Large wedding reception at the Milltop in Noblesville

Wedding at the Milltop in Noblesville, Indiana

Milltop Banquet and Conference Center in Noblesville was the site of the large wedding reception we catered for one of our clients this month. With the ceremony taking place in the Milltop Loft, the bride and groom were able to transition smoothly from the wedding to the reception at the same location for their nearly 250 guests.

The Milltop Noblesville - Credit WeddingWire.com — *The Milltop Noblesville - Photo Credit: WeddingWire.com*

The bride and groom chose to offer a variety of entrees for their wedding reception, with waiter-passed hors d’oeuvres during cocktail hour and three elaborate stations for the main course. Here is a taste of their customized reception menu:

HORS D'OEUVRES:

Fig and Gorgonzola Crostini with Carmelized Onion

Individual Shrimp Cocktail in Shot Glass

Parmesan and Rosemary Shortbreads with Roasted Cherry Tomato and Feta

Apricot wrapped in Procuitto, Grilled and served on Toasts with Herbed Chevre

STATION I:

ELABORATE CRUDITE:

The couple chose an elegant display of imported cheese wedges, domestic cheese fingers, fruits and vegetables for guests to nosh on during the reception, along with dill dip, imported crackers and almonds. These included: red and white grapes, strawberries, dried fruits, broccoli, cauliflower, grape, tomatoes, squash, carrot sticks, zucchini and celery.

STATION II:
ACCOMPANMENTS:

Here, the couple chose a variety of side items for guests to enjoy, which included some of their favorite comfort foods:

Macaroni and Cheese Bar with Parmesan Crust and Toppings:
Bacon, Chives, Tomatoes, Cheddar Cheese, and Sour Cream
Chicken Quesadillas with Chipotle Aioli
Mini Meatloaf Cupcakes with Mashed Potato "Frosting"

STATION III

Variety continued for the main course, which offered vegetarian options for guests, but continued with the comfort food trend:

Roasted Herbed Pork Loin, Chef Carved, and Served with Apples, Baby Rolls and Aioli

Saffron Risotto Cakes with Aged Parmesan

Individual Shaved Fennel and Apple Salad with shaved Ricotta Insalata

Mini Sliders with Cheese and Bourbon Glaze

DESSERT AND BEVERAGE

The couple opted for a traditional wedding cake for guests, offering coffee and hot chocolate to complete the evening’s dining experience.

Jacquie’s Gourmet Catering is one of the preferred vendors for the Milltop Banquet Hall. We would love to help you customize your next wedding reception or event. Contact us to learn more!

A Winter Wedding at the Cardinal Room

Winter evokes all kinds of emotions, from sitting and watching the snow fall to comfort food and the nostalgia and celebration of the holiday season. When it comes to winter weddings, some of the small details that we can incorporate into your catering and décor can make your event stand out.

During this time of year, grilled root vegetables are in season, and often make their way onto the plate as side dishes to complement heavier entrees such as prime rib, roast beef, chicken or other main courses. Comfort food such as mashed potatoes, meatloaf, macaroni and cheese and other dishes tend to play center stage during the winter months, as do hot beverages such as teas, coffee and cocoas.

We recently catered an Indianapolis wedding reception at the Cardinal Room banquet hall on the grounds of the Golf Club of Indiana (near Whitestown/Zionsville/Brownsburg). This evening event hosted nearly 250 guests, and the food gave a nod to the winter weather with comfort food and a dash of whimsy.

Bride Santa dance — *Santa made an appearance at this bride's wedding to dance a special dance during the reception.*

THE MENU:

The bride and groom chose some of their favorites for their guests to enjoy on their special day, including:

Waiter-Passed Hors D’Oeuvres:

Mini meatloaf cupcakes with mashed potato “frosting”
Spicy crab cake with Mango Mojo
Individual shrimp cocktail in a shot glass

Salad Course:

Mixed organic field greens with pecans, cranberries, goat cheese
Ranch and champagne dressings

Entrée Courses:

Prime rib with horseradish cream and peppercorn sauce
Airline chicken breast with goat cheese, pancetta and rosemary
Garlic mashed potatoes
Wood-grilled vegetables with herb de Provence and Balsamico
Rolls and Butter

A Toast to Comfort

In keeping with the winter theme, the bride and groom opted to offer cookies and skim milk to guests in lieu of a champagne toast, which also served well for the children in attendance. They also featured a coffee and hot cocoa station for guests to warm up while enjoying the reception.

