Your East Anglian Wedding - Dec/Jan 2019 (Issue 40)

 All the latest in wedding catering T he catering accounts for a hefty chunk of the big-day budget and increasingly food-savvy couples are looking for options to reflect their lives and loves, as well as the style and theme of their celebration. The year ahead promises even more freedom with continued demand for relaxed dining and options to suit all tastes. We spoke to local experts to get their take on what’s cooking for 2020... jonnybarratt.com Sharing is caring Ongoing trends underline the growing shift towards help-yourself tables, sharing platters and people-friendly options to help guests mix and mingle. Charlie McLaughlin of Cambridgeshire-based Little Piggy Catering says, “Couples are continuing to look for more informal and interactive dining options as well as something that will wow their guests. Food done well can add to the décor and overall feel of the wedding.” Here she shares her top foodie forecasts: ❤ The grazing station will continue to go from strength to strength. We’re talking opulent displays, not to be confused with the tired buffets of old. Think, antipasto platters that guests can revisit time and again, great for a relaxed drinks reception, and gourmet dessert bars. These options not only give people plenty of choice, but deliver on wow factor too. ❤ Interactive is a buzzword for the year ahead. Wedding guests are less likely to have an individual plate of food delivered to them at the table. Instead the feasting style of service is continuing to find favour with sharing plates to pass around or amazing food stations where guests can help-themselves and create their own meal. There are lots of fun options, like build-your-own burgers or burritos. ❤ Sustainability is an increasingly important consideration. With the spotlight firmly on the environment people are calling for more sustainable food in all areas of their lives including weddings. Couples are also looking to avoid single-use plastic products, so we’ll be seeing more use of cardboard and natural food containers, particularly for the more relaxed-style weddings. Reducing the environmental impact of weddings is an important consideration, with much talk of veganism and plant-based diets which is filtering through to catering too. Some couples are looking for vegan courses or in some cases entirely vegan menus. ❤ Informal evening food is as popular as ever, including street food vans, barbecues, homely and indulgent favourites, be it burgers, pizzas, waffles or your favourite ice cream. Visit littlepiggycatering.co.uk ON THE MENU fayeamare.co.uk Katy Craddock Photography Katy Craddock Photography jonnybarratt.com jonnybarratt.com jonnybarratt.com jonnybarratt.com CATERING 63