected]

03/30/2021

What’s a Caterer to Do Part 31

Wow! It’s the end of March and I feel like we have been given a reprieve. We’ve had some beautiful weather over the last several weeks. It’s almost like a consolation prize for surviving the pandemic. Tomorrow is going to be 70 and sunny. People are running around in shirt sleeves and shorts. Spring clean-up in our yards and gardens begin! There is hope. There is a tiny bounce in our step. We have spring fever!!! Now, please don’t rain on our parade and mention that upstate NY may be the unhappy recipient of snow, maybe even a couple of inches on Thursday. The one thing we have practiced during the past year is patience. We’re not very good at it, but truly it seems that we’ve been forced to take it one day at a time. Sure, you can plan ahead and fill your calendar, but who knows until the day rolls around what will happen and what won’t happen?
Guess we’re not in control after all, huh?
In addition to practicing patience during the past 12-1/2 months, we have had to develop thick skin and broad shoulders. Makes us sound like some sort of alien reptile. Truly, we can’t let every setback take a toll. We can’t allow ourselves to indulge in mood swings. Happy when the phone rings and we speak with a human, sad when the phone is quiet and there are no humans to talk to. Happy when people respond quickly to our e-blasts, sad when they don’t. Happy when our inbox is brimming with catering requests, sad when the inbox is full of junk, trash, and unsubscribed propaganda. Happy when people order our “dinner for 4”, sad when they don’t. So in order to keep our composure, we will try to be happy and grateful for whatever comes our way, as long as it makes sense.
So lately I’ve been thinking a lot about eye contact. Maybe because our nose, mouth, chin, cheeks and all our other facial features are hidden behind a mask, but I’ve been paying a lot of attention to eyes. Truly, eyes are the window to the soul. No, I didn’t say that first, but I really like it and I thought it was worth repeating. Eyes are beautiful, so unique and very useful. I often think if one sense had to go away, I sure wouldn’t want it to be my vision. The one thing that bothers me is when people don’t make eye contact. Are they trying to hide something? Can’t they be trusted? Or when people don’t make eye contact with someone because they are a little hard of hearing, a little confused, a little old, a little young, a little whatever….Everyone needs eye contact regardless of their situation. When you don’t look into the eyes of another, they may feel invalidated or dismissed. Many times it is not intentional, but nevertheless hurtful.
As we move forward towards spring, our moods should elevate and we should develop some traction as people begin to gather again and plan special celebrations. Gatherings need catering and as the guidance continues to modify, I’m thinking we have a lot of lost time to recoup. So let’s plan those parties,
let’s put some fun events on our calendars and let’s move forward carefully
but purposefully.
Happy Easter to you. Enjoy the promise of Spring. Thank you for walking with us on this unforgettable, unfathomable journey of 2020/2021.
Stay in touch and be grateful for each day. That’s all we can do for now.
Xoxo Sandra