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New Premier Café Wants To Change The Way You Think About Coffee

New Premier Café Wants To Change The Way You Think About Coffee

Dr. Mariaclara Bago and Dr. Vincent Apicella have added another extension to their Premier Family Health facility in the Wellington Reserve complex on State Road 7. The married doctors want community members to slow down their daily routines for enough time to sit inside the new Premier Café to experience a cup of its specialty coffee.

The doctors believe the new venture neatly pairs with all the health services that Premier Family Health has provided for more than a decade.

“I don’t want to understate our coffee, because it’s important to know that we have the finest coffee bean around. We’re partnered with Panther Coffee. They’re one of the highest-ranked roasters in the entire country,” Apicella said. “They’re down in Miami, and they’re the best at what they do, and we like to partner with the best.”

Apicella said the most important aspect of the café isn’t so much regarding what he and Bago are introducing, but their reason why.

“It’s about your experience in this place,” he said. “You have to drive outside the boundaries of Wellington to find a specialty coffee house with this type of an experience. We built this for the community. We built this for everyone to enjoy.”

Bago said that Premier Café is focused on what goes into every mug and on every plate.

“Everybody loves a good cup of coffee. In today’s day and age, the vision of having coffee while reading a newspaper and spending time with loved ones has long been replaced with the ‘world runs on coffee’ adage,” Bago said. “Easily enough, we find it very difficult to find a good cup of coffee that is outside of the massively overproduced, processed version of [major chains and franchises]. They are great business models, but it’s not the coffee that comes first.”

The shop is offering classic coffee drinks using the Panther Coffee bean to provide the experience. There is a nitro cold brew that is featured at the shop providing a fresh take on a coffee beverage that has become popular. From croissants to paninis and salads, the café aesthetic is all there, but special care has been taken in the ingredients used in these products.

“We built it for the experience of what healthy coffee and what healthy eating is about,” Bago explained.

The café itself was inspired by the doctors’ personal experiences in Europe, particularly Spain.

“On any given day during our stay, we would meet up with friends and family over coffee, reminisce over good times and the beautiful mountain views,” Bago said. “It is this feeling of peace and relaxation that Dr. Apicella and I brought into our relationship six years ago, when we made it a point to enjoy at least 16 minutes of peace and quiet, coffee time, amidst our daily schedule of kids, patients and business.”

The café is also something that will serve as an educational tool at Premier Family Health.

“Some of the roles that I’m going to be playing are with regard to being able to provide educational forums, from which we can provide cooking classes and a lecture series on what it is to select healthy food options,” Bago said, explaining some of the differences between over-processed coffee and organic fair trade coffee.

The newly added staff who will provide service at the café will offer the same quality service that can be found at other areas of the business.

“We built a very experienced team, and to us, it’s no different than all the team members at Premier,” Apicella said. “They understand that their role is to not just serve someone coffee. No one here just has a defined role and job task. Their role is to make sure that you have a better sense of well-being from the time that you walked in, to the time that you leave.”

Apicella and Bago entered the coffee business viewing it as a community project to offer something different. “It’s really in alignment with every other project I’ve done,” Apicella said. “It’s there to serve the community. It’s there to provide an extraordinary sense of well-being, and it’s there to create jobs and support small business.”

The café is a tool that the doctors want to use to support the local community, local businesses and to offer something that you will not find at another café. “That’s why this place is here. It’s a little bit of a refuge for people to get away from stress,” Apicella said. “We have to-go cups, but we don’t want people to use them. I want people to come here and take 10 minutes out of your day. Let the rest of the world stop, enjoy the best cup of specialty coffee around and just relax.”

Premier Café is located at 1037 State Road 7, Suite 118, in Wellington. For more information, call (561) 657-8019 or visit www.cafeatpremier.com.

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Wellington’s Vanessa Berrios A Rising Star Among Young Golfers

Wellington’s Vanessa Berrios A
Rising Star Among Young Golfers

Vanessa Berrios received a set of plastic golf clubs when she was four years old, and her passion for the sport has continued to flourish. Ten years later, Berrios is a rising star in junior golf.

