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Proposal: CHURCH OFFICE PARTY SEPT 15

Essential Herbs — Event Proposal   ·   

Church Launch Party

September 17, 2026

Event
Launch Party
Date
September 17, 2026
Guest Count
200
Service Style
Buffet + Passed + Cocktail Bar

New York nostalgia. Refined execution. A menu that feels like the city itself.

This menu celebrates the iconic flavors of New York — deconstructed and elevated through precision sourcing and technique. A curated selection of NYC classics in elegant, hand-held formats paired with a carefully curated bar featuring three signature cocktails named creatively with Church. This is New York filtered through a chef's lens.

This approach is similar to the SNL 50 event Essential Herbs executed, where we served matzoh ball soup, falafel, corned beef, and pastrami sandwiches on rye—all in small cups and portions designed for easy hand-consumption at a major event. That same philosophy applies here: refined NYC classics in elegant, hand-held formats.

Chef. Curator. New York obsessive.

Russell Markus founded Essential Herbs around art, food, and community. From intimate dinners to big brand launches, every menu is built from his understanding of what's at peak season, who grew it, and how to honor those ingredients. He approaches each event as a full production — menus are never recycled, service is never generic, and the sourcing philosophy is non-negotiable.

Trusted by

SHA Wellness, Remedy Place, SNL, Public Records, Adidas, Toast, ON Running, Soho House, Vitra, Snow Peak, Lichen, Storefront for Art and Architecture, NYON, Bulleit Bourbon, Rosetta CDMX, Fora, Jeff Staple, Ilegal Mezcal, Parley for the Oceans, Smallhold, and more.

Press & Publications

Vogue, Infatuation, Eater, Deezen, Bon Appétit, Conde Nast Traveler, New York Times, Departures, Vanity Fair, The Wall Street Journal, New York Magazine, Forbes, Bloomberg, and others.

Menu Flow

Buffet Station + Passed Bites — NYC Classics

Select 5 — below ideation from Church for now

Dessert Station

Signature Cocktails Reimagined for Church

Three Signature Cocktails (Church-Named)

All light or clear-colored cocktails to protect your space. Three signature cocktails crafted specifically for Church, each named to reflect the brand. EH will develop these after Menu Kickoff call. Expect sophisticated variations on classics: dry martinis, palomas, daiquiris, or other spirit-forward cocktails with light bases (gin, vodka, tequila) and bright garnishes. Each cocktail is designed for visual appeal without deep color that risks staining.

Wine Selection
Beer, Non-Alcoholic & Water

Full Production Team

Kitchen TEAM
1 Head Chef (Russell or designee) · 2 Sous Chefs · 2 Line Cooks · 1 Porter
Bar STATION
4 Bartenders · 2 Bar Backs
Front of House
1 Captain + 6 Servers (cocktail hour + buffet management) + 1 Floor Porters
Event Duration
3 hours (7:00 PM – 10:00 PM). Exact timing and breakdown confirmed prior to scope signing. Team will need three hours for setup and 1.5 hours for breakdown. 
Rentals & Glassware
Essential Herbs provides all food, beverage equipment, glassware infrastructure, and service tools. Rental cost of $3,500 covers full bar setup, glassware, and service infrastructure.
Space Assessment
After you share office photos, Russell will assess kitchen access, bar placement, buffet flow, and guest flow. Any additional equipment or tables needed can be sourced through Essential Herbs' network.
Catering + Staff (200 guests × $75 pp) $15,000.00
Bar + Staff (200 guests × $65 pp) $13,000.00
Sustainable Sourcing (3%) $840.00
Admin Fee (12.5% on catering + bar) $3,500.00
Subtotal $32,340.00
NYC Sales Tax (8.875%) $2,871.19
Gratuity (10% on base) $2,800.00
Subtotal $38,011.19

Bar  & Glassware Rentals

*subject to adjustment based on access to office

 

$3,500.00
Grand Total $41,511.19
50% Deposit Due Upon Booking $20,005.60

Final guest count confirmed 2 weeks prior. Price adjusts based on final headcount at same per-person rate.

Menu Kickoff & Cocktail Design
90-minute call with Russell to finalize menu details, confirm dietary needs, and develop your three signature Church cocktails. 2 revisions included prior to Sept 5, 2026 to lock all details.
Sourcing & Market Visit
All ingredients sourced within 250 miles of Brooklyn at peak season. Russell maintains direct relationships with farmers and suppliers.
Space & Logistics Review
After you share office photos, Russell will assess kitchen access, bar placement, buffet flow, and guest flow. Staffing and timing are finalized based on space layout and your vision.
Payment Terms
50% deposit due upon booking confirmation (non-refundable). 50% final payment due 14 days prior (non-refundable). Payment methods: ACH or credit card (+ 4% processing fee).

Seasonal. Ethical. Direct.

All produce and proteins sourced within 250 miles of Brooklyn at peak season. Chef Russell maintains direct relationships with growers and suppliers, ensuring ingredients are at their freshest and most flavorful. This approach delivers three benefits: maximum freshness and flavor, environmental integrity through minimal transportation, and fair compensation that allows farmers to maintain their operations and teams.

ACH / Bank Transfer
Essential Herbs will provide ACH details upon booking confirmation.
Credit Card
Pay by credit card here (includes 4% processing fee).