Merri-Makers began their catering business in 1978 and have facilitated countless weddings and parties, both on-premise and off-premise, over the past 30 years.

Today Merri-Makers Catering is the exclusive caterer on some of New Jersey’s premier wedding properties including: Bonnet Island Estate in Long Beach Island and Neshanic Valley Golf Course in Somerset County. Merri-Makers Catering is also on the recommended catering list for top wedding destinations that include Grounds for Sculpture, Morris Museum, the Mallard Island Yacht Club properties on Long Beach Island, and The Berkeley Hotel.

Information on their catering facilities can be found at:
http://merrimakerscatering.com/locations

Brides looking to plan an oceanfront beach wedding can book their exclusive event at Merri-Maker’s “Waters Edge” property in Sea Bright New Jersey. With a number of the Merri-Makers exclusive locations overlooking the water, brides considering a waterfront wedding can indulge in a barefoot tented reception on the beach or a lavish celebration in a ballroom with panoramic water views.

Merri-Makers Catering has become famous for their unwavering passion for the culinary arts and an obsession for detail. A Merri-Makers event is known to have flawless execution made possible by an abundance of professional and attentive staff. New Jersey brides planning the wedding of their dreams find exceptional distinction in their creative menus and artful presentation.

In addition to being awarded as Best Caterers by The Knot magazine in 2007 and 2008, Merri-Makers was also selected by Asbury Park Press as Best Caterer for four solid years. The New Jersey caterers were the exclusive caterer for the President George W. Bush NJ GOP Reception in 2007, NJ Governor Jon Corzine’s inaugural ball for 4,000 people and NJ Governor Jim McGreevey’s inaugural ball for 5,000 people.

With their high-end catering division, M2 Caterers, coupled with their Food Solutions division, MM365, this multi-faceted catering and food service organization has established itself as New Jersey’s pre-eminent caterer providing quality food and service for all occasions including weddings, corporate events, social celebrations, and gourmet contract MAP food preparation.

Mark B. Murphy
VP Business Development and Mktg
Merri-Makers Caterers
97 Sunfield Avenue, Suite CEdison, NJ 08837
877-625-3770
732-225-0009
info@merrimakerscatering.com

Bayshore Fitness is New Jersey’s largest fitness center. Recently, they brought their employees to the New Jersey Convention and Exposition Center to enjoy a Merri-Makers catered event. Rightfully dubbed ‘Evening of the Absurd’, this comical occasion is actually a classic favorite of Merri-Makers. 500 employees of Bayshore Fitness were treated to healthy cuisine with a heaping side of Laugh Out Loud!

This parody of a traditional holiday party featured a dancing Richard Simmons look alike tossing up fresh greens at the salad bar, an actor posing as a Rabbi attending to the pork station, a Santa Claus serving corned beef and a Geisha girl working the wok station. The amusing wait staff took several ‘dance breaks’ to boogie to party favorites like the Chicken Dance and the Macarena. Party guests, of course, were unexpectedly left with trays of food in their hands while their wait staff supplied entertainment. Attendees were handed funny glasses with large red noses to wear during the party which was all about supplying a little bit of nature’s best medicine, laughter.

Merri-Makers Caterers has been facilitating countless corporate events, galas, fundraisers, wedding receptions and banquets in New Jersey for the past thirty years. The depth of their capabilities stretches far beyond excellent food and flawless execution. With their high-end catering division, M2 Caterers, coupled with their Food Solutions division, MM365, this multi-faceted catering and food service organization has established itself as New Jersey’s pre-eminent caterer

For more information on Merri-Makers and their unique event locations contact:

Laura Daly
VP of Corporate Sales
Merri-Makers Caterers
97 Sunfield Avenue, Suite C
Edison, NJ 08837
732-225-0009
info@merrimakerscatering.com

Future Business Leaders of America recently held its annual conference in March of 2008. For the fifth straight year, FBLA has selected Merri-Makers’ corporate catering division to execute the sit down style lunch.

