Lemon Napoleon

Light and airy, this lemon zest mousse and sponge cake stack delivers a fresh burst of citrus flavor that compliments entrées such as shellfish and chicken.

White Chocolate Mousse Pyramid with Mango Gelatin

This delicate presentation of gently sweet white chocolate mousse and tropical mango gelatin is as delicious as it is visually intriguing. Add this to the ending of a formal five course menu.

Strawberry Tree

This fun and eye-catching dessert is a perfect addition to wedding sweet tables and anniversary celebrations.

Double Chocolate Raspberry Torte

Rich and luscious, this chocolate cake layered with chocolate ganache and raspberry preserves is a stunning addition to any sweet table or as a dessert centerpiece.

Twin Chocolate Ganache Tart

Individual tart shells filled with swirls of chocolate and white chocolate ganache, rimmed with chocolate whipped cream and topped off with a trio of dark chocolate truffles, this dessert is sure to satisfy any chocolate lover’s appetite.

Fruit Tart

Creamy custard covered in fresh berries and peach slivers served in a buttery tart shell is a fresh ending to any summer event.

phil·an·thro·pi·a  is Executive Caterers’ Annual Fundraising Luncheon at Landerhaven designed to benefit non-profits throughout Northeast Ohio. After the tragedy of 9/11, New York City absorbed such a large portion of all charitable donations that many local non-profits struggled to reach their own goals. In response, Executive Caterers rededicated our December Corporate Club luncheon to the support of local charities, especially smaller organizations without substantial resources of their own. We look forward to next year’s phil·an·thro·pi·a  and surpassing the $143,178 raised in 2012. Read more about phil·an·thro·pi·a  and download a 2013 registration form.

Presented by>Cleveland Business Connects (CBC) magazine, the Connectors Choice Awards is an annual awards presentation that is dedicated to recognizing the best and brightest individuals and groups that represent the local corporate event-planning industry as well as the professional networking community. The year’s event was held at Galleria at Erieview and indeed saw a turn out of Northeast Ohio’s  best and brightest.

The Landerhaven Event Planners know what it takes to make an event a great success. They know all the details that need to be addressed and how to manage an event. They are up to date on the latest trends and can help you design the perfect soiree, reception or award ceremony.

They’ve Seen It All

In the event of an unforeseen hiccup or even a catastrophe, the Landerhaven Event Planners have the solution. With their years of experience and cache of knowledge, they can handle any situation to keep your event running seamlessly and on schedule.

They’ve Got Connections

The Landerhaven Event Planners have worked with and developed relationships with many vendors. Not only will they be able to recommend the best vendors but they will make sure your vendors are providing their best and staying on schedule.

They’ll Let You Relax

The Landerhaven Event Planners will make sure your steaks are medium rare, the flowers are fresh and the linens are pressed. They’ll save you time and energy so that you can actually enjoy the event yourself.

One big wedding trend we will be seeing this year is the reception lounge. Your friends and family will love a separate area, away from the dance floor, to mingle, relax and have a drink. By adding couches and lounge furniture to a bar or patio area, you can instantly create an intimate area to showcase your theme. If space is limited, use the cocktail area for double duty. Many rental companies have a large selection of furniture, from sleek modern to old fashioned cigar room; the lounge can be a great place to showcase a photo booth, late night snack or photo slideshow.

Landerhaven features four separate patios that provide a great area for an outdoor lounge and a variety of areas adjacent to our ballrooms for an indoor lounge. Adjacent to our East Ballroom, the Rotunda, with its round interior and specialty lighting is an intimate room perfect for a slideshow screen. Contact a Landerhaven Wedding Consultant today at (440) 449-0700 to talk about all the options that Landerhaven has to offer.

The Stationary

Choose stationary that uses recycled materials or tree-free paper such as bamboo or cotton.  From shower invitations to thank you notes and wedding invitations to ceremony programs, weddings require a large amount of stationary. Since electronic substitutes are not recommended, choose chlorine-free paper with natural dyes and recycle place cards, programs and menus after the reception.

The Ceremony

Reduce your wedding’s carbon footprint by choosing to hold your ceremony and reception in the same location. Less travel for your guests reduces the emission of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.

The Dress

Wear a vintage or preworn dress. Reduce one-time use items in your wedding by having your mother’s dress altered or shop online for preworn dresses. Some local wedding boutiques specialize in altering vintage gowns.

The Caterer

Choose a caterer that practices sustainability. The caterer can reduce waste from food and beverage by choosing to use water dispensers instead of bottle water and composting used coffee grounds and leftover food. Plan a seasonal menu with the caterer that includes locally grown and produced products to reduce shipment distance and greenhouse gas emissions.

The Flowers

Purchase pesticide-free flowers from local growers for centerpieces and bouquets. It was estimated that in 2010, 71% of cut flowers sold in the U.S. were imported from such places as Colombia and Ecuador. If local, pesticide-free flowers are not an option, reusable LED lights, natural tree branches or soy candles are a great alternative.

Royal Colors

The winter season is perfect for royal colors and fabrics such as deep reds, bright blues and gold in taffeta and crush that may be a bit heavy for the spring or summer.

