Questions to Ask Your Caterer

Rebecca McKinney

I was born a foodie. My dad is a chef, baker, and restaurant owner and my mom might as well be because she owns whatever kitchen she walks into. I grew up working in my family’s restaurant and bakery in Pawling, New York – McKinney and Doyle. I started behind the bakery counter at 12 years old after begging my parents to let me start working. At 16 I worked as a hostess. By 18 I was serving tables and training behind the bar where I then worked every other weekend throughout my college career. Even now, when I am visiting my family in New York, I help out where I’m needed. To make a long story short, the food and restaurant industry has been my life for as long as I can remember.

I wanted to create this blog for a few reasons. First and foremost, to share tips, tricks, and knowledge about the food and beverage industry in general but also to help people see a different side of the restaurant world. Every restaurant has a totally unique culture and world within it. I want to help open people’s eyes to more than how fast the service is or how easy or hard it is to secure a reservation.

So, thanks for stopping by! I welcome your ideas, input, and feedback and hope you enjoy!

Eat well & travel often,

Becky McKinney

Latest posts by Rebecca McKinney (see all)

Cooking for a crowd is fun and all but sometimes, hiring a caterer is really the best move. Let me think of an example … oh, I know! Bride to be over here says you’re definitely going to hire a caterer for your wedding, yes? Yes. But you shouldn’t take this task lightly because chances are your caterer is going to do much more than cook some food. In most cases, when it comes to a large event, like a wedding, the caterer is in charge of preparing the menu, helping with timeline coordination, providing table and glassware, stocking the bar, baking the wedding cake, and staffing the service. That’s a lot of questions to ask your caterer responsibility! You’ll want to work with someone who knows their stuff. I know that planning a large event … let’s just call a spade a spade … planning a wedding is stressful and a ton of work, but it’s important that you take your time with the details and know what to expect on the big day. But don’t you worry; you’re in good hands. As the daughter of a chef/baker/restaurant owner who has catered weddings for years, an ex event planner, a previous cater waiter, AND a bride to be, I’ve got your back. Here are some important questions to ask your caterer.Continue Reading

Time to Celebrate: Valentine’s Day Ideas for Your Love

Rebecca McKinney

I was born a foodie. My dad is a chef, baker, and restaurant owner and my mom might as well be because she owns whatever kitchen she walks into. I grew up working in my family’s restaurant and bakery in Pawling, New York – McKinney and Doyle. I started behind the bakery counter at 12 years old after begging my parents to let me start working. At 16 I worked as a hostess. By 18 I was serving tables and training behind the bar where I then worked every other weekend throughout my college career. Even now, when I am visiting my family in New York, I help out where I’m needed. To make a long story short, the food and restaurant industry has been my life for as long as I can remember.

I wanted to create this blog for a few reasons. First and foremost, to share tips, tricks, and knowledge about the food and beverage industry in general but also to help people see a different side of the restaurant world. Every restaurant has a totally unique culture and world within it. I want to help open people’s eyes to more than how fast the service is or how easy or hard it is to secure a reservation.

So, thanks for stopping by! I welcome your ideas, input, and feedback and hope you enjoy!

Eat well & travel often,

Becky McKinney

Latest posts by Rebecca McKinney (see all)

I feel like when it comes to Valentine’s Day, you either love it or you hate it. But regardless of your feeling towards America’s Valentine's Day Ideasfavorite Hallmark Holiday, Valentine’s Day is around the corner. Literally … it’s two days from now. Do you have a plan? It’s okay if you don’t because I’m about to help you make a great one.Continue Reading

My Top Five Favorite Super Bowl Snacks

Rebecca McKinney

I was born a foodie. My dad is a chef, baker, and restaurant owner and my mom might as well be because she owns whatever kitchen she walks into. I grew up working in my family’s restaurant and bakery in Pawling, New York – McKinney and Doyle. I started behind the bakery counter at 12 years old after begging my parents to let me start working. At 16 I worked as a hostess. By 18 I was serving tables and training behind the bar where I then worked every other weekend throughout my college career. Even now, when I am visiting my family in New York, I help out where I’m needed. To make a long story short, the food and restaurant industry has been my life for as long as I can remember.

I wanted to create this blog for a few reasons. First and foremost, to share tips, tricks, and knowledge about the food and beverage industry in general but also to help people see a different side of the restaurant world. Every restaurant has a totally unique culture and world within it. I want to help open people’s eyes to more than how fast the service is or how easy or hard it is to secure a reservation.

So, thanks for stopping by! I welcome your ideas, input, and feedback and hope you enjoy!

Eat well & travel often,

Becky McKinney

Latest posts by Rebecca McKinney (see all)

Disclaimer: I am not a football fan. It’s not that I don’t like it; it’s just that I don’t really know the rules and so I get pretty bored watching it. Though, I can remember watching an Eagles game with Matt a couple years ago and there were a ton of fights, which I found it pretty entertaining but Matt tells me games like that aren’t very common. Anyway, fan or not, Super Bowl Sunday is always a great day! Who doesn’t love football snacks? Every year I struggle to limit myself in terms of cooking but it’s tough to say the least. It took me a while to narrow it down but I was finally able to list my top five favorite Super Bowl Snacks.Continue Reading