Upscale Disposable Tableware, A Blog

You trust in earth friendly products – You live a conscious lifestyle – You believe in sustainability - You want to be environmentally responsible - You have made the decision to convert to Fineline’s Conserveware sugar cane fiber packaging – BUT what about the cutlery? Look no further, Fineline Settings is now providing you the ability to offer compostable food packaging, tableware AND now cutlery.  Fineline Settings can offer you an end-to-end environmentally friendly food service packaging solution along with matching CPLA (crystalized PLA) compostable cutlery.

Have you ever found yourself confused by environmentally friendly “words”? What do the words mean exactly or what is the difference between words. For example, biodegradable, compostable, renewable and reusable. Well, Fineline is working all angles to help educate you while also providing a broad selection of disposable items to suit every food packaging need.  It is our goal to provide you the right environmentally sound packaging solution in an operationally superior setting; while providing elegant design and array of material choices to suit your take out needs.

With more and more consumers understanding the benefits of composting, we are following that lead by introducing a functional, elegant, and compostable line of cutlery. Our latest product launch of CPLA compostable cutlery comes front and center in the environmental movement and helps tell the story of our earth friendly Conserveware product line. CPLA compostable cutlery is BPI certified versus the plant based biodegradable options that combine multiple materials leaving questions to their ability to compost in a reasonable amount of time.  

Forks, Knives, and Spoons are one of the final components to insuring your take-out program is in compliance with most municipal composting ordinances. Gone are the days of weak and flimsy compostable cutlery that can’t stand up. Our new disposable, durable, and compostable line of cutlery comes in black or white.  Fineline’s new Conserveware cutlery is also available in labor saving pre-rolled kits, F/K/S kits and bulk. Fineline takes composting program guidelines very seriously.  We proudly and prominently display the compostable notation on the handle of all our Conserveware cutlery.  

Now, in case you are like me and get confused by all the earth friendly terminology; here are some helpful hints about what we provide.

Compostable material is considered the more earth friendly materiel because it eventually turns into nutrient-rich substance for the soil in proper composting facilities.  Products must have BPI certification to be included in this class of products.  Products also must be handled in a compost certified facility.

CPLA products can be recycled or composted in commercial composting sites with 90% complete breakdown in 90 days and CPLA cutlery is BPI certified. 

Recycling is the process of converting waste material into reusable objects. This process helps cut down on greenhouse gas emissions, potential waste of useful material and air/water pollution among many other community friendly advantages.  Using 99% post- consumer recycled content can be found as the basis material for Fineline’s ReForm collection.

Sustainability is the notion of living a socially aware lifestyle. This includes considering our ecosystem and natural resources as equally valuable for future generations to enjoy.

Fineline is committed to insuring you have the most innovative, earth-friendly option packaging options to insure your that your food presentation is a hit!

As always remember Fineline is here to help you Celebrate with Style. Show us how you use compostable Conserveware in your daily lifestyle. Tweet, tag, or link to us at Fineline Settings.

Catering to Catersource New Orleans 2019

Certain times of the year Fineline Settings supports different industry venues to showcase packaging products and disposable table settings. As a manufacturer of all things catering, packaging, tableware, and cutlery, we work to highlight and celebrate YOUR style.

February 24-27, Fineline Settings will be at Catersource New Orleans 2019 kicking off Mardi Gras in style with a look at how we can help bring a little extra energy to your sales. Come to our booth and look for the colorful Quenchers line of products to fit your Mardi Gras themed event. In fact, we have cater trays for those King Cakes and lids to accommodate the baby and beads for easy transportation. OR get really fancy and make “Personal” King Cakes and package in our tiny domes or tiny trays & lids (you know for the teeny tiny baby and the itty bitty beads 😊).

Be on the LOOKOUT – We will be displaying our new sturdy paper straws for any beverage and compostable cutlery in bone, white, and black. ALSO we have new PETE lids for the bagasse products in the Conserveware category of packaging. In true Fineline approach, the straws and cutlery come individually uncovered for container handling or wrapped for sanitation and public access. (BTW the cutlery has a compostable stamp on the product for authenticity.) The lids for the bagasse products come dome or flat. If artistic flare is what you are looking for some lids have a scalloped edges helping set the tone for your creations. Those are just some of the new products we are launching for 2019.

At Fineline we believe our greatest asset is our workforce – so come meet us! We send our national sales team to facilitate, inform, & demo our products while learning and collaborating with chefs from around the world to keep up-to-date on new food trends and styles. We feel this united approach of learning and supplying is the one-stop-shop variety that helps fulfill your packaging vision for today and anticipate your packaging desires for tomorrow. Shows like Catersource New Orleans 2019 give you every opportunity to touch and see first-hand all the great new products available and reacquaint yourself with our most popular products.

