Innovatemap’s colorful, food-forward holiday party

Innovatemap, is a Broadripple based product services company helping companies of all sizes dream, design and scale digital products and services.

So, when it came to throwing a holiday party, Innovatemap knew exactly what they wanted. Their team insisted the party be lively, colorful and food forward, with emphasis on big taste and a low carbon footprint. No surprise, they hired Jacquie’s Gourmet Catering (farm-to-table, sustainable, organic, locally sourced foods) and set the evening at Finley Creek Vineyards.

The vibe was easy upscale and festive. Guests arrived for an evening of holiday celebration beginning with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres from 6 to 7, followed by dinner, then a reception from 8 through 11 PM.

Hors d’oeuvres included:

Three Layer Pesto Torte with Goat Cheese, Cream Cheese, Sundried Tomatoes, Fresh Basil Pesto and Pine Nuts with Crackers.

Bourbon Chicken Skewers Mini Cuban Sandwiches were also offered. Naturally there was a vegan option, Morbier Grilled Cheese with Tomato Jam Mushrooms Stuffed with Parmesan.

A seated dinner followed with a choice of:

Barbeque Beef Boneless Short Ribs with Molasses Bourbon Sauce
Cedar Planked Salmon
Bow Tie Pasta with Arugula, Goat Cheese

Rounding out the meal, was:

Mixed Organic Field Greens with Pecans, Cranberries, Goat Cheese and Champagne Dressing
Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Wood Grilled Vegetables with Herb de Provence and Balsamic

No holiday celebration would be complete without ending on a sweet note. Jacquie’s team prepared an irresistable dessert station filled with everyone’s favorites:

Chocolate Covered Strawberries
Creme Brule
Cheesecakes
Smores in a Ball Jar

There’s nothing like a perfectly hosted, beautifully prepared and presented holiday party, which is exactly what the folks at Innovatemap received this holiday season. Team Jacquie’s Gourmet Catering and Finley Creek Vineyards delivered!

Republic Airlines landed at Finely Creek Vineyards for their holiday luncheon

. The event was festive and fun, with great food and lovely surroundings. Just the thing for Republican Airlines personnel after a bustling holiday travel season!

The Buffet Lunch by Jacquie’s Gourmet Catering, included a choice of select entrees, two sides, salad and holiday desserts.

The high flying lunch took flight with Spinach and Pear Salad with Rosemary Vinaigrette.

From there, guests chose Beef Wellington or Chicken Stuffed with Brie. The Tenderloin of Beef was first class, including Mushroom Duxelle Wrapped in Puff Pastry.

For those choosing chicken, it was a savory marvel -- Chicken Stuffed with Brie, Wrapped with Proscuitto and Rosemary.

Garlic Mashed Potatoes rounded out each entrée, pairing well with Seasoned Farm-to-Table Indiana Vegetables and Rolls.

The fitting end of the meal? The sky was the limit, and calories no problem with Butter Chocolate Mousse Torte. Delicious!

Guests remarked at how lovely the Finley Creek Vineyards barn was for a winter holiday party. Lovely, warm, and bursting with rustic charm! And of course, every party Jacquie’s Gourmet Catering does is perfection from start to finish. Guests enjoyed a “soft landing” at the bar, taking in lots of holiday spirits and camaraderie.

Finley Creek Vineyards is bee-friendly

Jacquie Bols, owner of Jacquie’s Gourmet Catering and Finley Creek Vineyards, is all about organic and sustainably produced foods. She is also a lover – and protector – of everything natural and organic. And in addition to the food she prepares, that includes bees.

Finley Creek Vineyards has two thriving beehives filled with active working honeybees. These bees not only work hard to fertilize the flowers, vegetables and grape vineyards on the property, but also help nearby farmers fertilize their corn, soybeans, strawberries, and other crops.

Because we care about all bees in decline across the country, we hope you’ll join us in helping bees stay healthy and sustainable. Bees are needed to keep our food production safe and healthy, too.

Here are some ways you can help:

Bee safe – Use only organically produced, non-chemical soils in your garden and lawn.
Bee vigilant – Buy and plant only untreated natural organic seeds to produce safe flowers and foods in your garden.
Bee sustainable – Landscape with bee-friendly plants, bushes, grasses and flowers that attract beneficial insects like bees, butterflies, hummingbirds and other pollinators. Compost yard and kitchen waste.
Bee farmer friendly – Support local farmers and producers at farm stands and farmers markets.
Bee Aware – Use only eco-friendly products. Steer clear of “neonic” (bee-killing) chemicals that hide in products in you may use inside and outside your home, including Acetamiprid, Clothianidin, Dinotefuran, Imidacloprid, and Thiamethoxam.

All these products linger on the flowers bees pollinate and can sicken or kill an entire colony.

Bee passionate! Spread the word about organic farming and produce. And keeping bee colonies healthy and thriving, as well as the earth green, healthy and sustainable!

Just making a few thoughtful changes in the products you buy and consume and the practices you employ at home can make a real difference to the natural world we depend on.

Sustainably yours,

Jacquie Bols

This Finley Creek summer wedding was a hit

Who said a wedding has to be stuffy?

Emily Richards and Aaron Hieneman held their wedding outdoors on a sunny summer’s day at Finley Creek Vineyards, and it was relaxed and picture-perfect!

By 3:30 in the afternoon, 150 guests had come to our picturesque, rolling Zionsville vineyard to witness the couples’ vows under a lovely billowing curtained canopy. The backdrop was of trees, farms and sky. You could hear birds chirping all around. The mood was peaceful and sweet.

A country-themed dinner followed the reception just a few steps away, in the Finely Creek Vineyard barn.

In keeping with the relaxed atmosphere, Jacquie’s Gourmet Catering provided farm-to-table hors d’oeuvres and sustainably produced southern barbecue. Everything was Indiana grown and raised, from the vegetable platter to the cheese and butter, right down to the Indiana raised chicken and beef:

HORS D' OEUVRES

Roasted Vegetable Platter with Arugula and Tarragon Dip

DINNER

Jacquie’s own Southern Barbecue buffet
Pulled Chicken - BBQ on Side Texas Style Beef Brisket
Macaroni and 3 Cheese with a Parmesan Garlic Crust
Baked Idaho Potato with Sour Cream, Bacon, Cheese and Butter
Garlic Rolls

The reception progressed inside the rustic barn with music, dancing and drinks, lit up with elegant chandeliers. And outside, by the light of strung lights, crisscrossing the path leading to and from the barn.

The day was sweet, simple, delicious, and as you can no doubt tell from these photos, lots and lots of fun.

Cheers to the happy new couple!