On the west side of Lake Couchiching, about 15 kms north of Orillia and 7 or so kms south of Washago, sits an incredible lake-side community known as Scarlet Park. For 100 years, the residents of Scarlet Park have celebrated summer at the lake with a gala weekend featuring canoe races, swimming competitions, dinners, dances, and tons of other fun events. While we have had the pleasure of visiting Scarlet Park a number of times for weddings, family reunions, anniversaries, and plenty of DIY Pig Roast deliveries, it was an HONOUR for Shaws to be asked to cater their 100th anniversary party!!
As a multi-generational family business, we LOVE history, especially Oro-Medonte history. To us, Scarlet Park is a rare gem. According to Orillia Matters, the 90 or so acres of property was once owned by Sir Henry Pellatt Sr, an English immigrant whose son Henry would build, and eventually lose, both a fortune in business and Toronto’s only castle, Casa Loma. Further history of the property is reflected in Scarlet Park’s street names such as Goldstein Road, Farmhouse Lane and Dance Hall Lane.
Today’s dwellings are separated by large green, tree-lined spaces and the Lakeside Club serves as a gathering point for daily discussions, volleyball, boating, and swimming. The entire community has a friendly feel and sitting by the lake you can imagine 100 years of fun. As the banner reads, “There’s No Where Else That I Would Rather Be.”.
With this many hungry cottagers to feed, Shaws Catering brought five (5) barbeques and a full team. Terri-Lynn, Tom, Shari, Sherri, Jen, Carley, Leah, Scott, Adam and Ian performed their usual magic and fed 400 people a hot, freshly grilled meal in 35 minutes. Amazing, but true.
Timing is key to serving so many people a fresh, hot meal. Our team has a LOT of experience making sure we are prepared with enough fresh sides and well coordinated grilling. We also rely on our serpentine buffet table to help feed a large number of guests quickly. With perfectly proportioned serving dishes, guests can easily enjoy the buffet from both sides.
For this event we served flawlessly grilled steak and chicken with an assortment of fresh sides including garden salad, creamy cucumber salad, garden pasta salad, roasted baby potatoes, and maple glazed baby carrots. The weather cooperated and it turned out to be an incredible day.
Congratulations to the wonderful folks at Scarlet Park on your 100th anniversary. We look forward to many more celebrations in the future.
