“Cuban cigars, Armenian brandy, and no sport.”

While this perfectly describes my idea of a relaxing day, it was actually Winston Churchill’s supposed reply when asked the secret to his long life.

Since most doctors wouldn’t recommend this lifestyle, it’s best to reserve the cigars and brandy for special occasions. And at Anoush Catering, we know a thing or two about celebrations.

Brandy plays such a major role in the events we cater that we felt our menu couldn’t be complete without a signature brandy that met our high standards. It had to complement our selection of savory appetizers as an aperitif, yet be sweet enough for a post-dinner drink. Most importantly it had to provide warmth, depth and complexity.

After sampling brandies from around the world, we finally settled on one produced by the Yerevan Ararat Brandy Factory which traces its roots to Armenia’s first brandy distillery. Starting from grapes grown in the Aras River Valley, the brandy is aged for ten years, earning it an X.O. (extra old) distinction. Its deep amber color and rich taste with hints of dried fruit give way to a velvety smooth finish. A couple sips in, and we all knew this brandy would only fortify the heart-felt toasts that would be made with it. (What can I say? We all felt warm and loving after several rounds of tasting.) Besides its excellent taste, the brandy’s heritage and tradition made it an easy choice as the perfect drink for our guests at Anoush.

Why Armenian Brandy? A storied past…

Much like wine, the quality of brandy depends on the grapes. Armenia’s terroir — its combination of rich soil, high altitude, dry climate and brilliant sunshine — produces magnificent grape varieties native to the Caucasus mountain region. And these grapes have grown there for thousands of years…archaeologists recently discovered the earliest known winery in Armenia.

Commercial brandy production in Armenia developed more recently, with the first distillery opening in the late 19th century. The brandy was so good that the French even allowed it be called cognac for a time. Armenian brandy grew to become the preferred brandy of the Soviet Union, and continues to be a favorite in Russia and Eastern Europe.

As Armenian brandy’s reach continues to grow (over 14 million liters exported last year), its fame has reached mythic proportions. While the Churchill connection is unverified, the story goes that during WWII’s Yalta Conference Joseph Stalin presented Churchill a bottle of Armenian brandy. Churchill became so enamored with the brandy that Stalin supposedly shipped him several cases of the stuff over the years.

We can’t guarantee that our Signature Anoush Brandy will broker any peace deals, but you’ll probably want several cases for your event. So when scheduling your next tasting with Anoush Catering, make sure to ask for a sip!

by Vrej Sarkissian, CEO of Anoush

It’s impossible to grow tired of Mediterranean cuisine — and not just because of the amazing flavor.

I grew up eating my mother’s meals filled with fresh vegetables, herbs, whole grains, and lean cuts of fish and meat. Even now that I’m a no-holds-barred foodie, enjoying foods from all over the world, I find myself yearning for the simple yet flavorful Mediterranean meals.

Luckily for me, I work at Anoush — home of the best Mediterranean food this side of, well, the Mediterranean. Plus, everyone’s confirming the health benefits of a Mediterranean diet. A landmark study in the New England Journal of Medicine confirmed what the people of the Mediterranean have known for centuries: a diet of fruits, vegetables, legumes, olive oil, nuts, and fish can help prevent heart attacks and strokes in high-risk individuals.

And did I mention it’s delicious and versatile?

That’s why working at Anoush Catering is such a dream: we’ve been serving Mediterranean cuisine for 27 years to our L.A. guests, and now we can prove we’re enhancing their health! In addition, since Mediterranean food focuses on the inherent flavors and aromas of the ingredients (instead of complicated preparation technique), it’s perfect for special events: light, vibrant fare that leaves your guests satisfied but still able to dance the night away.

How to Add a Taste of the Mediterranean to Your Event

Gather your guests over a myriad of shared appetizers, or meze, as it’s known around the Mediterranean. Some of my favorites:

• creamy hummus with warm pita bread
• decadent dips made of little more than roasted tomatoes, eggplant and garlic
• and savory herb salads with fresh cheese

These small complementary dishes can serve as starters, or when served in stages, comprise the whole meal itself. Encourage your guests to pop a few glistening ripe olives, too — the polyphenols found in olives reduce inflammation and protect their cells from damage. (Now that’s a conversation starter!)

Fresh fruit is also a vital component in the Mediterranean diet, and, sadly, often overlooked at parties. Satisfy your guests’ sweet tooth with ripe berries and fresh red grapes, which have antioxidant levels as high as the so-called super-fruit acai. Inviting displays of fresh, seasonal fruit also serve as eye-catching decor. And don’t forget the prized fruit of the Mediterranean: the jewel like pomegranate. Ancient Mediterraneans ate pomegranates for love and strength — naturally, pomegranates strengthen the heart.

