We've already helped you to choose your wedding menu, but there's one element that can often be left as an afterthought. Chances are, there will be some vegetarians at your wedding, or even just people who aren't always a fan of the meat dishes on a wedding menu. If you and your groom-to-be are not vegetarians, choosing the vegetarian option can often be difficult, especially if you never opt for it in restaurants. What tastes nice? Is there a wrong way to go with the vegetarian option? Thankfully, acclaimed chef, Oliver Dunne with Tattersalls Country House is here to help you choose the right option for your vegetarian guests.
Don’t make them an afterthought
If the bride and groom are planning on eating a meat dish from their own menu, they've probably chosen that very carefully. Vegetarians are usually an afterthought on wedding menus and normally get stuck with a bowl of vegetable soup for starter and an over-cooked, stodgy mushroom risotto for mains. Take the time to look at different vegetarian options, and talk to your caterer about choosing something a little more interesting than soup and risotto.
Choose a balanced menu
The secret to appeasing even the fussiest vegetarian is to come up with a nice balanced menu with a good balance of flavours throughout. Don't have similar options for the starter and the main that use the same ingredients and have the same flavours. People like variety, and your guests will want a mix of dishes. Since you're most likely only going to have one option for vegetarians make sure the starter is something totally different to the main course.
Pick seasonal ingredients
Picking dishes with in seasonal ingredients bursting with flavours is essential. This goes for all of the food on your menu, however it's particularly important for vegetarians to avoid bland, same old dishes that they get everywhere. Picking seasonal, flavoursome ingredients will remind your vegetarian guests that they weren't just an afterthought.
A mix of textures
As mentioned before, variety is essential, especially when it comes to vegetarians. A good blend of textures are guaranteed to elevate your vegetarian dishes to a new high. Choose to mix smooth purees with textured vegetables, pulses and nuts to make your vegetarian dishes significantly more interesting.
Make sure your caterer is equally passionate
A good caterer should be just as passionate about the vegetarian offering as they are about the proteins, so it's just as important that the vegetarian dish isn't an afterthought for them as it is for you. Take the time to talk to your caterer specifically about the vegetarian options. The days of mushroom risotto are long gone, there are plenty more creative options available.
- Oliver Dunne, Weddings with Tattersalls Country House