Berrios recently earned two major awards — Player of the Year and Most Improved Player — at the annual Junior Golf Foundation of America (JGFA) banquet, which recognized leading performers in junior golf from ages 4 to 17 during the 2016 season, while she was still a student at Wellington’s Emerald Cove Middle School.

Most Improved Player is determined by a mixture of points for the event and comparing scoring averages from one year to the next, as well as within the tournament year. There is also a points system for Player of the Year.

Berrios, who was playing 13 holes at the time, lowered her scoring by 10 strokes.

“I used to hit in the 70s; now I’m in the 60s,” said the right-handed Berrios, who turned 14 years old in August.

Berrios took her first golf lesson when she was five years old and would go out and play with her father.

“I started to get really good when I was 10,” said Berrios, who has a younger sister. “I started to out-drive him when I was 11 or 12.”

She now drives the ball about 215 yards.

“My drives and irons have always been the best parts of my game,” said Berrios, who started playing in tournaments in 2009. “It’s always nerve-wracking the first time, but it’s always fun, because you meet new people.”

Mary-Lee Cobick, head golf professional at the Okeeheelee Golf Course, has been giving Berrios lessons since 2012 and is impressed with her power.

“She is a very powerful player for her age, which gives her an advantage. Her long game has improved tremendously in the past year, and she understands pitching, chipping and putting will be her main focus this upcoming year,” said Cobick, who is also president of the JGFA. “She comes from a great family, and her parents are very supportive and encouraging.”

Berrios is a one-sport athlete, concentrating solely on golf, which her father also plays. She tried tennis, which her mother plays.

“I tried [tennis], and I didn’t like it,” Berrios said. “I don’t like balls moving toward me.”

Berrios parlayed her continued improvement into a spot on the Palm Beach Central High School golf team as a freshman and has the lowest scoring average for the Bronco golfers this season. Between playing tournaments in the off-season and for her school, Berrios is a regular at the golf course, refining her game.

Her practices vary, depending on the season.

“I’ll play holes, then when I see what my weakness is, then I’ll work on that,” said Berrios, explaining her spring and summer routine.

She will usually play on a Sunday, and return to the course on Monday and work on her weaknesses at that time.

During the fall scholastic season, Berrios usually practices Mondays and Wednesdays with the team and has matches on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

“For the high school team, I’ll hit a bucket of balls and then play, so it’s the opposite,” Berrios said. “It doesn’t really matter. It works both ways. It’s a lot, but I still love it.”

Palm Beach Central girls golf coach Don Persson has a young team, led by Berrios.

“She’s very good,” Persson said. “If we get her putting improved, she’s going to make a lot of noise. As far as ball-striking, she’s good. I’m really pleased. She’s getting better and better. We are working to get her confidence up in putting.”

Persson said that Berrios is in a transition phase, moving from a dominant player in the juniors to high school against better competition.

“But she has the game [to succeed],” Persson said. “She’s a competitor, too, and I like that.”

Persson said that Berrios, who is quiet and humble by nature, leads by example, but believes she will eventually become more vocal. “She is being a leader when she plays,” he explained.

Berrios uses a mixture of clubs — Callaway irons, a Cobra driver and a Nike putter.

“I really like my hybrid; I hit it smoothly,” Berrios said. “That’s my favorite club.”

Berrios has won several tournaments, including the fourth Prep Tour Event of the South Florida PGA Junior Prep Tour, where she shot an 83 to win the girls 13-18 age division.

But her favorite memory occurred at the third hole at Okeeheelee, a par-3, 383-yard test.

“I hit my drive, and it was short,” Berrios said. “I hit my second shot, and I didn’t get it on the green, so I was a little nervous.  And then I chipped it in for the birdie.”

Berrios, an avid reader who enjoys the work of author Rick Riordan, doesn’t have a unique routine for game day.

“I listen to music in the car, just turn the radio on, and I always keep a song in my head during the match,” said Berrios, whose favorite singer right now is Justin Bieber.

She doesn’t have a special pre-match meal, either, bringing granola bars and sandwich on the course. But it’s always a ham and cheese sandwich, she said.

Berrios, who wants to be a marine biologist, has already set lofty goals for herself, with competing in high school as a stepping stone to college and beyond.