Coming soon - Fineline Settings will be helping National Restaurant Association (NRA) Chicago 2019 celebrate 100 years May 18-21, 2019 at McCormick Place downtown Chicago, Il. Come over and network with Fineline Settings national sales team and celebrate in style at our booth.

We would love to see how YOU use Fineline Settings to CELEBRATE with STYLE. Always remember to tag us @finelinesettings

Visit us in New Orleans at Catersource 2019, Booth #437! 

New Year’s celebrations are over. The big bowl game winner is decided. BUT winter is still a POLAR VORTEX?! The weather is downright unfriendly, bitter, and angry at our need for warmth.

Trying to overcome and change the monotony of cold winter days and frigid frosty nights, change can be simple but risky. Have you ever heard “the biggest risk we can take is the risk of doing nothing.”

During this time of winter blues, cozy up to your computer:

• Do your research (look into what it would mean to make a fresh start)
• Make a plan (visualize and design what the new start looks like)
• Execute the plan (remember a good plan has room for adjustments)

Fineline Settings is your ally in this fresh start. We are the helper you weren’t expecting at the party. Our collection lines are detailed and are diverse to match any event you are planning. From the smallest intimate first-class event to the grandest fun festivity.

For example, our Renaissance collection you can match everything from your table ware of dessert, salad, dinner plates to the soup bowl. You can rest assured that everything at the table looks uniform with the corresponding stemware and stemless. For the finale, you can customize your look with the matching style color plates.

Most of our collections have the same matching components and some collections also carry matching lids for those times you want to add for a take-home item or a to-go purchase. Wavetrends is one of those collections that carries an assortment of lids for each of those plates and bowls for easy transportation.

Now as we try to get through the polar vortex season, don’t forget we carry ice buckets and pitchers for those drinks and cocktails that need to stay chilled along with the matching scoops.

Show off how you are handling the winter blues by tagging us on Instagram, twitter, and Facebook. Let us see how you celebrate in style during this polar vortex.

Are you ready for some FOOTBALL?

SUPER BOWL SUNDAY is fast approaching: Are you ready? The competitive spirit is gearing up for a fashionable showing. Don’t be the lame super bowl party with flimsy paper plates and ugly drink cups. BORING! Invite your guests to pick team sides – create fashionable TEAM SNACK PACKS.

Kick off FIRST HALF with team appetizers

TEAM A Snack Pack includes mason jars filled with team colored candies; triangle pizza trays of East Coast Style, Midwest style, or West Coast style pizza; neon tumblers filled with nuts and seeds.

TEAM B Snack Pack includes football trays of meat, cheese, and crackers; serving bowls of fruits and goodies; tiny rectangle trays of custom pinwheel appetizers.

HALF TIME FUEL-UP

During half time celebration be sure to draw your football folly of guests to the meal table with the smells and appeal of full dinner cater trays and buffet super bowls of your most delicious main dishes and sides. Keep all of those water pitchers full for those guests who are loving the fun individual cocktail shakers drinks that match the neon tumblers. Use the individually wrapped utensils for clean fresh napkins.

Second Half RALLY

For the team to stay motivated for the win; Each team can have their own flavor of custom sugary treat and dessert along with the team cocktail of choice maybe a selection of fruity drinks in our hurricane glass or select beer in our pilsner glass.

Celebrate the winning team with first in line of the dessert buffet bar. Provide parfait cups to allow guests to layer puddings and cake indulgences or dessert cups for ice cream sundae treats.

Finally, don’t derail anyone’s portion control New Year’s Resolution, instead send your guests home from the party with tasters of Fineline’s mini products with lids.

Remember to take pictures of your super bowl celebration posting on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook and tagging Fineline Settings showing your yummy creation using our product.

IT’S A NEW YEAR…HURRAH!

2019 New Year resolutions are opportunities of change and times of thanksgiving. But a few weeks into the 2019 do you find yourself sluggish, discouraged, or maybe even baffled about your transformation or the lack of transformation. Sometimes after a couple of weeks trying to incorporate my New Year’s resolution I get confused why I am not as successful as I had anticipated.

Typical resolutions involve changing a habit, refreshing an appearance, or reviving concept. Have you ever heard the saying “old habits die hard”. Well it doesn’t have to ring true for you. Sometimes motivation and incentive to keep a resolution is as simple as a change in appearance or improved packaging of product. Old habits may die hard but I am finding when I ask for help with my resolution – I am much more successful.

Don’t let your fresh appearance or new product/habit fail or limp along: let Fineline help you continue 2019 with a successful resolution. Fineline product line is the kind of help that keeps inspiration and transformation fresh. 

