Monday, June 27, 2011

Summertime Entertaining

Summertime entertaining in Texas is always a challenge, especially if you are planning a summer wedding.  Outside weddings are practically impossible because of the heat and guests want to get inside from their cars as quickly as possible into the cool of air conditioning.

Even though you event is inside, meals take on a special summertime lightness.  Lots of salads and fresh vegetables, lighter sauces on meats and a touch of sweetness and fruit for dessert goes a long way.

One of Chef Miguel Riojas’ favorite ways to begin a meal is with a chilled fruit soup.  Chef Miguel has a beautiful soup that will appeal to all of the women and be substantial and tasty enough to make men forget they ever thought they shouldn’t eat it!

Chilled Mango Soup with Lime and Shrimp Pico de Gallo

Serves 4

For the Soup:

Ripe Mangos (2 Haden mangos, the large smooth skinned multi-colored mangos, or 4 of the smaller yellow Altaulfo mangos)

Juice of 2 limes

2 Cups Chilled Vegetable or Chicken Stock (boxed or bouillon is fine)

For the Soup:

Place mangos, lime juice and ½ stock in a blender.  Turn on and process until mixture is very smooth; the texture should be like that of cream, adding more stock as needed to achieve proper consistency.  Place in a bowl and chill.

For the Salsa:

2 Tomatoes, diced, outer flesh only (discard inner seeds)

2 Jalapeños or your preferred chili, diced, outer flesh only (discard inner seeds)

2 Tablespoons Cilantro, diced

2 Tablespoons Purple Onions, diced

2 Cloves Garlic, crushed and diced

Juice of 2 limes

8 Shrimp, peeled and diced

Dice the tomatoes, cilantro, chilis, onions and garlic.  Toss with lime juice and taste; correct seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.  Add shrimp.

Place soup in bowls or fluted glass parfait cups and top with a heaping tablespoon of the Shrimp Pico de Gallo.  Garnish with a lime wheel or a wedge on the side of the bowl and serve.


Chilled Mango Soup with Shrimp Pico de Gallo



This is so refreshing and unexpected.  It is a perfect hot-weather alternative to another salad, while the sharpness of the mango really whets the appetite for what is to come.  And, of course, for those with sensitivities to seafood or who are vegetarian, this can easily accommodate all without any sacrifice to flavor or presentation.

Another idea that we have seen a lot of recently is Brides who want to have the evening continue after the traditional cutting of the cake.  With all of the “obligations” done once the cake is cut, many couples are looking for another reason to have guests stay around and extend the celebration.  What works better than offering your guests a chance to have a first-class coffee experience and a dessert table?

Working with one of our favorite suppliers, we offer a beautiful made-to-order coffee experience for your party, whether it is 30 people or 300.  Baristas arrive with espresso machines, Italian syrups and sodas and make whatever anyone wants.  Hot Caramel Macchiato or Iced Double Mocha with Sugar Free Vanilla Syrup?  Certainly.  Also available are the decadently devilish additions of white and dark chocolate covered teaspoons and sugar sticks to stir your coffee, bowls of whipped cream and chocolate curls along with shakers of cinnamon, chocolate, and salted caramel powder.  Who can say no to that?

To go with your coffee and after wedding cake, extending your guests time with you in a joyous way, think about a summer dessert table, featuring miniature pastries.  Options are endless, but all enjoyable.  Lemon bars, miniature chocolate chunk cookies, creampuff swans, éclairs, macaroons, and bowls of perfectly ripe summer berries with double cream or lemon curd are perfect final touches that will send your guests away with sweet memories of an evening that no one wanted to end.

Dessert Table as a Central Centerpiece



Monday, April 11, 2011

Wedding Cakes - What do you want to say?

Wedding Cakes are sensational, memorable and meaningful.  Steeped in traditions millennia old, each bride has the choice of following one of the many traditions and rituals of brides before or setting out on a bold new path to create her own statement and showcase a personality that speaks out for something bold.

In Roman times, the bride would take a loaf of bread and break it over the brides head (in pieces, not like a baseball bat!), with each crumb signifying the blessings of fertility, wealth, health and happiness.  With the change of baking capabilities and the arrival of sweeteners and sugar during the Renaissance, the form of the modern cake took shape, though it took Queen Victoria to bring about the revolution in wedding cakes that we still follow today.  What was that?  Queen Victoria popularized the All White Wedding with the white tiered wedding cake we know today.