Finally, a Mediterranean inspired menu evokes sunny, breezy days along the coast, which makes it no-brainer for outdoor gatherings this spring and summer (and considering it’s Southern California, fall and winter, too). Think shish kabobs under the stars, fire roasted vegetables poolside, or grilled tilapia on the beach.

So celebrate your next event with a Mediterranean feast. There’s just so much to celebrate!

“It’s the people surrounding me day in and day out at work who are my inspiration,” says Ani Keshishian, recipient of the 2013 Women in Business Award, presented by the Armenian American Chamber of Commerce.

Ani is the Director of Human Resources for both L.A. Banquets & Anoush Catering, where she works to ensure that all of the company’s employees feel like members of the family. Putting together a close-knit team keeps the business operating smoothly and more importantly keeps her motivated. “Without a hardworking, loyal and dedicated team, I can never be successful.”

Ani embraces her personal motto, “the best attitude is gratitude,” in several charities. She actively participates in the SAK Foundation, a charity established by her family to better the lives of impoverished children in Armenia. “When I see pictures of the children in Armenia, I can’t help but see my own kids reflected in their eyes and smiles. The instinct to help them is great and I’m so glad I can through SAK’s work.”

Since the importance of giving back was instilled in her at a young age by her family, she is today involving her own children in charity projects.

Ani recently bridged her charity work with her professional career by establishing the Charity Outreach Division at L.A. Banquets & Anoush Catering. “Anoush Catering and L.A. Banquets have been the backdrop for so many important events for the people in our community. Our Charity Outreach Division is a way of saying thank you to everyone for always letting us be part of their celebrations and gatherings.”

With gratitude for the people around her and her successes, Ani recognizes that the joy in life is in the journey. “Building and creating lasting memories is the key ingredient. Between my two kids, my career, and an incredibly busy husband, it’s a constant juggling act to maintain a well-balanced and happy life. But being passionate, humble, and willing to learn has made this journey pleasant and rewarding.”

Anoush is excited to announce its latest and most flavorful addition to staff, Culinary Director Jean Paul Peluffo! Born and raised in the South of France serves as an excellent foundation for any chef and he is no exception. Immersed in meal preparation from a young age, he has vast experience tantalizing fastidious pallets around the world, and he’s eager to make your dining experience with Anoush phenomenal.

Background

When asked about why he decided to become a chef, Mr. Peluffo cheekily explains “I was born in a pot and raised in a kitchen.” Both his father and grandfather were chefs, which made the kitchen a second home for him. By 15 Jean began a 4-year culinary school program, where classes included wine studies, baking, sauces and an eclectic array of worldwide ethnic specialties.

Inspiration

Jean Paul Peluffo has visited 60 countries over the course of his career, and considers his vast exposure to diverse food a major source of inspiration. Before being warmly welcomed to the staff at Anoush, Chef Jean Paul was the Corporate Executive Chef for Celebrity Cruise Line where 140 discrete cooks intermingled in a single kitchen! He has a decade of experience owning his own restaurant (La Bistro in Walnut Creek near San Francisco), and he also acted as the Culinary Director for Stonepine Estate in Carmel, CA. All of this experience sets the foundation for one extraordinary chef.

Preferences

Out of all the places Chef Jean Paul has traveled, worked and lived, Alaska is his favorite, and Brazil and Greece are close runner-ups. He developed a penchant and knack for baking, using chocolate to create decadent treats, and implementing olive oil, herbs and spices in ways that pay homage to many distinct cultures.

Specialties

Being raised in the South of France, virtually any dish from this region could be considered a signature dish of his. Specifically he claims paella, an internationally popular dish of Spanish origin, as a specialty. This piquant dish combines rice, saffron, seafood and poultry. Additionally, he serves an unforgettable Ratatouille and “Floating Island.”

• Ratatouille: Ratatouille is a famous dish named from the French words “touiller”, “to stir” and “rata”, slang from the French Army meaning “chunky stew.” It originated in Nice, France, and Jean Paul’s rendition of it, which calls on his vast experience, is very “nice” and savory indeed. Boiled and blanched tomatoes mingle with onion, garlic, and a special herbs de Province blend before separately cooked and cubed bell pepper, zucchini and eggplant are introduced.
• Floating Islands: Given Jean’s interest in sweets, it’s only fitting we introduce you to his dessert, Floating Islands. The “islands”, formed from thoroughly whipped sugar and egg whites, get topped with caramelized almonds and rest on an English cream. The cream is formed by combining a carefully tended mixture of boiled milk, rose water, vanilla extract, sugar, and egg yolks.

