North Bay Woman Magazine
Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/547131
S U M M E R 2 0 1 5 | NORTH BAY WOMAN 13 more guests," notices Robert Federighi, owner of Novato-based Robert Federighi Design and himself an avid party goer as well as host. "It's really fun to have a food truck at your home. It's so festive, and different. They take care of everything; there's no mess for the host. Guests line up and order what they want. You can plan the menu with the truck owner in advance," he outlines. Food trucks offer as many styles of cooking, as restaurants. Think everything from lobster rolls to Mexican meals to barbecue, Jewish food (Bar Mitzvah, wedding), Jamaican/ Caribbean flavors, all types of Latin cuisines — the list is endless. Simply go to the Web site, www.offthegridsf.com, to see the wide range of options available in the Bay Area. You can even rent a cotton candy machine and traditional street-food hot dog rotisseries to create an instant county fair in your yard for the pleasure and amusement of your guests. Right here in Marin, Johnny Doughnuts, the popular artisan bakery on the West End of San Rafael, www.johnnydoughnuts.com, is starting to get lots of bookings for its donut truck to cater parties and weddings. Doughnut wedding cake anyone? Even ice cream has gotten into the catering act. For example, Noci Gelato, a family-owned organic gelato store in Mill Valley, www.nocigelato.com, features a special bicycle with ice chest. It can be wheeled around a party and guests can have hand-scooped organic Italian frozen treats, on the spot. The final frosting on the cake of your party, will be the music. And for that too, the Inter- net has turned out to be a great service. You can be your own D.J. thanks to apps such as Pandora and Spotify. Program these to your taste to match whatever mood, or theme, you want to create. For example, Robert Federighi favors "Chill-style lounge music, because there's always a great beat that goes on, and it seems to keep the guests in a lively mood. It makes the party feel like a nightclub." Lily Kanter favors Pandora's station 'Viva la Vida.' As she puts it, "It always works for me, my husband and guests in our age group. And it seems to be hip enough for my boys." So here's a taste of what's available to you, in entertaining today. Essentially, the world is at your fingertips, able to be researched, booked and brought into your home with a few clicks of the keyboard and telephone. Have fun. ■