12/10/14 by Tiffany Foss

I had the opportunity to interview Wendie Every and learn more about what a Poinsettia Party really is. Read on to learn more about what her goals and vision are for the event and what you can expect on December 11!

T: So let’s kick it off, what exactly is a Poinsettia Party?

W: A Poinsettia Party is a celebration of the holidays. It’s an opportunity for us to have fun with our customers, vendors, colleagues, and friends, in our office. It’s a chance to thank them for their business and relationships.

T: Is there anything symbolic about the Poinsettia Party?

W: Our first one was thrown on December 12, which coincided with Poinsettia Day, so we played off that with Poinsettias and a special Poinsettia cocktail (learn more about it here: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/emeril-lagasse/poinsettia-cocktail-recipe.html. This year marks our 8^th bash!

T: What makes 2014 special?

W: Well, to start, the invitation is an illustration of our team done by Molly Pearce, the artist that previously helped me design personal greeting cards. Plus, since our food is coveted, this year we’re giving away our favorites recipes instead of our traditional Poinsettias. We hope all our guests will enjoy cooking them as much as we do!

T: How do you plan such an event?

W: We make our own food, so the menu is extremely important to us. We don’t want to serve traditional items; we really focus on the YUM factor. For the last 8 years, we’ve become known for having the best food at a holiday party, with Penny and I doing all the cooking. This year we have the privilege of adding Sam to our kitchen crew too!

T: What makes this event special for you?

W: It’s a chance to see all the people I haven’t seen in a while, and it means a lot to me when people take the time to join us. The holidays have always been important to my family, so I love celebrating and the fun part is that it becomes a great team building activity at the office. We started with brainstorming back in August, so it’s been in the works for a few months! I also enjoy clients meeting the team’s families as well. We focus on building lasting relationships and every event draws us all closer.

T: What is your favorite dish that you serve?

W: That’s easy, Cowboy Caviar. I love it so much I serve it in the summer too. Once again, we’ll also be serving Wagyu beef that’s been raised and prepared by one of our clients.

T: What are some other treats attendees should look for?

W: The spiced pumpkin cake with spiced rum is a new favorite, and the skewered chicken with special hoisin sauce is another one of my favorites. Penny is bringing a new recipe called Bee Stings and, collectively, we think you could die from them they’re so good! Aside from our cooking skills, one of the reasons our dishes taste so good is that the majority of our ingredients come from our client, Newport Avenue Market!

T: Any special secrets you can share with readers?

W: This year we’re throwing it back with a retro-themed party, so the recipes include some of your favorites from childhood holidays!

We can’t wait to see you all in December. Sign up for our e-newsletter today to stay up-to-date on everything marketing at Every Idea Marketing!