We miss our jobs! Working in special events is always a challenge, but we love what we do. We enjoyed connecting with our industry partners on this post to discuss what we all miss the most. Read on to see the 5 things we miss most and why we're all so excited to get back to work!
Every single person we interviewed mentioned how much they miss all the people! Event professionals make a lot of sacrifices as they put in long hours and work nights and weekends. Through it all, the staff, the clients, the guests, the partner vendors become some of our closest friends.
"It is the people! I miss our great clients, our amazing vendors (Like Culinary Crafts), and working closely with the Offsite Utah team! We look forward to getting back into the office and kick-starting our industry when it is safe for everyone."
"One of the things that I miss the most is the loud chatter. I love seeing large groups family and friends gathering and listening to the sound of that constant chatter. It’s a unique language of its own where there is not a single word that can be identified but a constant rumble of people laughing and talking in a tone of happiness and excitement. River Bottoms is ready to once again fill our walls with some noise, it’s been quiet way too long. "
"I think the thing that I miss the most is rubbing shoulders with other professional vendors. I miss seen my crew and designing. And the laughter I miss the laughter."
"I miss the camaraderie of a group of people working together as a team to create events. Watching the creativity, hearing the banter, seeing the beautiful result of all the months of planning come to fruition....I so look forward to seeing it all again! "
"I miss getting to work with my amazing staff and our vendors! We have such good relationships with some many people behind the scenes and have fun working together to make clients' days go as perfectly as possible. Can't wait to bring back that good energy into Memorial House again! "
"I'd say the thing I miss the most is regularly seeing all the great friends in the industry. In this local economy, it is so fun to see who the vendors are at an event, give them a hug and work together to make the event go as smoothly as possible. I will so look forward to doing that again in a safe manner as things open up."
"I miss my friends! I adore the vendors in our community. They’re part of what makes working in this industry so enjoyable and events so special. I always look forward to event day when I get to give each of them a big hug and thank them for all of their amazing efforts. I miss that right now, even more so because I know how much our industry is hurting at the moment. I look forward to when I get to see each of them again and can actually give them a big hug."
"I miss pretty much everything about events, but mostly I miss seeing my fellow members of our community! From vendors to venues, planners, etc. I adore our local event community and miss everyone quite a bit."
“I miss seeing my creative partners. The lighting team, the caterers, the DJs, the planners, the officiants...I miss our people. We are a small but talented market place, but we are a tight nit family.”
"The thing I miss the most is the people. I miss the energy on the dance floor, the large group photos, the quiet prayers before a ceremony. I really miss people. Happy people, crying people, drunk people, sweaty people, and that one crazy uncle who is gunning for my job as a wedding photographer - I miss them all so much!!!"
2: Showing off Utah.
4 true seasons. The Mighty 5. Cocktail parties after a day of skiing. Summer BBQs in the mountains. And did you know Utah is the first and only US State to receive 3 stars as a tourist destination from the prestigious Michelin Guide?!
"I miss helping people enjoy our great destination the most- we have so much to offer and I’ve seen so many people with both surprise and delight after coming to Utah"
"We miss being able to welcome people for the first time to the beauty of This Is The Place Heritage Park. We love even more welcoming home many returning visitors. We count them as family."
3: The adrenaline.
Special events bring a lot of pressure. And even though we need our R&R to relieve stress just like anyone else, event professionals thrive under pressure. We love the rush of hard work. We miss having to lean on our grit.
"The feeling on Sunday after a successful big event the day prior. The sore feet and pure exhaustion paired with happy clients makes for the most rewarding feeling ever."
“I think for me the thing I miss about events is the joyful anticipation for both vendors and bride. Months of hard work finally coming to fruition and nothing more satisfying than seeing the smile on my couples face as they see everything come to life."
"I miss the adrenaline, the pace of event day setup, you hate it, you love it but then that magical moment at the end where somehow it all comes together at the same time. Every emotion gets dragged out, as a florist I’m worried about the flowers surviving in the heat, wind, and all of Mother Nature. However, she feels at the time. The safe transportation of these beautiful centerpieces that you have been working on, the timeline to get the setup,
the physical and mental stress. You worry, then you panic, you scream, then the couple comes in and they’re happy and then you’re happy and then you cry because you did it. I guess being an event florist has prepared me for the Pandemic. I know that I cannot control everything, we can not predict what will happen. We prep, plan and do everything that is possible to prevent issues beforehand but we are at the mercy of life. So if something goes wrong during setup, we still have to get up, fix it and do whatever it takes. "
4: The production.
