The Brandt family has been in the livestock and farming business since the early 1900s and started raising cattle commercially in 1945.  With the onset of consumer concerns regarding hormones and antibiotics in the early 1990s, the Brandt family made a decision to go against the industry standard and raise their animals naturally. Today, Brandt Beef is proud to be feeding its animals a vegetarian corn-based diet with organic alfalfa grown right on the Brandt farm for more than 365 days without hormones or the use of antibiotics. Brant Beef uses the following practices when raising their cattle:

• Brandt Beef employs crop rotation practices to maintain healthy soil for growing the alfalfa for its animals’ feed.
• Brandt Beef composts its animals’ waste to enrich the land.  Utilizing the compost has allowed the Brandt family’s farming operation to nearly eliminate the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. Local farmers even purchase the compost to use in their own farming.
• Brandt Beef uses flood irrigation to attract native birds which act as natural pesticides by eliminating unwanted insects from Brandt’s fields.
• Lady bugs are released on Brandt’s fields to naturally combat aphids.
• Brandt Beef works with the Imperial Valley’s burrowing owls, which act as natural predators that rid the fields of pests.

You can find Brandt Beef at Farmers Markets around San Diego.  For more information on their farm and where to get some of their delicious beef go to their website at www.brandtbeef.com.

San Diego Catering Company Eco Caters prepares an Organic Cocktail Party

On December 22nd Eco Caters, a San Diego caterer put together an festive and fun cocktail party. This event was full of delicious finger foods. The host chose this style of party so guest could mingle and eat easily.

The menu was full of favorite Hors D Oeuvres, starting with Stationary Hors D Oeuvres of  San Diego caterer, Eco Caters organic Mezze Platter with Hummus Trio, Tabouli Salad, Olive Medley, and Fresh Pita, Cold Quinoa Salad with Red Onion, Italian Squash, Mint, Basil, Dried Cranberries, and an Apple Cider Vinaigrette. To make the stationary display really sing, the host added our amazing Southern Chicken Lollypops with Homemade Buttermilk Ranch, and San Diego caterer, Eco Caters famous Mixed Sliders of, Grilled Portabella with Mixed Greens, and Chimmi Aioli, and Organic Beef Slider with Smoked Cheddar, Tomato, and Homemade Aioli , Bacon, Arugula, and Cave Aged Gruyere Salad.

San Diego Catering company Eco Caters then passedsavory Truffled Grilled Cheese , Spicy Black Bean and Watercress Cilantro Shooter with Tortilla Julienne, Thai Chicken Skewers with Marjoram Yogurt, Beef Wellingtons with Smoked Ketchup and Apricot Mustard, Argentinean Lamb Skewer with Chimmi Churri, and spicy Samosa with Marjoram Lemon Preserve Yogurt.

For dessert guest nibbled on the cutest little desserts. There was bite size Banana Cheesecake with Chocolate Ganache, Pumpkin and Spiced Chocolate Tart, and Organic Chocolate Truffles.

Although a cocktail party can sound like a light meal not containing to much food, Eco Caters cocktail parties are filling and fun. We have many customizable options for you to enhance your parties menu with, making it truly your event. A nice glass of wine and the above menu sounds like a great evening to me. Delight your guest by getting a caterer, it allows you to actually enjoy the party, and your guest get to try new and different foods.

Los Angeles Catering – Organic Venice Beach Catering for Private Family Style Dinner

There is nothing better during the holidays than sharing a meal with family and friends. On December 16th, we did an all organic family style meal in Venice Beach. Before dinner guests engaged in conversation and helped themselves to Eco Caters very own stationary hors d’oeuvres that consisted of antipasto with marinated artichoke, sweet peppers with arugula, marinated cherry tomato with mozzarella, and mixed olives as well as a delicious vegetable crudite with roasted onion dip and house ranch. After the guest were done enjoying all our organic hors d’oeuvres they began to take their seats to get ready for the main course.

Prior to the main course, guests enjoyed a wild arugula salad with peach, nectarine, chevre, and apple cider vinaigrette; All of the mixed greens and herbs for the salad came from Maggie’s Farms. There were two main dishes, the first was a smoked chili rubbed tri-tip with a molasses and a fire roasted pepper sauce. The second was grilled vegetable lasagna with house made ricotta. To compliment the meal, roasted weiser farms potatoes with marjoram and thyme were served as well as a roasted asparagus marinated in grapefruit. Eating Organic is more than just food for our Venice Beach catered family, it has become a lifestyle which is why for the party we used Verterra biodegradable dinnerware which is biodegradable and compostable plates made from fallen palm leaves, flatware, cups and napkins. Whether it is a small dinner party, wedding, or a corporate catered event allow Eco Caters to provide our all Venice Beach catering services.

