Contact Just Add Bubbles in Cincinnati, Ohio

 Kate Duffy

Chief Merry Maker & Chef

kate.duffy@justaddbubbles.net

513.293.3624

Christine Finke

Creative Director & Event Designer

christine.finke@justaddbubbles.net

513.227.9145

Welcome to Just Add Bubbles...

Welcome to Just Add Bubbles...

I have become very introspective over the last six months.  I finally have a clear understanding of how I want to show up in this crazy world.  I want to be creative.  I want to laugh.  I want to have as much fun as I possibly can.  I want to help people.  I want to work with food and wine and pretty things.  I want to do work that feeds my soul and fills me up.  I want to spread joy.  I want to make some money to support the aforementioned desires. Quite simply, I want to help people eat, drink and make merry.

When I look back over the last twenty years or so, it is very clear to me that the times I have been in full alignment with myself have been during times of eating, drinking and merry making.  Even mastering those many hospitality jobs in college (read cocktail waitress/bartender) prepared me to do the happy work I am doing today.  Yet it took me some time to understand this.

In 2000, I gleefully abandoned attempts to support myself with traditional business types of jobs and somehow got the chef/owner of a bistro to hire me to cook in his kitchen. Despite the burns, cut and physical challenges of the job, I was in heaven.  I was working in an extremely fast-paced, hard core kitchen full of grizzled veterans, who were unsure of me and my lack of experience.  As time went on, my skills developed I  earned their respect and they began teaching me the tricks of the trade.  (This, of course, was only after months of making me do all the gross and really hard jobs that all rookies should do.)  I hung out there for five years learning everything I could about food safety, food prep and service.  In October of 2005, I traded in my chef coat for onesies and diapers and welcomed my daughter into the world.  Fast forward to 2012 and it's time to birth more creativity.  That little baby is off to full time school and this little mamma is ready to put her chef coat back on and get to work.

So We Got Cooking
While prepping for an event, Christine (you'll learn more about her later) was whisking up a basil infused vinaigrette.  Because we love what we do and we practice what we preach, we were celebrating with a lovely pink Prosecco. When Christine finished the dressing, she said something was missing.  We glanced around the kitchen, scanning for that one ingredient that would make the vinaigrette perfect.  At that moment, in unison, we said "Just add bubbles!" And that is precisely what we did. 

So What Exactly is Just Add Bubbles?

Just Add Bubbles is a team of creative people who will help you develop your next event, large or small.  We will collaborate with you to create an event that is right for you and your circumstance.   You will dictate the level of service that is right for you.  You may be interested in an intimate dinner at home for you and your partner, milestone celebrations or you may be overwhelmed by the family reunion that is about to descend on your home.  We will chat through the details to create a stress-free plan for entertaining.

How does it work?

We will set up a consultation with you to discuss your event.  At this meeting we will get an understanding of what is important to you (the food? the wine? the budget?). We will help you define a scope for the event.  We will also determine how you would like us to be involved in the planning, prep and delivery.  We don't want to steal the glory from the host! We want you to do what makes you happy when it comes to entertaining.  And if that means you just have to pour the bubbles when the party starts....then so be it!  Remember,  we are after fun and laughter here.  After this initial consultation, we will document the scope of work and provide you with our fee structure.  You will be billed directly for all actual costs associated with your event (food, beverage, rentals, etc.).  Our fee will be billed separately and will be due at the time of the event.

Sound simple?  It is.  Entertaining just got a whole lot easier and much more fun!

Cheers,

The Just Add Bubbles Team 

What people are saying about Just Add Bubbles

When I think about what people seem to say about Christine and me, it's usually something very quirky:

"Did they just turn the teachers lounge into a fifties diner?  Are they wearing costumes while they are serving lunch to the school superintendent?"  Why, yes!  We did, with help of our awesome team.

 

"Are they serious?"  Yes, we are!  It may sound insane, but we do mean it, usually.

"What kind of cheese are they eating?"  This summer, the answer to that was WAY TOO MUCH!  The Humbolt Fog and goat cheese of any kind definitely got the best of us.

"What's in their coffee cups?"  We'll never tell.

Whatever they are saying, they are usually smiling or laughing.  Either with us or at us, we don't care.  As long as they are getting some joy out of our insanity.

Much much more importantly, what are people saying about

Just Add Bubbles?

All kidding aside, we take our work very seriously.  We do excellent work and will exceed your expectations.  You won't be laughing at us, you will be smiling along side us when you are basking in the glow of entertaining well done.

This is what people are REALLY saying about Just Add Bubbles:

"Working with Kate and Christine while hosting a bridal shower was such a delight.  They were such a great team as they met with us in choosing a delicious menu, a gorgeous table, and every other detail along the way.  Their expertise allowed us to enjoy the special night with friends and family.  As many of us experience busy daily lives, this took the pressure off of me so we could simply enjoy pampering the bride-to-be.  These ladies bubble over with enthusiasm and creativity and I look forward to having them assist me again in future parties."