Most special events spend several months or weeks in planning. It's so exciting to see all that work come to fruition in a matter of days or hours. It's almost magical. It's very fulfilling.
"I think I’d have to choose that moment right before guests start arriving and when everything is set—rentals and décor are beautifully staged and untouched, and the air is buzzing with excitement and anticipation. I always make sure to pause and take it all in. It’s such a rewarding feeling to see how everything comes together after months and months of hard work and careful planning."
"I miss seeing the bride's reaction when she enters the room for the first time and sees the vision come to life. I miss the hard work the day of the wedding and then the reactions of all the guests knowing the hard work paid off."
"I would have to say I miss seeing our amazing events perspire from a vision to an experience… Being there in person and feeling all of the love, happiness, hard work, details, and celebration! I greatly miss seeing all of the vendors as well as I consider them my dear friends and love seeing their faces!"
"I miss singing and playing MUSIC!!! I never thought I would ever actually miss playing 24K Magic, but here we are, ha!I miss seeing all our amazing industry friends every weekend and walking into the beautiful event spaces. I miss it all!"
"The one thing I really miss is that very first meeting with a client. When we sit together, get to know one another, and learn from each other. I become incredibly inspired after those initial meetings! I’m inspired by the thought of making someone’s dreams come to life. Every time, no matter how many times I have that first meeting, I get an excited, nervous little flutter in my belly at the prospect of making this person’s life a little better and a little easier by offering my assistance."
"What I love most about being an event planner is seeing the finished product coming to fruition and seeing the look on my clients' faces when the event has been seamless from start to finish. Creating memorable experiences with my clients is what I love. I miss adding value to my clients so that they can focus on their guests and attendees. I also miss collaborating with my amazing vendors and partners on how to take our event to the next level. Maybe it's a themed event or a special surprise in the middle of the event to finish out the experience, leaving the guests with a lasting memory of your event. The exchange of energy at an event starts with setting the stage prepared and calm."
"I think the biggest is when I am able to catch the bride and groom see their cake for the first time. I also miss seeing and interacting with the other vendors."
"That magical moment right before an event comes together. No matter how much extra time we allow for setup, we use every last minute to perfect until go-time. During those last 30 minutes before the event starts something special happens and (with a lot of hard work by many people) it all comes together."
Ann Elizabeth from Ann Elizabeth Print Studio
"What we miss about events is handing off the finished product to the client. The excitement from them seeing what our digital drafts become to something physical that they can actually touch and feel is priceless."
5: The groove.
Event professionals have spent years honing their skills and perfecting their craft. Before this crisis, there was a bold confidence in our collective expertise. We had all the right answers and could tackle projects of any scope and size. Now, we're faced with unprecedented challenges. Suddenly, we don't have all the answers. Needs and protocols are changing on a near daily basis. We miss the familiar. We miss the known. We miss our groove.
"I miss the good old days when we as vendors are confidently going into events knowing what to expect. Not to say we aren’t learning and adapting to new protocols...but hoping one day we will be back to our normal.”
"I miss the excitement and variety of working 4 events every week in unique environments, traveling for events on the west coast and internationally! Sometimes when we as creatives are put into a small box we do our best work, and I am constantly thrilled to see what professionals are doing when placed under such tight restrictions!
Small side-hustles have become primary sources of income, local clients, relationships, and businesses have become even more essential where before perhaps before we were focused on destination clients or travel gigs. Last year I worked in Tokyo, Amsterdam, Paris, Seattle, San Diego, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Jackson, Vail, this year will be much more local!"
"I miss human interaction. Nothing is better than seeing your fellow wedding and event professionals at an event where we collaborate hustle and create lasting memories. Most of all I miss the energy of a full dance floor with people singing and dancing to the grooves of the night. Let's bring that back! "
“Sometimes you will never know the value of something until it becomes a memory.” We miss the graduations, proms, weddings, and all the major milestones we’ve been fortunate to host at the library. We look forward to the day we can reopen our doors and welcome patrons in person. Virtual cheers from the City Library.
"I miss hugging.... I am a hugger and I love a good hug. I look forward to the day we can gather together safely, comfortably, happily for a fabulous bash."
Celebrating our mother's this weekend, we wanted to share Kaleb's favorite summer cocktail. Enjoy this slow sipping cocktail this weekend with your wife and mothers and celebrate!
Enzoni
1 oz your favorite gin - I love Utah's local Madam Patrini
1 oz Campari or Aperol
3/4 oz lemon juice
1/2 oz simple syrup
five or six fresh red grapes
In a cocktail shaker, muddle the grapes with the simple syrup and the lemon. Add the gin and Campari. Shake with ice and strain over ice. Garnish with a grape and lemon peel flag. Enjoy!