“I want to play in high school and get noticed,” Berrios said. “I want to play for a college team and go on tour.”

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Wellington Real Estate

Shannon Boyd And Mackenzie Scichilone Are Both Renovation Specialists And Realtors

Shannon Boyd And Mackenzie Scichilone Are Both Renovation Specialists And Realtors

The partnership of United Realty Group’s Shannon Boyd and Mackenzie Scichilone is based on trust, dependability and a shared knowledge of loss.

“Mackenzie and I partnered due to unfortunate circumstances,” Boyd said. “I was at a tough place in my life, struggling with the sickness of my mother and working 24/7 in real estate. I called on Mackenzie to help me, and she was able to take my current transactions and close them all while I was able to be at my mom’s side. I wouldn’t have been able to do it without her.”

Boyd’s mother passed last March. When Scichilone’s mother followed a few months later, she knew who she could count on.

“Shannon was entirely there for me,” Scichilone said. “Our clients never knew anything was happening, because Shannon never skipped a beat. We are both forever grateful that we found each other and have built this amazing partnership.”

The bond between these two lifelong Floridians goes deep, extending to their shared love of renovation.

“Real estate has been a passion of mine from the age of 19,” Boyd said. “At 22, I started investing in property and loved the renovation process. Fast forward a few years to becoming a licensed Realtor and being able to represent our clients in the buying and selling of real estate, while also giving them the vision to transform that fixer-upper into to their dream home.”

Scichilone was also driven by dreams of restoration.

“I decided to get into real estate because I felt like I had the knack for renovating and designing homes,” she said. “With that said, being licensed and having the ability to find my own deals to be able to flip homes was the right thing to do.”

Once these two Wellington residents joined forces, the community reaped the benefits of their joint talents.

“Mackenzie and I specialize in Wellington because, simply, we live here, we eat here, we entertain here and we love it here,” Boyd said. “We can be to most properties within 15 minutes and are able to provide our clients the flexibility of showing property on a last-minute’s notice.”

They are also adept at crystallizing a vision of what a structure can ultimately become.

“I would say what we specialize in is guiding our clients to finding their dream home and helping them create the perfect design to fit their lifestyle,” Scichilone said. “Most people do not have the ability to visualize the possibilities a home might have. Shannon and I are experts in renovating the imperfect and revitalizing a home to its fullest potential. Clients love the versatility that we offer, not just as Realtors, but also as renovation specialists.”

Renovating allows both women to infuse a bit of their personalities into the business of real estate.

“Our true passion is to be able to find a diamond in the rough and add our personal touches and find the perfect buyer,” Boyd said. “We find that we can get the best value for our clients through renovation. We have a great crew that is extremely efficient and specialize in quality craftsmanship.”

The two are always there for one another, which allows them to always be there for clients.

“Real estate can be very stressful at times, but doing it with a friend makes it less of a job,” Scichilone said. “We both realize we work better together. It’s the ‘power of two.’”

United Realty Group is located at 1035 S. State Road 7, Suite 121, in Wellington. For more information, call (561) 469-8706 or visit www.unitedrealtygroupwellington.com. Call Shannon Boyd directly at (954) 415-3363, or call Mackenzie Scichilone directly at (561) 756-0528.

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On Your Wedding Day… You Will Make Memories To Share For A Lifetime!

On Your Wedding Day… You Will Make Memories To Share For A Lifetime!

From the first step down the aisle to the last kiss of the evening, your wedding day will be the highlight of your love story — one that will be shared with generations to come. In this special bridal issue, we asked four couples to “Tell Us Your Wedding Story.” We wanted to give our readers a peek into how the featured bride and groom’s magical day came together. Our hope is that by sharing their story, detailing their journey to the altar, you will find some inspiration when planning your special day.

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Jessica & Matthew

Jessica & Matthew

Said I Do – March 11, 2017

The most magical moment was definitely the proclaiming of our wedding vows. Not only were they beautiful but, fully understanding the meaning and saying them from the heart, it was incredible. We were so grateful to be committing to one another forever before God, and to be sharing that moment with our friends and family.”

