Catering to any kind of function or most people, cater- ing conjures up im- ages of weddings in large banquet halts, but catering on the North Shore varies from intimate dinners at home to those large ban- quets necessary for some occasions. Pamela Lang FEATURES REPORTER Looking for a place to hold this year’s‘office Christmas party? Good luck, Banquet facilities should be booked eight months to a year in advance, explained Georgia Kambolis, owner of Gleneagles Caterers Ltd. in West Vancouver. But now is a great time to make plans for a summer or fall wed- ding, or ever: for next year’s holi- day season. Although their specialty is wed- dings, the caterers at Gleneagles also handle parties for Christmas, reunions and graduations for gatherings of 50 to 275 people. Menu choices vary from sit- down dinners to cocktail parties and they will provide the bartenders and the waiters to serve food prepared by their own chefs, Kambolis explained. Businesses like hers offer the fa- cility as well as all of the food and service, while others offer catering services at a Jocation chosen by the customer. An intimate dinner for two or a cocktail party for 500 can be ac- commodated by companies such as Jesry’s Cafe Take-Away and Catering in West Vancouver. And Pa banquet room is too much for that office Christrnas par- ty, there is still time to book a catered party to be held at the of- fice or the boss’ home. These can be booked as little as one week in advance, although with a busy Christmas season, it is good to start thinking about it now, explained Colleen Maranda, business partner and catering manager at Jerry’s. Their chef — Colleen’s husband David — will cook a meal for six to 10 people in the customer's home, and provide a cooking lesson while the meal is being prepared. People looking for something small but special can arrange for a junch or breakfast basket to be delivered, while their pickup ser- vice offers packaged hors d'oeuvres or dinner for eight packed for trave! — popular with customers headed for Whistler. “We see catering in a different light,’ said Maranda, who added that they have their own retail products such as flavored vinegars or oils as well as jams, candies and chocolates. These products are combined with hard-to-find specialty items to create baskets for business and personal gifts. Theme parties are popular, and she said they have done everything from ethnic themes toa pink party where color was the theme, to a smail wedding up on the North Shore’s Lions’ peak. Caterers have to be ready for anything, she said, explaining that they have done funerals for 200 with only three days’ nctice. The business community has needs that are served by facilities like those available at the Lonsdale Quay Hotei in North Vancouver, where they have meeting rooms See page 22 gather ... we make it easy!!! MILIEU— Milieu has a plan for your special occasion, and ail your Holiday Season's needs TALK TO US ABOUT TRAYS of 3 « Vegetable trays ee. widip fait. » Fresh Fruit sce, Trays Finger Sandwiches - Cheese Trays * Combination Trays : Bee Ee Gold : ee Cuts gis aes you need to ry cocktail receptions for up to 150 people, dinner parties for up co 120 and dinner ° Our ballroom is perfect to celebrate your intimate wedding. We can accommodate Weddings : dances for 100 guests. Full Conference We are pleased to offer full conference facilities to suit groups of 2 to 150 with complete catering and audio visual services. Facilities Our expert staff can assist you in planning every detail to ensure ‘your occasion is a success. We offer a variety of lunch and dinner selections and are very flexible should you wish to create your own menu. tet ~& CONSDALE QUAY —HOTED ——— Our catering Manager, Elissa Read, wili be more than happy to help you plan your occasion. Please call her at 98626111 to set up a consultation.