STAND UP OR SIT DOWN RECEPTION?

Bridal couples are looking for the best of both worlds

We are a sociable bunch these days and the traditional sit down reception can restrict your friends really mingling and enjoying your wedding.

Award-winning catering company Forte Catering & Events in Sydney has launched a fresh new wedding menu and style of delivery that is perfect for food-loving couples who can't make their mind up between a sit-down and cocktail-style reception.

For brides and grooms battling with indecision, Forte's new wedding menu delivers the best of both worlds by offering a roving entree, seated main, followed by a roving dessert. What a great idea!

A far cry from the traditional one size fits all approach, Forte's new wedding offering capitalises on the social aspect of a cocktail style reception, with the traditional twist of a sit down main added in for good measure. Forte's Executive Chef Anthony Sullivan believes the new menu delivers guests a larger array of food options and more time to mingle.

"In my experience, guests love a variety of dishes to sample and tend to get bored with the standard seated three course reception," he said. "Roving meals are a huge hit at the moment as they allow people to sample a selection of small dishes and allow for maximum socialising. Meanwhile seating guests for the mains still allows them a substantial main meal and the chance to sit down and relax before hitting the dance floor and enjoying dessert."

Offering a roving entree, seated main and roving dessert suits any reception style, however Anthony points out that service must be top of mind in this situation. "Second to none service is key to ensure guests enjoy themselves. There is nothing worse than searching for a lone waiter in a sea of guests or trying to hunt down your next drink. Service is always top of mind for Forte as ensuring you have enough staff servicing your wedding is something that couples should never have to worry about," says Anthony.

Social starters

A selection of roving entrees allows guests to relax with a drink and something to eat before they are seated for their mains. "While many couples love the intimate and traditional feel of a sit down dinner, they really love mixing with their guests at the start of the

reception," says Anthony. Offering a roving entree in the form of canapés allows them to greet their guests before they are seated, while having the chance to sample some of finest canapés, including

tartare of yellow fin tuna with potato wafers, citrus cured ocean trout with toasted brioche, goats cheese, rosemary and quince terrine and smoked duck with chilli, fenugreek and orange.

Memorable mains

Following the cocktail-style entree, the seated main provides a great way for the bride and groom to relax and enjoy a meal with the some of the most important people in lives. Anthony has designed a selection of mains sure to dazzle the most discerning guest including

pan-seared snapper fillet with baby beetroot, truffled celeriac and toasted hazelnuts.

Dessert on the dance floor!

When the drinks are flowing and the guests are getting merry, nothing should stand in the way of the dance floor – not even the dessert! "There is no reason why people can?t hit the dance floor while dessert is being served," says Anthony. In fact, he believes opting for a roving dessert during the most social time of the evening is the perfect way to get the party started.

"Not only will guests be able to enjoy a variety of different tastes, through smaller, canapé style dessert options, but, a selection of miniature desserts will allow you to easily cater for gluten free and lactose intolerant guests," said Anthony. Forte's delicious new dessert menu includes

cour a la crème with roasted cherries and shiso, Belgian chocolate marquis with pistachio brittle

and

saffron apple and blueberry crumble.

ABOUT FORTE CATERING & EVENTS

Forte Catering & Events is an award-winning, Sydney-based caterer committed to the art of creating fine food for events of all kinds - from corporate entertaining, to large-scale special events and stunning social occasions.

Established in 2001, and holding a Gold License in Restaurant and Catering NSW, Forte Catering & Events has developed a reputation for creating mouth-watering menus and exquisite event experiences, matched with exceptional, professional service and advice. For more information, visit www.fortecatering.com.au