How to plan a safe catered holiday event during COVID

With holidays just ahead, you can absolutely plan a safe corporate or private holiday event. We have been doing this very thing over the past several months at Finley Creek, and we know the rules.

We also know what works and what doesn’t. We want your guests to feel safe while following all applicable state and CDC guidelines.

The first order of business, say experts, is to make sure your guests feel safe enough to attend. Towards that end, here is our protocol:

Jacquie’s Gourmet Catering will:

Have staff wear gloves and masks during all prep and serve
Keep food covered and at ideal temperatures after prep and before serving
Display food under protective shields to prevent contamination
Food will be served with tongs and utensils handled by masked server at all times
Individual-sized appetizers available as much as possible
Use single-use disposable dishware and glasses unless otherwise asked.

Finley Creek will:

Be set up to assure maximum space between tables and each guest
Common areas (such as bars, restrooms and coat check) will be marked with 6-foot guide icons to keep patrons from unintentional exposure to others
Barware and alcohol handled by gloved and masked bar managers only.
Outdoor areas, entrances and exits marked for safety of guests.

Of course, we know there really are no hard and fast answers, and serving alcohol to those enjoying a holiday party makes guest behavior slightly riskier. With that in mind, we recommend:

Asking several good friends to help talk to guests engaging in behavior that puts others at risk
If you have an MC or DJ, ask them to periodically remind guests to keep safety a priority.
We make sure the setting at Finley Creek is right for your crowd. We want your guests to be able to safely distance.
Using available outside space at Finley Creek is always a good idea for an extra measure of safety.

Even during a pandemic, some catering rules will always be paramount for us:

Guests will forgive an event that could have had another restroom or two, but they will always remember how good the food was -- or wasn’t. That’s why we never skimp on food quality.
We never run out of food. This is a cardinal rule at Jacquie’s Gourmet Catering.
Presentation of food matters. A lot. Food should always look (and taste) luscious, fresh, and be served at the right temperature.
Planning how bar and appetizer table traffic flows at an event is especially important now. Nobody wants to stand waiting for a drink at a crowded bar for 25 minutes.

The holidays are coming up fast. So if you have a holiday party in mind, there are still plenty of open dates in November, December and New Year’s Eve. We're ready to book your next event safely.

Outdoor events are now mainstream and fun!

Jacquie’s Gourmet Catering team has seen a huge shift in the popularity of outdoor parties, corporate events, wedding receptions, birthday parties, and even outdoor celebration of life events. The key commonality here is OUTDOORS.

Not only is hosting an outdoor event significantly safer than being inside, it’s also a blast!

Sure, fall is here and temperatures are dropping, but that doesn’t mean you have to hibernate inside just yet. It can be a lot of fun to plan a big rustic, fall, casual party – with all the trimmings -- and a huge bonfire as a centerpiece.

Trendy outside events that began with barn wedding receptions have grown up to embrace all kinds of events. Now we are seeing just as many casual country outside parties as we are seeing lavish and extravagant themed events – many held in more than one tent or party barn. Hosts are getting super creative and having a blast doing it.

At Jacquie’s Gourmet Catering, we happen to think that Finley Creek Vineyard is the perfect country chic setting for a fantastic fall party, corporate event or reception. The magic happens here all the time… from big orange setting sunsets, to the serenity of the rolling hills on the Zionsville property, to yard games, fire pits, the sweet smell of fresh baled hay, to an abundance of wildflowers, to vineyards planted all along the perimeter of the 5 acre setting.

Since Jacquie Bols designed the Finley Creek party barn and exterior event space, you know the area is top-notch and lovely. There are areas specifically designed for announcements, for outside bars, for music and entertaining, and of course, a gorgeous country chic party barn where social distancing can be accommodated with minimal effort.

There are no cookie-cutter events here. Jacquie’s Gourmet Catering creates artful, sustainable, delicious, creative culinary experiences for each of their guests -- and our hosts love it.

There is just something about attending a Finley Creek Vineyard event that virtually guarantees a memorable time. Come come join us for a Finley Creek Vineyard tour ahead of your event and see what we mean.

~ The Jacquie’s Gourmet Catering team

Socially distanced celebrations can feel intimate in the right place

Finley Creek Vineyards makes a perfectly cozy and tranquil setting for your romantic elopement or wedding celebration.

Our five acres are sheltered from the rest of Zionsville by rows of fir trees. The property houses an authentic remodeled vintage party barn for inside celebrations and lush, romantic gardens and a private vineyard outside. Inside, outside, or both -- Finley Creek is just the place to hold a socially distanced gathering – that won’t feel like one.

Finley Creek’s barn is lovely and rustic, creating the feeling of stepping back in time. Our catering kitchen, however, is state-of-the-art, having been designed by Jacquie Bols, owner operator of Jacquie’s Gourmet Catering. That means the best of both worlds – in the ‘old’ and in with the ‘new!’

Earlier this season, we planted hundreds of sunflowers to welcome your guests and provide a bright and sunny backdrop for photos.

Dining al fresco is perfect here – under the trees or under the stars. We have several ideal places to stage a band inside or out. There’s an over-sized fireplace and a gazebo on the grounds, too. And if the weather gets iffy, you can always head into the barn where chandeliers cast a lovely glow.

Celebrate formal or casual, with cocktail tables or five-foot round guest tables for full-course sit down dinners. Go low-key (friends and family) or a little larger (up to 280 guests), there is plenty of room for both here.

And since Jacquie Bols is our amazing caterer, everything we serve will be locally and sustainably sourced, farm fresh, and expertly prepared.

So, go intimate or go large, either way, Finley Creek Vineyards has you covered.

Finley Creek under the stars makes micro weddings hugely romantic!

The trend for micro weddings, elopement celebrations and intimate receptions started out of necessity but has grown trendy quickly.

Finley Creek Vineyards has embraced this most romantic of ideas – perfectly. That’s because we have an awesome Wedding Barn when the time is right for an indoor gathering. And a gorgeous view of the stars (or sunny skies) when you want an outdoor wedding with just your besties and family.

Talk to Jacquie’s Gourmet Catering about planning the details inside or out for groups as small as ten, 25, 40 or 60+. We can help you create the look you envision with an archway of flowers, or a natural view of our vineyard surrounded by wildflowers.

Have a small cocktail celebration or a sit-down dinner inside our shabby chic barn – with antique chandeliers lighting the way.

Jacquie’s Gourmet Catering will create absolutely perfect foods to coordinate with your vision. Finley Creek’s gourmet kitchen is right on the premises.

We do simple or elegant. Wine and beer – to open bar. Light hors d’oeuvres to four-course sit-down dinners.

Vegetarian to farm-raised Indiana beef. And of course, special requirement meals for those who prefer them.

Two hour wedding and receptions to 10 hours. Inside or out. Day or night.

We make small weddings, wedding renewals, anniversary celebrations and receptions… memorable. Let’s talk about what you have in mind.