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Fall Festival 2009 Gourmet to Go Info
2009 Preview Menu Now Available
It's time to start thinking about Gourmet To-Go, and how you would like to participate. There are numerous ways you can help out:
If you cook, prepare & freeze your special à la carte item or consider making a Gourmet To-Go Theme Package.
If you don’t cook, purchase and freeze a to-go item from your favorite restaurant, help us contact restaurants or caterers for food or gift certificate donations, or give us a check and we'll purchase food items for you.
Signing up is easy: just go to the Gourmet To-Go Sign-Up. Please sign up early so you can get your first choice on the items or packages you would like to make (and to avoid duplicate dishes (over 4) of the same item from multiple people). When you post your selection online, you will receive an automatic
confirmation of your sign-up, and soon after, an email confirming the availability of your choice.
Just remember, GTG is about wonderful FRESH FROZEN foods; your food should be frozen solid. PLEASE label and date frozen items detailing the ingredients (to prevent any problems with food allergies), your name, the item name, number of servings, and include any special defrosting/reheating instructions. If you need disposable containers they are available in the office. Please consider providing reusable containers or bake ware that the buyer can keep--these add to the value and desirability of the items!
A couple of years ago, we successfully introduced the fabulous concept of Gourmet To-Go Theme Packages, which quickly sold out! A GTG Package is an entire (frozen) meal that follows a particular menu theme. Your unique Package should have a Personalized Name and could include any combination of appetizers, entrées, a few side dishes, dessert—even wine or liqueurs— make it special since prices will range from $40-$100+ depending on what goodies are included. Add creative flair and value by arranging items in a decorative container (a basket, a gift box or gift-wrapped in cellophane). Consider placing food items in re-useable cookware, Pyrex, ceramics, ramekins, clay pots, etc.; add a serving platter, party favors, cocktail mix or linens anything to enhance your theme…really use your imagination and think outside the box on these! Anything goes, just have fun with your creative idea!
À La Carte items can be anything! Any single item that can be frozen and re-heated later will be great! The possibilities are endless! Fall, harvest, or holiday themed foods are sure to be great sellers—so start planning now!
Need creative inspiration? Visit our Theme Packages/À La Carte (Sample Menus) page.
Gourmet To Go Buyers: the preview menu will be posted online November 10th, giving you the opportunity to leisurely preview this year’s delicious selections prior to the Presale (Friday November 14th at 3:00 p.m). Mark your calendar and arrive early to the Presale! Many of the packages and à la carte items sell out immediately during the first 15 minutes of the Presale, and you don’t want to miss out! Go to the Gourmet To-Go Preview Menu.
GTG Raffle Tickets & SMT Cookbooks: As a thank you—for each GTG package donated or purchased, you will receive 5 GTG raffle tickets; each à la carte item donated or purchased earns 1 GTG raffle ticket. Our GTG raffle winners will be announced at the end of Carnival, and winners will receive a fabulous culinary prize. Raffle tickets can also be purchased for $2.50 each or 5 tickets for $10 during Presale and Carnival at the Gourmet To-Go Booth. Please email or fax (310-472-9894) Jeanne McDonald-Powers if you have any questions.
Thanks so much! We appreciate all of the teamwork so many of you put into Gourmet To-Go over the years, and we look forward to it being better than ever this year! Go Gourmet!
Don’t be shy, if you have any questions or suggestions, please contact Jeanne McDonald-Powers or Elane Borquez.