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Elegant Fare Personal Chef and Catering Service
Chef David Straus
 

Chef David began his catering career in the early 1990's, and launched Elegant Fare Personal Chef and Catering Service in 1997. Elegant Fare wants to bring “the pleasure of being pampered and not worrying about your party” to all of our catered events.

Our experienced professional staff prides itself on their ability to deliver the service that you expect, at reasonable rates. To keep standards high, we cook and prepare food on site.

Elegant Fare charges differently than most catering companies. As a personal chef business that maintains a low overhead, we can keep our costs down to a minimum.

Unlike most caterers we charge no mark up on food, and hand over all receipts with your final event invoice. We charge a flat rate of $30 an hour per chef and server and a $1 set-up charge per person. We include a 18% charge on the total bill for serving pieces, menu planning and organization. This is not a tip for the servers, but for the service of planning, and silver, ceramic and marble serving pieces. This also includes all coordination of rental and beverage pickup and delivery.

Elegant Fare catering can act as planner for your entire event, and manage the party from start to finish, or we can fill in as needed if you have some other assistance in town during the event. We will take care of all the party planning of your event from liquor at the bar to the rental of china and tables. Our staff will provide service from bartending to carving the food tableside.

In the past we've engaged locations and sent out invitations for clients when schedules have gotten compressed, relieving some of the pressure as the party date approaches! We have relationships with rental companies in town and typically procure everything for clients from tables and chairs to linen, china, glassware and silver. We work to organize your entire event so all you have to do is show up and enjoy yourself with your friends and family. Our goal is to work with you to create a memorable event that fits the audience, the occasion and most importantly, your budget.

 

  
CATERING MENU

 

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . FANCY HORS D'OEUVRES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

These edible morsels will be elegantly presented to your guests on fancy marble,
sparkling silver trays, ceramic bowls & colored handcrafted glass plates garnished with
flair and served by a tuxedo server.

All selections are available and priced per hundred pieces.
If less than a hundred add a $10.00 ser charge, plus the cost of appetizers.

 
SEAFOOD
Crab Bundles
Crab with melted Herbed Cream Cheese in a wonton wrapper.
ALWAYS a crowd favorite

Corn and Shrimp Fritters -
Made with fresh cut corn on the cob and assorted
vegetables
Maryland Crab Cakes - Lightly seasoned with a fresh taste of dill
Oriental Crisp Crab Crepe
- Made from a crisp French crepe stuffed with snow crab, cream cheese and traditional oriental seasoning
Coconut Fried Shrimp -
a great crowd favorite
Crab Stuffed Shrimp
- Whole shrimp stuffed with seasoned crab meat and crusted with Italian breadcrumbs and parmesan cheese
Thai shrimp & rice noodle spring roll
Whole shrimp with Thai style rice noodles and vegetables inside an open ended rice noodle wrapper
Chipotle Shrimp Wontons
Shrimp, Yellow & Red Pepper Chipotle Fontina Cheese displayed in a Wonton cup
Fresh Jumbo Shrimp - Served with zesty Cocktail Sauce and Fresh Lemons
Shrimp Scampi - Sautéed in our special Garlic Herb Butter
Mild Cajun Shrimp - Sautéed in Butter and Cajun spices served hot or cold.
Can be made tableside
Caviar - Served on toast points with herb cream cheese
Seafood Brochettes - Served with Shrimp and Scallops and assorted Vegetables
Scallops Rumaki - Wrapped in Bacon
Smoked Salmon Platter - Served with mini bagels or cocktail rye,
cream cheese & condiments
Variety of fresh sushi - Made fresh daily from the sushi chef of Sushi Redi
Raw bar consisting of fresh oysters, crab, clams and shirmp

