Elation, pride, euphoria, glee, disbelief; We did it! Our first full plated meal service! And interestingly enough, it was actually easier than my Gypsy.

This event was a plated lunch, including passed hors d'oeuvres, plated appetizers, plated entree salad, and a plated dessert. All for 140 people, five hours start to finish.

If someone had told me two years ago that this is what I would be doing with Starry Nights, I would have been very scared. But with the proper planning and prep, it all came together. Actuallyl the secret of the success was the very talented staff I had with me that day. I had 8 servers and three cooks. Everyone was perfectly professional and knew exactly how to do their jobs. I was particularly proud of Nadia: She took over the kitchen and ran it very well freeing me up to monitor everything else. In fact, there were times when I had nothing to do and was just standing around (I do need to get better at this, making sure I'm out over everyone's way, letting them do their jobs).

The client was very happy with the event, which could be good for Starry Nights in the long run. The venue for the event was a gated golf course community with an exclusive contract with another caterer. Starry Nights got to do this event because the other caterer got complacent and didn't impress the client. Strings were pulled at the community, and I got the job! Obviously the community is very affluent and since I seemed to impress everyone, I'm sure I'll get some future jobs off this for the residents. And it's a long shot, but I might even get a shot at becoming the official caterer for the community! Big dreams, I know, but this is how it starts!