 

It was the intervention of matchmaking friends that led to the happy union of Jessica and Matthew Leow.

“We met for the first time at the old Wellington Community Center,” recalled Jessica, who won the annual Wellington Idol musical competition in 2014. “I was singing the national anthem for a 9/11 memorial tribute. Our two mutual friends were coming to watch and brought Matthew along to meet me. Afterward, we went to Olive Garden for dinner and Friendly’s for ice cream.”

It was the best kind of blind date.

“I knew that Matthew was the one after just a couple of dates,” Jessica said.

It didn’t take long for Matthew to feel the same.

“I knew Jessica was the one after a month of knowing her,” he said. “At that point, I was asking her to be my official girlfriend, and I just knew that I wanted to marry her.”

He didn’t waste any time.

“Matthew took me to the beach on Palm Beach to watch the sun rise and proposed to me as the sun rose above the ocean,” Jessica remembered.

The wedding was held on March 11, 2017 at Family Church in downtown West Palm Beach, with a reception to follow at, of course, the new Wellington Community Center.

Since their first meeting, the old building had been replaced with a completely new building featuring a ballroom overlooking beautiful Lake Wellington.

Photographers Timothy Pereira and Gene Potter worked alongside videographer Sean Plank to capture every moment. Jessica’s dress was an Alfred Angelo design, and Kristina Pereira served as the maid of honor with Timothy Leow as the best man.

But for all the fancy invitations, flowers and food; for all the planning, scheduling and hiring; for all the excitement that arrives with a very exciting day, their vows were the most important part for the couple.

“The most magical moment for us was definitely the proclaiming of our wedding vows,” Jessica said. “Not only were they beautiful but, fully understanding the meaning and saying them from the heart, it was incredible. We were so grateful to be committing to one another forever before God, and to be sharing that moment with our friends and family.”

The calmness of the ocean sunrise was one part of their journey. Coming full circle with a reception at the Wellington Community Center was another.

Friends and family were involved so much of their relationship, but following the wedding, they choose an out-of-the-way place for their honeymoon.

“We honeymooned in Helen, Ga.,” Jessica said. “We rented a cabin in the Blue Ridge Mountains.”

Friends and family were not around this time. Matthew was on his own. And that was just fine with him because, as Brad Paisley so eloquently put it during the couple’s first dance as husband and wife, “She’s Everything.”

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Daniella & Danny

Daniella & Danny

Said I Do – October 10, 2015

“Working together, helping each other, showing patience, laughing at ourselves — it drew us closer together. Knowing we had this special surprise for the wedding gave us something to be so excited about. Then, going out there on our wedding day and performing that dance was the most magical moment for us.”

Happy couple Daniella and Danny came together through an online dating success story. While they eventually met for the first time at Bull Bar, it was a more family-oriented atmosphere that sealed the deal.

The couple had been dating for two years, approaching with caution, as each had been married previously. But it was at home, surrounded by their children, that Danny surprised Daniella with a proposal.

“He cooked dinner for the whole family — his famous spaghetti and spicy meatballs — and, as he served my plate, he got down on one knee and, in front of all the children, he asked me to spend the rest of my life with him,” Daniella recalled. “After two years, that was the first time he cooked for me!”

However, the proposal was a bit bittersweet. Daniella’s mother would not be in attendance at the wedding. She had died suddenly from pancreatic cancer just before Daniella and Danny first met.

“Danny knew how sad I was that she didn’t get a chance to meet him, and that she wouldn’t be there to be a part of our day,” Daniella said. “So, he and my wedding planner, Jackie Bressler Events, found a picture of my mother and put it in a gold heart locket that they attached to my bridal bouquet. They presented it to me at my rehearsal during an emotional moment.”

The wedding ceremony took place on Oct. 10, 2015, and was captured on film and video by Andreo Studio Photography & Cinematography. It took place on the lawn at Suri West in Wellington with the reception following in the Suri West ballroom.

The bride wore a gown by Sophia Tolle and was attended by Maid of Honor Kristina Hollister. Jaimie Saldana served as Daniel’s best man. A honeymoon in Las Vegas followed.