In fact, Fineline Settings has been busy working to help you reboot your resolution by launching a new improved website. We listened to our customers and have changed our website to better align with your needs.

We are making new items easier to find by showcasing them on the landing page. The items are categorized by product AND for those purists who are looking for continuity of appearance we kept the ability to search by collection. More pictures, detailed descriptions and straightforward ordering were some of the principal changes considered for the new website.

Fineline Settings is dedicated to help you be more efficient and effective by streamlining our processes to match the accuracy and urgency you need. As in typical Fineline fashion, we strive to help you celebrate in style.

I am crazy about disposable drinkware, specifically our new mason jar. I have so many ideas for every holiday, season, event, daytime, nighttime, anytime….IT’S Mason Jar MADNESS!

First, lets talk specifics it’s a 16 oz jar with 2 different style lids. 2 LIDS!!! One lid is completely closed the other has a wide opening to accommodate any size straw. Then to top it off the closed lid is completely ready for anything custom; custom sticker, custom label, custom logo. Finally, the jar itself is also completely ready for anything custom. 2 Opportunities to make the jar your own.

Second, it is completely durable. Trust me I have dropped it several times while trying to create my different inventions. No cracking. No denting, no chipping.

Third, let’s get our creative hat on. Of course the drink list possibilities are endless: Bloody Mary, Margaritas, Old Fashioned, ANY signature cocktail, milkshakes, “shaker” drinks (shake it right in the jar). Now for the crafty creative – how about food or gifts of a recipe? Type or write out the ingredients to your favorite treat on a recipe card; tie it around the jar neck with ribbon or stretchy chord. Or you could fill it with wedding mints and custom print the jar for weddings. Have you thought of using it for all those lil craft “pieces” or maybe use it flower vase for that country touch? Do you have kids at home – want to make a snow-globe – glue a small toy to the inside of the lid fill the jar with sparkles and water…screw the lid back on with toy inside the jar – instant custom snow-globe.

As we close this mason jar madness – I have included a sneak peek at some ideas for Super Bowl Sideline snacks – Can you guess the team I am featuring in the picture?  😉

We have all been here; small intimate winter celebration turns into full social blast of the season.

You initially think, “I will invite my nearest and dearest friends” but when friends decline because they are entertaining out of town guests – the out of town guests become part of the nearest and dearest friends guest list. Suddenly, the initial intimate gathering has you preparing for the party of the season. A full dinner party of 15-20 people has turned into 75+ open house serving heavy appetizers, signature beverages, and tasty wines from all the guests.

EVERYONE has at least 1 drink at any party even if the drink is water – EVERYONE has at least 1 drink. Accommodating the large swing in friends, guests of friends, family, and friends of family is easy with Fineline’s line of drinkware.

Let me explain – from Grandma’s & Grandpa’s selective drink choice to your hip and newly married daughter with all the “in-law” guests, (and once the neighbors see the party at your house - include the neighbors and their crowd of visitors). Fineline’s drinkware has it covered.

• Sophisticated stemless mini, colored, and large wine glasses for both red and white wines come in all sizes to fit your needs.
• Quirky Fun Quencher’s shakers, shooters, and shot blasters (for the hipster crowd!)
• Mason Jar glasses and lids for signature drinks to please any guest. (By the way the lid accommodates a straw! YAY!)
• Modern martini glasses with clear stem base or fun blue stem base (for the mature crowd with refined taste!)
• Cheerful champagne flutes for morning mimosas choose from square, round, old fashioned, or tiny (Can’t forget those who plan to stay overnight – They will need a pick-me-up!)

Don’t forget – NO CLEAN UP! – It is all Disposable

Fineline keeps last minute catering items of party trays, pre-rolled cutlery, and platters at your fingertips with user-friendly ordering, readily available on-hand stock of items, and combined shipping of orders. (Check out the super fun snowman and tree platters for the winter holiday treats.)

Don’t miss next week’s blog on parting gifts of food items and recipes to your friends, clients, and guests.

Celebrate in Style!

Time to slow the hustle, Step up the fun, Stop the stress, for The Season has begun.

The checklist of holiday fanfare is created. You have shopped for the menu and created your perfect signature cocktail. Imagine spirited music, sparkling lights, joyful cheer and plain dreary tableware – Bah HumBug! Keep your holiday event classy, stylish, and festive with one of Fineline Settings holiday table settings.

We have done the work for you; chose your favorite holiday table display and review the recommended list of items to set your table. You will find everything you need to create that one of a kind memorable experience for your guests.