Non-alcoholic Enzoni
1 oz non-alcoholic gin
three dashes your favorite bitters - I love rhubarb bitters!
3/4 oz lemon juice
1/2 oz simple syrup
five or six fresh red grapes
Muddled the grapes with the simple syrup and the lemon juice. Add non-alcoholic gin and ice and shake 8 to 12 seconds. Strain over ice and top with 1 to 2 oz of club soda. Enjoy!
Watch Kaleb make this cocktail here.
You can also watch here from the Educated Barfly!
Happy Mother's Day!
Jazz up your humdrum beans from Food Storage with this May recipe of the month - 7 layer black bean dip. Celebrate Cinco de Mayo during this time of social distancing with a little flair! Great for any celebration.
Ingredients
1 cup dried beans - soaked and cooked according to package
Place beans and garlic in a food processor, Puree beans and garlic until smooth. Blend in cream cheese, cilantro, cayenne, chili powder, and cumin. Salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately with your favorite chips! It can be refrigerated for 3 days.
For 7 layer dip, spread black bean mixture into a 9x13 pan. Just before serving top with cheese, green onions, tomatoes, olives, avocados, and salsa. Serve and enjoy!
Indulge me in a little bragging - I make the best fajitas in the world. I’ve searched everywhere and never found better ones than these. Frankly, it’s not even close. This is bold I know. But when you’ve got it, flaunt it, right?
What’s fascinating about this dauntless claim is that the recipe and techniques are quite simple and nothing secret. Indeed, the simplicity is one of the keys. When cooking Tex-Mex style foods we often gravitate towards intense marinades and complex spice mixes. With fajitas though, the best results are achieved by allowing the primary flavors of the meat (usually steak or chicken), the peppers, and the fire itself, to shine.
The other key to success is understanding and timing three distinct stages of cooking. First, sear your steak or chicken as hot as possible to a beautiful char and crust. While the meat is resting, cook the vegetables over a medium high heat. Finally, slice the meat, toss with the vegetables, and allow the mix to finish at a low temp while swirling in wood smoke.
Gather your equipment:
Your grill and your fuel. I use a charcoal grill for the entire process. It’s the simplest option and produces the best results. Hardwood / lump charcoal is recommended. Briquettes can also work well. Avoid using Matchlight or other similar briquettes. You can make excellent fajitas on a gas grill, but you’ll need a smoker box or other wood burning accessory to approximate the charcoal grill flavor. Similarly, a Traeger or other pellet cooker can work wonderfully for the final stage of cooking, but you’ll need a different apparatus with a higher and more direct heat for first stages.
Your basic grilling tools: tongs, spatula, fork, oil, onion, rake, apron, and gloves.
A grill basket is highly recommended to cook the vegetables.
Wood chips. And a chip soaker is super convenient.
Cutting board, knife and fork, serving dish.
Gather your ingredients:
1 flank steak OR 5-6 chicken breasts as desired
2 large red onions and 4 large sweet peppers (green, red, orange, yellow, or a mix as desired), cut into thick strips
3 tablespoons minced garlic
vegetable oil
lime juice
salt and pepper
tortillas (see my recipe for homemade flour tortillas)
toppings (see my suggested favorites below)
Instructions (assuming a charcoal grill; adjust as appropriate for other devices):
Mix garlic with a splash of lime juice and salt and pepper to taste. Rub onto the steak or chicken. Set aside at room temperature while you ready the vegetables and the grill.
Toss the peppers and onions with vegetable oil, salt and pepper. Set aside at room temperature while you prepare the grill.
Set your wood chips to soak in water.
Light your charcoal (a chimney is recommended) and allow to burn until evenly ashed over and very hot. Gather your coals together in a single zone of your grill in order to focus the heat for the searing stage.
Sear the steak or chicken over your hot searing zone for ~3-4 minutes or until a nice crust has developed. Flip and sear the other side for ~3-4 minutes and nicely crusted as well. Don’t worry about doneness at this point. Remove from the grill, cover loosely with foil, and set aside.
While the protein is carryover cooking / resting, spread out your fire for a more medium heat zone. Using a basket, cook the peppers and onions, turning occasionally until tender and lightly charred - ~10 minutes. Depending on the size of your grill, fire, and basket, you may opt to cook the vegetables in more than one batch. Remove the vegetables from the fire.
