Any wedding, from the simplest to the grandest ones, always culminate in a reception. To make this part of the wedding special, no matter how modest it may be, is still a goal. After all, it is the first meal of the newlyweds as husband and wife, shared with their cherished friends and families.
As beaches surround Newcastle, seafood is naturally plentiful in this region. As such, seafood is among the popular inclusions in the wedding reception menu. When it comes to wedding catering, Newcastle offers an abundance of options.
Primary considerations when selecting seafood
The wedding food selection depends mostly on the taste and preference of the couple. Some couples also factor in considerations such as the dietary restriction of their guests. This is a thoughtful and even sweet gesture! In light of this practice, here are other things you might want to consider when choosing menu for your wedding reception:
1. Pick something uncomplicated and easy to consume.
Some seafood can be fussy to eat, like those with shells and tough cartilages or bones. The main bone column in fish is, of course, easy to leave out, but some varieties may have fine bones that are not easily noticeable.
For the cocktails, make it easy for your guests to enjoy the food and choose something that they won’t struggle eating. Nobody wants to fumble with their purse, drink, and be challenged to eat hors d’oeuvres of Oysters Rockefeller. Imagine how more awkward it would be if they had to shake hands with somebody! For stand-up cocktail hours, leave the seafood with shells for the sit-down setting and opt for something that guests can pop in their mouth easily, like Scallop Bites.
2. The food must not cause a mess to eat.
Lots of seafood has a mild, almost bland taste. That is why they are usually served with sauce and other ingredients to improve palatability and to add a flavour profile. But preparations, like Shrimp Stuffed Cherry Tomatoes, can be tricky to eat – they tend to squirt while being bitten into! Also, Calamari with Mayo-Garlic Dip, while tasty, can be hard to enjoy when shared with a double-dipper!
As suggested above, choose seafood preparations that are bite-sized and won’t cause a messy embarrassment to eat. Leave appetisers that drip and squirt to more casual affairs. As for the ones that need dipping, avoid double-dip magnets like Crab and Cheese Sticks, and go for something smaller like bite-sized Tempura Crabstick Balls.
3. Choose freshly-prepared and seafood in season.
Seasonal seafood tastes fresher – and is cheaper too! Some caterers in Newcastle offer dishes with seasonal seafood in their menu, and they are mostly good picks. For summer weddings, a chilled seafood salad is superb, especially when you choose seasonal and fresh seafood. For colder months, hearty seafood soup is fantastic.
Best seafood options for your wedding reception
When it comes to seafood, your selection is not limited. NSW region is dotted with beaches and lakes. Wherever you plan your wedding catering, Maitland, Newcastle, or anywhere in NSW, there will always be choices that will suit your taste. Have a look below for some options.
Fish
Versatile and can be prepared in many ways, light and healthy fish is an ideal choice. Fish that are in season are often more affordable than chicken. You may want to ask your caterer for their recommendations regarding seasonal fish.
Below are some of the most popular fish options:
- Salmon
- Tuna
- Carp
- Bass
- Tilapia
Molluscs
This type of seafood lends an exotic touch to your wedding reception dishes. Some types can be eaten raw and fresh, needing no more than a squeeze of lemon and a few light ingredients to balance out its clean flavour. Here are some examples:
- Oysters
- Scallops
- Clams
- Squid
- Abalone
Crustaceans (or Shellfish)
This group can be the most expensive option, as some crustaceans are pricey all year round. They look fancy and add brightness to any dish. Their flavour ranges from briny to delicate. Here are some popular options:
- Shrimp
- Prawns
- Crab
- Lobster
Edible seaweeds
Though an unexpected option, seaweed can bring surprising and intriguing flavours to your dish. They are often prepared as salads. Their flavour profile ranges from mild to rich and savoury. Below are some examples:
- Kelp
- Nori
- Kombu
- Wakame
Seafood and safety: an important consideration
You can trust that many companies catering Maitland, Newcastle, and other surrounding areas know how to handle delicate seafood. Seafood in Australia is generally safe to eat; they undergo strict regulations to ensure that they are handled and stored properly.
Pregnant women should watch their seafood consumption. Basically, they can eat any light seafood without worries, such as salmon, squid, scallop, tuna, and carp. But sushi is best shunned during their pregnancy, as well as marlin.
Some seafood is known to trigger allergies. Common ones are shrimp, crab, and lobster. If you or someone you know is allergic to any seafood, you must inform your caterer so they can modify the menu. When a dish happens to have a smorgasbord of seafood in it, like seafood paella, for example, they will indicate the different seafood in the description for the benefit of the guests with a seafood allergy.
Chardonnay has been catering Newcastle and Maitland for years.
Break the monotony of beef, chicken, and pork dishes at your wedding and include seafood in the menu for variety. When it comes to seafood, Maitland and Newcastle area have bountiful selections.
Whatever reception theme you have in mind for your wedding, your trusted caterer can surely help you. When you are unsure, they are there to guide you. With many years of experience in the industry, they can help take out the guesswork and present the best possible choices that will suit your event.