Merri-Makers began their catering business in 1978 and have facilitated countless corporate events, awards ceremonies and holiday parties. Today Merri-Makers is the exclusive corporate caterer on some of New Jersey’s premier properties including: Bonnet Island Estate in Long Beach Island and the Neshanic Valley Golf Course in Somerset County.

The two day event held by Future Business Leaders of America was attended by 2,500 guests. Merri-Makers coordinated a flawless execution of a sit down style lunch for all of the attendees. The guests dined on fresh selections of chicken, fish and vegetable dishes all served in an artful presentation, customary to Merri-Makers unique catering style.

Merri-Makers has catered the past three Governor’s Inaugural Balls, as well as President George W. Bush’s political fundraiser in May 2007. Additionally, Merri-Makers and their premier off-site division, M2, have executed countless corporate events for clients such as L’Oreal, Tiffany, Nordstrom, Commerce Bank and more. Merri-Makers Corporate Catering division is also on the preferred catering list for corporate event destinations that include Grounds for Sculpture, Morris Museum, Mallard Island Yacht Club on Long Beach Island and The Berkeley Hotel.

For more information on the corporate catering services of Merri-Makers, please visit: http://merrimakerscatering.com/corporate/index.html

Laura Daly
VP of Corporate Sales
Merri-Makers Caterers
97 Sunfield Avenue, Suite C
Edison, NJ 08837
732-225-0009
info@merrimakerscatering.com

More information on Merri-Makers and their locations can be found at: http://merrimakerscatering.com/locations

Merri-Makers have catered the past three Governor’s Inaugural Balls, as well as President George W. Bush’s political fundraiser in May 2007. They most recently catered the Grand Opening for Tiffany’s, Red Bank and on the same night, a fundraiser for Child Advocacy for the Freehold Raceway Mall celebration of their new stores and restaurant expansions.
In 2006, Jack McCann III, Merri-Makers’ Chef de Cuisine, was voted Chef of the Year by the International Caterers Association. The International Caterers Association (ICA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing education, mentoring and service for professional caterers and promoting the profession of catering to clients, industry members, vendors and the public.
As the exclusive catering company for many venues in New Jersey, Merri-Makers offer a broad variety of facilities to meet any client’s needs. Merri-Makers is known for infusing an unwavering passion for the culinary arts into every event they host. Their obsession for detail translates into a flawless execution every time. Creative menus, artful presentation and professional staff make Merri-Makers corporate events truly exceptional.

About Merri-Makers
For the past 30 years, Merri-Makers has been providing quality food and service to functions including weddings, corporate events, social celebrations, contract and gourmet nutrition. Merri-Makers is the exclusive on-site caterer for many facilities throughout New Jersey and they have been the recipient of many notable awards including ‘Best Caterer’ from national magazine The Knot in 2007 and 2008.

Mark Murphy
Merri-Makers Caterers
97 Sunfield Avenue, Suite C
Edison, NJ 08837
877-625-3770
info@merrimakerscatering.com

One of future CEO’S made a point of informing Rick Bott, CEO of Merri-Makers, that “the Chicken Fresca was the best entrée he had ever tasted.” The universal business postulate of “keeping the customer satisfied” continues to inhabit the DNA of the Merri-Makers organization, which enters its 31st year of providing the highest quality food and service in the most unique venues around the state of New Jersey.

You can contact Merri-Makers Caterers by calling the sales team at:

732-225-0009

Visitors to the park can enjoy the outdoor permanent collection, indoor seasonal exhibitions, and learn about contemporary sculpture through a variety of educational programs including workshops for adults and children, artist residencies and lectures, tours for adults, schoolchildren, toddlers, as well as touch tours for the blind. In addition, the park also offers various events, a 35-acre arboretum, shopping and dining,. In 2007, over 100,000 people visited Grounds For Sculpture.

In their ongoing relationship to provide the region with world-class artistic and dining experiences, Merri-Makers, in conjunction with the Grounds for Sculpture offer and unique venue within the State of New Jersey for people to enjoy the finest food and beverage services among some world-class pieces of contemporary art.

Merri-Makers and their new off-premise division, M2 Caterers, continues their 30 year tradition of providing the highest quality food in the most unique venues around the state of New Jersey.

