LOVE AT FIRST BITE

Love at FIRST BITE Wedding catering ideas to suit your vibe

So much of the atmosphere you create for your big day comes from the catering. If you dream of a traditional, elegant and grand affair, then a seated wedding breakfast with three courses (or more) will send you well on your way to setting the right tone. On the other hand, if a relaxed and informal celebration is on the cards, you’ll be looking for something flexible and free-flowing. But when all’s said and done, as long as you ensure loved ones have plenty to indulge in they’ll be well-fuelled with a spring in their step by the time they’re ready to hit the dancefloor. Whatever your vision, we have some food for thought...

Don’t know where to start? Ashley Whittington-Orford, events manager at Chester-based Elite Bistro Events has a few pointers...

What will guests have eaten already that day? Did they skip breakfast and lunch? Are you serving canapés? What time of day will it be when they sit down? Weddings can be a long day so make sure guests are suitably sustained. If this will be their first meal of the day, you might want to go for something a bit more robust. Alternatively, if they’ve been snacking for most of the day already, something lighter that won’t overwhelm or go to waste might be a good option. Three courses can be a lot to manage after endless canapés and a few glasses of fizz!

Dietary requirements It’s never good to feel like an afterthought, so try to incorporate some vegetarian or gluten-free options into your menu naturally, perhaps with the starter or dessert. There are some wonderful gluten-free and vegan desserts that are sure to be crowd-pleasers and impress your guests who are plant-based or have intolerances.

Think about how your menu will come together with the other elements of your day The plates, the cutlery and centrepieces can all help to bring your theme together and set the tone. If you’re looking for a more laid-back vibe, then sharing platters served on rustic boards will bring a general air of conviviality. Or if you’re wanting a more traditional affair, you’ll be reaching for the white, pressed table cloths and bringing in traditional elements like a bread course of amuse-bouche. Think about how the menu can complement the mood you’re trying to create and make sure everything is working together in unison.

Images courtesy of Elite Bistro Events © Dan Burns, https://naturalselectiondesign.co.uk

ABOUT ELITE BISTRO EVENTS

Since opening neighbourhood bistro Sticky Walnut in Chester, back in 2011, Elite Bistros has gone from strength to strength and now encompasses six bistros throughout the North West. At these eateries the team make everyone who walks through their doors feel special by doing what they do best: fancy food in a relaxed environment with a warm welcome. Having received many an enquiry about helping folk with large events and parties over the years, they decided to expand further to meet this demand and Elite Bistro Events was born.

At Elite Bristro Events there’s a dedicated events manager, a development kitchen and an experienced team ready to deliver signature Elite Bistros food and service at your wedding. The team have developed special events menus and have taken their Bistro favourites, such as braised featherblade of beef to pop-up tents and venues across the UK. They’ll work with you to create each menu bespoke, filled with the things you and your guests will love. events@elitebistros.com | www.elitebistros.com/events

As well as keeping guests well-feed, you’ll also want to ensure the drink is free-flowing. Chat to your venue about bar options as they might be happy to work with you on some creative drinks reception ideas. The ever-popular pimp your prosecco station where guests can add various mixers, fruit, colourings, glitters and so on to the humble glass of bubbly always leads to heaps of fun as guests get creative. You may even be able to create your own themed cocktail for a super-glam post-ceremony cocktail hour.

There are plenty of converted horse-box bars out there too serving a myriad of locally-sourced bevvies. Check out Juniper 1993 (https://juniper1933.com), which offers its signature G&Ts, classic cocktails, fizz and full bar service from its lovingly restored bohemian Gin Tin. The team can create a bespoke wedding package and the JuniperGeo dome allows you to set up your very own 15metre bar area with space for 250 people standing.

If you’re having a rustic-style wedding we’d recommend including lots of wood-inspired features. Log slices make a great addition to your tables as name tags, cake stand and for layering food on your catering table.

Based on our extensive experience our top tips for catering a relaxed, informal wedding would start with avoiding the three-course meal, which makes everyone full and sleepy for the evening party and can cause guests to be less interactive. My advice would be to opt for catering that gets your loved ones up. A grazing table not only looks beautiful, but allows guests to start mingling and enjoying the day. Then, keep wowing them with more exciting food options throughout the night. Think doughnut wall, graze charcuterie cones, or our rustic cheese wall for the ultimate wow factor.

