As we enter the thick of the corporate holiday party season, here are some ideas and resources for food, entertainment, gifts, and more.
1. Bring some warm comfort food into a holiday party space with pizza right out of the oven. The 2Stone Inferno pizza oven has been designed to maintain temperatures of 700 to 900 degrees, with preheat times of eight to 10 minutes. A rotating 15.5-inch FibraMent baking stone (which requires standard outlet power for the motor) and extreme heat create excellent pizzas for events in as little as two minutes, with a brown and bubbly effect. The oven has a large, open design, and an adjustable sliding burner for heat control. A 10-gallon propane tank, which is included, allows four to six hours of continuous operation. The 2Stone is mounted on a heavy-duty street cart with casters, so the hearth is at eye level. A pizza paddle is also included in the rental, which is priced at $249 through Town & Country Event Rentals.
2. New to L.A., Magnolia Bakery is offering an array of winter-themed cupcakes with decorations such as candy mittens and blue sprinkles to mimic fallen snow. Magnolia now offers curbside pickup, so that planners can call in larger orders prior to an in-office holiday celebration and pick them up without delay. With one hour’s notice (if it's really last minute) and a minimum purchase of $25, guests can pick up homemade treats such as a dozen of Magnolia’s cupcakes, ice box cakes, or banana pudding. With more advance notice (48 hours recommended), guests can pick up more customized orders.
3. Looking for a unique corporate gift? The Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association's Animals Depend on People Too program, also known as A.D.O.P.T., raises money to support endangered species and wildlife around the world. In time for the holidays, the association announced the top 12 most adopted L.A. zoo animals as it debuted a gift in which the recipient becomes an adoptive parent to a different zoo animal every month for a year. The tax-deductible gift package begins with a desk calendar with photos of the top 12, one animal per month, and continues throughout the year with the arrival each month of a personalized certificate and photo fact sheet matching that month's animal. The package is available for $350 per year, with a six-month plan offered for $175. Single-month plans are available for $35. Orders require two weeks for fulfillment.
4. For a classic holiday teambuilding activity, take a group ice-skating. For the second year in a row, the W Hotel Los Angeles—Westwood is transforming its Wet pool deck into a winter getaway complete with a rink called "Chill." From November 19 through January 2, guests can try their luck on the 1,300-square-foot hybrid-ice rink (actually made from a non-ice substance that is supposed to be more environmentally sound) set against a backdrop of twinkling lights, winter decor, and snowfall every hour. Guests can also lounge rinkside in one of the space's cabanas. The Backyard’s “Snowy Snack Bar” offers winter bites complete with warm comfort foods such as grilled cheese dipped in roasted tomato sauce, or chocolate waffles in crème anglaise and warm house-made vanilla bean doughnut holes. Guests can also decorate their own gingerbread men or cupcakes, or sip wintry signature cocktails. Chill is available for corporate event booking.
5. Downtown, try "L.A. Downtown on Ice," the rink at Pershing Square, which is celebrating its 13th year. Open every day between November 18 and January 17, the rink has a reserved area for events that includes a roped-off 10- by 10-foot canopy with tables and chairs for use during public skating times for a fee of $300 per two hours (excluding skate session and rental fees), or for buyout with a capacity of 190 for $3,500 for three hours, or less for a shorter time bracket, including skate rentals and services. On-site food trucks make for an even more festive environment this year.