- Jeanne Gulick

"I can very easily say that these ladies have some sass.  They are both excellent cooks and marvelous entertainers.  They know how to set a scene and then make it come to life. Whether you don't like to throw parties but are finding yourself in the unenviable position of doing so, or you are throwing your 100th dinner party and would like to relax and enjoy this one instead of doing all the work, Kate and Christine will make your event unforgettable!"

- Kelly Bailey


"We had Kate and Christine throw a bridal shower with us and the result -- a huge success! The table that they set was just sensational!  It definitely was the focal point of the shower (not including the bride-to-be).  The two ladies were very easy to work with and extremely accommodating to meet our needs.  A great time was had by all and we thank Kate and Christine for adding their expertise.  They are fun, energetic, and full of great ideas!"

 - Sally Luther

Meet the Just Add Bubbles Team

Christine Finke  

Creative Director & Event Designer

My formal education includes a Bachelor’s degree in Fashion Merchandising & Buying.  Little did I know that my degree and experience in NYC would actually prepare me to do work that truly expresses who I am: a creative and detailed woman with a passion for fashion, color and décor.  My background in fashion helped me to hone my skills as a designer and to develop my ability to draw inspiration from all sources and put a fresh spin on things.  I enjoy sharing my artistic originality to create the right event for you.  Of course my love of food, wine and fun make me the perfect contributor to the Just Add Bubbles team.

I am also passionate about volunteerism.  For the last six years, I have served on and held the Chairperson title at the elementary school’s Teacher Appreciation Committee.  It has been my privilege to make sure the teachers and staff feels special all year long.  This, of course, is accomplished with food and fun.  Now, this may not sound like much to you, but in my neck of the woods, we do it BIG.  My duties culminate every spring with a week-long celebration that we like to call TA Week.  During this event, my committee and I transform the drab school utility room into a vibrant, upbeat party venue.  Each day of the week has its own theme, color scheme, culinary adventure and yes, sometimes costumes.  It’s no small fete producing a daily event for eighty staff members with limited time and space!  But this is what I love!  I have a passion for the little details that make events truly special and unique.

Oh, and by the way, if you need a little help planning your outfit for the upcoming soiree, I’d be happy to help with that too!  After all, I do love my passion for fashion!

 

Kate Duffy

Chief Merry Maker &

Chef

Well, I have said it before:  I want to help people eat, drink and make merry. When I look back over the last twenty years or so, it is very clear to me that the times I have been in full alignment with myself have been during times of eating, drinking and merry making.  Even mastering those many hospitality jobs in college (read cocktail waitress/bartender) prepared me to do the happy work I am doing today.  Yet it took me some time to understand this.  

In 2000, I gleefully abandoned attempts to support myself with traditional business types of jobs and somehow got the chef/owner of a bistro to hire me to cook in his kitchen. Despite the burns, cut and physical challenges of the job, I was in heaven.  I was working in an extremely fast-paced, hard core kitchen full of grizzled veterans, who were unsure of me and my lack of experience.  As time went on, my skills developed I  earned their respect and they began teaching me the tricks of the trade.  (This, of course, was only after months of making me do all the gross and really hard jobs that all rookies should do.)  I hung out there for five years learning everything I could about food safety, food prep and service.  In October of 2005, I traded in my chef coat for onesies and diapers and welcomed my daughter into the world.  Fast forward to 2012 and it's time to birth more creativity.  That little baby is off to full time school and this little mamma is ready to put her chef coat back on and get to work.

...A Wedding Shower

This wedding shower was a complete delight.  Twenty-five well dressed ladies gathered to celebrate the upcoming nuptials of an adorable bride-to-be.  The guest list included mothers, daughters, grannies, best friends, in-laws and of course, bridesmaids.  My favorite part of wedding events is the merging of two families.  Both families are still getting to know each other with one loving focus:  the couple-to-be.  These moments are bursting with joy and excitement for the future...and well, who doesn't want to burst with joy and excitement?

Our goal was to accommodate women of all ages and to provide a fun and festive flow to the shower.  After all, there is much to be done at a shower!  People will meet for the first time.  Games must be played.  Cocktails must be drunk.  Gifts must be opened.  Delicious food must be eaten.  And, of course, dessert must be enjoyed!  Our clients wanted a light and summery menu.  Here is what we created for them:

Welcome Course

Cheese Plate (including raspberries, blackberries, grapes, marcona almonds, assorted crackers, bourbon goat cheese, Irish cheddar cheese, maytag blue cheese, gouda/goat cheese and the ever popular cotswold)

Fresh Apricot Mojitos - we muddled and stirred until we got the perfect cocktail (they went fast!)

Lemonade - just in case the mojitos were not your style 

Main Course

Strawberry and Toasted Walnut Salad - topped with Grilled Shrimp Scampi or Chicken with Basil Infused Vinaigrette and a sprinkle of goat cheese

Potato Leek Bisque - this could have been served cold, but we went with room temperature and it was awsome!
 

Crusty Bread with Whipped Honey Butter - for the first time in history, a group of women weren't afraid to polish off some bread and butter!

 

 

 

Finale

Champagne Cupcakes with Strawberry Buttercream Icing 
Served up in lovely champagne glasses...truly gorgeous!