BEEF & PORK
Baby Lamb Chops - Coated with a layer of country style Dijon mustard,
seasoned bread crumbs and fresh rosemary
Baby Corn Beef Reuben's
Pork Tenderloin - On silver dollar rolls
Beef Tenderloin Wellingtons - Served with Béarnaise Sauce
Tenderloin Croistini - Prime tenderloin of beef on focaccia bread severed
over mixed greens topped with mild horseradish sauce
Meatballs - Oriental, BBQ, Marinara or Swedish
Beef Sate - With a Soy Ginger Sauce for dipping
Proscuito Wrapped Asparagus Rolls
Proscuito & Fresh Melons
Proscuito Wagon Wheels - Puff Pastry rolled with a spiral of Provolone and Proscuito

POULTRY
Chicken Sate - Served with a Peanut Dipping Sauce
Chicken Teriyaki Sate - Served with a Peanut Dipping Sauce
Chicken Quesadillas - Served with Salsa and Guacamole
Smoked Turkey Breast - Served with Silver Dollar Rolls and Basil Mayonnaise
Teriyaki Chicken Brochettes
Chicken Wellingtons
Chicken with Creamy Spinach in Puff Pastry
Coconut Chicken Tenders
Sesame Oriental Wings

Buffalo Style Wings
Jerked Duck & Mango Spring Rolls
Chicken & Vegetable Pot Stickers

VEGETARIAN
Petite Chili Relleno - Served with Zesty Salsa
Goat cheese & sweet pear filo purse
Corn and Vegetable Fritters - Made with fresh corn on the cob and
assorted vegetables
Tomatoes Basil Quiche Bar
Vegetarian Hye Rollers - Rolled up soft taco shells with assorted vegetables and Herb Cream Cheese
Wild Mushroom and Melted Brie Tartlet
Mini Eggplant Parmesan - Served with House Marinara Sauce
Brie En Croute - With Toasted Almonds and Raspberry Sauce
Portobello Mushroom Pizza - Wedges of Marinated Portobello Mushrooms
with Pizza Topping
Stuffed Snow Peas - Filled with Fresh Herbed Cream Cheese
Stuffed Mushrooms - Served with either a Wild Mushroom, Crab,
Florentine or Cheese Filling
Spinach and Assorted Mini Quiches
Oriental Egg Rolls
- Served with Plum Sauce vegetarian, chicken, pork or shrimp
Spanakopita - Flaky Phylo Dough filling with Spinach and Feta Cheese
Bruschette - Served with Sun Dried Tomato, Fresh Mozzarella and Spinach Filling0
Wild Mushroom and Pesto Turnover
Cherry Tomatoes - stuffed with herbed cream cheese
Breaded Cheese Ravioli
Artichoke & Sundried Tomato Wonton
Devilled Egg

 

COLD HORS D' OEUVRE, CANAPES & SUSHI
(priced per piece)

Stuffed Snow Peas - Filled with Fresh Herbed Cream Cheese
Cherry Tomatoes - stuffed with herbed cream cheese
Mini Fruit Skewers
Mini Fruit & Cheese Skewers
Boursin Cheese Stuffed Celery
Crab Stuffed Artichoke Heart
Crab Stuffed Artichoke Bottom
Artichoke & Pesto - marinated artichoke hearts blended with basil pesto on a toast point
Salmon Mousse Brouchee - mousse piped into a puff pastry shell with lemon/dill & capers
Balsamic Grilled Beef w/ Tomato Basil Relish - served on a toast point
BBQ Pork on a Cheddar Biscuit - shredded bbq sauced pork on a homemade biscuit
Blue Cheese Topped w/ Walnut - blended aged blue cheese on a toast point
Boursin w/ Pecan Filo Cup - piped into a baked filo cup & topped with a pecan half
Brie Cheese & Fresh Raspberry Tartlet
Cajun Shrimp - rubbed with Cajun seasonings & served on a toast point w/ Cajun cream
Cilantro Shrimp Salad Tartlet - with fresh lime juice & mayonnaise
Goat Cheese & Sun Dried Tomato Filo Cup
Blue Cheese Topped w/ Walnut - Blended aged blue cheese on a toast point
Grilled Chicken with Fruit Salsa - flame broiled breast meat presented on a toast point
Lobster with Crème Fraiche & Caviar - served on a toast point
Avocado Roll - Sweetened Sushi Rice, Fresh Avocado wrapped in Nori
California Roll - Sweetened Sushi Rice, Steamed Crab, Cucumber, Sesame Seed, Nori
Nigiri Salmon - Sweetened Sushi Rice, Salmon
Nigiri Tuna - Sweetened Sushi Rice, Tuna
Nigiri Shrimp - Sweetened Sushi Rice, Steamed Shrimp
Salmon Roll - Sweetened Sushi Rice, Smoked Salmon, wrapped in Nori
Spicy Tuna Roll - Sweetened Sushi Rice, Tuna, hot pepper, cucumber, wrapped in Nori
Tuna Roll - Sweetened Sushi Rice, Tuna, wrapped in Nori


. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . BUFFET HORS D'OEUVRES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

These edible gems will be elegantly presented to your guests on gorgeous pieces of marble, sparkling silver trays and ceramic bowls and colorful glass plates.

Stuffed Phylo Cups
With Fresh Dill, Curry Chicken Salad or Wild Mushroom filling
Seafood Display
Large display of Shrimp and Crab legs served over ice in a lighted display bowl with Cocktail Sauce and Lemons
Sushi Display
The freshest sushi rolls to include California rolls, Spicy Ahi rolls and vegetables garden rolls served with Wasabi, soy and ginger
Crab Mornay
Crab in a warm Cheese Sauce for dipping with toasted Baguettes
Spinach Dip
Served in a Sour Dough Bread Loaf
Bistro Cocktail Sandwich
Sliced tenderloin with Creamy Horseradish Sauce, Glazed Baked Ham with Bavarian Mustard, Smoked Turkey Breast with Basil Mayonnaise, BBQ Pork, served on sliced silver dollar rolls (your choice of three)
Gourmet Cheese Display
Beautifully presented on polished marble an assortment of chef's Domestic & Imported cheeses with fresh fruit garish served with assorted imported crackers
Carved Fresh Vegetable Crudités Display
The entire garden with Radish Roses, Carrots, Red Peppers, Celery, and Snow peas served with a French onion dip on a beautiful piece of marble
New York Deli Platter
Served on silver tray with Roast Beef, Ham, Turkey, Swiss and cheddar cheese. With assorted condiments and bread
Cheese Fondue
Served with small cubes of French bread
South Western Layered Dip
A wonderful dip with Black Beans, Fresh Tomatoes, Green Onions, avocado Sour cream, roasted Red and Yellow Pepper served with tortilla chips and fresh salsa
Fresh Seasonal Fruit Display
Fresh Melons, Berries, Grapes, Star fruit, Kiwis and Pineapple

HOT
Brie En Croute
Whole Baked Brie encased in flaky Pastry. Served with sliced fresh Baguettes and Crackers
Kahlua Pecan Brie
Served with sliced fresh Baguettes and Crackers
Warm Artichoke and Parmesan Cheese Dip
Served with toasted Italian Baguettes
Chili Con Queso
Cheddar Cheese blended with mild fresh salsa
Clams Casino and Oyster Rocker fellows
Served warm with Lemons
Italian Quesadillas
Marinated Chicken, Fresh Basil, Mozzarella and Tomatoes layered within a griddled Pasta sheet served with a Sundried Tomato Cream Sauce
Smashed Potato Bar
Treat your guests to an new twist on an old favorite Roasted garlic and white cheddar smashed potatoes served in oversized martini glass served with Shredded Cheese, home style, Bacon crumbles, Sour cream

STATIONS
Stir Fry Bar
Served with Snow Peas, Broccoli, Chicken and Beef, Peppers, with soy ginger sauce and Sweet and Sour sauce. - $8.75 per guest
Pasta Station
Served with marinara, fresh herb pesto, classic Alfredo with assorted vegetable.
$6.75 per guest
Fajita Station- Beef and Chicken served with tortillas, grilled onions & peppers, sour cream, salsa & guacamole. - $7.50 per guest
Western Baked Potato Bar
Idaho baked potatoes baked with cheddar cheese, sour cream, chives and crisp bacon bits. $5.75 per guest



