Celebrating 30 years on the East End, Elegant Affairs founder Andrea Correale buzzes new ventures and prepares the perfect picnic—with elevated twists.
Elegant Affairs founder Andrea Correale
Elegant Affairs is celebrating 30 years in the Hamptons. What a milestone! Talk to us about what you and your team do best.
We are a full-service, off-premise catering company that works all over the East End. We cater to home and estate parties and private events, as well as an array of weddings, including at the Parrish Art Museum, galas (think Southampton Hospital Gala, East End Hospice Gala and Hamptons Polo) and so much more.
What would you say is the driving force behind your work?
What motivates me is having a true passion for what I do. Part of the company’s tagline is ‘Parties are our Passion.’ You truly have to love what you do and have a passion for food and creating unforgettable experiences that tantalize all the senses. The whole team has to have that shared passion, always staying up with the latest trends, thinking out of the box and never getting stagnant. All of this is so important, but passion is the key.
edamame in bamboo steamer baskets.
“You truly have to love what you do and have a passion for food and creating unforgettable experiences that tantalize all the senses.” –ANDREA CORREALE
All of your events are unique and personalized to the client, but what is something your customers can always expect when working with you?
Delicious food, impeccable service and beautiful visual presentation.
Ditch the charcuterie board and opt for cheese and crackers in a box
Is there any exciting summer news you’d like to share?
Yes! We are creating a partnership with Delmonico’s. We will run their catering arm, and they will expand their business to the Hamptons. We are so excited to o er Delmonico’s steaks and traditional favorites to our clients. We have also been renovating the former Polish Hall on 230 Elm St. It’s set to be one of the only indoor venues that are available to rent in the Hamptons.
We’re looking forward to working with the community and creating beautiful events (including rehearsal dinners and wedding parties). In the Hamptons, there are so many weddings happening but not many places to host welcome parties, rehearsal dinners or a post-wedding brunch, and we really feel like this location will ll that gap. It will be open toward the end of the year, so stay tuned for updates!
HERE, CORREALE SHARES HOW TO PACK THE PERFECT PICNIC—FEATURING ELEGANT AFFAIRS’ TRADITIONAL BITES WITH A CREATIVE SPIN:
takeout boxes are the perfect solution for messier picnic foods
Salad in a Jar
Fill some Mason jars with a variety of mixed greens, veggies and salad accompaniments. The options are endless. Pack the dressing in a container on the side. When you get to the picnic site, just pour the dressing in the jar over the greens. Put the lid on, shake and serve. It’s best to have everything in individual containers. This makes the items easy to serve while looking fabulous at the same time. Buy a big picnic basket and fill it with lots of items for you and your guests to enjoy.
Edamame
This is a delicious, healthy snack. You can present it in mini bamboo steamer baskets, which you can fi nd on Amazon.
Lemonade
This is the perfect drink to serve at your picnic. Take the time to make it fresh; it takes no time at all. Put it in a carafe or thermal bottle to keep it cold. To make things cute, carve out some lemons to use as cups while adding a color-coordinating straw.
Cheese in a Box
I found a wooden box at Michaels. They have a variety of shapes and sizes. It makes the vessel to house your cheese and crackers. Make sure to include some toothpicks for ease.
Takeout Boxes
These are a perfect choice for a picnic. Fill the boxes with an Asian noodle salad topped with an Asian-style marinade. Pack some chopsticks, and you are good to go.
antipasti skewers are fun and easy to enjoy.
Antipasti Skewers
Take a skewer, add salami, tortellini, olives, peppers and mozzarella. Wrap them in Tupperware and serve them to your guests. The skewer makes them very easy to eat, making them ideal for a picnic.
Photography by: PHOTOS COURTESY OF BRAND