Los Angeles Catering – J Brand Jeans Cocktail Party

Eco Caters provide services for the J Brand Jeans Cocktail Party that took place on Saturday December 12th. This Los Angeles catered event was larger which consisted of over 150 guests. From start to finish Eco Caters was there to set up and make sure the event was as classy and stylish as J Brand Jeans. We set up our beautiful display of stationary hors d’oeuvres that consisted of a mezze platter with hummus, baba ganouj, roasted red peppers, olives salad, and fresh pita. There was also a hierloom salsa trio with organic tortilla chips. Guest were raving about our delicious mixed sliders. We had grilled eggplant with tomato, arugula, and marjoram aioli; Grilled portabella with mixed greens, and chimmi aioli; and organiz beef sliders with smoked cheddar, tomato, and homemade aioli.

Our Los Angeles catering team tray passed an assortment of hors d’oeuvres such as roasted chicken with avocado, sweet corn, and fermented black bean on crostini; beef wellingtons with smoked ketchup and apricot mustard; salmon rillette in crouton cup; and a roasted tomato crostini with vegetarian bagna cauda. Along with all of the stationary hors d’oeuvres, an assortment of desserts such as golden brownies and homemade cookies were offered to each guest. Needless to say, the night came to an end with happy guest leaving with full stomachs. Eco Caters will be there while you show off your product with our exceptional services and extraordinary organic catering services.

Eco Caters Organic Catering for  an  all Organic Holiday Dinner in Del Mar

We catered a holiday dinner on December 18^th at a beautiful home in Del Mar with amazing views of the pacific ocean. Organic catering in Del Mar is always a treat because we are typically working in nice homes with a view of the ocean.  This San Diego catering event was a nice intimate family dinner. The host chose to have  a wild arugula salad with organic apples from Smit Farms, Creole Gumbo Ya Ya served with organic white rice, a Cajun injected deep fried turkey with giblet gravy, truffled smashed potatoes and broccollini with garlic and shallots. All of which the guest devoured and came back for seconds.

To finish off the night, organic caterer,Eco Caters served some fresh made apple pie with cinnamon whipped cream made with organic apples from Smit Farms.

The Safflower Oil that we used to fry the turkey was given to Wherever Limousine for their biodiesel limo that they use for private events.  For more info on Wherever Limo, go to wherevershuttle.com. The main advantage of using vegetable oil based fuels instead of fossil fuels is that vegetable oil is renewable and better for the environment. Specifically, vegetable oil fuels are sustainable and carbon neutral. Burning straight vegetable oil as fuel, is considered carbon neutral because any carbon dioxide emitted was absorbed by the plant during its growing process and counterbalances the emitted CO2. Any vegetable oil can be used such as soy, corn or walnut oil and also the grease in restaurant kitchens.

Organic catering in San Diego and especially organic catering in Del Mar and other areas of north county has been picking up and we hope to continue working more and more in that area.  Holiday Party catering in San Diego was slow but steady this year and but it was an increase from 2008.  We are very thankful for the events that we have catered in 2009 and we look forward to bringing organic catering to all of Southern California in 2010.

Los Angeles Catering – Cocktail Party for Manhattan Beach Catering Event

A 75 person cocktail party in Manhattan beach Saturday December 12th was where we were showcasing our skills. We had stationary hors d’oeuvres set up that consisted of a Chef’s choice cheese display with market fruit and preserves; a mezze platter with hummus, baba ganouj, roasted red peppers, olives salad, and fresh pita. The stationary hors d’oeuvres also consisted of a savory selection of mixed sliders such as curry chicken salad with california golden raisins; grilled eggplant with tomato, argula and marjoram aioli; and an organic beef slider with smoked cheddar, tomato, and homemade aioli. Our truffled grilled cheese remained a guest favorite as our Manhattan Beach Catering staff passed around hors d’oeuvres as well as thai chicken skewers with marjoram yogurt; and seared albacore with orange grapefruit slaw; roasted tomato crostini bagna cauda. For those of you looking for Los Angeles Catering that only used the freshest local ingredients, we would be a perfect fit. For instance, the majority of the food Eco Caters used at the cocktail party came fresh from Maggie’s Farms. Next time you are looking for local, organic Los Angeles catering make sure you contact us.

Los Angeles Catering – Organic Catering for Holiday Party in Manhattan Beach

For a dinner party in Manhattan Beach on December 5th, the host specifically wanted all fresh organic food. We pride ourselves on knowing we have mastered the art of organic catering so this event was perfect for us. The stationary hors d’oeuvres consisted of chef’s choice cheese display with market fruit and preserves, and mezze platter with humus, baba ganouj, roasted red peppers, olives salad, and fresh pita. There were also a selection of mixed sliders such as: Grilled Portabella with mixed greens, and chimmi aioli; apricot turkey sliders with apple, arugula, and house mustard; and bacon, arugula, and cave aged gruyere; Thai chicken skewers with marjoram yogurt; Argentinean lamb skewer with chimmi churri; roasted beet salad with manchego, arugula, carrot, and beet vinaigrette; and lobster and porcini ravioli with chive beurre blanc. To compliment the food that we had prepared, the host of the party provided all organic wine and champagne for their guests.

