Your Hampshire & Dorset Wedding - Mar/Apr 2020 (Issue 79)

MEALS ON WHEELS The popularity of festival-style weddings shows no sign of slowing soon and with it comes a whole new era of creative catering solutions for fun al fresco dining. Variety is key, catering for everything from vegan options to live-action food stations serving up international dishes from around the globe, anything from paella to oriental stir fries and hot and spicy curries to good old British fish and chips, straight from the van. Food trucks delivering traditional favourites such as burgers and hot dogs are perfect for the evening party or a sizzling hog roast for when the late night munchies set in; ideal for feeding a crowd. Meat The Cheese is a mobile food van serving high-welfare grilled meat and delectable melting cheese in a range of tantalising options including steak and cheese baguettes and cheddar and cider cheese fondue. “We use fresh watercress from the nearby farm, our meat and cheeses are sourced locally and our French bread is baked on-site and served still warm,” says owner Anthony Goodwin. The business is committed to sustainable principles too, so all wrappings and disposable items are compostable and they only use recyclable cans, not plastic bottles. Visit meatthecheese.co.uk CHIN, CHIN When it comes to big-day tipples, bubbly and weddings go hand and hand. The only problem can be which to choose. Cecile Bergart, wine tutor, champagne expert and owner of The Hampshire Wine School is here to help. She says, “People naturally turn to fizz as it adds a sense of occasion, an air of sophistication and overall excitement to any wedding. There are a few facts to note however, before toasting your forever after.” ❤ Deciding when and how to serve your fizz is crucial, as it will determine not only the type of bubbly you’ll need, but also the quantity. ❤ Finding your perfect bubbly is just like choosing your wedding dress; it takes a lot of trials! Taste as many different types as you can before the day. (A champagne or a sparkling wine tasting at the Hampshire Wine School will help!) ❤ Remember that it’s perfectly fine to include several types of bubbly throughout the big day. Cava in the morning for your mimosa (the French equivalent to bucks fizz), prosecco for the welcome drinks in the early afternoon, champagne brut for the toast before the evening meal, champagne demi-sec with the cake, and some French crémant or a sparkling wine from South Africa at the bar.  ❤ If you’re looking for something a bit decadent and extravagant to serve with the wedding breakfast, vintage and rosé champagnes are particularly well-suited to enjoy with food. ❤ Ultimately, it’s your taste that should prevail when selecting the drinks, so have fun finding the one ! Visit hampshirewineschool.com CATERING 61