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50th birthday party, Birthday, Birthday Party, Customized Event, Dinner, Event Planning, Events, Farm-to-table, food, Gatherings, Office Space, Paella, Party, Personalized Event, restaurants, Rochester, Rochester Event, rochester minnesota area, Sustainable Event, Wedding, Wedding Reception
Post by Karen Rorie, Söntés Event Coordinator
One of the best parts of my job as Söntés’ event coordinator is helping people plan the event they really want in the Rochester, Minnesota area. As I often say to event hosts, we don’t do cookie cutter events. Whatever you’re dreaming of, we can do. Seriously. A Persian-Irish wedding reception? No problem! An 8-course dinner with beer pairings? Sure! A 50th birthday party themed on the movie “Office Space”? Check! Cooking paella in your backyard? We’ve got it covered! If you plan your special event with Söntés, anything, and I do mean ANYTHING, is possible.
For some people, having the world at their feet makes them positively giddy with excitement. For others, it can be somewhat daunting. That’s where Tessa and I come in. We’re here to guide you through the planning process, handle all the details and make sure that everything comes out just as you imagined. When someone throws out a wild idea, making it happen becomes our personal challenge.
Now, in order to achieve that big idea, our event planning process is just a little bit different. You’ve probably all planned some sort of event where you’ve been handed a menu and a price list and that’s what you have to choose from. Because we don’t treat your event like every other, there is no menu or price list. We start with a list of questions. This helps us learn what you’re envisioning as well as your style and tastes. The more detailed answers you can give us the better. This provides the foundation for your event.
What are the questions we ask? Here are the basics:
What is the occasion? Do you have a theme in mind? What is the look and/or feel you have in mind? As I said before, anything is possible!
When and where will your event be held? Söntés’ restaurant space can accommodate groups of 2 to 175 people in a variety of configurations. If your group is larger, or you have a different venue in mind, we can work with you at your home or another event location.
Who are you inviting? We can help you create an event that your grandmother will enjoy just as much as you will!
What’s your favorite food? Favorite beverage? Since we customize the menu for you, your menu can reflect the things you love!
Do you have any dietary restrictions or foods you just can’t stand? Again, this is the beauty of a customized event. We can work with any dietary issues. One of the greatest things about Chef Bryce and his team is that they are wildly creative. Just let us know what we need to work around, and we will. You can have a great menu and stick to your dietary guidelines!
What is your budget? There is no right or wrong answer to this question. We work with a range of different budgets. By knowing where you stand, we can tailor the event to meet your price point.
What else do you need? If you need flowers or other decorations, photography services, or musicians, we have a network of creative partners we are happy to recommend. If your event is being held someplace other than our restaurant, we will also ask about whether you need us to provide things such as linens, dishes, and glassware.
Once we have a better picture of your idea, we will meet with Chef and put together a menu and estimate. Because we are a farm-to-table restaurant, we rely heavily on seasonal ingredients. This often means that there is no duck in the summer, and no asparagus in the winter. But it does mean that the food you and your guests enjoy is fresh, locally grown, and organically and sustainably produced whenever possible. If something is not in season during your event, we can also recommend substitutes. As always, let us know what you have in mind, and we will do our best to make it happen.
The range of events that Tessa and I have coordinated over the years in mind boggling. And fun! When you find yourself planning something, be it an anniversary dinner, a birthday party or a once-in-a-lifetime wedding, please give us a call at 507.292.1628. Tessa and I are ready to make all your dreams come true.