When hosting a big event it is key to cater for different dietary requirements. By choosing an experienced catering service in Philadelphia you can make sure your guests feel appreciated and have a memorable meal.
By working with expert chefs such as The Tomato Shack Salad & Pizza Co, Manayunk, couples can create a cohesive menu. Below is a plan on how to create an inclusive wedding menu for your big day.
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Gather Dietary Information Early During the RSVP Process
Create Clear RSVP Cards
It’s important to collect your guests’ dietary requirements early on. Traditional RSVP cards can sometimes cause confusion. Make sure you have your RSVP cards or online form set up to give clear answers.
Asking about any life threatening allergies and lifestyle preferences will help your kitchen staff create the right meal. Giving text boxes for severe allergies will help give your kitchen staff the necessary information.
Categorise Dietary Requirements
Once you begin to get answers back it will help you to organise them into categories. Group them into medical allergies, religious requirements and lifestyle choices. This will help you understand how flexible your menu can be.
Give the information to your wedding planners so there isn’t any confusion. Your chefs can also prepare specialist ingredients in advance. Working with a premier catering service in Philadelphia will give you clear reports which can help your kitchen team create a clean space for your guests.
Create Inclusive Appetizers and Cocktail Hour Food
Design Small Plates
Your cocktail hour will set the tone of your reception so it’s important to include some dishes that everyone can enjoy. Don’t worry about creating individual meals for everyone, instead create meals that are inclusive.
Veggie crudités, luxury fruit skewers and rice paper spring rolls will please almost everyone. Add some colourful plant based spreads such as roasted red pepper hummus and fresh guacamole. This will make sure your guests who are vegan, dairy free and gluten free can enjoy some lovely canapés.
Make Sure to Have Clear Labels
Labeling the food on the buffet table will help identify whether there is anything that could cause allergies in the food served. It can be nuts, dairy, gluten or soya. In case you serve food that is passed, you must let your staff know about their ingredients so that people with special dietary needs can enjoy the delicious food.
Choose Versatile Service Styles for Maximum Flexibility
Having a buffet or eating station will automatically increase inclusivity on your menu. The guests can pick what they want to eat and avoid any of the ingredients that may be an issue.
Having a food station such as a custom salad bar or artisan taco station will allow your guests to create their perfect meal. Using interactive food will make your guests feel like their dietary requirements are part of the experience.
For plated meals you’ll need to think a little differently. Work with your chefs to create a main menu that has no major allergens. Make sure you have a double protein dish or hearty plant based main. This will make sure those who need specialist meals don’t feel like an after thought. Every plate will look beautiful and your guests will feel loved.
Rethink Main Courses with Appealing Base Meals
An inclusive meal will not probably end up as boring meals. You can achieve this by preparing the main meal using a variety of grains, roasted root vegetables, and spices. You may use a grain that is gluten-free as the basis of your meal.
This means your kitchen can create the same bases for everyone. Your chefs can then add grilled meats, pan seared fish or marinated tofu. Working with a premier catering service in Philadelphia will allow you to create some unique fusion dishes.
Roasted acorn squash with spiced legumes and eggplant stack towers will please your non-vegetarians and vegetarians. Focusing on rich natural ingredients means you won’t need to use heavy dairy or wheat based sauces. Creating a luxurious meal will please your guests with bigger appetites.
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Create Inclusive Desserts & Late Night Snacks
Include Allergy Free Wedding Cakes
Everyone should be able to enjoy your wedding desserts. Traditional wedding cakes do contain lots of wheat, butter and eggs however there are now amazing options available. Many couples choose to have a small traditional cake to cut and a dessert station with gluten free cupcakes and vegan tarts. This means everyone can enjoy a variety of sweet treats.
Create Delicious Late Night Snacks
The late night snacks will make your party guests who dance all night feel happy. The comfort foods include gourmet flatbreads, french fries bars, and artisan tacos. The adaptation of using gluten-free base and dairy-free cheese will ensure that everyone gets to enjoy the late night snacks. Using catering services who know how to adapt will ensure the success of your late night snacks.
Manage Cross-Contamination Hazards and Kitchen Safety
Keeping your kitchen clean will help those with severe allergies. Professional weddings caterers will create separate spaces for your meals. Using coloured chopping boards, fresh aprons and clean utensils will help create allergen free meals.
Having good communication between your front and back of house staff will make sure that you’re able to provide your guests with a smooth dining experience. Any dishes that have been plated up for guests with severe allergies should be covered up and labelled with their table number.
By working with an experienced catering service in Philadelphia you can be confident that your staff will have the knowledge to keep everyone safe. You can guarantee that your guests will receive their specialised dishes quickly.
Conclusion
Although some careful planning and consideration is needed, providing an inclusive menu can be a fantastic experience. By collecting information ahead of time, creating natural inclusive recipes and ensuring strict safety procedures are in place there will be a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
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