In the culinary arts, mainly in high-volume restaurants, à la minute refers to a style of cooking where an item, or particularly its accompanying sauce, is prepared to order, rather than being prepped in advance.
Likewise, we sometimes get a catering request À La Minute. On a recent Saturday morning, I got a call at 11:30 AM from a lady asking if we could do a dinner party that evening for 15 guests at a bachelorette party. We were not engaged for an event that evening so I took it on. The caterer they had lined up had some sort of family emergency and dropped out.
They were much relieved that their party could go forward. I even used the menu ideas they had planned with the other caterer. I think we could have served pineapple glazed spam and made them happy. However we did our usual culinary magic and prepared a delicious upscale dinner À La Minute.
Canapes
Smoked Salmon on Endive Leaves
Selection of Cheeses and Fresh Fruits
Salad of Mixed Seasonal Greens Vinaigrette
Petit Tenderloin and Shrimp Provençal
Couscous
Seasonal Vegetable Medley
Spreckles Ice Cream Buffet
Chef's Lemon Ice Cream, Vanilla Ice Cream
Spreckles, Jimmies, Coconut, Pecans
Assorted Cookies and Crisp Petit Fours
Bread Service
Coffee Service