But the hardest-won victory — and most pleasurable moment for the couple — came after the ceremony, in the ballroom.

“The most important highlight was our wedding dance as husband and wife,” Daniella said. “I love to dance, and due to the fact that my father was pretty good at ballroom dancing, Danny wasn’t so confident that he would be able to pull that off.”

The couple had chosen Ed Sheeran’s “Thinking Out Loud” for their first dance together, and for 10 weeks, the couple worked with a local dance choreographer to get their moves just right.

Keeping their skill levels in mind, the choreographer put together a dance custom-designed just for Daniella and Danny.

“Working together, helping each other, showing patience, laughing at ourselves — it drew us closer together,” Daniella recalled. “Knowing we had this special surprise for the wedding gave us something to be so excited about. Then, going out there on our wedding day and performing that dance was the most magical moment for us. We were nervous, but so proud of what we accomplished together!””

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Kerstin & Rick

Kerstin & Rick

Said I Do – Jan. 7, 2017

“I was beginning to get stressed when his grandmother gave me a gift from him. It was a beautiful Tiffany pendant necklace with two hearts and my new monogram engraved on the back. He also wrote a touching note to his ‘new wife’ that made me feel better and know that everything was going to be OK.”

Kerstin and Rick Villano were just teenagers when they first met at Wellington’s Cold Stone Creamery. Both were working there after school and on weekends. Kerstin was 16, and Rick was 17. Unlike many high school romances, theirs stuck.

Years went by and Kerstin and Rick were still going strong. But when did she realize that they were destined to be together forever?

“He took me to the Keys a few years back,” Kerstin recalled. “The entire trip was packed with tons of fun activities he had planned for us. During a sunset cruise we went on, I remember looking at him and thinking that I just knew.”

Rick entered the military, and Kerstin went on to college. It was a trying time, with such distance between them.

“Rick was stationed in New York, and I was finishing up my bachelor’s degree in Florida,” Kerstin said. “We often had to go months at a time without seeing each other.”

One Christmas, unbeknownst to Kerstin, Rick came home. “My family and I went to lunch at Ta-boo. After lunch, we walked down to the clock tower, and he was there, waiting,” Melissa said of Rick’s unexpected proposal. “Both of our families were there to capture and share the moment with us. It was very special because that was the same place my dad proposed to my mom.”

Kerstin chose a wedding dress by Alfred Angelo. “It was actually the very first dress I tried on,” she said. “I knew it was the perfect one immediately.”

They wed on Jan. 7, 2017 with both the ceremony and reception taking place at the Playa Largo Resort in Key Largo.

“We were getting ready for the ceremony, and my nerves were getting the best of me,” Kirsten said. “I was beginning to get stressed when his grandmother gave me a gift from him. It was a beautiful Tiffany pendant necklace with two hearts and my new monogram engraved on the back. He also wrote a touching note to his ‘new wife’ that made me feel better and know that everything was going to be OK.”

Alexandra Bannon was Kirsten’s maid of honor, while Rick’s younger brother Nick Villano served as best man. The couple’s first dance was to “From the Ground Up” by Dan + Shay, but it was the mother/son and father/daughter dances that caused the most buzz. “He asked his mom to pick the mother-son dance song, and I asked my dad to pick the father-daughter song,” Kirsten said. “Without knowing, they both picked the same song! It was ‘My Wish’ by Rascal Flatts.”

Stacia Morgan did an amazing job as the wedding photographer, and when it came time to plan a honeymoon, Rick’s parents stepped in with an offer the couple could not refuse.

“His family sent us to Europe. We spent a couple of weeks in France, Spain and Italy,” Kirsten said. “Hands down, our favorite part was seeing the Amalfi Coast in Italy — heaven on earth with the decadent gelato, giant yellow lemons bigger than your head, and the smell of the leather goods.”

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Melissa &Christopher

Melissa &Christopher

Said I Do – July 15, 2017

The best moment of the day was, during the reception, looking out and seeing all our guests; and subsequently partying with them on the dance floor, at the bar

and in the photo booth. There’s nothing better than having all the people you love in one room.”