As far as Los Angeles catering goes for us, we definitely use Maggies Farms for the majority of the fruits and vegetables and Rutiz Farms for the beets and potatoes. We have a great relationship with both of these farms, and we frequently use them for all our Los Angeles catering needs. The Eco friendly host also went as far as using Verterra dinnerware for her party. This is dinnerware that is 100% biodegradable and compotsable made from fallen palm leaves as well as biodegradable forks which were made out of wood. Using biodegradable dinnerware is very good for the environment but is also unique and beautiful, which is why we recommend it for all our clients.

Beverly Hills Catering – Organic Tray Passed Party

We work in Beverly Hills often, and one party that stood out was a holiday party on December 12th that we did at a home on the hills of Mulholland looking over all of LA. The house was just as beautiful as the view. With red rose table settings, candles, and a beautiful display of stationary hors d’oeuvres provided by us, the night was sure to be a success from the very beginning. The stationary hors d’oeuvres included southern chicken lollipops with homemade buttermilk ranch and a mezze platter with hummus, baba ganouj, and roasted red peppers.

While the guest enjoyed themselves and engaged in conversation, our servers tray passed truffled grilled cheese, salmon rillette in crouton cups, petite lump crap hand rolls with chive and julienne peppers, roasted tomato crostini with bagna cauda, and bacon and arugula sliders with aged gruyère. This Beverly Hills catering event was lucky enough to enjoy fish from Catalina, where they sell local caught fish. We also used Weiser Family Farms which is where all of the root vegetables and potatoes came from for this event. The night came to an end with guests raving about the organic catering services we had provided. The guests especially enjoyed the southern chicken lollipops and the salmon rillette and the hosts walked away knowing that we were the right choice for their organic meal.

Eco Caters, a  San Diego Caterer, Crafts a Green Holiday Cocktail Party in Del Mar

Eco Caters catered the Biomatrica holiday party at a private residence in Del Mar on Saturday.  The San Diego catering consisted of all stationary hors d’oeuvres including Tuna Tar Tar in Cucumber Cups with Avocado Oil and Preserve Lemon, Spicy Chicken Skewers with Marjoram Red Pepper Yogurt, Grilled Eggplant with Tomato, Arugula, and Marjoram Aioli, Organic Beef Slider with Smoked Cheddar and Tomato, and a Charcuterie Display served with House Mustard, Cornichon, Pickled Onion, and Garlic Rubbed Crostini.

For dessert, San Diego caterer, Eco Caters served bite sized Banana Cheesecakes with Chocolate Ganache and Flourless Chocolate Tarts with Champagne Raspberries.  It was San Diego catering at its finest and we were pleased to serve all organic cuisine to a very thankful crowd.  We sourced the Chicken from Jidori Chicken, the all natural chicken out of Los Angeles.  The beef was grassfed beef from Tallgrass Beef.  All of the veggies were organic veggies from Suzie’s Farm along with other local organic farms in San Diego.  The food was plentiful and everyone was pleased with the meal. To learn more about where we source our food from visit our farms page.

Del Mar catering has been picking up for us lately with 4 or 5 holiday parties in Del Mar this year.  People are really starting to request organic catering throughout Southern California which has helped us grow this year.  Hopefully the trend towards organic catering becomes the norm and we continue to grow into 2010.  Del Mar is a vital area for us and we hope that we continue to book events, weddings and holiday parties in this area.

SDNN listed Eco Caters, along with 34 other companies started by entrepreneurs who’s passion is living green. We were so please to be placed on a list with the Eco Investment Club, AMSOLAR, Nikster Eco Bikinis, and all the other amaizing eco friendly companies that were stated by those 35 or younger.  This is what they had to say about Eco Caters;

Eco Caters started as the brainchild of the two organic food munching friends Adam Hiner and Chef Nicholas Brune. The idea, according to Hiner and Brune, was based on their own passion for organic foods and the growing market demand for catering services that prepared organic foods.

Unlike traditional catering services, Eco Caters serves only organically grown foods and practices eco-friendly catering habits.

“Being organic and eco-friendly separates us from competition, and we saw that as something that would benefit our company” said Hiner.

Hiner and Brune estimate that the catering business will have earned $500,000 in gross sales by the end of 2009. Since Eco Caters has already booked many events next year, Hiner and Brune predict that sales will double once again, putting their 2010 year end gross sales at $1 million. The Eco Caters Company plans to launch the Grass Roots Grill, an organic fast food restaurant, in San Diego as early as spring 2010.

You can read the full article here. Thanks SDNN!