After months of planning and pouring over timelines, menus, decor elements, and beverage service, the National Parks Conservation Association gala finally arrived. Supported by Linder Global Events, the event was held at the National Building Museum, which opened its doors to more than 400 guests to celebrate the diverse parks across North America.
Garbed in tuxedoes, staff from Windows Catering greeted guests with a selection of hors d’oeuvres that included scallop ceviche, Florida palm dates with Maytag blue cheese, rapini and shiitake mushroom croustades, and prosciutto purses with mascarpone. Amaryllis Floral & Event Design created several lounge areas evoking a park-like setting using natural wood-toned furniture.
After the cocktail reception the guests were called into the spectacular Center Court dinner. The space was elegantly designed to represent the different regions in North America, and each section showcased unique base plates, china, glassware, and flatware. Windows Catering served an “ecosystem” as the first course, which was presented in a glass vessel with Maine lobster, Atlantic blue crab, sea beans, green and red seaweed, tomato “sponges,” and olive oil caviar with a citrus vinaigrette. As the program continued through the evening, Windows Catering provided guests with a mouth-watering dual entrée of Colorado grass-fed filet mignon with a wild mushroom jus and crispy leeks, a pan-roasted Chesapeake rockfish with a Southern-style corn soufflé, and glazed baby carrots in a citrus beurre blanc.
To top off the elegant affair, guests were then invited to the East Court for a “Sweet Trip Through the Park” dessert extravaganza designed by Windows Catering. The main centerpiece of the dessert reception was the 12-foot canoe that displayed a meadow tablescape set with wheat grass, chocolate rocks and trees stumps, s’more pops, meringue mushrooms, chocolate turtles, and cactus cupcakes. To round out the dessert buffet, Windows Catering creatively presented blackberry cheesecake shooters, key lime tartlets, and Boston cream pie shooters. The visual presentation was stunning and the myriad of options almost overwhelming.
