A Buffet for the Sweet Tooth

If you have been to or read about a wedding, birthday party, shower, bar mitzvah or any other special event in the past year, then you have surely heard or witnessed the fabulous new trend of candy buffets.

Somers has its very own signature buffets made and coordinated by Vicki Palermo and her daughters, Angela Palermo and Gina Lohrman.

"We had a candy buffet for my daughter Gina's wedding in the place of wedding favors," said owner of The Candy Brigade, Vicki Palermo. "Everyone just loved it. It eliminated the need for favors. Instead guests were encouraged to fill beautifully decorated boxes and containers with a mixture of candy that delighted them."

After thinking about the prospects of becoming candy buffet designers, Palermo and her two daughters did some research and noted that candy buffets were a growing trend. 

"'The Knot,' a leading on-line wedding source, ranked candy buffets in their 'Top 10 Reception Trends' for the past three years," said Palermo. "There is every indication this trend will continue and therefore we decided as a family to join the growing group of candy buffet designers."

Therein was the birth of the Somers based, in-home business, The Candy Brigade.

"Our signature buffets have been displayed at numerous events," said Palermo.  "They are not just for weddings and birthday anymore.  We make the buffets for corporate events and the most exciting, to date, included the 'Extreme Makeover: Home Edition' air party where 1,200 volunteers and sponsors who helped build a new home for a family in need gathered to watch the national ABC-TV broadcast episode about the project."

Palermo said that they are not only a group of design specialists, but want to make sure the guests that have been invited to the special event remember the event.

"We want them to experience the element of surprise, excitement and the individuality we put into creating each unique candy buffet," she said.

She added that they always try to take it that additional step. 

"We pride ourselves in the personal touch that goes into designing each and every one of our displays," she said. "We will coordinate the customers' theme and colors to create a one of a kind buffet that compliments their event. We also provide everything needed to 'wow' the guests and make them feel like that kid in a candy store again."

The Candy Brigade can be found at http://www.thecandybrigade.com or by contacting Vicki Palermo at her office at 860-698-9557, on her cell phone at 860-559-1612 or e-mailing thecandybrigade@cox.net.