Happy Christmas Eve everyone! It's been an insanely busy holiday season so far, and by the time New Year's rolls around I find most of us fall into one of two camps: either you want to stay in and relax at home (Oh boy, too much partying...), or you want to hit the town in a big way (Woohoo! More partying!). If you're the latter, I have a post coming up for ya later this week so stay tuned. But for the homebodies among us, you'll want to keep on reading. Heck, this one may even convert a few partiers.
How about a chef-prepared dinner at home for New Year's Eve? No groceries to do, no cooking to tackle, you don't even have to wear pants if you don't want to. Sounds pretty fabulous, right? So how does one do this? Thyme & Again.
Thyme & Again is a gourmet caterer and food shop in the heart of Wellington West (one of my fave parts of town, can you tell?), and they've been a fixture of the neighbourhood for years. They catered my wedding back in 2010 and did an absolutely stellar job. So much so that five years on, my friends and family STILL talk about how much they enjoyed the food. Especially my pals who ate THE ENTIRE midnight cheese board. Paul and Roman, I'm looking at you. Not that I blame you or anything.
Anyway, I've been smitten with Thyme & Again ever since, and I quickly learned they also specialize in gourmet take-home fare. That means you can pretend you're a chef and take all the credit for a great meal -- without doing any of the work or messing up your kitchen. Can I get an amen? If you're like me (can barely boil water and need written instructions to make coffee), this whole concept sounds kinda magical. And if you're hankering for a night in on New Year's Eve, Thyme & Again has your back.
Every year their chefs create a gourmet New Year's Eve menu you can enjoy at home, meaning you can #NetflixAndChill in your jammies. With a feast. Perfect! The dinner is a four-course meal for two that includes hors d’oeuvres, a starter, an entrée, fresh baked bread, and a dessert.
The price varies per person depending on the menu you choose. Fancy some BBQ octopus with chorizo, arugula, and capers? Or candied bacon (BACON!) with caramelized onion and ricotta in a sesame cup? Or five-spice rubbed duck breast with plum gastrique? I want all the things. All the delicious things.
Thyme & Again thought about your dietary requirments too, because you can't get anything past these guys. They've got meal options for vegetarians, pescatarians, meat eaters, gluten-free folks... pretty much everyone. And to make your life easier still, they also have some helpful wine pairing suggestions. Basically they've thought of everything. Here's the whole menu for your oogling pleasure:
Want to order one of these bad boys? There's two ways to do it:
1. Place your order using Thyme & Again's quick and easy online form
-OR-
2. Call Thyme & Again's retail department at 613.722.0093 ext. 233
Cut-off for orders is Monday, December 28th at 5:00pm.
Your gourmet New Year's Eve dinner will be available for pick-up at the shop on December 31st!
But you guys have gotten to know me pretty well these last few months, don't you think? What do I love more than anything? Except bacon and spa days? GIVEAWAYS.
Soooo.... let's get you some NYE dinner!
I'm giving away a gourmet New Year's Eve dinner for two from Thyme & Again. If you're the lucky winner, you and your beloved/bae/bestie/etc. will enjoy a gourmet four-course dinner prepared by Thyme & Again chefs, all in the comfort of your own home. And you'll get to choose your own menu selections so don't worry for a second if you're veg, gluten-free, or anything else!
TO ENTER:
1. Like Thyme & Again Creative Catering and Amy in 613 on Facebook.
2. Post a blog comment below telling me which menu item you're salivating over.
ADDITIONAL ENTRIES:
3. For an extra entry, post an Instagram pic of something you want to try at Thyme & Again and tag @amyin613. Double points if you tag @thymeandagain too. Triple points if you tag your post with #613NYE.
4. For another extra entry, tweet something you want to try at Thyme & Again and tag @amyin613. Again, double points if you tag @thymeandagain and triple points if you tag your post with #613NYE.
5. Share this link on Facebook and tag the Amy in 613 Facebook page in your post.
RULES:
1. Locals only. To enter, you *MUST* be able to pick up your prize at Thyme & Again (1255 Wellington West) on December 31, 2015.
2. Contest closes at 12:00pm (noon) on Sunday December 27, 2015. Winner will be announced shortly after.
UPDATE
WE HAVE A WINNER: congratulations Kasia Kolodziejczyk-McCron, who's won a gourmet NYE dinner for two by Thyme & Again Creative Catering! Enjoy that candied bacon and the cheese plate you were hoping for, Kasia. :) Your gourmet dinner will be ready for pick-up on December 31. Congrats!!!
To those of you who entered but didn't win, there's still time to order your chef-prepared feast!
Call Thyme & Again at 613.722.0093 ext. 233 or use their handy online form to order in just a few clicks.
Cut-off is Monday December 28 at 5:00pm.