"How did you come up with your name?"

I get asked this question all of the time. Or I’m told that the name is perfect. But I never go into the details and history behind the name. It is too long and likely, too boring for someone that I’m talking to. I usually just answer that I wanted a company name where the domain was available. It is short and sweet. 🙂

But I thought I would share the story behind the name “Gourmet Invitations” with you today on New Year’s Day.

We have the dearest best friends in the world. We were neighbors to them 15 years ago in Berkley, Michigan. Berkley is a one square mile small town. It was a post World War II town and all of the returning GIs needed cheap housing. Berkley is a tight knit community of rows and rows of bungalows. We immediately formed a bound with our neighbors and in 1995 we spent our first New Year’s Eve with them. We did a nice dinner of Salmon filets on the BBQ and toasted the New Year. At the time, we commented that we should make it a tradition – to get together every New Year and do a nice dinner.

This was a tradition that stuck. Every single year, we have gotten together for New Year’s Eve – even though we haven’t been neighbors for over 10 years. But in 1999 when we were going to celebrate the new millenium, it was my turn to make dinner and I wanted it to be special. I decided to do a 5 course dinner. Our friends were shocked and it was so special. But we were more shocked the following year when my husband and I went to dinner at their house and they also did a 5 course dinner. Since New Year’s Eve 2000, the meal has gotten bigger and better. We’re now up to 8 course with wines paired to the courses.

In 2004 when I was planning the dinner for the new year, my company was making some changes and I wanted a new name with a dedicated website. I spent weeks thinking of names – Elegant Invitations, Elegant Invites, Custom Invitations, Custom Wedding Invitations, Invitations by Tifany…. I either didn’t like the name or the domain was taken. So I started looking to other invitation companies. The ones that really struck me were the ones that had something personal to that designer. I started thinking about the things in my life that make me happy and are part of who I am. I thought about our gourmet dinner and our tradition and all of a sudden, I had the name “Gourmet Invitations”.

I decided to share this story that has me choked up as I’m typing. This New Year’s Eve was my turn again to cook. Last night was another incredible evening. Not only do I have one of the most awesome traditions, but I got to share the evening with my amazing husband and our most special friends. Like every year, we finished dessert and talked about the next year. We always say how we can’t wait for another year to go by to spend a night with each other and amazing food.

This was my menu this year!

To Tease
Soup and Salad
Spoonful of Butternut Squash Apple Soup garnished with Blue Cheese Cream
and Fried Beet Chip and Goat Cheese Salad with Champagne Vinaigrette
Served with Sparnacus Brut Champagne

To Start
Artichoke, Spinach and Oysters with Champagne Sauce

To Crunch
Japanese Ginger Salad
Garnished with choices of Carrots, toasted Black Sesame Seeds, Mandarin Oranges and Hot Chili Paste
Served with 2003 Domaine Denis Pommier Chablis

To Slurp
Cauliflower Soup
with a Seared Scallop garnished with Caviar and Lemon Oil

To Cleanse
Lychee Lemongrass Sorbet

To Savor
Filet of Waygu Kobe
served with Wild Mushroom Bread Pudding
and sauteed Asparagus spears
Served with 2004 Gargiulo Vineyards Super Oakville Blend