FOOD FOR THOUGHT

THE big BREAKFAST Choosing your catering and refreshments

As the wedding couple, plenty of time goes in to choosing the theme and colour scheme, picking the venue and flowers, and of course the dress! However, what the guests will look forward to, enjoy on the day, and remember long after the event itself is... the food! Yes, the way to please your guests is to ensure they have plenty to indulge in, a tipple or two, and everyone will be merry on their way to the dancefloor on full bellies. Here’s three aspects of the ‘big breakfast’ to put your personal twist on!

ARE YOU BEING SERVED!

After the ‘I dos’, the first thing the guests experience when arriving at your reception venue is the ‘welcome drink’. Traditionalists among you will perhaps opt for some bubbles, but with the ‘bespoke cocktail’ trend set to stay in to 2022 and beyond, why not welcome loved ones and set the tone for the reception with a personalised cocktail? Whether you pop a twist on a classic name such as a ‘PaulChar Martini’ (be handy if your names were Paul and Charlotte) or you worked with a mixologist to create your very own drink, it’s a great way to add a personal twist on proceedings. To really go to town, why not colour-coordinate your cocktail with your colour scheme? For the non-alcoholics, you don’t want to make them feel like one of the kids with a soft drink and a colourful straw, so make sure you have grown-up alternatives. Mocktails ‘virgin’ cocktails can look as funky as their alcohol counterparts so ask your bar team to create a few options that will look just as fancy but for those that are teetotal. Finally, when planning seasonal nuptials, hot chocolate and mulled wine make great festive beverage options!

GO RETRO: Shots! Now, we can all remember a bad night (or two), having had shots back in the day; but these little, short, sharp hits are making a comeback as couples are looking to have one big party after non-existent weddings over the last 18months. There are fancier alternatives out there nowadays, and what better time to knock one back and start the party then after the speeches and raise the ultimate toast! One, two, three go! RAISING THE BAR

Food stations hit the wedding scene a couple of years ago, and the new must-have is a drinks bar! ‘Pimp your prosseco’ or ‘Seven deadly gins’ are fun themes where you can have your favourite tipple along with different mixers, fruit, colourings and so on for guests to create their own drink and have fun at the same time. Again, for those that like to keep a clear head, you can opt for coffee bars (watch out for these in 2022) and for kids and adults alike, a ‘milkshake shack’ will go down a treat. If you have a static bar in your wedding reception venue, consider hiring professional bartenders with ‘flair’ skills; come the evening party, their behind the bar antics will keep the mood going! Tip: opt for paper straws and look for alternatives to plastic cups – try reusable ones that guests could even keep and take home after the big day as a memento.

DID SOMEONE SAY BRUNCH?

The brunch craze – unless you’ve been under a rock for a few years it’s a fusion of breakfast and lunch – is a fab contemporary wedding breakfast offering for relaxed ‘I dos’.

Although 2021 weddings are perhaps opting for touch-free alternatives to grazing tables, we expect to see them return bigger and better than ever in 2022.

Whether you provide mini ‘brunch baskets’ of much-loved favourites of pastries, fruits and cakes, or are planning your extravagant tables for next year of masses of continental breakfast delights, and hot choices to boot; the key is presentation. For the small option, think quirky hampers and baskets with red and white picnic blankets and mason drinking jars; and for the full on table platters opt for fun quirky signs such as ‘You’re the bacon to my eggs’, or ‘spread the love’ flagging up the condiments table.

The beauty of hiring in foody trucks/stations is that you can combine multiple offerings for guests, think: brunch bars, waffle and crêpe stations, and pizza vans in the evening. Not only are they indulgent comfort food options loved by all ages, but the ‘live cooking’ aspect is added entertainment value.

If the whole day is outdoors, think about how you can break down the day’s food offerings in to themes so, light lunch, fruit, brunch, bloody marys and desserts with picnic-style cushions and blankets during the day; then as the night sets in, have lanterns providing the light, pizza vans, firepits to toast marshmallows with s’more kits for guests. End the night with a mulled spiced cocktail and sparklers – a picture-perfect end! TAKE YOUR SEATS

As we approach the winter months, seasonal weddings really come in to their own. Floral displays have more texture, plenty of greenery and alternative elements such as pinecones; while colour palettes boast deeper, richer tones reflective of the time of year. One element which is restricted though is outdoor dining, and with Covid at the back of our minds for the rest of 2021 at least, couples will be opting for sit-down waiter service when it comes to the wedding breakfast. But alas, traditional certainly doesn’t mean boring, far from it.

Firstly, table layouts and tablescaping: T-shape table designs are proving oh-so popular enabling the happy couple to sit at the ‘head’ of the table while not being too far away from their guests. While tablescaping – creating a scene in the centre of the table with a cohesive theme and feel – will ensure your guests have a visually pleasing view no matter how long they are seated for.

With the sit-down three-course (or four if you’re real foodies) making a return, how do you get creative with your food choices? Canapés remain a firm favourite and offer a way to show your personalities; if you love a toad in the hole, why not offer mini-versions? It’s always worth having sweet options, savoury, vegan and vegetarian to make sure all your guests are covered. Ask your caterers to hold some back for you both as it’s easy to miss these making the round when chatting to guests.

If you’re tying the knot at the height of a season i.e summer or winter, let that be your inspiration for your menu. Christmas nuptials can start with a rich homemade chicken liver and calvados pâté, with spiced apple chutney and toasted walnut bread, followed by lamb shanks in a deep port sauce, finished off with a hearty stick toffee pudding; veggies can enjoy pumpkin soup, beetroot and cheese risotto, and a chocolate, peanut butter and avocado pudding.

Your chosen caterers can advise what produce is in season, be it asparagus, and create a dish utilising this – it’s also great for your sustainability and eco-credentials which is at the forefront of couples’ choices nowadays. What’s more, ‘farm to fork’ is again something the last year in lockdowns has shown us; where does our food come from? How is it sourced and where is it sourced? Using local suppliers not only supports small independent businesses, but it also cuts down on your carbon footprint so you can have a ‘green’ big day.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Couples can use their menu choices to refl ect the theme of the day, or their personalities and heritage. If the bride is Greek and the groom is Scottish, why not have a fusion of these two cuisines with a mixture of Scottish-themed canapés and delicious buffet of traditional Greek delicacies.

Have you planned your honeymoon in Japan, or adored your family holiday every year in Spain? Why not pick these destinations to set your menu? A Japanese food truck in the evening will be a welcomed treat for guests, while a huge sharing paella will be fi tting of an al fresco summer wedding reception ‒ Viva España! A ‘micro wedding’ trend that looks set to stay is: mini cakes! Gone was the gathering for the cake cutting, and in came lots of miniature wedding cakes which guests could take home with them! It ensures no wastage, and everyone can enjoy it after the big day – or why not serve it as your dessert course?

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SOME OF LONDON’S FINEST

KING SOLOMON’S CATERING

“Your wedding guests will remember how they feel on your wedding day long after the confetti has settled. Did they feel full or hungry, how long did they wait for canapés, did they grab a late-night takeaway on the way home from your wedding day? Moreover, people eat with all their senses; the food needs to look appealing, smell delicious and of course taste amazing; even more so for weddings.

“This is why choosing and working with a seasoned and experienced wedding caterer is very crucial on your wedding day. King Solomon’s Catering has been providing creative and innovative African and Caribbean culinary delights with a distinctive service for 20 years under the charge of professionally trained head chef Solomon Quartey who has over 25 years’ experience in the catering industry. Cooking only with the freshest ingredients from the finest produce and meat market in London, our delicious cuisine is a fusion of rich aroma, delectable flavours with depth of colour and texture.

“We have catered at prestigious London venues such as The Berkeley, Grand Connaught rooms, Morden Hall, Hampton Court House, Hilton Hotels, and are accredited to One Great George Street, Glazier Hall and The Old Finsbury town hall to name a few. The chef has also catered internationally including South of France, Sierra Leone and Ghana.

“Our wedding planner and chef will work with you to create your wedding breakfast during your private food tasting session at our kitchen which complements your wedding theme, venue and season. We offer various styles of food service from buffet to fine dining. We also encourage our couples to think outside of the box; for example, instead of the traditional three-course meal, why not have a six- or eight-course tasting menu especially curated for you? Or if you were going to stick to a traditional three-course meal, instead of chicken perhaps switching it up to duck or guinea fowl, or a lobster dish instead of pan seared salmon? Or perhaps a bento box-style service which is increasing in popularity thanks to Covid-19. The boxes are often personalised with the couple’s name, wedding colour or monogram; it also doubles up as a wedding favour/keepsake for guests. These boxes can be filled with an array of different kinds of food from canapés right through to dessert to represent the traditional sit-down meal, or even an assortment of sandwiches, cakes and scones for an afternoon tea-inspired wedding breakfast.”

Check out www.kingsolomonscatering.com PENNIBLACK EVENTS & CATERING

“Sustainability is of extreme importance to us here at PenniBlack and we’re devoted to making advancements in every aspect of the company when it comes to being eco-friendly. We love food and are dedicated to providing divine cuisine for a variety of events. Whilst we are famed as culinary creators, PenniBlack is also an event management specialist – we can source everything you need for your bespoke event, down to the finest details. Our previous clients have championed our ability to theme, style and create unique functions that everyone will remember.

“The thing we value most as a company is our team. Teamwork is fundamental, we work together helping each other and without this we would not be who we are. The PenniBlack creatives are handpicked for their unique qualities: professionalism, enthusiasm, creativity, honesty, integrity and respect.

“Our food is creative, seasonal and beautiful, we style and coordinate with passion and pride. The client will always be provided with detailed logistics, planning and risk assessments to ensure every element goes smoothly and seamlessly. Whether the client wants vintage furniture, eco-friendly table décor, handwritten chalkboards or colour coordinated beverages we will work hard to get it done. Every aspect will be made to suit our clients from start to finish.”

Check out www.penniblack.co.uk

SOCIAL PANTRY

Founded in 2011, by Alex Head, Social Pantry is one of London’s top caterers for seasonal, delicious and vibrant food served with style. It’s known for exciting, forward thinking and memorable events; with clients including Rhianna, David Attenborough and Hilary Clinton it’s no-wonder Social Pantry is the go-to wedding caterer.

Social Pantry pride themselves on their conscientious approach to employment, sustainability and social enterprise. Alex is a proud exoffender employer, recruiting from behind bars and on release: 10% of Social Pantry’s workforce are ex-offenders.

Social Pantry also has two neighbourhood cafes including Social Pantry Café in Battersea and Crane’s Kitchen in Peckham.

Check out www.socialpantry.co.uk