Coffee and Hot Cocoa beverage station — *The bride chose hot chocolate while the groom chose coffee, which we incorporated into this beverage station for guests.*

Book your Winter Wedding or Event with Us:

Interested in booking a winter wedding or catered event with Jacquie’s Gourmet Catering in the near or distant future? Give us a call at 317-283-2776 or fill out our online web form and we can set up a time to discuss.

Wedding Food Trends from the Catering World

From brunches to custom bars, this year’s wedding couples have set a few new trends for wedding cuisine. Here are some of the most commonly requested food trends from our brides and grooms during the past year:

Local Fare: Brides and grooms are asking for their wedding food to come exclusively from local sources. Here in Indiana, we’ve received requests for local meat and cheeses for the appetizers, farm-fresh fruits, vegetables, and meats, and local beer, wine and spirits. Globally-conscious couples are choosing locally grown, sourced or organic food, and choosing sustainable materials for their china, such as our bamboo place settings.

Locally-sourced meat has become a trend at Indianapolis-area weddings

Comfort Food: Perhaps giving a nod to nostalgia, many couples choose to serve comfort food to their guests at their receptions and rehearsal dinners. Some of our most recent Indianapolis wedding catered events have included foods such as pasta, meatloaf with mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, and pie for dessert. Couples are also choosing to serve these comfort foods family-style on long farmhouse tables. One couple even chose cookies and milk in lieu of a champagne toast.

Comfort food - Indianapolis wedding catering — *Comfort food like this grilled cheese with tomato soup is perhaps a nod to a bride or groom's favorite foods.*

Tapas (Small Plates): One modern trend is for brides and grooms to serve bite-sized portions of various entrées in place of one large main course. This allows guests to sample a wide variety of cuisine or keep to a specific wedding theme. We can serve virtually any style of food in this shareable style, so the options are only as small as your imagination.

Visit the Stations: Probably one of the largest trends of the year is serving foods in various stations throughout the room, rather than having a buffet or plated dinner. We’ve seen the traditional charcuterie (meats and cheeses) and crudité (fresh vegetables and dip) but also options such as a baked potato bar, taco bar, a coffee or hot chocolate bar along with various desserts and cocktails.

Entree station - Indianapolis wedding caterer — *This client chose an entrée station with Cedar Plank Salmon, salt selection and twice-baked potatoes*

Whether you’re looking to fit a theme (we’ve seen everything from Mardi Gras to ethnic-inspired themes), color scheme (gold/silver and purple/blush were a hit this year) or cuisine for your wedding catering, we can work with you to accommodate. Simply schedule a session with us to talk about your vision!

What are Sustainable Foods (and why should you Care)?

Sustainable means “conserving an ecological balance by avoiding depletion of natural resources” (source: Google.com). In the catering business, this means promoting healthy farming and environmental practices such as the use of fewer resources. Many brides and corporate event planners are looking for sustainable options when planning their Indianapolis wedding or special event. Here at Jacquie’s Gourmet Catering and Finley Creek Vineyards, we have an eye on sustainability. We offer many options when it comes to planning our events, either at Finley Creek or another Indianapolis venue.

Our Outdoor Setting

One of the reasons we decided to open our own venue for catering at Jacquie’s Gourmet Catering was to become more sustainable. At Finley Creek Vineyards, we can host your event outdoors in our garden area to make it green, and the sun can provide all the natural lighting you’ll need. Even our indoor venue, a refurbished Zionsville barn space, boasts plenty of natural lighting. Another way to conserve would be to have your wedding and reception all at one location, to save on fuel emissions. Dining by candlelight and using farm-to-table flowers or potted plants instead of off-season varieties are other ways you can stay sustainable with the setting of your wedding or special event.

Outdoor wedding tent - Indianapolis wedding venue — *An outdoor wedding with covered, tented seating allows you to conserve energy and have a certain ambiance, while protecting guests from the elements.*

Farm-to-Table Food Sources

You should care where your food comes from, especially when planning a special event. Jacquie’s Gourmet Catering has established partnerships with several local farms throughout the Indiana area, where we can source the freshest meats, eggs, cheeses, produce and other food for our clients’ catered meals. Using in-season and local food sources means you’ll be able to serve the freshest food that doesn’t sacrifice flavor. From pasture-raised to organic and non-GMO, we have just about any option you would consider, and we can help you select the best menu to accommodate your needs. Some of our local sustainability partners include Fischer Farms, Gunthrop Farms, This Old Farm, Traders Point Creamery and Goose the Market.

appetizer table - local meats and cheeses - Indianapolis — *One of our Indianapolis catered appetizer tables with locally-sourced meats and cheeses*

For more information about how to make your Indianapolis wedding, corporate event or fundraiser more sustainable, contact Jacquie’s Gourmet Catering at 317.283.2776.