The holidays are a time of good cheer, great friends, and delicious food!

A lot of hard work goes into planning the perfect corporate holiday party. For over 40 years Catering By Michaels has been at the top of Santa’s nice list and we hope to be at the top of yours.

Holiday Party Prep

Company holiday parties are a memorable and magical event, bringing employees together. When planning an unforgettable holiday party for your team, there are many things to consider during the planning process.

First, each and every detail can make all the difference between a dull or dazzling event.

It’s never too early to pick a date and book your holiday venue. It may seem like you have lots of time, but booking in advance can take off the pressure out of not knowing where you’ll be hosting everyone.

Once you have your location locked in, the menu planning comes next. 

Menu Planning + Selection

Why are we known as one of Chicago’s top caterers? Because it’s more than just food to us. From creative themes and unique menus to awe-inspiring venues and entertainment, we’ve got you covered!

Check out our corporate holiday party delivery menu for menu inspiration, and then contact us to start planning!

The holiday of Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) is the holiest day of the year, when Jewish people come together, fasting and praying as one.

If Rosh Hashanah is about celebrating the arrival of the Jewish New Year, Yom Kippur symbolizes the cleansing of the previous year’s sins. The majority of the day is spent in Synagogue as many use the opportunity to reflect on their individual and collective actions over the past year, and their hope for the coming year.

It is believed that on this day, a person’s fate for the upcoming year is sealed, therefore, the entire day is spent fasting and praying for forgiveness and a good new year.

On Yom Kippur, observers abstain from eating, working, wearing leather, perfumes, and acts of intimacy. This is a sacred occasion and an opportunity to clean the slate, reset all systems, and start again smoothly.

First We Fast

This year, the holiday begins at sundown on September 18. When the sun goes down, and Yom Kippur starts, so does the act of fasting. Those observing will commence their 25-hour fast until nightfall on September 19. During this time all forms of sustenance are prohibited — even water.

The Jewish tradition of fasting stems from verses in the Torah, which state that fasting on Yom Kippur is a necessary component of the day. Fasting is believed to be a vehicle for reflecting and repenting for your sins.

Those who are too feeble, sick, or young to safely fast are not required to do so. However, healthy females from the age of 12 and males from the age of 13 must fast as part of the tradition. Throughout the fasting period, the focus moves from physical needs to engaging in repentance and prayer in the synagogue.

The 5 Prayers of Yom Kippur

Even though there is no food to be had on Yom Kippur, observers still dress the table with a festive cloth and light candles before the onset of the holy day. Two blessings are said to send thanks for enabling those of the faith to reach the new year.

Yom Kippur is a special occasion for children, who observe it by lighting candles, changing shoes, and finding new prayers to learn and recite.

On an ordinary day, there are three daily prayers: Maariv (evening prayer), Shacharit (morning prayer) and Minchah (afternoon prayer). On Shabbat and holidays, a fourth prayer is added. Yom Kippur, however, is the only day of the year when a fifth prayer is introduced. Ne’ilah, the closing prayer, is said as the sun sets in the west as this special day comes to a close.

Now We Fast

After the sun sets and the holiday of Yom Kippur comes to a close, the tradition of breaking the fast begins. And this is where we come in!

During the Rosh Hashanah meal, there are strict rules about what kosher food can be eaten after fasting. Yom Kippur is much different. In general, people often eat gentler, less spicy dishes. After fasting, the stomach is much more sensitive to rich, spicy food.

The typical assortment of foods includes fruits and veggies, lox and bagels, white albacore tuna salad, cakes, and baked casseroles.

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If you are like everyone else in the world — you love pizza. There is just something about the way this gooey, cheesy delight satisfies the mind, soul, and body.

It’s this universal love for pizza that has restaurants all over vying for the title of best pizza pie.

With so many different opinions, it would be impossible to claim which pizza eatery has the best pie out there. But there is one thing for sure — Chicago Pizza Oven & Grinder has mastered the pizza pot pie and made it on our list of Chicago restaurants we love!