You can contact M2 Caterers by calling the sales team at:

732-225-0009

M2 Caterers is led by Chef de Cuisine, Jack McCann, a recipient of the industry-acclaimed “Chef of the Year”, awarded by the International Caterers Association. The M2 Catering Division continues the Merri-Makers legacy of providing world-class catered events to notable people and organizations including the NJ RNC’s fundraising dinner, featuring President George W. Bush, the inaugural balls of Governors McGreevy and Corzine, as well as the various food and entertainment needs of a number of Fortune 500 Companies the reside in New Jersey.

M2 can provide all that is needed for a beautiful wedding or glorious party at any location throughout the tri-state area.

You can contact M2 Caterers by calling the sales team at:

732-225-0009

Along with the popularity of cooking shows for people of all ages, are supporting statistics that show that brides today on average are a few years older than they used to be. They exude confidence and are unabashed at creating celebrations centered on their personal preferences and individual styles. Brides are no longer as concerned about conforming to traditional expectations. They understand that the wedding reception is an opportunity to indulge in their individuality. And no element of a wedding day shows this more than the reception. Dining at a catered event is now exciting, delicious and entertaining like never before.

Brides Want A Unique, Personalized Wedding

Chef McCann – winner of the national 2006 Chef of the Year awarded by International Caterers Association – said the recent craze for brides to have their receptions reflect their individual tastes and preferences has changed the culinary trends for the better. Their joie de vivre philosophy allows him to be more creative; and catering chefs love the opportunity to create a reception dinner that leaves guests exclaiming, “!”

Some brides are opting for theme menus that express their personal concerns like environmental. For example, Merri-Makers has devised menus that utilize local food sources emphasizing fresh, fresh, fresh! While others want fun spirited menus that are based on the bride and groom’s favorite foods. These menus feature familiar foods with an upscale twist like macaroni and cheese gone “adult” prepared with semolina pasta, lobster and artisan cheeses.

The static buffet table has hit the road and in its place are more interactive chef-attended culinary kiosks and food bars. These allow for more guest interaction and a more vibrant flow to the room. One example for a food bar is the popular Chips Bar that features several varieties of tasty chips made from sweet potatoes, beets and other non-traditional vegetable roots and tubers. These bars also feature several different types of fresh house made dips. Another example is Merri-Makers’ Seviche Bar featuring a variety of fish served in savory cones. The idea is to create a food event that is delicious and interactive.

Another trend is to feature what chefs call the high-low epicurean creations like a full flavored braised short rib paired with a succulent tenderloin, or fresh Maine lobster with mini Italian meatballs.

Premiere catering chefs like Chef McCann are emphasizing dishes that focus more on flavor and presentation. Gone are “big” dishes and in their place are several tastings stocked with more flavorful choices. “Trios” are one of Merri-Makers flavor sensation specialties. These dishes have one food item that is served three ways like tuna, which on one plate includes individual servings of Tuna Tartare, Tuna Seviche and Porcini Dusted Seared Tuna.

People’s tastes are becoming more sophisticated, said Chef McCann. Food is entertainment and now guests are playing a starring role to help “finish” dishes like deconstructed salads. Instead of pre-mixing salads like a Caesar, Merri-Makers serves salads that are deconstructed with Romaine lettuce, Parmesan cheese, white anchovies, croutons and dressing served in a shot glass and placed in the middle of the salad. It creates a more interesting presentation, keeps the salad fresher and allows the guests to add what they want.

Changes Create More Stylized Table Settings

Many of the cutting edge options also help the bride to create more stylized table settings that are more artful and less cluttered. Mineral water bottle service is replacing the sweating, dripping water pitchers. Thin, long and elegant crostini sticks are replacing bulky bread baskets.
Family style pastas are served for all guests at a table creating a fun sharing experience. China service is more elaborate and now offers plates with several compartments to serve a trio of different versions of one featured item rather than one large plate.

Other vessels offering a fun twist for table presentations that are a Chinese restaurant “To-Go” box with chop sticks for Asian-style dishes, edible spoons and clear cellophane containers.

