By STACEY GREEN MEADOWS
After the “I do’s”, the celebration begins. The reception is the part of the wedding where the bride and groom can show their own personal style. The traditional wedding reception with all the formalities from 20 years ago is out. Today’s wedding receptions include signature colors, combining several styles or themes, modern comfort foods and even wedding cupcakes.
“Know your likes and dislikes,” says Ed Riley, owner of Two Fat Men Catering. Let these guide your reception choices. If you are ameat and potatoes person, stay true to that. At the end of your wedding day, the last thing you want is pretentious food. Riley once catered a wedding reception in a huge field on a working farm. The menu included a whole roasted pig.
The Food
“Comfort food is a big trend,” says Riley. Riley begins with the traditional comfort food everyone grew up with and refines it with new combinations of ingredients. Havarti horseradish mac and cheese with chipotle meatballs, ahi tuna meatballs, peach mango chutney, chicken salad tartlets and sweet potato fries are popular choices for receptions. Riley has created the Fatman’s chicken waffle bite. A Southern fried chicken bite on a homemade waffle topped with Australian berry cream. The most creative and unimaginable dish Riley has created is chocolate bacon. Yes, you just read that correctly, CHOCOLATE BACON. Applewood smoked bacon is dipped in chocolate and topped with chopped peanuts.
Today’s groom cakes express the hobbies or interests of the groom. Cake alternatives include cupcakes, chocolate petit fours and dessert stations. Two Fat Men Catering offers a modern day version of the classic favorite s’mores. Guests dip graham cracker and marshmallow “popsicles” into warm chocolates.
With a little planning and creativity you can have the reception of your dreams.
MICHAEL’S CAFÉ
Michael’s Café offers both on-site and off-site catering. An intimate banquet room at the restaurant in Lebanon is the perfect setting for rehearsal dinners or receptions. They’ve catered everything from lunches for 25 to events with over 1000 guests. They have experience with vegetarian and gluten free menus and everything is made from scratch.
www.eatatmichaelscafe.com 615-453-3838
TWO FAT MEN CATERING
Two Fat Men’s specialty is Southern cuisine kicked up a notch with a gourmet twist & upscale barbeque. The love of food and creativity in the kitchen has also inspired Two Fat Men Catering to create menus based on Italian, Asian, Southwestern, and even Vegetarian cuisine! With much skill and experience, Two Fat Men Catering can accommodate almost any special diet or request.
www.twofatmencatering.com 615-443-4007
SWEET SATISFACTION CAKES
Sweet Satisfaction Cakes specialize in custom designed and carved cakes. They will work with you to design the cake of your dreams. They offer delivery and set up service. Be sure to order your cakes in advance.
www.sweetsatisfactioncakes.com 615-504-2948