John Lennon once sang, “Nothing’s Gonna Change My World,” but today, the world of technology has changed everything. In the case of Melissa and her new husband Christopher, it was responsible for bringing them together — through an online dating site. After analyzing each other’s photographs and typing thousands of characters, the two knew it was time to meet face-to-face.

“We first met at a coffee shop for the typical ‘screener date,’ as we like to call it,” Melissa recalled. “It was the most easy-going date I had ever been on.”

That feeling of comfort and familiarity led to an ever-growing closeness between them. “It also doesn’t hurt that we share a love of movies that borders on obsessive,” Melissa noted.

Yet she never experienced an “ah-ha” moment in which she knew that Christopher was “the one.”

“It was just something that happened over time,” she said. “As we kept dating and got to know each other, we realized that we had similar values, a similar sense of humor and made a great partnership.”

Christopher felt the same way but, when he suddenly popped the question, Melissa was caught off guard.

“We were hanging out at his place,” Melissa recalled. “He was working in one room, and I had just finished some online shopping in the other. He came out of the room, held my hand and started giving a speech from one of my favorite movies. I recognized it right away, and eventually noticed how uncharacteristically nervous he was. He finished his speech, asked the question and put the ring on my finger. I was so surprised! We had talked about getting married, but I did not see the proposal coming.”

Melissa and Christopher were married at the Wellington National Golf Club on July 15, 2017, with Melissa’s sisters Stephanie Marty and Kimberly Lee as bridesmaids, and Parry Silcox as best man. The bride wore a gown designed by Oleg Cassini and carried a rosary wrapped around the stems of her bouquet.

“It was my ‘something blue.’ My godmother gave it to me, and she passed away before the wedding, so it was also a way to remember her,” Melissa said.

Photographer Isabel Belfor captured all their special moments — from their first dance to “Le Vie en Rose” by Louis Armstrong, to the Chinese lion dancers at the start of the reception.

“Our bridal party entered first and the performers entered as we did,” Melissa said. “It was our big surprise moment of the reception, and everyone loved it.”

Their honeymoon included a road trip to Orlando, St. Augustine and Charleston, S.C., but for Melissa, the reception will always remain one of her brightest memories.

“The best moment of the day was, during the reception, looking out and seeing all our guests; and subsequently partying with them on the dance floor, at the bar and in the photo booth,” she said. “There’s nothing better than having all the people you love in one room.”

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Whitney Garcia The Wanderers Club

Whitney Garcia The Wanderers Club

What is your position, and what does that job entail?

I am the director of catering at The Wanderers Club. My position entails working with brides from their very first tour of the club to the last dance of the night. With more than 10 years of experience, helping turn a bride’s dream into reality has become my true passion. The perfect menu, the ideal room setup, linen colors and custom cocktails are just the beginning. It is a day the couple will never forget, and I am honored to be a part.

 

What is your favorite part of working

at The Wanderers Club?

The Wanderers Club is an incredibly unique venue with so much to offer. I would have to say my favorite part is the flexibility and customization we are able to extend to every couple. Both our culinary team and our service team are always looking for a new challenge and a way to make each wedding its own. Whether your dream menu is designed around an elegant filet mignon topped with foie gras or made-to-order Mexican street tacos and a macaroni and cheese bar, we are excited and ready to bring it to life.

 

Why is The Wanderers Club unique?

The Wanderers Club is a vast property with countless areas available to our brides on their special day. However, I must say our newly renovated ballroom is the real star. The new design is light and fresh with the perfect blend of modern and elegant. It truly takes your breath away when you step into the room. The new design is neutral in color with high ceilings and crystal chandeliers. Whether your vision is a garden feel with jeweled tones or blushes with pops of gold, our ballroom feels like it was designed for your wedding. It is really incomparable to any other venue.

 

What are the most popular menu items?

Our Sautéed to Perfection station paired with our Made to Order Parmesan Risotto station is extremely popular and offers quite the wow factor. The aroma of garlic draws in the guests as chefs prepare anything from shrimp scampi to miniature steak Diane flambé style. While the garlic draws them in, the flames illuminating the station and food being tossed in the air provides the entertainment. The sautéed entrees pair perfectly with the made-to-order risotto. Chefs sauté the risotto and then toss it in a huge wheel of parmesan cheese. It is dinner and a show!

