When looking for a caterer, E only thinks about the FOOD. What else? On the other hand, I think about everything: the food, the styling, the service, even the plating and basically, the overall experience guests will have when they attend our wedding. Will it be elegant and formal? Will it be simple and classy? Will it be fun and rowdy? Will it be barriotic? Will it be fiestang bayan? Hehe. I’m just kidding.
We want the reception to be fun. The styling, I want it classy and elegant but comfortable, if you get what I mean. I don’t want anything obtrusive to guests—nothing to block their way when they are cueing up for food, or when they’re eating. Nothing to come between talking with the other people on the table. I want statement pieces incorporated with our theme that are items to talk about, not ones you want to throw out because you don’t have space for soup or dessert.
I am already familiar with the big names in the wedding catering industry. I have contacted, emailed and transacted with K by Cunanan, Passion Cooks, and Purple Dish. The reason I narrowed it down to these three choices was because they had good food and nice styling all in one service. This meant, I did not need to get a separate stylist.
Though, from transacting with these three, the cheapest, most economical of them, I thought, was K by Cunanan. For better appreciation, I put down the food and amenities they offered with their cheapest rates:
Disclaimer: This is based on 200 pax, so it may not be the case for those with less than 100 guests.
I consulted my mom and E about it and both of them were saying, why not try Red Chef? To give you a background, Aphat Martinez and Mike Profeta are the brains behind The Red Chef Catering. They are a family friend and they have been catering for our family for years. They never fail to serve really good food, considering my family’s palate is very discriminating. I am not even kidding. My mom, dad, and my siblings are the hardest to please when it comes to food. I’ll let you in on a secret: my siblings do not eat the spaghetti my tita makes on family parties because they find it does not suit their taste. Hahaha! Hindi uso yung, “okay lang” or “masarap naman.” It had to be good. Period.
On the other hand, while Red Chef serves good food, does simple and elegant styling, they don’t have the usual wedding amenities others offer like, couple’s backdrop, free bridal car, cake arrangement, registration, photo wall, etc. As you know, these become musts at any weddings you attend nowadays.
I used to coordinate events myself and I always got Aphat to do the catering as they had the best offerings at a reasonable price. He’s easy to talk to and I like his taste. He likes things classy, elegant and clean. Nothing over the top.
Here are some photos I got of their events:
Cocktails
1. Salmon Croquettas with Spicy Coulis De Tomato
2. Seared Lamb Salpicao with Mint Jelly On Shot Glass
3. Honey Dew Wrapped in Maple Bacon
Dinner
Potato-Broccoli Soup
Green Arugula Salad with Mango Vinaigrette, Raspberry-Strawberry and Caesar's Dressings
Pot Roast Beef with mashed potato
Iberian Chicken
Hickory BBQ Ribs OR Baked Salmon with Four Cheeses
Pasta bar: White hungarian, Putanesca, Aioli Olio
Desserts:
Assorted Panna Cottas (Vanilla, Pandan and Mocha)
Assorted Pastries (Carrot Square Topped with Cream Cheese, Lemon Square and Chocolate Brownies with Mint Frosting)
Iced Tea, Coffee and Tea
For all of these, we are still able to accommodate an event stylist and make it within our budget. Not bad right? E and I would still have to finalize the menu when we go back to Manila, but so far, basing from this menu, my restless mind can now calm down. No doubt, Aphat and his team will not let us down.
Now the hunt for the Event Stylist is ON!