MONEY MATTERS WITH SHEILA--WEDDING RECEPTION DISASTERS

Here at Killer Crafts & Crafty Killers we’re all about DIY and saving money. However, sometimes it’s best to hire experts. Such is the case with wedding receptions. Today we welcome back guest blogger Zain with tips to help avoid wedding reception disasters. Zain writes for Feast Your Eyes! Inc. They provide services such as catering weddings in Toronto as well as event design.

Catering Secrets: Avoiding A Wedding Reception Disaster

Weddings can be wonderful yet expensive occasions. They are most wonderful if planned and done effectively, including the reception and catering. Couples often easily use a good quarter of their wedding budget on food and alcohol for the reception. Since the average wedding budget is around $20,000, that amounts to at least $5,000. If you want to have a successful catered event for your wedding, making all the time and money put into it worthwhile, there are some common mistakes and mishaps you want to AVOID making that can cause a wedding reception disaster.

Mistake one, the DIY disaster. Unless you're a professional in such services and just have to be hands-on, it's best you avoid taking the catering into your own hands. There are many levels in the planning and execution of a wedding reception and its catering. Beyond the food itself, you have the decorations, storage, the serving, and the actual timing of it all, including the food preparation. So it's best to leave it to professionals and not let your inexperience lead to a major headache.

Another no-no for wedding catering is the overly elaborate menu. Some actually believe that having a big menu will make the event grander, but having an extensive menu can lead to a waste of food. So it's best to keep it simple. A little variety is good but not too much.

Nothing can leave a bad taste in the mouths of guests like less than tasty food. Be sure to have a taste testing and know what's in store from your caterer. The last thing you need is food that is way too dull in taste or way too salty. Guests may not remember the color of the decorations and clothing from the ceremony, but food is likely to stick with them, being either really good or bad. Also, be sure to give clear instructions to the caterers and lay down the terms of the service so all parties have a sure knowledge of what to expect. This can spare you from poor service and disputes.

Another possible disaster that can be catastrophic in terms of implications (including crowd control) is not having enough food. This is why careful planning is critical and you must work with experienced chefs that can calculate and accommodate needs based on the number of guests. You may want to have a backup plan just in case expected numbers happen to be exceeded.

For a successfully catered event, make sure you do your homework. Look closely at catering companies and cross examine them, knowing what to expect and knowing what you want. Keep communications clear and remember to have a taste test if possible, not doing so could be a disastrous mistake. Your wedding is probably one of, if not the biggest, day of your life, and it's something you may have dreamed of for years. If you want it to go smoothly and happily, be sure to avoid the mistakes we went over and do all necessary research.

DECORATING WITH JEANIE--CATERING SECRETS FROM ZAIN

If you’re decorating for a party, don’t forget to decorate the meal. Here are some from the catering industry, provided today by guest contributor Zain. Zain writes for Feast Your Eyes! Inc. They provide services such as catering in Toronto as well as event design.

Catering Secrets on How to Present Your Food Properly

Caterers can have a very challenging job when it comes to making meals look and taste great. Caterers can be thought of as food artists that paint the plate with a certain mood and feeling. It can be difficult because styles are always changing and you also need an out of the box mind set to make it successful. For those who aren't experts in food design don't worry because you can follow these awesome tips.

Start at the Base of it All

Picking the right plates, glasses, cutlery, and linens will help bring out the features of the dish.  A good rule of thumb is the dish itself should add interest and appeal to the food without overpowering the food. Most chefs will use white to offset the food and even more so the shape of the plate can give a big impression.

Separate Sauce
Some people may assume that if there is a sauce that goes with the meal, it's better to drizzle it over the food. However, dishes that are soupy like curry should be placed separately as a decorative design.

Let the Food Suit the Occasion
Some parties have themes. It is always a good idea to make sure that the foods served are befitting of the occasion. A good caterer takes time to discover the right foods that can be served. They prepare different plates for mixed crowds. Kids and adults should not have the same plates. Something that is appealing to a child may be less than appetizing to an adult. This is what people have to consider when they are in the catering business.

Sometimes Simple is Better
It doesn't always have to be a complex to be appetizing. Sometimes the simple entrees are the best. It is always much better to do a simple presentation for a large crowd. This saves time and allows caterers to do so much more with less. It can be quite difficult to put complex meals together without overcrowding the plate. It is much better to have a simple plate that presents the food in a neat way by using garnishes to add to the dish without overcomplicating it.

Accentuate the Entrees with Sides
Good caterers know that green leafy salads are always attractive side items. Lots of people like salads and this side item is easy to prepare. It's simple and quick. The sides and any other decorations are valuable. Sometimes there are things like edible flowers that can be used to decorate the presentation.

Follow the Trends
Food choices change just as much as people change clothes. It is important for caterers to keep up with the changes. The meals that were considered find cuisine may change as time progresses. People that have experience in catering will know about the changing trends. It is wise to stay mindful of the shapes of the foods and how they are being served.

Cooking shows always present new ideas and new methods for trying things. Caterers will definitely benefit from these types of food shows.

Colors Are Your Friend
Caterers have to be mindful of color. People that are in the catering business should consider bright bold colors for meals. The caterer has the job of making everything pretty and colors play a big part in this. Colorless foods such as white chicken with white sauce makes it less appetizing. The best meals are those that give people something to talk about and excite the mind. It takes a delightful color scheme to generate buzz about the entrees that are being served.

Variety is Good
In many cases it pays to have some variety with the food that is served. Caterers can really benefit from the having multiple food choices available. It is good to prepare different dishes because multiple food choices spice up the events. People that attend any type of catered events are interested in menu selection choices. They like to view the presentations even if they are only eating one entree.