Corporate Events | NACE’s Fresh from Florida

At Puff ‘n Stuff Catering, we always have a reason to celebrate! For the most recent occasion, we opened our commissary doors to create an unconventional meeting for our Orlando NACE chapter and corporate meeting planners.

After being welcomed with a refreshing citrus Marga-tini, guests were encouraged to wander the halls and sample dishes inspired by Florida’s freshest ingredients. Design powerhouse, Raining Roses Productions transformed our large conference room into the swampy Everglades with a water feature hidden among lush grasses and moss. The open house continued into our 5,000 square foot kitchen, where our culinary team was cooking up creative cuisine in every corner. Things heated up as White Rose Entertainment hosted our very own white party against a backdrop of all-white paper flowers in the dry storage room, while our award-winning team served savory seafood, inside of the -10 degree, walk-in cooler.

Thanks to the help of many brilliant vendors, we successfully transported the fresh, locally grown flavors of Florida to the refined palates of our distinguished guests. With so many diverse dishes, we are unveiling the science behind all the deliciousness in a three-part blog series. Images courtesy of Sunshine Photographics.

STATION I | TUNA, TUNA, TUNA ON ICE

The star of this station was a whole, 70-pound tuna displayed on a mountain of ice, which was offered to guests in three different options.

Option 1, was a Tartare with perfectly balanced, contrasting flavors. The tuna was delicately sliced and drizzled with a salty soy and a tangy sweetened, fresh ginger dressing.

In option 2, the fish was a Seared over a screaming hot cast iron skillet, finished with a Tomato Shallot Mirin Vinaigrette.

Option 3 featured the tuna coated in a zesty, blackened seasoning, complimented by a peppery golden crust. Accompanied by greens and a touch of mustard aioli with pickled mustard seeds for the perfect bite.

Also inside the walk-in cooler, sweet and tender King Crab legs that were paired with a tart, Key lime remoulade and avocado cocktail sauce.

STATION II | ARTISANAL CHEESE STATION

Spreads of assorted handpicked cheeses from small, independent farms were paired with honey and fresh arrangements of juicy fruit, which was synonymous with the “Fresh from Florida” theme.

The swamps of Florida never looked so good! Be sure to look for our next installment of the Fresh from Florida blog post series.

We appreciate our partner vendors for contributing to the huge success of this event:

Guest chef: Sysco and Rational; Furniture: AFR Event Furnishings; Liquor: ABC Fine Wine and Spirits; Entertainment: White Rose Entertainment; Lighting: American Audio Visual; Team Building Program: Play with a Purpose; Floral and Decor: Raining Rose; Drape: Swag Décor; Rentals: Chair Affair; Photography: Christie’s Photographic Solutions and Sunshine Photographics; Cinematography: VH Video; Coffee: Barnie’s Coffee Kitchen; Cocktails: Monin