Culinary Trends Are Hitting Another Stratosphere

Rocket science is literally on the horizon of wedding reception cuisine. The art of molecular gastronomy is the next trend to hit the catering culinary scene. It is the art of applying scientific studies to cooking, which has devised edible menus, foams that are sauces turned into froth and foods that taste similar, but look different like shrimp noodles.

Chef McCann welcomes change and as an award-winning chef known for turning an idea into a dinner for 3,000 he is up for the challenge. Brides bring it on!

“Overall, the wedding industry has grown and options have changed,” said co-owner Rick Bott. “But, one thing has remained the same for us regardless of the evolving trends, we make sure that this special day is the absolute best it can be from start to finish,” he added.

“The name Merri-Makers is synonymous with trust. We are successful and celebrating 30 years in business because couples know that we have delivered perfect memories for 30 years,” said co-owner Andy Bott.

Merri-Makers, was voted one of the best caterers in the nation by “The Knot” magazine’s Best of Wedding Picks 2007 & 2008. Merri-Makers, celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2008, is a premiere catering company and has exclusive catering rights to some of New Jersey’s most prestigious wedding sites. Merri-Makers is well known for the distinctive food service and trusted, professional service for all types of social and corporate events. Merri-Makers, has catered the past three Governor’s Inaugural Balls, as well as President George W. Bush’s political fundraiser in May 2007. Top corporate clients include Lockheed Martin, Sanofi Aventis, Washington Mutual and IBM to name a few.

Merri-Makers Catering Locations:

Merri-Makers at NJ Convention & Expo Center, Edison - MAIN OFFICE – (732-225-0009)
Merri-Makers at Bonnet Island Estate, Manahawkin (609.494.9100);
Merri-Makers at The Chapel on Sandy Hook (732.264.3355);
Merri-Makers at the Reception Center – PNC Arts Center grounds,- Holmdel (732.264.3355);
Merri-Makers at Water’s Edge, Sea Bright (732.842.1714).

Co-owners and brothers Rick and Andy Bott are pleased to announce that their New Jersey catering business, Merri-Makers, was voted one of the best in New Jersey by “The Knot” magazine’s Best of Weddings Picks 2007.The magazine, one of the most popular among brides-to-be, reports that more than 25,000 brides participated in the survey for the Best of 2007 issue. In order to win a Best Picks, vendors were required to score a minimum 85 points out of 100. Merri-Makers scored 94 – from “start to finish,” said participating brides.

“We are very pleased to receive this recognition from our brides,” said Rick Bott.

“None of this would be possible without our savvy wedding couples expecting the very best and our team members meeting and exceeding their expectations,” Andy added.

Merri-Makers, celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2008, is a premiere catering company with several premium and waterfront sites – Merri-Makers at Bonnet Island Estate, Manahawkin; Merri-Makers at The Chapel on Sandy Hook; Merri-Makers at the Reception Center (PNC Arts Center grounds), Holmdel; Merri-Makers at Water’s Edge, 1465 Ocean Avenue, Sea Bright, NJ.

Additionally, Merri-Makers is well known for the distinctive food service and professional service for all types of social and corporate events. Merri-Makers has catered the past three Governor’s Inaugural Balls, as well as President George W. Bush’s political fundraiser in May 2007. Top corporate clients include Lockheed Martin and Sanofi Aventis, Washington Mutual, Tiffany’s and Freehold Raceway Mall and many others.

The recognition from “The Knot” follows a prestigious culinary award received by Jack McCann III, Merri-Makers’ Chef de Cuisine. McCann was voted Chef of the Year 2006 by the International Caterers Association. The International Caterers Association (ICA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing education, mentoring and service for professional caterers and promoting the profession of catering to clients, industry members, vendors and the public.

The Knot
Best of Weddings 2007
NY & NJ Caterers
Merri-Makers Caterers, Edison

Score of 94.0:
For “phenomenal” food and service “from start to finish,” celebrate your nuptials with these “excellent” caterers. Their “wonderful” and “professional” staff will make your “special day the very best!”

www.Merrimakerscatering.com (732 225-0009)