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This Community Newspaper is a publication of the Escambia-Santa Rosa Bar Association
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SAVOR THE MOMENT Vol. 24, No. 18
May 1, 2024
1 Section, 8 Pages
Section A, Page 1
CURATING THE PERFECT WEDDING MENU By Nicole Willis
F
ood is one of the most important elements of one’s wedding day. As an expression of culture, love and joy, it’s no wonder sharing a meal has become a staple part of a wedding day celebration. With so many types of cuisines and meal options out there, deciding on the perfect wedding day menu can sometimes be a daunting task. To bring you some delicious inspiration, we have consulted with local caterers to see what wedding food trends are stealing the hearts of couples along the Gulf Coast in 2024. Buffets & Food Bars If you search “wedding food” on Pinterest, you’re bound to come across photos of elaborate table spreads, beautiful grazing boards and customizable self-serve bars. Buffet-style dining and interactive food bars allow guests to get all of what they like, and nothing that they don’t. In recent years, buffet-style dining at weddings has become increasingly popular due to its casual and customizable nature. “In my experience, most people lean towards a buffet service here in Pensacola. This option allows your guests to have more selections to choose from,” Events Manager for Great Southern Events Kady Reeves said. Buffet-style food service is a change from the traditional plated
wedding meals of the past. “Buffets and [interactive] stations are very popular, even more so than plated. Really since the end of the pandemic, people seem to crave those opportunities for buffets, which is a shift from the traditional sit-down plated meal that was the most popular option for a long time,” Owner and Executive Chef of Nancy’s Catering & Events and Agapi Bistro + Garden Gus Silvos said. The self-serve nature of buffetstyle dining can be taken up a notch with food bars. Food bars allow guests to customize their plates to exactly their taste. Guests can start with a base and then layer on all the toppings, seasonings and sauces that they desire. With so many options, food bars are sure to satisfy every guest—whether they like their plate plain jane or piled high with fixins. From macaroni and cheese bars with bacon bits, cheese and breadcrumbs, to grits bars with shrimp, grilled veggies and cream sauce, there are a multitude of options for food bar bases and toppings. “Grits bars are always popular, and we’re seeing that even more so now. Again, I think it harks back to the comfort food that people have been seeking. Who doesn’t love a grits bar with all the toppings?” Silivos added. Choices & Variety Wedding menus are becoming more and more unique with fun flavors, different types of cuisine
and multiple entrée options. Today, couples are opting for a variety of food choices rather than a small, fixed menu. With so many amazing catering options available today, you can have your cake and eat it, too. Like the uniqueness of the special bond between you and your spouse, your wedding menu should reflect your unique tastes and personalities. Make your mealtime memorable with your favorite foods. Whether you want to pay homage to your ethnic heritage and serve up culturally traditional food or get quirky by putting an adult spin on some of your childhood comfort foods, there are so many ways to incorporate your food faves into your big day. “Couples seem to love comfort food and ethnic cuisine, which is definitely another shift from the traditional style I’ve seen over the years,” Silivos explained. In addition to variety in the types of cuisine that couples are choosing, many are also opting for variety in the protein options on their menu. Personal preferences and dietary restrictions may be considered when selecting the main courses of the night. “All my brides like to have variety. I would say most lean towards three protein options—steak, chicken and seafood,” Reeves explained. Along the same lines, General Manager of The District, Lisa Benson, said that “most couples that I’ve been meeting with are definitely leaning toward surf and turf.” As plant-based and healthconscious eating has become more popular, some couples are serving plant-based entrees, as well. “Plantbased options are more and more popular, whether it’s exclusively a vegan menu or just making sure those options are on the menu,”
Silivos explained. Even if you are not vegan or vegetarian, plantbased options can tend to be on the healthier side, which is perfect for anyone wanting to eat healthy. “In terms of food service, I believe people want to see more healthy choices,” Benson said. Continue the Culinary Celebration Who says the celebration has to be confined to one evening? Today, many couples are opting to celebrate their love for longer than the few hours of the ceremony and reception. It is common for couples to host pre- and postnuptial festivities for those closest to them. Some of the ways that couples are extending the celebration include welcome parties on the day before the wedding, day-of pre-ceremony drinks and postnuptial brunches the morning after the big day. An important element of any celebration or event is, of course, food! To kick off the wedding festivities early, consider hosting a welcome party! Traditionally, rehearsal dinners are the primary festivities held the day before the wedding, however, welcome parties are now playing a part in the day, too. Welcome parties differ from rehearsal dinners in the way that rehearsal dinners are typically reserved for those in the wedding party or close family and friends, but welcome parties usually include everyone invited to the wedding. Welcome parties also tend to be more casual celebrations for socialization and fun. “The new ‘trend’ these days is to do a Welcome Party for guests the night before the wedding. Dessert spreads are very popular at these events,” Reeves said. Pre-wedding libations and finger foods are a popular choice
for a treat on the wedding day. Upon arrival at the venue, guests can sip on a beverage and enjoy small bites before the ceremony begins. Silivos has implemented this trend locally. “We had a local artisan, Kasia Szabo, create a beautiful champagne wall for weddings we host in the Agapi Garden, and it’s one of our most popular requests! A full wall of champagne flutes filled up to greet guests when they arrive is a great way to start a celebration,” he said. After a fun day of festivities, celebrating and partying—let’s face it—many are going to be hungover and exhausted! What better remedy than a delicious spread of hearty brunch foods? Consider treating your closest friends and family to a delicious (and sobering) brunch to end your weekend of wedding fun. ■
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