Again, we invite you to welcome our Culinary Director Jean Paul Peluffo into the Anoush Catering Family! Please reach out to us at 877.628.6217 to discuss Anoush’s catering options and how chef Jean Paul can add that extra flavor to your special event.

When planning your wedding you will face a seemingly endless list of choices to make, from locating the best venue for your ceremony to choosing the flowers and music that will help enliven the occasion. There is so much to do, and so many details that must be aligned that you should begin planning your special day a year in advance. But, don’t forget to have fun as you work to make this a wonderful event.

Food

Food is a large part of Indian culture, and a big feast is also an important part of any wedding celebration. Indian wedding food varies a bit depending on which region of India the wedding party hails from. The wedding feast may include vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes, soft drinks and sometimes liquor. Appetizers are usually served before the main courses. Main course are often times served on banana leaves, and can include four or five vegetable dishes, as well as rice, which is usually a staple of the wedding feast.

Venues

Indian weddings tend to be large in scope, with many guests in attendance, so you will want to begin looking at Indian wedding venues early to ensure that you locate and book the perfect space for your event. Make a list of venues that interest you and contact the management of each that most appeal to you. Note the response that you receive. If you leave a voice mail the reply should be quick, courteous and helpful. Be sure that there is adequate space and enough time allowed prior to the event for caterer, florist and mandap setup. Also, make sure you thoroughly understand the costs and additional fees that might be part of the package.

Hindu

A Hindu wedding is usually a multi-day event that is attended by many family members and friends. Marriage is a sacred rite in Hindu culture, and is one of the 16 ceremonies one experiences in a lifetime. The Hindu wedding is considered not only a holy sacrament and the matrimonial bond between a man and woman, but also the marriage of two families. To the Hindus, a man is incomplete if he has not bonded with a woman who is loving and supportive. A marriage must embody the three most cherished values: happiness, growth and harmony.

Atmosphere

Indian Weddings are joyous feasts celebrating the union of two spirits, and they are also quite colorful and lavish in stylishly patterned traditional costumes. The air is filled with fragrant incense and the spirit of convivial bliss seems to flow from each person in attendance. Weddings may be held in a banquet hall, in an outdoor location in the countryside or even on a beach. Some choose to set up a wedding tent, which provides an intimate, colorful and traditional Indian atmosphere that will make a wedding ceremony memorable. Added to that, the flowers, music and dancing that will all be part of your ceremony will help personalize the event and will ensure that it will be a highly memorable occasion.

With so many vendors to hire to complete your event – photographer, videographer, DJ, florist, cake decorator, etc. – some of the finer details can get lost in the mix. Your event’s vendors create and capture memories that form a lasting impression, so paying attention where others falter will help your event be the best it can be.

Hiring

Your prospective photographer’s website looks polished and has excellent pictures from an event similar to yours. Before you hurriedly hire him, it’s wise to do a quick background check. Ask your event’s most important vendors for a reference or two, and call or email to see how their experience was. Ask if there was anything exceptional about the service, or any areas where your vendor left more to be desired. This simple step empowers you to hire more confidently, and helps avert potential disaster down the road.

Correspond

A wedding planner or event coordinator is often instrumental in selecting, booking and communicating with vendors. However, you as the host should still correspond directly with key vendors periodically to gain and provide valuable feedback. A quick discussion with your catering manager or head chef might lead to an important shift in what entrée you offer guests. A brief consult with decorators may reveal a color clash that can be resolved. Being just a little more hands on in the correspondence department can spare a lot of frustration.

Personalize

Special events hosted in an elegant venue offer a great opportunity to network, celebrate and commemorate. Sending your guests home with personalized swag or party favors to remember you, the guest(s) of honor, or the event itself by is a great way to form a lasting, favorable impression. Make sure all vendors are aware of what you want your guests to remember, and have them tailor their work to fulfill your vision. As an example, order stickers with a monogram, brief quip, and/or website address, and attach them to whatever gifts that you give guests.

Provide

Your on-site vendors work hard to execute your event exactly as you desire. Remember to set aside an area for them to safely store their belongings and take a brief break. Provide a small snack or refreshments there to make the minute or two they spend resting count. This short period of recuperation can make a huge difference in their ability to give the big smile and enthusiastic attitude that make your event that much more memorable. Take care of your on-site vendors so they take care of you and your guests.