Molly Wilson, co-founder at Kings Cheese and Wine, has some tips on striking the right note for rustic-themed celebrations

Image courtesy of Kings Cheese and Wine © www.hollyflorencephotography.com

ABOUT KINGS CHEESE AND WINE

Kings Cheese and Wine located in Northwich, Cheshire, specialises in curating locally-sourced cheeses and carefully selected wines from around the world, with luxury packages delivered straight to your door. The team can cater for weddings of any size and offer a host of different options from wedding breakfast baskets to grazing tables. Check out the mouthwatering cheese wall, which allows you to choose from a range of cheeses and chutneys to make the wall tailored to your tastes. It’s a terrific talking point and a delicious snack station, on hand to keep tummies happy and fuelled for the dancefloor. We’re obsessed! 07809 109 524 | www.kingscheeseandwine.co.uk

Image courtesy of Singing Waiters in the UK © www.jakebaggaley.com FOOD AS THEATRE

Your wedding breakfast will constitute a significant portion of your day, so why not have it work even harder for you and bring an element of entertainment too? Singing waiters are oh-so popular across our region thanks to such talented local titans as Singing Waiters in the UK (https://singingwaitersintheuk.com) and Silver Service Singers (https://silverservicesingers.com). Part shock-and-awe, part floor show, part audience participation extravaganza they’ll certainly ensure your wedding breakfast is one to remember.

Sharing food is a fantastic way to ensure your guests interact whether they’re seated at round tables, banqueting style or even if there’s no seating plan. This style of dining creates a wonderful sense of community as they pass dishes between them or break the ice with a friendly, “Ooh have you tried that?” Have them provide their own entertainment or theatre with a roast as a brave representative from each table dons an apron and chef’s hat to carve and serve the joint.

When it comes to the bar, why not see if you can hire a professional trained in the art of flair bartending to mix and serve your cocktails? Guests will visit again and again, if only to watch the magic happen!

So, that’s your day guests taken care of, what about the evening revellers? Indeed, by the time the dancefloor warms up even those who enjoyed your wedding breakfast will be getting peckish again. Food trucks and street food have become fantastically popular over the past couple of years, especially among those looking to create a festival atmosphere, and offer an incredible array of options to suit your taste and personalities.  Passionate about pizza? Check out https://stonebakedwithlove.co.uk  Fish and chip fanatic? Check out www.kkcatering.co.uk  Hog roast hog? Check out www.cheshirehogroasts.co.uk  Barbecue burger buff? Check out https://jwsholysmoke.co.uk  Globetrotter? Check out www.facebook.com/laspaelleras  In love with ice cream? Check out www.dottyabouticecream.co.uk

HUNGRY FOR MORE?

Sink your teeth into some online inspiration

CARRINGTONS CATERING

www.carringtons-catering.co.uk With bases in Liverpool and Lancashire, Carringtons Catering has a wealth of experience in organising bespoke events including weddings. Master chef of Great Britain Darren Wynn, alongside his kitchen team, who cooked for HM Queen Elizabeth II on her last visit to Liverpool have worked alongside names such as Raymond Blanc, Nico Ladenis and Marco Pierre White, so your wedding breakfast is sure to be a memorable occasion in their hands. GARNI CREATIVE FOOD EVENTS

www.garni.events Garni Creative Food Events, located in Neston, Cheshire, specialises in creating contemporary food events and tailors each on an individual basis from luxurious weddings, to street food parties or tasting menus with its own imaginative approach. The team have developed a great twist to make sure your big day is memorable using platters, big bowls and boards for an oh-so social edge.

GRAZING WITH THE JONESES

www.grazingwiththejoneses.co.uk Founded in Liverpool in 2016, Grazing With The Joneses now boasts a portfolio of regular clients, from those who love to snuggle up on the sofa for a date night, to hen and stag parties, those from the corporate world and of course wonderful wedding days. All of its spectacular grazes are tailored to your taste and style and can be sweet or savoury. HARDY’S EVENTS & CATERING

https://hardyscatering.co.uk Hardy’s Events and Catering offers restaurant-quality food tailored to you. Rather than presenting you with a list of options, the team will have a chat with you to find out what you want for your wedding and will use that as the foundation to construct a menu that reflects the two of you. Whether that’s a specific dish that has special significance to you or a cuisine that reminds you of where you got engaged for example, they’ve got it all in hand.