Setting The Scene: An Authentic & Cozy Pizza Haven

This cash-only eatery sits inside a historic Chicago brownstone and is best known for its famous pizza pot pies.

Just as you would expect, the setting is intimate, cozy, and overwhelmed by the aroma of fresh pizzas.

There is limited seating inside so the wait for a table can be upwards of two hours — even if you go early! The hosts are old school and only take down names, remembering faces when tables are ready. Though this means no fancy pagers or text messages alerting you that a table is ready, it’s an intriguing experience to watch the host keep things going without a hitch.

By the time you sit down the urge to eat everything in sight is so strong that we recommend feeding your inner hunger monster with some of their fresh Mediterranean flatbread. The pizza pot pies take awhile to bake but the flatbread comes out quickly to satiate your hunger while you wait. It’s made from thin pita bread and topped with flaky cheese and fresh herbs.

Chicago Pizza Oven & Grinder Menu: Sticking To The Basics

The menu is short and sweet, offering the following:

• Salads
• Mediterranean flatbread
• Grinders (subs)
• Pizza-pot-pies
• Tortoni (Italian ice cream)

(Photo credit: Chicago Pizza Oven & Grinder’s Facebook page)

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Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, is considered to be one of Judaism’s holiest days. The Jewish New Year traditionally kicks off in late Summer or early Fall. Since it doesn’t follow a secular calendar but is instead based on the lunar cycle (with years in correspondence to the solar cycle), Rosh Hashanah usually takes place between the months of September and October.

For 2018, the Rosh Hashanah holiday begins the evening of Sunday, September 9 and ends the evening of Tuesday, September 11.

Rosh Hashanah: Some Background & History

The name Rosh Hashanah is translated from Hebrew to English to mean “Head of the New Year”. This holiday marks the anniversary of the creation of Adam and Eve.

Rosh Hashanah comprises the first two days of a 10 day period known as the “Ten Days of Repentance”. This time period is based on the idea of original sin and involves prayer, repentance, and charity. At the end of this 10 day period, Yom Kipper is celebrated — the Day of Atonement.

Traditional customs help to define the celebration of this event: many incorporating food as symbolism. For example, celebrants eat apples dipped in honey to bring about a “sweet” New Year. Consuming pomegranates supports a year of good deeds. Eating challah symbolizes the circle of life.

Families and friends exchange the words “Leshanah tovah tikateiv veteichateim”, which translates to “May you be inscribed and sealed for a good year.” Since this event is so important for those that practice Judaism, preparations for what is also known as the High Holidays begin a full lunar month ahead of the beginning of the 10 days, in Elul.

A Traditional Rosh Hashanah Meal

Catering by Michaels’ special Rosh Hashanah menu includes all of the traditional menu items you’d expect, as well as more modern twists on traditional favorites.

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Guests have a few basic expectations when attending a wedding. They expect a nice meal, a little booze, and dancing late into the night. What they probably don’t expect? Interactive stations where guests can see our chefs in action!

We recently sat down with Stacey Combrzynski, an Event Coordinator on our team, to discuss how action stations can captivate guests at a wedding (or any event!)

Why Would Someone Want to Use a Food Station at Their Wedding?

Food stations offer an element of interactivity that’s missing from many weddings. Normally at a wedding, you come in, sit down, and talk to the people at your table. We love action stations because they get people up and moving, adding a fun and social element to the experience. 

How are Catering by Michaels’ Action Stations Different Than A buffet?

The main difference is that we push the envelope when it comes to interactive stations and are willing to try new things that will be exciting for guests. A recent example is when we used tea siphons as a way to infuse wild mushrooms into broth at a ramen action station.

Because of their dynamic nature, action stations can cater to the couple’s personalities more. We can also be more creative with action stations, so it really takes the guest experience to the next level.

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