8.9 white party Q&As

Hamptons Catered Affairs Chef Dana McCall

What’s your favorite summer ingredient, and will you incorporate it into your offerings for the event?

Long Island sweet corn. Yes, it will be featured in our dish.

How did you get into this line of work?

I have been cooking and entertaining since I was a kid. Making the food stand out with taste and presentation has always been something I’ve made my No. 1 priority whether it be a huge event or just a Sunday dinner at my home.

What’s the story behind your dish/drink that makes it a perfect fit for the White Party?

My favorite group meal to share in the summer is a big pot of clams and mussels and just adding other delicious ingredients to take it to the next level. Nothing is better than enjoying great seafood while overlooking the water in Montauk.

Can you describe any unique or standout elements that will be featured by your business at the event?

Everything will be cooked on site seas to table, as an off-premise catering company it is something we specialize in bringing the meal to you.

Where do you draw your inspiration from?

I am always inspired by the end result. Nothing makes me happier than seeing the client and their guests wowed and amazed by the food and the experience. It’s what makes every event worth it. Whether 10 people at an intimate dinner party gathering or an event for 500 people I always want to make sure the food standouts to everyone as being one of the best experiences they have had.

Please describe your product/service in 5 words.

Memorable, flavorful, innovative, quality, professional

What are you most excited for at the event?

Always excited to meet new faces and seeing all of our old and new friends from past events!

If your signature cocktail or dish was named after an iconic East End location, which would it be and why?

The Montauk Lighthouse. It’s an iconic landmark that represents the history of Long Island. It’s a connection to tradition and local culture and most of all visually stunning. Our dish evokes the same feelings of traditions of summer clambakes on Long Island, local seafood and visually satisfying.

If your company was a signature cocktail or dish, what would it be called and what would the drink/plate be?

The Hamptons Custom. It reflects the essence of our company which specializes in creating custom menus designed just for the client.

hamptonscateredaffairs.com

Miami Chains & Co. Founder Ashley Finestone

Which event will you be participating in?

Dan’s Taste White Party at Gurney’s Montauk & Power Women’s 30.

How did you get into this line of work?

I began my company at the start of the pandemic with Mask Chains. They were super stylish and functional at the time, demand grew, so did our designs, I found myself with a full-on company, online store, nonstop sales, showrooms to represent the brand, retailers carrying the brand etc. As the pandemic was coming to an end, I didn’t want to lose the huge network of business I had built, decided to pivot to another category of fashionable yet functional accessories; Phone Chains. We have since become a Fashion Brand focused on your mobility. Our lines of accessories, from Phone to AirPod Chains are all designed to fit your mobile life on-the-go. We’ve got a Chain for every outfit, lifestyle and occasion. In addition to being sold directly though our website, our chains are currently sold in retailers across the US, Canada & Europe.

What specific themes or concepts do you think your business will add to the event?

Our brand slogan is WEAR. EVERYWHERE. As soon as guests will use our chains at the White Party, they will see how fashionably handsfree they can be, having their phone simply and effortlessly around their wrist to capture the night and not miss a moment of Dan’s Taste event.

Can you describe any unique or standout elements that will be featured by your business at the event?

Our fabulous phone chains attach to any and all cell phones regardless of make or case. Guests will be wearing them RIGHT AWAY! They will be able to see the simple 2-step attachment instructions on the co-branded Dan’s Taste x Miami Chains & Co. CellPhone Hang Tag and immediately attach theirs to their phone. We are looking forward to guests wearing the White-on-White Phone Chains at the White Party as the ultimate Accessory! Most of our customers say, “I didn’t think I needed or wanted a phone chain, but now that I’ve tried the ones by Miami Chains & Co. I am in love and I don’t know how I existed without one before.” Excited to see that sentiment shared amongst the Dan’s Taste guests. We are confident that will be the case and they will still get to make great use of it long after the event.

Who is your biggest inspiration and why?

My biggest inspiration is my mom. She is a go-getter and early on not only taught me, but showed me firsthand that anything is possible. She always believed in me and my abilities as an entrepreneur. Not to mention, she instilled a great sense and passion for fashion in me, that I channel to design and create all our sought-after collections. Every season she inspires me to push the envelope and we end up creating the next best-selling collection, with 150+ sku’s, we don’t plan on slowing down anytime soon.

Describe your product and/or services in five words.

Fashionable. Functional. Addicting. Effortless. Chic.

What are you most excited for at the event(s)?

For guests to experience firsthand how our chains (both phone chains and Airpod chains) are Game-‘CHAIN’-ger’s. Also, being a foodie myself, I am excited to partake in such a fabulous dining experience with renowned chefs in a beautiful ambiance Oceanside at Gurney’s. Living in Miami, I love a good party by the water!

If your company was a signature cocktail or dish, what would it be called and what would the drink/plate be?

Finest One would be the name of my dish because it is my last name split up. It would be a dark chocolate molten cake with coffee ice cream because I have major sweet tooth! The coffee ice cream brings the energy and zing, the chocolate cake brings the sweetness, and it keeps getting better and the more you mix it together. Kind of like our chains; they keep getting better and better the more you mix them into your wardrobe and lifestyle!

miamichainsco.com

Gurney’s Chef Mbaba Danso

What’s your favorite summer ingredient, and will you incorporate it into your offerings for the event?

Lobster.

How did you get into this line of work?

I had friend that introduced me and I have never look back.

What’s the story behind your dish/drink that makes it a perfect fit for the White Party?

Lobsters are an essential part of the summer.

Can you describe any unique or standout elements that will be featured by your business at the event?

Our flavors and hospitality.

Where do you draw your inspiration from?

My past and people around me.

Please describe your product/service in 5 words.

Seasonal, light, fresh, amazing.

What are you most excited for at the event?

To showcase our food to hundreds of people.

gurneysresorts.com