1. The Family Affair using The Renaissance Collection. Lead your guests to an elegant preset table with 10” dinner plate, topped with 7” salad plate and 12 oz bowl. Add a little bubbly champagne flute for the holiday toasts and the stemless wine glass for the festivities. Keep everyone hydrated with water glasses and pitchers for easy refill. Don’t forget your signature cocktails, like the Moscow mule mug and strong sophisticated cutlery. Keep your decor the focus by using the 14” x 14” black square platter pleaser for your main dish display and black heavy weight serving spoons, forks, and tongs for plating and serving. For the grand finale, use the clear cake stand to display all the beloved treats of the holiday. Remember, the height of the cake stand will allow your guests to see the beauty of the dessert and easy access to enjoy 2nd helpings. YUM!

2. The Modern Hip Party using Wavetrends Collection. Show your chic flare to all your friends at your grab and go buffet celebration. When your guests all contribute a dish to pass – give them cool hip table settings to display their creations. Buffet style serving brings hearty appetites which means stocking the table with 6” and 9” dinner plates, festive cutlery rolls both black and silver, clear serving bowls for those tasty casseroles, and be the hostess with the mostest – have plenty of serving silverware (because no one remembers the serving utensils for cutting homemade pie or LARGE fork/spoon for dishing up salads!) However, for true fashion forward panache, give your guests the durable cocktail plate invention to marry with their champagne flute or martini glass while mingling and catching up on all the gossip and chit-chat. Oh! Don’t forget those disposable customized shot glasses at your bar for the ongoing toasts of friendship and reminiscing of good times past. Finally, since it is YOUR party, perfect opportunity to show off your culinary skills (without breaking the menu budget) using the Fineline Tiny Tempts trays, bowls, and cubes for portioning and tiny forks, spoons, picks, and tongs for eating.

3. The Caterer’s Celebration using Gold and Silver Splendor. When catering an event, expectations run high with the b’s and d’s (bread plate on the left drinks on the right!) of etiquette or the serve on the left clear from the right formality. Customer expectations are a posh and fancy reception; while the caterer needs to arrange for a sturdy but swanky debut of food service. Don’t let the two opposing expectations stress you out for your event, mix and match color, size, and shape to create the perfect blend of adult sophistication and durability. Catering service always includes coursing of the event meal and serving a plentiful helping of the cuisine. Service needs vary from 4” cocktail hour plates and beverage pitchers to starter salads and service tongs or 12 oz soup bowls and spoons. Next the catering experience graduates to the main fare needing 10” plate either round or square trimmed with your choice of gold or silver (for the best deal take advantage of the 7”/10” combo solution). Don’t forget all those different drink flavors from champagne, wine (red and white), water, mixed beverages to coffee, tea, and soda. Here are some tricks of the catering trade - Use simple and sturdy large dome lid and trays to allow for double duty with easy transport of items into and out of the venue while also perfect for serving single serve items (We love those tiny cocktail picks, spoons, and forks for these occasions too – clean, easy, and individual). Now for the b’s and d’s etiquette trick😊 – never know which side your stemless wine glass, water, champagne should be set vs. your bread plate and knife – With your left hand touch your first finger and thumb while holding the other three fingers straight (making a lower case b) do the same action with your right fingers (making a lower case d). Bread plate goes on the left (aka lower case b for bread); Drinks go on the right (aka lower case d for drinks).

4. Take Home Party in a bag using Solid Squares. Holidays bring hustle and bustle of shopping and cheer leaving you no time to prepare for those impromptu visits from out of town friends. Don’t stress! With just a little finesse, Fineline’s 10 bag/12 case events on the go packaging coupled with a stop at your favorite restaurant will bring entertaining success! This type of readiness is prepared with plates of all sizes including cocktail, dessert, salad, large and small dinner, and large and small bowls. Can’t decide on a color or theme - don’t fret over those small details each item comes in all three colors of black, white, and clear. Use our super large bowls and compartment trays to display each side dish and as an added bonus – store all the leftovers in the same container just use the corresponding lid to cover and refrigerate.

5. Kids Table using Flairware. Let's face it the key to any successful party is keeping the kids happy and fed so the adults aren’t stressed wanting to leave. How do you get kids to eat – make it fun and silly. Keeping in mind the small appetites - first place a 6”round dessert plate then below it but not touching place a 7”round salad plate; place black fork dangling off one side of the 7” round plate and place a black knife off the other side of the 7” round plate. Refold the black napkin (from the pre-rolled cutlery) into a long 2” rectangle and drape between the plates; place blueberries from your fruit tray as eyes mouth and buttons on shirt while a baby veggie carrot is a nose – instant Snowman setting. AND here we go again with those Tiny Tempts (can’t get enough of those cute containers) keep them on hand to dole out lil candies or allow the kids to eat using the tiny cutlery for “just the right size bites”. It’s a perfect game to challenge themselves about how many bites it will take with the little fork before they are full.