Where We Be, Vol II

Friday, May 1st: "Roll Out the Barrels"

Edna Valley Vineyards.
We will provide a four-course French country theme inspired menu. This is an intimate dinner featuring some of their very best wines. Please call Tina to make your reservations 805.544.5855 ext 42
$85 per person
includes entry to Saturday's celebration

A taste of the menu...
Trio of Appetizers
Seared Diver Scallops with Tarragon- Shallot Beurre Blanc
Duck Breast with Warm Mushroom and Arugula Salad
Filet of Beef Au Poivre with Caramelized Shallots, Sweet Potato Cake, Summer Vegetable Saute
Pain Perdu with Fresh Berries

Friday, May 15th: "Wine Festival Dinner"

Opolo Vineyards

Join us on top of their gorgeous Westside vineyard for an incredible, multiple course dinner paired perfectly with Opolo wines. Soak in the amazing view of the Westside vineyard while you sip their fantastic wine. Dance under the stars to live jazz music. Does it get any better than this?

Dinner starts at 6:00 pm
$90/Club Members, $110/Non-Member or call us make your reservations! (805) 238-9593

A taste of the menu...

Saffron Shrimp and Crab Cake with Chipotle Creme Fraiche and Citrus Dressed Baby Greens

Pancetta and Sage Wrapped Local White Sea-bass over Herbed Couscous
Grass-Fed Filet, Balsamic Red Onion and Tomato Marmalade, Arugula, and Sweet Potato Cake

Cardamom Spiced Plum Compote with Ricotta Sorbet

Our Peeps at Pianetta

Reason #183 why this is the best job in the world: Grandma Alice.

At Pianetta Winery's "Taking Flight" event our menu paired some hearty small-bites with some of their delicious reserve wines. If you get a chance, try some of Pianetta's award winning wines at their tasting room in downtown Paso. Guests enjoyed an evening of hospitality provided by Caitlin, Angie and the whole lovely Pianetta "family." Those of us in the kitchen were treated to Grandma Alice. A sprite and charming woman of 75 or so, Grandma Alice stuffed us with her addictive biscotti, shared 100 year old Italian recipes, and told us tales from her days as a young girl. How adorable are Chef Hope and Grandma Alice here pouring over an old recipe?

More photos from Trumpet Vine's amateur photographer

Peppered Beef Tenderloin, Chevre, Baby Arugula and Sweet Potato Cake

Briased Cabbage and Short Rib Spring Rolls with Plum Sauce Drizzle

Heaven in "Hell's Kitchen"

Yes, that "Hell's Kitchen!" Chef Gordon Ramsay, film crew, and the current contestants from the popular Fox television show visited our beloved Paso Robles on Monday. Go Paso! Hosted by the lovely folks at Meridian Vineyards, contestants were filmed during a wine blending seminar in their gianormous Barrel Chai. Following the demonstration, we provided a "Rewards" dinner buffet for everyone. Chef Ramsay was very warm and gracious. I nearly swallowed my tongue when he asked "What are we having?"

Apparently, female chefs are few and far between in the UK. He seemed impressed that not one, but TWO females were responsible for preparing the group's meal. High five ladies! Thank you to my dear Corinne from Panacea Event Floral Design for providing a calm presence and help with styling our buffet presentation. Corinne's hilarious take on it all can be found in the Whimsey Files.

Bride's Choice Award 2009

We are excited to announce that Trumpet Vine Catering has been selected to receive the "Bride's Choice Award" from WeddingWire.com. SWEET! Thank you to all of our past brides that provided warm reviews of our company. It feels good to do something you love and know that others appreciate it.

Mid State Fair Annual Dinner

I love this event. We have done it for a few years now, and we always look forward to schlepping in the rain (never fails!) and getting to find out who will be performing at the Fair later this summer. Here are some behind the scenes pictures from the evening. I am still learning how to use my fancy camera.

