There is a love and hate relationship that surrounds picky eaters. We all know them and love them dearly, but what we can’t stand is their selective and limited taste buds. When it comes to catering your wedding reception, you tend to think about the extravagant food assortments and plates you plan to serve; however, it is important to think of those who might not be as impressed with your eclectic taste.
Picky eating habits are caused by many things such as dietary restrictions, special diets and children not wanting to try new foods. When planning your event with picky eaters in mind, be sure to give as many options as possible and make experiencing new dishes fun. Read on to learn how to accommodate the various picky eaters that will be present at your wedding reception.
Dietary Restrictions
As stated by the Food Allergy Research & Education Program, it is estimated that about 32 million Americans have food allergies. Additionally, 5.6 million children under the age of 18 possess a food allergy, which is about one in 13 children. When thinking about catering your wedding reception, it is important to think about these statics and the role they play in deciding your menu. Some of the most prevalent food allergies are peanuts or nuts in general, gluten, and dairy. The first step to accommodate these allergies is through awareness. It is imperative to understand what ingredients or menu items fall into these types of allergies.
- Peanuts and Nuts: Peanut butter, peanut oil, mixed nuts, beer nuts, peanut flour, almonds, Brazil nuts, pecans, cashews, coconuts, macadamia nuts, pistachios, marzipan, Nutella, nut butter, almond, cashew and coconut milk.
- Gluten: Bread, cereals, crackers, flour, pasta, wheat germ, wheat grass, soy sauce, beer, baked goods, fried foods, candy, hot dogs, ice cream, potato chips, salad dressings, soups, rice cakes and so on.
- Dairy: Butter, casein, cheese, cream, sour cream, yogurt, caramel candies, margarine, chocolate, ice cream, pudding and many more.
Special Diets
When catering to various diets such as vegan, vegetarian and paleo, it is important to understand the basics of how they work. Plan with your caterer to accommodate the special dietary needs of your guests and how to decorate your menu with specialty diet foods.
Vegetarian
Vegetarians are those who do not eat meat but are open to eating foods that are byproducts of animals, (eggs, milk, etc.). When catering to vegetarians, it is important to incorporate various meat substitutes or different forms of protein into the menu. This could include vegetables, tofu, or even fish.
Vegan
Veganism is all about ethical sourcing and freedom from animal cruelty. Unlike vegetarians, vegans will not consume any ingredients produced or made from animals. When catering to vegans, try to incorporate various unprocessed and whole foods such as fruits and vegetables.
The Paleo Diet
The Paleo diet is another diet preference that revolves around high fat and protein consumption. The paleo diet excludes most processed foods, such as wheat and dairy. To accommodate the paleo diet, incorporate unprocessed meats and whole foods into the menu.
Children
Kids are the ultimate picky eaters, often involving a power struggle for a parent. When a child rejects a certain food, it doesn’t exactly mean that they do not like the particular food item, but rather the food is viewed as a chore. When catering to children, try to incorporate exciting dishes or methods that make the experience more fun, such as creating enticing fruit plates or desserts. Bradford Catered Events offers fun catering station options like an ice cream sundae or s’mores bars. For dinner, pick a classic kid’s menu dish, like chicken tenders or hotdogs, that will be enjoyed by any flower girl or ring-bearer.
Whatever you choose for your menu, let it be the option that is best for you, your budget and what you have envisioned for your wedding reception. Bradford Catered Events offers various catering options, as well as the ability to have set-up services, clean-up services and complete bar service. Let us help you achieve the wedding reception of your dreams! With over 35 years of experience, customizable menus and multiple food service options, we make it easy to get everything you need in one place. To book BCE for your wedding or event, give us a call at (865) 522-5552 or visit their website.
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