There are a number of different styles of service that caterers can provide, including individually plated meals, which is the kind of table service you’d typically receive from a waiter or waitress in most restaurants. Others provide buffet service, in which a table or tables is set up with large servings of food, and guests serve themselves and then bring their plates to another table to dine. In addition, many caterers provide family-style service, which is a cross between individually plated meals and buffet service. In family-style service a wait staff delivers large platters of food to each table of guests, and each guest serves him or herself.

Service
When you are choosing among wedding catering packages, you might consider family-style service as an alternative to individually plated meals. Family style dining is preferable to many because it streamlines the way food is served to you. Instead of employing a sizeable number of waiters and waitresses, family style service requires a smaller staff, and results in smoother, more efficient delivery of everything from appetizers to the main course and dessert. The dining area is less crowded, and with fewer waiters and waitresses on duty the overall atmosphere tends to be calmer and more enjoyable. You and your guests will feel more relaxed, and your entire dining experience will be enhanced.

Speed
Assuming that you would prefer to provide a meal to your guests at your earliest convenience, you will find that family-style service is quick and efficient for a number of reasons. The kitchen will have food prepared and ready to serve once your guests are seated. There’s no need to take each guest’s order and prepare individual meals for each person in attendance. This eliminates problems that can occur when a meal is served to a group, such as errors in orders. Guests will not be forced to wait for their food until staff members can correct a mistake, which facilitates a pleasant, carefree atmosphere for all involved.

Cost
Family-style service allows the caterer to provide a variety of dishes in multiple courses at a more affordable price. The caterer can also more easily manage portions with family-style service, which prevents waste that might otherwise occur. This, in turn, saves you money for the total cost of the meal. The caterer will prepare an amount of food that is appropriate to feed all guests, but does not have to provide a whole portion of each dish for everyone in attendance. Instead, portions are determined by the total quantity of food that will be served to guests.

Ask those providing food catering in Los Angeles and most will tell you that family-style services helps provide a warm atmosphere for guests. There’s nothing like sharing delicious food at a table full of diners to help break the ice and make the event more memorable. Family-style dining increases interaction among guests and helps stimulate good feelings and warm conversation. It also allows guests to control the portions that they eat, which adds to a home-like atmosphere at your event. Your guests will be more relaxed, and your event will be an even greater success.

As Holidays near the end of 2012 is here and Anoush Catering, with the support of L.A. Banquets, is giving back to the community.  A day before Thanksgiving Anoush Catering and its master chefs cooked up 16 delicious turkeys to feed the holiday homeless and disadvantaged. With partners Salvation Army and the St. Leon Cathedral of Western Diocese of the Armenian Church Anoush Catering truly believes that this is the season of giving, volunteering, and helping your community.

Fine Cuisine for All in the Thanksgiving Spirit

We are always so happy lend a hand during this and previous holidays.   With 26 years in the catering, banquet and hospitality industry Anoush is dedicated to accommodate everyone’s needs.  We dedicate our amazing halls, friendly staff, and most importantly our deliciously catered cuisine by to make your dreams come true on every special day.  We are able to host weddings, birthdays, engagements, corporate events and any event that you can think of. With locations in the heart of Los Angeles County and venues that can accommodate 550 guests Anoush Catering is the way to go.

We  hope to see you in the this holiday wish you and yours a very Happy Thanksgiving.

Introducing Signature Anoush “XO” Brandy!

Celebrate the spirit of the evening with only the finest spirits in the world. Anoush Banquets and Catering is proud to announce its own brand of Armenian Brandy, available for enjoyment at any of your special occasions. Made with centuries old traditions,  there isn’t a smoother taste around or a finer way to Toast! With Anoush.

What makes Anoush Brandy so special?

Aged in oak barrels for 10 years our Brandy is at the head of the class, earning the distinction of being an “XO” Brandy for the amount of time and attention put into every bottle. From being a favorite gift for Winston Churchill, to now filling each of our grand ballrooms, the smooth oaky aroma and taste are rare and distinct. Food tasting scheduled soon? Ask for a sip and find out exactly what you’ll be able to share with your guests.

Steeped in Tradition, a Timeless Classic!

If you were the Premier in Russia in the 1940’s what did you send to the head of the United Kingdom? This very same brand of Brandy. And Mr. Churchill was known to have imbibed a full bottle in a day, expectant for his next delivery. For the man or woman who has everything, discerning taste is a function of life and there isn’t a stronger testament to the quality then a head of state choosing the Brandy that we now invite you to taste.

Each year over a billion dollars is spent on Brandy. Every day Anoush offers you the opportunity to share the very best with your closest and dearest. From our family to yours.

Make sure to visit Harut Hagopian Facebook Page for further information about his album and his latest single.