Slice the steak or chicken on the bias and against the grain, into thin strips. Toss the meat with the cooked vegetables in the grilling basket. Sprinkle your soaked wood chips onto the coals. Put the basket over the coals and wood. Cover the grill with a lid to trap and swirl the smoke. Reduce the openings of the grill vents to reduce the burn rate and temperature.
Check and stir your mix approximately every 5 minutes. Cook until the peppers have a wonderful wood smoke flavor and the meat is done to your desired temperature. Warm your tortillas during this time. Serve immediately, hot from the grill.
Homemade Flour Tortillas Ingredients:
2 ¾ cups of flour
6 tablespoons of choice of fat - I prefer 3 tbs European butter with 3 tbs of lard. However using 6 tbs of just one works fine. Substituting vegetable shortening works too.
1 teaspoon of salt
¾ cup of warm (~110 F) water
Instructions:
Mix flour and salt in a large bowl. Cut in the butter and lard until mixture resembles coarse meal. Add the warm water and stir until combined. Knead briefly - the goal is to make a smooth and cohesive mix, but to not develop the gluten as much as you would for bread.
Divide the dough into 8-12 (depending on desired size) even pieces and roll into 1-2” balls. Cover and transfer to the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.
When you’re ready to cook the tortillas, pre-heat a large nonstick or cast iron skillet over a medium heat.. Remove the balls from refrigeration and roll into 6-9” rounds.
Lightly grease the hot skillet and reduce heat to medium low. Lay tortillas onto hot skillet and cook for ~1 minute on each side or until lightly browned and nicely puffed. Remove from heat and cover with a towel.
Note that although the tortillas are best right from the skillet, they can be made several hours or even a day in advance. Simply rewarm pre-made tortillas briefly in a microwave prior to service.
Favorite Fajita Accoutrements:
sour cream
cheese - especially mild, moist, soft, and easy melting cheese
avocado - can be fresh sliced avocado, guacamole, or both
fresh or grilled jalapenos
your favorite hot sauce
fresh cilantro
lime wedges
And finally, fajitas are a dish made to be shared family style around a table with plenty family and friends. During quarantine though, your immediate family only is perfect. We suggest perfecting your fajitas now. And as soon as it's appropriate, invite the neighbors over for dinner.
Eat well!
We love spring and early summer! Try this delicious asparagus recipe as a wonderful side for any of your meals this season.
Asparagus & Prosciutto
serves 6
Ingredients
36 asparagus spears (about 2 bundles), trimmed
1/2 lb puff pastry (available in frozen sheets at your local grocer, but check out our instructions on how to make your own here.
6 (or 12 if like most of our chefs, you prefer a little extra pork!) slices of prosciutto - for our friends here in Utah, may we suggest Creminelli Fine Meats
extra virgin olive oil
salt and pepper
1 egg
1 tablespoon cream
1/2 cup greek yogurt
1 tablespoon chopped mint
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon lemon zest
Directions
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Grease baking sheet, line with parchment paper, set aside.
Divide puff pastry dough into 2 even pieces. Roll each piece into a rectangle approximately 15" long x 4" wide x 1/8" thick. Cut each rectangle into 3 even pieces.
Toss asparagus in olive oil. Salt and pepper to taste.
To assemble, place 1-2 slices of prosciutto over each piece of pastry. Top with 6 spears of asparagus. Roll each piece tightly with the pastry facing out. Evenly space the bundles on your prepared sheet pan.
In a small bowl, whisk egg, cream, and a dash of salt until smooth and creamy. Using a brush, apply the egg wash to the surface of the pastry dough.
Bake for 12-16 minutes until puff pastry is golden brown.
While bundles are baking, mix together yogurt, mint, lemon zest, juice, salt and pepper to taste.
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Celebrating our mother's this weekend, we wanted to share Kaleb's favorite summer cocktail. Enjoy this slow sipping cocktail this weekend with your wife and mothers and celebrate!
What’s fascinating about this dauntless claim is that the recipe and techniques are quite simple and nothing secret. Indeed, the simplicity is one of the keys. When cooking Tex-Mex style foods we often gravitate towards intense marinades and complex spice mixes. With fajitas though, the best results are achieved by allowing the primary flavors of the meat (usually steak or chicken), the peppers, and the fire itself, to shine.
The other key to success is understanding and timing three distinct stages of cooking. First, sear your steak or chicken as hot as possible to a beautiful char and crust. While the meat is resting, cook the vegetables over a medium high heat. Finally, slice the meat, toss with the vegetables, and allow the mix to finish at a low temp while swirling in wood smoke.
Gather your equipment:
Homemade Flour Tortillas Ingredients:
