25 Meals Caterers Say To not Serve at a Marriage ceremony

{Couples} are confronted with numerous choices throughout wedding ceremony planning, however presumably none as vital as deciding on the meals they’ll be serving at their cocktail hour and reception. “You don’t need to dish up something you may’t execute completely,” advises Analisa Charles, director of catering on the 4 Seasons Resort Maui. Many {couples} have a need to recreate a restaurant expertise, which doesn’t at all times translate at these sorts of events. “As an example, pouring soup tableside for 10 folks is possible, however doing so for 300 friends at a marriage in a well timed vogue could be pure chaos,” says Katie Dietrich, assistant director of catering, Amway Grand Plaza, Curio Assortment by Hilton.

Forward, high caterers and cooks share the meals objects they’d by no means serve at their very own wedding ceremony together with a substitute that’ll preserve everybody smiling and satiated.  

Lengthy Pasta Noodles

Company don’t need to fear about staining their outfits whereas consuming pasta, particularly when standing up at a cocktail hour. “Folks slurping spaghetti or fettuccini noodles with napkins tucked into their shirts is just not what I’d need to see at my wedding ceremony!” laughs Charles. 

What to Serve As an alternative: “Go for bite-size, shorter pastas like gemelli, lumache, orecchiette, tiny ravioli, or tortellini, that are extra elevated and quite a bit simpler to eat,” suggests Jack McCann, government chef at Merri-Makers Catering. 

Uncooked Meals

“A marriage is just not one of the best place to serve issues corresponding to unpasteurized cheeses and steak tartare,” warns Sue Manzi, catering director on the Fairmont Miramar Resort & Bungalows. “Leaving most of these objects off the menu will guarantee meals security.”

What to Serve As an alternative: “If you happen to’d like to offer your friends an elevated ‘uncooked’ expertise, contemplate a cooked ceviche made with poached shrimp, avocado and marinated in citrus and spices,” says Jolie Oree-Bailey, proprietor and government chef, Low Nation Quisine.

Recreation Meats

“Serving wild recreation like rabbit, elk, boar, or wild duck could also be interesting to adventurous eaters, however the majority of friends at a marriage wouldn’t see the worth and will even discover the meals to be inappropriate,” says Keyon Hammond, co-owner and government chef at Get Plated. 

What to Serve As an alternative: “As a substitute, I’d suggest bison ribeye or braised lamb shanks served osso buco model to supply a various vary of steak textures,” says Ben Morse, a banquet chef at The Joule. 

Fried Meals

Fried meals solely style good once they’re contemporary. “If the timeline is delayed due to photographs or lengthy speeches, fried meals runs the chance of turning into soggy,” says Ryan Craft, president, Culinary Crafts.

What to Serve As an alternative: Provide tasty seared or grilled alternate options to fried meals, suggests Susan Wesselhoft, director of catering gross sales, W South Seaside. “Each could be ready upfront with out shedding their enchantment.” When you’ve got your coronary heart set on a fried dish, go for a meals station the place all the things is cooked and plated to order. “Or contemplate having your fried meals handed butler model, so it’s made in small batches and served instantly,” provides Craft.

Appetizers That Require Help

“I don’t suggest handed hors d’oeuvres that aren’t one-bite objects,” says Lisa Wilgus, director of catering at Ashore Resort & Seaside Membership. “Company shouldn’t have to fret about the place to drop their skewers or plates, plus individuals are extra prone to partake in dialog when the handed hors d’oeuvre is just not difficult to eat.” 

What to Serve As an alternative: Think about handheld or bite-sized handed appetizers that don’t require utensils, corresponding to petite crab muffins with an aioli, seared ahi tuna garnished with seaweed salad, bruschetta and deviled eggs topped with jumbo lump crab. Or serve a couple of appetizers in edible spoons or wonton cups. “Not solely do these vessels get rid of the necessity for separate plates or utensils, however they add a component of novelty to the eating expertise,” suggests Caleb Blackerby, CEO and founding father of First Class Catering.

Outsized Tacos

Whereas they might sound like a enjoyable thought, tacos could be messy and tough to eat gracefully at a proper occasion. “The chance of sauces dripping and toppings falling make them lower than perfect for a marriage reception the place class is vital,” says Sarah Kuhlberg, artistic advertising director, Colette’s Catering & Occasions.

What to Serve As an alternative: Go for miniature tacos or tiny tostadas, one-bite objects that work nicely with tray passing. “They provide the identical savory satisfaction with out the mess plus they’re simple to deal with,” notes Kuhlberg. 

Popsicles, Granitas and Ice Cream

Sadly, ice and cream-based desserts don’t maintain up for lengthy durations of time. “There are too many variables with temperatures that may’t be managed. And as soon as they begins to get smooth, you may’t refreeze them,” says Stacy Failing, senior director of occasions, Chew Catering Couture. 

What to Serve As an alternative: Think about different dessert choices corresponding to cotton sweet, candy or savory foams, fruity popping boba, stunning edible flowers (corresponding to mini hibiscus), or an on-site snow cone machine.

Carving Stations

“Carving stations at a cocktail hour can fill your friends up, so when it comes time for the dinner entrée, their starvation has subsided and the meals does not style nearly as good,” says Failing. Plus, issues like a big beef roast are too primal, too giant, and could be tough to chop at a station, provides McCann. 

What to Serve As an alternative: Serve a number of smaller-sized meat appetizers corresponding to mini beef wellingtons, hen ropa vieja empanadas, or hen and waffles. “I like a bite-sized filet on toast with horseradish sauce or a one-bite mini Cuban or Reuban sandwich,” says McCann. 

Too Many Dessert Choices

How a lot dessert does somebody actually need after a full dinner, cocktails, and dancing? “Usually, quite a bit lower than you might assume,” shares Failing. “A lot of it goes to waste, particularly when a visitor makes up a giant pattern plate for the desk that no person finally ends up consuming.”

What to Serve As an alternative: Restrict your dessert choices and contemplate placing the funds in direction of a superb espresso bar or espresso service or individually wrapping or boxing treats so friends can take them dwelling to get pleasure from.  

Meals With Frequent Allergens

It’s not unusual for cooks to incorporate nuts in salads, shellfish in soups, or eggs of their desserts, substances that may wreak havoc with somebody who has a extreme allergy. “Catering cooks are well-versed in understanding dietary restrictions and are very happy to accommodate,” notes Kuhlberg.

What to Serve As an alternative: Go for variations like a mango curry over a peanut satay sauce to your hen skewers, or crispy quinoa as a substitute of walnuts on a salad. “You can even omit dairy by selecting issues like olive oil roasted potatoes in lieu of creamy mashed potatoes,” says Kuhlberg.

Soup as a First Course

Soup loses its warmth rapidly, leaves no room for modification relating to allergic reactions or dietary restrictions, and is excessive danger for spills. 

What to Serve As an alternative: Think about downsizing to particular person soup shooters full of butternut squash or tomato bisque served with mini grilled sandwiches. “They add a contact of sophistication and could be offered with out the necessity for cumbersome spoons,” says Kuhlberg. 

Tableside à la Minute Service

“I’m all for particular touches, corresponding to providing contemporary floor pepper, pouring devour over a fish fillet, or a tableside Caesar salad tossing, as I firmly imagine friends eat with their eyes first. However until your wedding ceremony timeline features a two-hour allotment for dinner, don’t supply à la minute service at a marriage reception,” suggests Dietrich. 

What to Serve As an alternative: There are many artistic methods so as to add a ‘wow’ issue with out sacrificing time away from the dance flooring. “Fairly than attempting to impress friends with the plating, use visible colours, textures, or interactive ideas—corresponding to making a spectacular dessert second with a chocolate sphere that friends can crack open as soon as the lid is eliminated—to catch their consideration,” says Dietrich. 

Child Lamb Chops

Many caterers really feel the second for lamb chops has handed. “Consuming one along with your fingers through the cocktail hour isn’t very stylish,” says Olivier Cheng, president, Olivier Cheng Catering and Occasions. 

What to Serve As an alternative: Cheng suggests an herbed crusted lamb loin or a lamb loin on an natural rosemary skewer with mint sauce, whereas Carly Katz-Hackman, chief gross sales officer at Pinch Meals Design, likes to substitute lamb with roast duck. “I like to pair duck with a grappa cherry served over a dice of fried polenta,” she says.

Out-of-Season Fruits and Greens

{Couples} want to think about what’s in season when planning for fruit and veggies. “We now have an unimaginable strawberry and orange salad on our menu, however we don’t like serving it in December as strawberries aren’t prime at the moment of the yr,” says Missy Holmes, director of catering and convention providers at Mountain Shadows Resort Scottsdale.

What to Serve As an alternative: Verify in along with your catering supervisor to debate produce seasonality. “For instance, an heirloom tomato could also be finest served through the hotter months, whereas beets are extra perfect within the late fall,” notes Holmes.

Messy or Over-Sauced Meals

Except your wedding ceremony is tremendous informal in theme, it’s finest to keep away from issues like BBQ ribs, burgers and wings. “Why would you need to put your well-dressed friends ready the place they should nosh on excessively saucy, greasy finger meals that would break their outfits?” asks Wilgus.

Crumpled, sauce-stained napkins may also wreck a tablescape and look horrible within the background of images, provides says Eunique Davis, director of catering on the Eaton, DC. “Plus, extra serviette waste is generated by most of these dishes.”

What to Serve As an alternative: Flip wings into lollipops. “Doing so makes for a simple and mess-free expertise that may be loved in a single chunk, with one hand,” shares Alexandra Dettori, government chef and proprietor of Alexandra Dettori Catering + Occasions. Davis suggests swapping wings and ribs out with a hen tender served with a easy, easy-to-manage dipping sauce. “You’ll be able to at all times incorporate fascinating presentation parts to raise the second,” he says. “My private favourite is hen and waffles on a syrup shooter.”

Flambéed Desserts

“Think about having 200 flaming baked Alaskas round desk linens and friends who’ve been ingesting,” says Dettori. In case your thought requires a hearth extinguisher shut by, “it’s time to maneuver onto one other thought,” says Mac Osborne, a co-founder of Comparti Catering.  

What to Serve As an alternative: If you happen to crave an interactive dessert, contemplate a lavender granita with a lemon cream sauce poured on high. “Sure substances naturally react to the acidity of citrus by altering colour and this gives you the ‘wow’ issue you’re on the lookout for,” explains Dettori. 

“As an appetizer, we serve what appears to be like to be an enormous oyster cracker with a maraca that friends use to smash open the pastry to disclose a fantastic salad inside,” says Katz-Hackman. “You are able to do this with a dessert by overlaying a tres leches cake with a meringue cloud, for instance.”

Pigs in a Blanket

This basic hors d’oeuvre is simply too informal for many weddings. “Plus, I don’t like how their flakey pastry can break aside, probably ruining the visitor expertise,” says Vincent Cani, an government chef at Evermore Resort. 

What to Serve As an alternative: Enjoying on the identical basic ,all-American theme of pigs in blanket, a bite-size lobster corn canine is made with a light-weight batter, so much less prone to flake or crumble. “It’s additionally extra elevated,” says Cani. Or, you could possibly strive a extra elegant saucisson en croute, which has the identical salty taste and coated pastry, provides Diane Gordon, proprietor of Diane Gordon Catering.

Charcuterie Boards because the Principal Meal

Grazing boards could be nice for a cocktail hour, “however we at all times dissuade {couples} from providing one as their dinner entrée as they’ll go away friends feeling hungry,” says Soete. 

What to Serve As an alternative: {Couples} can look to diversify and add playfulness to their menu by exploring quite a lot of stations, particularly these that includes stay cook dinner corresponding to stir fry, grilling, or hand-rolling sushi. “You continue to give friends the choice to graze and select the bites that curiosity them, however in a extra fulfilling method,” notes Soete.

Overly Spicy Meals

“Though they’ll add depth and complexity to a dish, not everyone seems to be tolerant of spice and sure seasonings can simply overpower a dish,” says Soete. “You don’t need folks breaking a sweat through the cocktail or dinner hour—that’s what the dance flooring is for!”

What to Serve As an alternative: “If you happen to select to incorporate peppers in your menu, ensure the seeds and portions are used sparingly and embody nothing hotter than a jalapeño or a thinly sliced or diced serrano pepper,” advises Soete. Or add flavorful warmth with milder sauces and spices. “Nice examples embody Japanese horseradish, yuzu scorching sauce, sriracha, curries, or Cajun spices,” says Oree-Bailey. 

Meals With Seeds

“Whereas I admire their dietary advantages, seeds within the tooth aren’t probably the most applicable search for a marriage,” says Cheng.

What to Serve As an alternative: Maintain seeds off the menu by providing appropriate alternate options corresponding to in a single day oats with a wildflower honey. “Think about a non-seeded bread with a ricotta butter unfold or a sea salt French butter,” notes Cheng.

Leafy Inexperienced Salads

“A first course salad could be anticipated and cliché and lots of can’t preserve their high quality, particularly when the timing of a primary course must be adjusted resulting from drawn-out speeches and toasts,” says Steve Fortunato, founder and CEO at Roomforty.  

What to Serve As an alternative: “To raise the primary course, contemplate a crudo or seasonal vegetable dish, like heirloom tomatoes and burrata cheese,” says Fortunato. “If a pair insists on salad, keep away from spring blended greens or romaine as these lettuces are liable to wilting if the dressing stays on too lengthy and go together with little gem lettuces, child kale, arugula, and endive—leaves that can keep crispy longer.”

Meals With Robust Odors

“I wouldn’t serve meals with highly effective aromas like garlic and onions, which can lead to dangerous breath and an aftertaste,” says Meg Walker, president, MBM Hospitality. 

What to Serve As an alternative: As an alternative, strive dishes that characteristic substances like contemporary herbs corresponding to dill, basil, and mint. 

Dangerous Meals Selections

Steer away from something too distinctive, like eel, liver patê, or wild boar which can not resonate with everybody’s palate desire. “You’ll danger having hungry friends and losing meals if the group isn’t ,” says Olivia Franklin, occasion and wedding ceremony supervisor, JW Marriott Grand Rapids. 

What to Serve As an alternative: You’ll be able to nonetheless implement fascinating and underutilized flavors, however make it the supporting actor greater than the starring function. “For instance, use patê on a charcuterie board as an non-obligatory condiment or an octopus salad versus a grilled octopus entrée,” notes Soete. Or you may take a favourite meals merchandise and add a singular twist so it turns into extra approachable to your friends. “For instance, sesame hen meatballs with a honey sriracha glaze are a good way to boost a well-known dish, whereas matcha cake with vanilla buttercream subtly elevates a standard wedding ceremony cake,” notes Franklin.

Chocolate Fountains 

Chocolate fountains could be messy and their odor overwhelming. “The scent can take over the whole venue,” says Reuel Vincent, government chef for Aspire & One Dine at One World Observatory. “Plus, the standard of the chocolate diminishes rapidly if it’s not replenished constantly all through the night. After which there’s the very fact chocolate can splatter—and also you run a excessive probability of friends double-dipping.” 

What to Serve As an alternative: Higher alternate options to a chocolate fountain embody a gelato bar, scorching chocolate bar, chocolate truffle bar, and ice cream sandwich bar. “With a scorching chocolate bar, you may serve a wealthy home made scorching chocolate, nearly like a liquid ganache, and friends can select whipped cream or marshmallows as toppings,” says Gordon.

Meals Over 4 Programs

Timetables are at all times tight at a reception and serving greater than 4 programs means much less dancing and time to get pleasure from your friends. 

What to Serve As an alternative: Stick with a three- or four-course dinner on the most. “You’ll be able to deliver in additional meals with late-night snacks, that are a good way so as to add a private factor to the top of a marriage. For instance, if the couple shared a pizza on their first date, they’ll order and serve pies,” says Charles.