Chicken - not the boring wedding meal!

Chicken!  It doesn't have to be boring!

The nice thing about having a smaller size wedding is that you can actually play a little more with your menu!  Don't be afraid to add a zesty sauce or some fun variation on "just" chicken!

The chicken above is an organic roasted chicken with soy ginger sauce and a variety of bell peppers and sun dried tomatoes as the stuffing!  A little different and something your guests would enjoy!

If you're not sure how to prepare the chicken you can think "theme"- or you can think SEASON!  Picking food by season is a great way to go!  If you go by season then you are assured of getting fresh ingredients that have their perfect "seasonal" flavoring!  Meaning the tastes explode because it's that time of year for that particular ingredient!  Example: I LOVE Rainier Cherries but they are only available a few weeks out of the year!  If you are getting married when they are in season- then you may want to go with a duck with a cherry sauce and add some rainier cherries!  Many of our TOP restaurants have and encourage seasonal menu's we are able to do the same!  Below are some of our more popular chicken dishes!  

Some of the chicken dishes we offer are:

Grilled chicken breast with Artichoke and Mushroom Herb Sauce

Chicken Piccata : Chicken Medallions with Lemon Juice, Wine, Capers and Olive Oil

Chicken Fajitas: with tomatoes, peppers, cilantro, guacamole, and grilled onions and tomatoes

California chicken: boneless breast of chicken stuffed with Jarlsberg Cheese, almonds, and Granny Smith Apples, then roasted and topped with Apricot Brandy Sauce

Chicken Breast with spinach, goat cheese, and black trumpet mushrooms

***And these are just a few!

Now what completes the perfect chicken dinner entree???  The sides!

Don't be afraid to go to something a little more unusual to complete the meal!

Go and try something like the black rice or bamboo rice!  YUMMY!

There are many choices with vegetables too!  And like many restaurants the perfect bite means getting a little bit of everything and piling it on!  So sometimes you may want to go for a served formal meal and you want the perfect bite!  Our Chef- Chris Adlesh is always available to chat and will gladly help you customize your menu!  

So again don't ever be afraid to choose something like Chicken!  It's time to take it to a different level!  Being an organic catering company means that you will always get exquisite flavors from your meats to your side dishes.  Yes, cost might be a little higher- but the food is fresh and healthy and full of flavor.  

You can make your meal a part of your wedding that people will remember and be talking about!  Organic automatically gives it a wow factor!  Just remember go for what you like and definitely think out of the box!  

Happy planning everyone!  And don't forget you have a Chef at your disposal so call us and let us help you come up with your ideal menu!

Best of wishes,

Suggestions on how to plan your menu.....Here We GO!

Food may or may not be at the top of your list but it is still an important part of your wedding.  But when looking at our 26 page menu many of our clients look at me bewildered and a bit lost!  It's perfectly normal!  So here is what I tell people in order to simplify the process.

First, think of a restaurant you like to go to "If you were on a date with your fiance where would you go?" Once you have the image- then ask yourselves "What would I eat?".  Then it's time to get a paper and pen and WRITE IT DOWN!  This is your starting point!

As a caterer I like to start with what you ACTUALLY like to eat!  And no- you aren't limited to the 26 page menu.  If there is something you decide you REALLY want for your menu- then let us know.  Chances are we will be able to do it for you.  If we can't- we'll be honest and tell you.  But remember- there is never any harm in asking!

I would like to get a menu from my clients that actually represents THEM!  For example - I don't like fish.  I could say I'm allergic- but truthfully I'm not a big fan of it- never have been.  All of my friends and family know this about me.  If I had fish at my wedding it would strike an odd note with everyone.  They would question why it is on the menu- especially when I have such a strong dislike to it!  Now I absolutely LOVE Beet Salad with Feta Cheese- so this was an obvious choice for the salad.  And one that everyone understood.  In other words- the menu actually reflected ME!  I would like for all my brides and grooms to take on this philosophy!  I want to do a customized menu for you that represents YOU as a couple!  Something that would make perfect sense to your family and friends!

Secondly, once you write your own individual menu's down from your favorite restaurant and your favorite date night- then it's time to blend them together!

This might seem like a daunting task at first- it really isn't too bad.  And if you and your fiance are from different cultures- all the better!  Things can be different!  Don't be afraid of that!

For example I had a couple that was married at Cypress Sea Cove a couple of years ago.  He was Argentine and she was Filipino.  They both had two completely different menus in mind.  No problem- we mixed it up and had some fun!  

Here was their menu!

For the cocktail hour: Tray Passed Hors d'oeuvres

Braised Short Rib Shumai

Mushroom Heart Puffs

Cheese, Tomato, and Basil Empanadas

Choripan (an Argentine Chorizo in a French Baguette)

Chilled Spicy Avocado Soup Shots

Served Salad:

Farmer's Market Salad with Fresh Heirloom Tomatoes and Baby Vegetables with Balsamic Vinaigrette

Buffet- Main Meal

French Baguettes- on table for bread and salted butter

Argentinean Style Skirt Steak with Fresh Chimichurri Sauce (on the side)

Grilled Bone-In chicken Cut In To size

Grilled Short Ribs

Roasted Fingerling Potatoes with Garlic and Rosemary

Local Farmers Grilled Assorted Vegetables

Four Cheese Mac & Cheese

Seafood Salad with Couscous, Lemon Pesto and Marinated Garden Vegetable Fricasse

Bar:  Client supplied ALL drinks- alcohol and non-alcoholic- we supplied the bartender.

Basic Coffee Bar supplied by us.

Cost - $72.68 Per Person 

***This price DID include all labor and rentals too!

Yup- it was a huge menu and all their guests LOVED it!!!!

So my point is take a moment and don't be afraid to write down what you love.  However, keep in mind that venues DO have limitations!  NOTHING fried please!  We cannot transport hot oil!  I always make the point that not even the In-N-Out truck has fries- that's for a very good reason!  It's dangerous!  Baked and grilled- all perfectly possible!

Thirdly, don't let pricing scare you!  Our job here is to keep you in budget!  So let us know what your REALISTIC budget is!  Once we know we can help you choose items for your menu that will work.  Remember we ARE and ORGANIC caterer!  This means that ingredients are a little more costly- so your ingredients influence your price.  But being organic means that everything has good flavors!  

I hope this helps start your menu planning!  Just call us with questions and we'll walk you through the process!

Happy Planning One and All!