I think the staff favorite that night was the Caramel-Apple Bread Pudding. YUM! Our chefs really put some extra love behind this one.

Festivals, Fundraisers, and Wine, Oh My!

Come visit us and check out these great local happenings...

TASTE 2009

Sunday, February 22, 2009

3:00P-5:00P

St. Rose Parish Center

SIP -SAMPLE- SAVOR

17th Annual Paso Robles Zinfandel Festival
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Grand Tasting 7-9:30 P.M. Paso Robles Event Center. Zinfandel producers and enthusiasts come together for an evening of wine, food and celebration of California's heritage variety.

"ZEN-Fest"
Saturday & Sunday, March 21 & March 22. Enjoy Asian inspired small-bites and some great Zinfandel in their newly renovated"Zen" tasting room. Contact Zenaida at (805) 227-0382 or visit www.zenaidacellars.com

Industry Wine Tasting Adventure

Happy New Year!

I am kicking off 2009 with video highlights from a recent wedding professional wine tour graciously provided by the Grapeline Wine Country Shuttle. A handful of us played hookie from the office and visited a variety of smaller wineries for the day... I love my industry! Trumpet Vine provided a tapas style picnic for the tour and we enjoyed plenty of great wine.

Allyson Magda is not only an amazing photographer, but also quite the videographer!

Halloween Fun!

We had a blast creating spooky stations for Trilogy's Halloween Party (forgive the crude photos, there was no fancy photographer there to capture the moment). From "Baked Bones" and "Fungus Salads" to "Dead Man's Ribs" with "Moldy Mashers," guests experienced some extraordinarily gross fare.

Our Fall Tasting Event

Want to know what your vendors are doing after the party is over? We are being darn silly in Mike Larson's photobooth. At our Fall Tasting event, our guests were introduced to our new verticle appetizer buffet and Panacea's lush floral"centerpieces" suspended over our lazy susan displayed tapas. Larson's photobooth was a huge hit and everyone left with a little memento from our lovely Sunday gathering.

Introducing the "Send off Picnic"

Does anyone REALLY eat at their own wedding? Seems like there are too many people, formalities and excitement to think about sitting down for 5 minutes to eat. Thus, our latest addition to the Trumpet Vine experience for our couples. The "Send off Picnic " features an insulated picnic basket packed with "Leftovers for Lovers" (various appetizers and dishes from the reception menu). We make sure this gets tucked into the getaway car at the end of the evening so our newlyweds can munch and relax privately back at their suite. When it is all said and done, our couples have a little memento from their wedding caterer to last a lifetime.

Backstage at the California Mid-State Fair

This was our 4th year as the caterer for backstage artist, support and crews at the California Mid-State Fair's 10-day event. This is some of our shiny happy crew sweating it out in the Paso heat. Take note of our sweet new salad buffet in the pictures above. The CMSF bought it this year and we love it. It takes so little to make us caterers happy. We had a great time and Chef Hope got to prepare chicken for Toby Keith while he chatted her up at the BBQ. Woohoo! That is about the extent of the glamour we experienced.

Can't wait to see the line-up for 2009!

Meghan & Matt

This couple is too cool for school. Meghan and Matt were gracious, hilarious and obviously the best of friends. Lots of beautiful people and oh the details. I officially love yellow now. Their rustic Willow Creek Olive Ranch affair was full of amazing music and a big family style dinner. Allyson Magda captured this joyous celebration in every frame.

Jamie & Kevin

Oh goodie, Larson's blog let me lift a photo from Jamie & Kevin's wedding this weekend. Thank you Mike!

I really enjoyed getting to know this couple over the past year of their wedding planning. Their mantra "Life is a game, play it. Life is love, enjoy it" resonated over the entire wedding. The overwhelming love and energy surrounding Jamie and Kevin's big day easily overshadowed the random cool weather we experienced Saturday. And what a first dance! Cheers to life full of laughter and fun together. Thank you for giving Trumpet Vine the opportunity to be part of such a beautiful occasion.

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