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Mimi makes many lists…

“Where’s Mimi?”

This was more or less our mantra when we popped in to observe all that’s involved in setting up a Country Wedding for 200 guests on a balmy autumn afternoon.

We found ourselves repeatedly asking this question, not because Mimi wasn’t where she was “supposed” to be…

Not at all!

It was because Mimi was very nearly everywhere very nearly all at once.

A background steeped in hospitality

“This apple didn’t fall far from the tree,” Mimi laughed, when we asked where and when her career as a professional party planner began. “I was born into a world where food and entertaining were more than usually central to family life.”

Mimi checks lists more than twice!

“My grandfather Loughran had his own butcher shop in Quincy Market–the old Quincy Market, which was all about food. And my father ran a wholesale food business that operated throughout New England.”

“But the biggest influence on my career was my mother, a homemaker who not only entertained with great panache in our Boston home, but who did the very same thing for many others. Tea parties, fashion-show luncheons, tea dances–you name it–all on behalf of good causes. My mother happily volunteered for this nonprofit work–she was never paid for her efforts–and yet her work was of professional-calibre and everything she did, she did with flourish and flair. No wonder my mother inspired me!” Mimi exhaled. “She inspires me, to this day.”

Party-planning particulars

“It all begins with listening, site visits, layouts, the proper amounting of food for the chefs, handout sheets for staff…. There’s no way to succeed in this line of work if you don’t stay on top of even the smallest detail, which is why I named my business, ‘Particular Party Planners.’ I owned and operated my Belmont-based company for 21 years.”

“When I sold Particular Party Planners and moved back to Boston, I must confess to not being easily impressed by the offerings of many caterers. But when I saw and sampled Jules Catering’s food–and when I recognized the talents of Owner-Chef Anita Baglaneas–how extraordinarily delicious her food tastes and how artistically she presents it–I wanted to part of this creative enterprise. From Day One Anita and I hit it off, and I’ve been with Jules for 14 years.”

A  country wedding

“Another talented individual with whom I’m always pleased to collaborate is Lo McShay of LoLo Event Designs,” Mimi continued. “While Jules has all the resources and expertise to independently plan every type of event, we’re also happy to team up with creative partners, like Lo.”

Lo McShay of LoLo Event Designs and Mimi Deignan of Jules Catering collaborate on some events

“Given Lo’s background in advertising and her vision for how a ‘New England harvest wedding’ should play out, it was fun for me–and for all of us at Jules–to ensure that the food and service we provide for this occasion complements Lo’s vision in every detail.”

“And, believe it or not, my B.A. in Fine Arts has also served me well,” Mimi continued, “because visual elements are fundamental to the success of every event.”

Burlap, wood, wildflowers, and mason jars instantly transmit the “country wedding” theme

“Look around” Mimi continued, “and you’ll see ‘country wedding’ everywhere–not just in the meadow-like setting for the ceremony, and the wooden benches, and the cotton-covered hay bales–but in the family-style dinner tables accented with burlap and wildflowers and mason jars–and in the menu, as well.

“To give you a glimpse, here’s the menu for just one of Jules’ two dinner buffets offered at this wedding.”

DINNER BUFFET
Pork Tenderloin with Apple Cider Reduction
Capon Roulade with Wild Mushroom Stuffing, Served with an Herb Gravy
A Mélange of Local Autumn Vegetables
Pumpkin Ravioli with Brown Butter Sage Sauce
Mixed New England Greens, Julienned Concord Apples, Gorgonzola Cheese Served with Gougères and Balsamic Vinaigrette
Baskets of Assorted Artisanal Rolls and Breads

“Oh, and stay tuned for the cowbell!” Mimi laughed. “Before long I will be luring guests from the cocktail tent to the wedding ceremony by gently ringing this country-style bell.”

Mimi assembles an A+ Team

“Food, presentation, and staffing are of paramount importance when planning and managing a party–and when it comes to staffing any kind of special event, one person I always feel lucky to be able to partner with is Jules Catering’s Staffing and Events Manager, Sergio Ribeiro.”

Mimi and her best right-hand man, Sergio Ribeiro

“Because both Sergio and I agree that appropriate staffing is fundamental to the success of any party, I’m proud to say that we’ve enlisted an A-plus team of 19 waitstaff and bartenders for this wedding today.”

“These are my pals!” Mimi smiled, as she prompted waitstaff in the cocktail tent to strike a pose by the fruit and cheese display, which was a creation of Party Chef Hubeimar Restrepo. “Hubeimar is the master-artist behind this display,” Mimi explained, “but others on the team also pitched in.”

Daniela, Hubeimar, Hannia, Jonathan, and Caio gather ’round sumptuously arranged fruit and cheese

“Did you notice the wooden barrels supporting the bar and buffet tables and the overturned milk crates supporting the fruit and cheese display?” Mimi asked. “I agree with Lo that these details wonderfully reinforce the country-wedding theme.”

Mimi caught us eyeing the artisanal cheese offerings. “Aren’t they gorgeous? All five varieties–Camembert, Gouda, Cheddar, Blue, and Chèvre–were made right here in New England, and were specially selected by Jules’ longtime Food and Beverage Manager (and one-time chef of Boston’s Bay Tower Restaurant), Paul Malcuit.”

New England country cheeses: Mountain Blue, Roquefort-Crusted Chèvre, Cave-Aged Cheddar

Party prep was also in full-swing outside the cocktail tent:

Jules’ expert administrative support person and seasoned waitstaffer, Stephanie Vargas, checked her watch before preparing mason-jar water glasses for dinner. “We time things so that by the time guests are seated each glass will contain a refreshing balance of water and ice.”

Stephanie prepares to fill mason-jar water glasses with ice

“And you must snap a portrait our talented quartet of bartenders,” Mimi enthused as she encouraged them to take a little break and join us outdoors. “Not only is each a talented mixologist with expertise in fine wine, but no matter how frenetic the pace of a party, I can count on them to consistently provide gracious and attentive service, along with perfectly prepared drinks.”

Four of Jules Catering’s go-to-bartenders are Ben, Mark, Susan, and Anita

“Of course the same holds true of our waitstaff. On top of being hospitable and attentive to our guests, they know the menus and the particulars of each menu item. And when, on a moment’s notice, I call upon one or the other to switch gears, each is a skilled multi-tasker, ready to jump in and tackle whatever must be done to ensure smooth party flow.”

Always ready to serve are Jules’ wait-staff regulars John, Stephanie, Frank, Daniela, and Robyn

“Teamwork is the name of the game, when it comes to staffing any kind of event,” Mimi concluded. “I couldn’t be more proud of my A-plus team.”

Remember those mason jars Stephanie iced? Here, in the dinner tent, Daniela and Frank distribute them

Photo Credits: Liz Muir