Are you a foodie?  

Do you love great food and want it to be a highlight of your Orlando wedding or event?

Is creative food and beverage that guests delight in and talk about for years a vision you have for your special day?

Well, you’re in luck because that’s our type of event!

I have to admit, I’m quite a lover of food.  All food.  One of my favorite hobbies is simply indulging in Central Florida’s most delicious restaurants and farmer’s markets.  I love to notice new up and coming trends, unique presentations, and creative pairings.  Not to mention delight in the delectables!

This is why I love to talk food and beverage for weddings and events!  I believe this is one of the most important aspects of a wedding or event and it’s my job to help you find and create the most delicious menu available.

So what are my top 3 favorites at the moment?  I’m excited to share with you!

1. FARM TO TABLE DINING

Yes, you’ve probably heard of it and hopefully have enjoyed it a time or two.  But did you know you can work with culinary teams to create a farm to table menu for your event?

What a spectacular experience for your guests!  

We know what you may be thinking, though.  How do you make a farm to table dinner in the middle of Central Florida?  This is where we and your culinary team come in!

When booking a venue and/or catering team, we encourage you to ask about how they feel in regards to developing unique menus.  Are they comfortable making new dishes?  Do they thrive on using fresh, new ingredients?  Can they work with local farmers for produce and/or proteins?

Keep in mind not every morsel of your meal may be straight from the farm – but that’s okay!  If you’ve found a chef that is open to working with local farmers, try for freshly picked greens for your salad, colorful carrots, green beans, or asparagus for your vegetable side, or even organic chicken for protein. 

Your culinary team should head up the menu and available options.  And if you find a team that is inspired by new challenges, that’s a treasure!

2.  FAMILY STYLE SERVED BY BUTLERS

Pretty much every Thanksgiving sans the butlers, right?  Pass the mashed potatoes, please.

But for your wedding or event, think more tailored and sophisticated.  How beautiful is a large plate full of caprese salad or french green beans?  How deletable does a glass bowl of summer salad look or fingerling potatoes?

The presentation in this style of serving is more about the beauty of quantity and the WOW it provides when presented to guests at once.  

Instead of helping themselves, we love when servers or butlers present the platters to the table and then personally serve each guest.  What an elegant experience!

Another perk of this option is that guests get to choose what they’d like without having to offer a buffet.  It also sets a relaxed tone even though the presentation is exquisite.

3. EXPERIENTIAL

This can be the most fun menu creation, but we won’t lie, it can also be the most challenging!

If you have a smaller guest count, are looking for a more intimate experience, or even would like to have your meal be the piece de resistance and you don’t mind if it takes longer, than an experiential menu may be the perfect suggestion!

Think about what will get your guests to say, WOW – that was special.  Yes, you can serve caviar and filet mignon, but what about something unusual and memorable?

Here are some we’ve experienced as well as new ideas we’d love to plan!

– Freshly prepared fish caught by a fishing outing the day before (the chef was brought out to a standing ovation and the men who caught the fish were honored!)

– Tables of four set with fondue, complete with fresh vegetables, breads, and meats to indulge in rich cheeses

– Sake and sushi, craft beers and desserts (yes, we love the chocolate beers!), or champagne and truffles pairings with a sommelier

Thinking outside the box is fun – make sure you brainstorm with your wedding or event planner and culinary team!

Are you planning a wedding or event in Orlando or Central Florida and are in need of creative menu ideas?  You’ve come to the right people!

Please contact me at michele@michelebutlerevents.com to get started planning the perfect menu!