 

What are some current food trends?

Current food trends are so fun and creative. The traditional plated dinner is, and always will be, a popular choice for wedding receptions. However, we are seeing more and more personal touches shining through in menus. Your wedding day should be all about you and what you like. It should represent you as a couple. Food trends are starting to lean that way. Whether your favorite cocktail is a cucumber martini, or your first date was over tacos and margaritas, let’s build it into the menu! The phenomenon of all things mini and petite is also still dominating the catering industry, which I love. Another trend I cannot get enough of is brunch weddings. We have created really unique brunch menus that will both surprise and impress guests. Omelet stations are replaced with made-to-order biscuit bars, and carving stations replaced with fried chicken and jalapeño cheddar waffles. It is fun and delicious.

 

How do you customize events to differ

between weddings and corporate events?

The Wanderers Club is ideal for any type of event. From bar/bat mitzvahs to quinceañeras to corporate events, we excel at creating the perfect affair. Of course, each client’s wants and needs may differ, but at the end of the day, every event is special and deserves the same attention to detail and customization. The overall goal is always a beautiful, fun, memorable event that even the client can sit back and enjoy.

 

The Wanderers Club is located at 1900 Aero Club Drive in Wellington. For more information, call (561) 795-3501 or visit www.wanderersclubwellington.com.  

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Melanie O’Brien Wellington National Golf Club

Melanie O’Brien Wellington National Golf Club

What is your position, and what does that job entail?

I serve as the director of catering at Wellington National Golf Club. My primary responsibility is to help promote the club’s unique facilities for social and corporate events, and I also spend a good deal of time in meetings and corresponding with clients. Guests interested in touring the venue will arrange their tours through me, so that I can outline how our facility may best fit into their plans. I really enjoy helping our clients achieve their vision for the event, and that includes creating unique menus, proposals and assisting with making arrangements on the client’s behalf, such as hiring entertainment, rentals, etc. I am also directly responsible for making sure that all last-minute details, including the coordination of timelines, floor plans and staffing, are complete in order to execute the event exactly the same way that the client has envisioned it.

 

What is the most enjoyable part of your job?

I love the creative aspect of what I do. Every event is different, and I really enjoy the fast-paced and ever-evolving environment. I thrive on collaborating with others, as well as researching themes and menus, all to achieve the client’s vision.

 

What makes your venue unique as a wedding location?

Wellington National Golf Club has so many great characteristics for all types of events, including weddings, bridal showers, rehearsal dinners and more, and we are a large venue that can accommodate up to 400 guests. The ballroom has beautiful ceiling draping, as well as plank-style flooring, in addition to picturesque natural light, as it opens up onto a beautiful piazza, which is tropically landscaped and perfect for an outdoor ceremony. My favorite room is the Wine Bar, which is handcrafted with wine barrels, and chandeliers made from wine bottles, but the focal point is really the ceiling, because it is crafted from unique wine boxes that have been hand cut and stained to reflect old-world style. It’s the perfect spot for rehearsal dinners or your cocktail hour before your reception. It’s definitely a must-see!

 

How do you work with couples to customize their celebrations?

I think that it is important to be flexible with the couples who choose to work with us. We want their special day to be exactly that — special! We are happy to customize menus and cocktails for them, and we encourage them to outline their vision of the perfect day, and then it’s our job to make that vision come to fruition.

 

What are some current wedding trends that you have noticed?

I think the best part of weddings today is that couples are encouraged to make it their own and put their twist, taste and style on the festivities. Today the trend is an anti-trend.

 

Why should couples choose your venue for their wedding?

Couples should choose Wellington National because not only is our venue beautiful, unique and centrally located, but we are here to make things as easy and stress-free as possible for them. We pride ourselves on being flexible with almost every detail to ensure that each couple gets the day that they have been waiting their whole lives for!

 

The Wellington National Golf Club is located at 400 Binks Forest Drive in Wellington. For more information, call (561) 333-5731 or visit www.wellingtonnationalgolfclub.com.

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Bringing You The Best Of Wellington Since 2004