Icy Accents

A familiar setting from the season, ice, is perfect for accentuating a bar or food display. Martini luges and ice vegetable displays add an impressive element to a relatively ordinary part of a reception.

Non-Traditional Decor

Bare branches are a great alternative to costly floral arrangements. Dust them lightly with fine glitter and hang votive candles or LED lights from them for a special look.

Seafood Season

Forget the cheese table- seafood bars are perfect for hors d’oeuvres. Alaskan king crab season runs from October through January and Maine Lobster season runs until late December.

Holiday Cocktails

White Chocolate Gingersnap Martinis – enough said.

Winter Packages

Many establishments offer winter packages for wedding receptions and even more open availability for their banquet rooms giving brides and opportunity to book their dream room on a date they want.

Think Money

Before beginning the planning process for any event, first determine your budget. This will help determine what venue, food, bar and entertainment options are available. Larger budgets can provide opportunities such as DJs, full service caterers or outside venues. Smaller budgets may call for the event to be held in the office during operating hours, light hors d’oeuvres or employee only events.

Ask Around

Conduct a little research to help accommodate the majority. Use an informal survey  to answer questions such as what time of day the event should be held and whether or not spouses and significant others should be included. Some may find it difficult to find a babysitter at certain times and others may feel inconvenienced at the prospect of producing a date.

Go Non-Holiday

Instead of planning a traditional Christmas party, try a non-holiday themed party. Use a theme to help choose and write the menu. For example, choose a western theme and plan the event at a local country western bar and serve foods such as chili, ribs and pulled park. Choosing a non-holiday theme also avoids leaning the event towards one religious holiday.

Don’t Do It Yourself

Ask around the office for a small number of volunteers to help with the planning and execution of the event. Decide which tasks may need more than one person, form teams and delegate responsibilities based on the individual interests. Schedule brief meetings to stay on task and decide which areas need more help.

The holidays would not be complete and maybe a bit unbearable without some good cocktails to get us through. Liven up your holiday gatherings with some of our tested recipes or treat yourself to one, two or three festive cocktails after a long day of gift wrapping.

Poinsettia
A light cocktail that is perfect for holiday parties earlier in the day.

3 oz. Champagne
½ oz. Orange Liqueur, Cointreau or Grand Marnier
3 oz. Cranberry Juice

Pour chilled cranberry juice into a champagne flute, add Cointreau or Grand Marnier, stir and top with champagne

White Cosmo
The classic cosmopolitan turned white for a winter wonderland.

1 oz. Cointreau
¾ oz. lime juice
1 oz. white cranberry juice
1½ oz. vodka

Shake all ingredients in cocktail shaker with ice and strain into a chilled martini glass.

Gingersnap
Experience a staple treat of the season in cocktail form.

1 oz. Spiced Rum
1 oz. Ginger Liqueur
1/2 oz. Half and Half
1/3 Stick of Cinnamon

Place cinnamon stick into a cocktail shaker, add the rum, ginger liqueur and half and half, cover and shake until well blended. Strain into a glass and serve.

Hot Buttered rum
This traditional holiday drink is best had next to a warm fire.

1 oz. light rum
1 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon butter
4 cloves
Boiling Water

Add the sugar, butter and cloves to a coffee mug. Pour the rum, and stir well. Fill with boiling water. Stir again, and serve.

Raspberry Chocolate Cheesecake martini
Tis the season for cakes, pies and dessert martinis.

1 1/2 oz. vanilla vodka
1 oz. raspberry liqueur such as Chambord
1 oz. heavy cream

Shake all ingredients with ice in a cocktail shaker, strain into a chilled martini glass rimmed with crushed graham crackers and sugar.

White Russian
This year-round cocktail is perfect after a holiday dinner.

2 oz. vodka
1 oz. coffee liqueur
light cream

Pour vodka and coffee liqueur over ice in an old-fashioned glass. Fill with light cream and serve.

Eggnog martini
Give eggnog a kick with the rum.

2 1/2 oz. Eggnog
1 oz.  Vanilla Vodka
3/4 oz. Amaretto

Combine ingredients in shaker with ice. Strain into chilled martini glass. Dust with freshly grated nutmeg or cinnamon.

Use a Different Container

Forget the platter or the bowl, try displaying salads, chips or fries in inexpensive alternatives such as Chinese takeout boxes, paper French fry cups and small paper bags.

Create a Tree

Wrap cone shaped floral foam in aluminum foil and affix vegetables, fruit or even donut holes with skewers and toothpicks to create trees. Feeling extra fancy? Attach cream puffs to a wrapped cone with melted chocolate to create a simple croquembouche.

Dress up the Table with Nature

Create a unique display by arranging leaves, branches or trays of sprouted wheatgrass around containers.

Put It on a Stick

Make anything a finger food by putting it on a stick. Try deep fried raviolis, Rice Krispies Treats or breakfast items such as cinnamon buns and French toast.

Do It in Costume

Have a friend pass out snacks like a cigarette girl complete with a neck strap tray or for a real wow factor, they can be the table itself as a strolling human table.