Photo of the wedding cake of Queen Elizabeth II


What we would not recognize in America, however, is that most British wedding cakes are fruit cakes!  Remember the tradition of saving the top layer?  That is also British.   The top, smallest layer was originally saved because it would be eaten at the christening of the child from this union, which would usually be within the first year!  And a fruit cake is perfect to keep – and actually improve – with time.  Do you think that tradition has gone away?  No, because at the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton, will have two cakes – one to be at the choosing of the bride and groom, and the second – a multi-tiered traditional fruit cake decorated with cream and white icing - that will be created by designer Fiona Cairns, a cake-maker to the stars (http://www.fionacairns.com). 

Modern Wedding Cake

So, at your wedding, what statement will you make?  What does your cake say about the Bride and Groom at the beginning of their lives together?

CONGRATULATIONS to our WINNER!


Congratulations to MINDY TRINIDAD for stopping by our booth at the Lake Houston Bridal Show on Sunday, March 27th and signing up for our drawing.  Mindy won a One Night Stay in a One Bedroom Suite, Complimentary Parking and Breakfast for Two in the Omaha Steakhouse. 
Mindy is planning a March 2012 Wedding.

If you or someone you know is looking to host a beautiful party or reception then give me a call.  My direct number is 713.586.5129 or you my email me at piperh@sheratonhouston.com

Friday, March 25, 2011

Lake Houston Bridal Show

Come see us and register to WIN a one night stay!!  This Sunday, March 27th from 12 noon - 5pm at the 6th Annual Lake Houston Bridal Show at the Hilton Houston North.  http://www.lakehoustonbridalshow.com/
Tickets are $8 in advance online or $10 cash at the door

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

What are your wedding traditions?

Wedding Traditions are a way of passing down history from generation to generation.  In the hotel, we are part of a world of traditions that our brides and grooms follow and in which we get to participate.  We are always thrilled to help “tie the knot” or “cross the threshold”, phrases for a wedding which have made it into our language and signify the permanence and grace of agreements and unions.

Have you ever been to a Henna Party for a Hindu or Muslim wedding?  The bride is presented to guests and then proceeds to receive elaborate temporary Henna tattoos which she will wear through the wedding night ceremonies. 



Jewish Weddings have a wedding ceremony prior to the traditional exchanging of vows in which the bride and groom read the marriage contract aloud and sign their names; these contracts, the Ketubah, are written in very decorative and formal Hebrew and are generally so beautifully written that they are framed as artwork to be displayed in their house.  We have even seen Ketubah Ceremonies in which the contracts from both sets of parent’s and all fours sets of grandparent’s Ketubah were on display.  Talk about Tradition!




In the United States, borrowed from Victorian England, is a rhyme with which every bride is familiar:

A bride at her wedding should wear:
Something old,
Something new,
Something borrowed,
Something blue,
And a sixpence in the shoe.



So, what are you traditions?  What is it that you will do during your ceremony that will not only join bride and groom, but join your separate pasts and families and your hopes for a future filled with the five sacred wedding wishes for life – health, happiness, wealth, fertility and longevity – with a strong today?  What will bring all of this into focus for you at that special moment of commitment?

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

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Friday, February 4, 2011

Valentine's Day at The Sheraton® Suites Houston Near the Galleria

Here's what's happening at The Sheraton® Suites Houston Near the Galleria.....

Valentine's Weekend Dinner Package

Love is in the air at
The Sheraton® Suites Houston Near The Galleria.
Reconnect with your loved one this Valentine's Day with our dinner package.


Available Friday, February 11th - Monday, February 14th,
You and your sweetheart will enjoy the following:

-A King Suite
-Complimentary self-parking (one car)

-Three Course, Prix-Fixe Dinner for two in
The Omaha Steakhouse
which will include the following meal:

Lobster Soup
Tempura Lobster Tail, Anise Creme Fraiche
OR
Classic Caesar Salad
Croutons, Parmesan, Toasted Pepper
 *****
Grilled Tenderloin
Boursin Cheese, Barley and Asparagus Gratin
OR
Roasted Red Snapper
Braised Fennel, Spanish Olives, Preserved Lemons
 *****
Chocolate Mousse Cake
Powdered Allmonds, Orange-Pineapple Salad, Basil
OR
Classic Crème Brulée with Confetti Cookies


Alcoholic Beverages are not included

*Taxes and Gratuities Included in the Sleeping Room Rate

To make reservations call 866-713-8134 and ask for rate plan VALENTIN or visit our

To make dinner only reservations at $40.00 per person, exclusive of service and alcohol,
visit The Omaha™ Steakhouse to make reservations.