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DINNER SELECTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

SEAFOOD
Seafood Crepes
Filled with shrimp, scallops and a fresh herb cream cheese sauce
Corn and Shrimp Fritters
Served over baby lettuce
Grilled Fillet of Salmon
Served with a Dill Compound Butter
Salmon En Croute
Salmon in a decorative flaky Puff Pastry
Sole Florentine
Creamy Spinach wrapped around with sole
Baked Lemon Sole
Served with Dill Butter
Colorado Lake Trout
Moist, Flaky and Tender Seasonal Fish
Seafood Newberg
Served in a flaky puff pastry crust
Shrimp Stir-Fry
With great seasonal vegetables with rice

BEEF, PORK & LAMB
Honey Soy Garlic Pork Tenderloin
Grilled flank steak with a soy dijon marination
Grilled Tenderloin Steak

Grilled to perfection and served with a Wild Mushroom sauce
Herbed-Crusted Lamb Chop
Served with Mint Jelly
Veal Scaloppini
Tender Veal medallions with a rich Mushroom Marsala reduction sauce
BBQ Beef Brisket
Bennett's BBQ beef brisket
Roasted Hawaiian Pork Tenderloin
Marinated in a Soy Sauce and Pineapple Juice
Teriyaki Stir-fry Beef
Served with oriental vegetables
Fajitas
Seared beef, peppers and onions Served with all the garnishes
Roasted Prime Rib of Beef
Generous sliced to order, with AuJus and Horseradish Sauce
Stuffed Pork Chops
Stuffed with Cinnamon Apple Dressing
Carved Honey Baked Ham
Served with silver dollar rolls and mustard

POULTRY
Mesquite Grilled Chicken
Served with a pineapple salsa
Oriental Honey Garlic Chicken

A soy and honey vinaigrette sauce with chucks of garlic
Grilled Herbed Chicken
Fresh herbs from my wife's garden in a light Olive Oil marination
BBQ Chicken
Chicken Provencal
Pan roasted Chicken Breast with Wild Mushrooms, Tomatoes, Garlic and fresh herbs in a light wine cream sauce
Chicken Picatta
Our version of this classic includes, boneless breast with Mushrooms, fresh herbs, Capers, Lemon juice and White Wine and Butter
Carved Breast of Turkey
Served with rolls and Basil Mayonnaise
Stuffed Chicken Breast
Choose from Kiev, Cordon Bleu, broccoli
Chicken Parmesan
Served over pasta with a fresh home made tomatoes sauce
Chicken Roulade
Boneless Breast of Chicken stuffed with spinach filling
Chicken Enchiladas
Served with guacamole, sour cream and cheddar and jack cheese

PASTA
Pesto Pasta
Grilled Vegetable Lasgana
Pasta with a Fresh Marinara Sauce
Risotto

Which has in it Wild Mushrooms or Shrimp or Asparagus
Sun Dried Tomatoes and Chicken Pasta
Penne Pasta with Chicken, Sun-Dried Tomatoes, and Fresh Basil, Garlic in a Cream Sauce topped with fresh Romano cheese
Penne Baguatta
Penne Pasta with Chicken and Broccoli in a light Tomato Cream Sauce
Seafood Pasta
Tender shrimp, crab and scallops with fettuccini noodles in a rich cream sauce
Pasta Primavera
Fettuccini noodles with a mixture of fresh vegetables in a Creamy Alfredo sauce
North Beach Vegetarian Lasagna
Mushrooms, spinach, zucchini, served in a light cream sauce baked topped with mozzarella
Lasagna or Eggplant
Hamburger or lightly breaded eggplant layered with Tomato Sauce
Bowtie Pesto Pasta
Served with grilled chicken and fresh shaved Romano cheese
Bow Tie Pasta
With Spinach and Mushrooms in a light olive oil sauce
Ziti with Sausage Peppers and Broccoli


. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
ACCOMPANIMENTS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

STARCHES
White Cheddar Mashed Potatoes
Rice pilaf
Twice Baked Potato
Wild rice
Roasted garlic smashed potato
Risotto
Roasted Red Potatoes
Corn bread
Pesto Pasta with pine nuts
Baked Potatoes
Oven roasted potatoes
Fresh assorted rolls and breads
Scalloped potatoes
Garlic Bread
Baked potatoes
Corn Soufflé

VEGETABLES
Steamed Broccoli
Grilled Marinated Vegetables

Selected Seasonal Vegetables
A mixture of Yellow Squash Zucchini, Tomatoes, Onions and Garlic
Asparagus Spears in lemony Hollandaise Sauce
Fresh Green beans with caramelized onions

SIGNATURE SOUPS
New England Clam Chowder
Honey Baked Ham & Bean Soup
Corn Chowder
Lentil

SALADS
House Salad
Baby lettuce with goat cheese, candied spicy pecans, with a dijon balsamic vinegrette.
Fresh Garden Salad

Served with fresh vegetables and cheeses in a light Vidalia onion Salad Dressing
Classic Caesar Salad
Romaine lettuce, shaved Parmesan Cheese and Seasoned Croutons
Mandarin Orange Spinach Salad
With Mushrooms and zesty light fruity vinaigrette.
Spinach Salad
Served with mushrooms, hard boiled eggs and warm bacon dressing
Thai Noodles Salad
Crisp Vegetables, Cellophane noodles tossed in light soy Dressing
Marinated Grilled Vegetable Salad
Garden Vegetables tossed in Balsamic Vinaigrette
Fresh Fruit Salad
A mix of Seasonal Fruit to include Pineapple, Melons,
Pasta Primavera
Penne Pasta with Fresh Vegetables and a light Italian Vinaigrette
Chicken Salad
Made fresh with Fresh Dill and celery

DESSERTS
Bittersweet Chocolate Mousse*
Made with Grand Marnier and wrapped in bittersweet chocolate bark
Chocolate Ribbon*
Sabayon chocolate mousse with whisky in a chocolate ribbon.
Cappuccino Mousse*
Cappuccino mousse surrounded by a cocoa-dotted vanilla sponge.
Triple Mousse*
A decadent dark, milk and white chocolate mousse
Grand Marnier Cheese Cake*
Sour Cream Cheese Cake*
Key Lime Cheese Cake*
Forest Berry Tart*
Pear Tart*

"*" Individual award winning gourmet desserts. All natural, no preservatives. Available in packages of 24 pieces

Lemon Raspberry Delice
A three layer yellow genoise cake is filled with lemon filling and raspberry preserves. French white butter cream surrounds the outside of the cake with a glistening apricot glaze topping
Apple Cake
Two layers of moist cake, full of apples, nuts and raisins with a sumptuous cheese filling.
Mountain Torte
Mountains of chocolate and crunchy hazelnuts rest on a cake layer laced with rum and hazelnut cream. Topped with a rich chocolate glaze.
Banana Coconut Cake
Ripe bananas make this three-layer cake so moist! The cake is frosted with cream cheese inside and out and dowsed with flaked coconut everywhere
Chocolate Flourless Torte
Belgium Chocolate and full cream make this a dessert to savor.
Chocolate Covered Strawberries
Tuxedo or dipped with white or dark chocolate
Poached Pears with chocolate sauce
Crème brulee, assorted varies made individually
White Chocolate Bread Pudding
Fruit Tarts
Chocolate or Vanilla Mousse
Strawberry Shortcakes
Assorted Cookies
Tiramisu
Brownies
Assorted Pies

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . VACATION HOUSE SHOPPING. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Grocery List (pdf file)

Member, American Personal Chef Association