Category Archives: Wedding Catering Services

5 Wedding Catering Foods for Kids

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kids wedding catering

What are catering food do kids enjoy at weddings?

  1. Mini Cheeseburgers
  2. Fruit and Vegetable Cups
  3. Smoothie Popsicles
  4. Macaroni and Cheese
  5. Peanut Butter and Jelly

Sure they’re adorable, but there can be times where children can be a bit too much to handle. This is why many couples prefer to keep their wedding children-free. Nonetheless, there are circumstances where they can’t help but allow their guests to bring children. Besides, no matter how one may feel about the notion, children are a joy to be around if they are well-behaved.

With that said, the soon-to-be married couple must incorporate some kid-friendly foods in the menu of their wedding catering in the Philippines. That way, they won’t have to worry about any guest of any age feeling left out of the party and being rowdy because of it.

If you wish to keep the little ones entertained and full, have a look at these fun and creative food ideas that could leave even the grown-up guests a tad bit envious:

Mini cheeseburgers

Everyone loves cheeseburgers; most especially the kids. Keep this fast food classic on the menu of your catering to make sure you have happy kids at your celebration.

However, you have to keep in mind that they will be wearing fancy outfits as well that the parents don’t want to get dirty. You can keep these cheeseburgers mess-free for the kids by making cheeseburgers using mini buns! Not only are these bite-sized cheesy meaty goodness super delicious, they look super cute too (don’t deny it!).

To add a bit more fun to it, why not have your little ones have a pick of their own toppings to add on their burgers? It’s a great way to get their creative juices flowing and an even fun way for both children and adults to bond with one another.

But if burgers are not your thing, try making mini hotdog sandwiches. Then allow the kids to have fun by letting them draw on their sandwiches using the ketchup and mustard. Just have a babysitter nearby to keep an eye on the kids to avoid a huge mess and possible food fights.

Fruit and vegetable cups

In a wedding, or any occasion in general, fruits and vegetables are a common sight in every feast. While meat and other poultries are ideal for a celebration, nothing beats the numerous health benefits provided by fruits and vegetables. Especially when served in cups for a more convenient experience, fruits and vegetables are here to stay in every menu around.

With that said, the cups idea is great for wedding over the traditional salad. Everyone eats with their eyes especially kids; they will eat what looks appealing to them. If you choose to do this, then serve them with some sort of dip like yogurt for the fruits and mayonnaise for the vegetables. To level up the creativity, make fruit and vegetable kebabs then use the cups as containers for the dips. You can even add a little extra flavoring for the vegetables to give kids a new and exciting taste

Another thing that makes this dish a standout for kids is that you get to control the quantity of how much you’d want to put. Whether you choose to tip the scale in favor of fruits and vice-versa, this dish will surely garner massive amounts of likes.

Image: Lorraine Cryan Photography

Image: Lorraine Cryan Photography

Smoothie popsicles

In any wedding, one of the most sought-out courses during the celebration is none other than dessert. After the newlyweds feed each other cake, numerous sweet teeth are sure to flock around the table yearning for a bite of some pastries.

There are many options for desserts other than the wedding cake itself. But one thing’s for sure: Popsicles will always remain a hit to kids, even more so when smoothie popsicles are added to the table.

While the rest of your guests are feasting on fancy desserts, serve smoothie popsicles to the little ones. This will keep them cool and satisfied especially during a hot wedding. But of course, you can also whip up a batch of grown-up friendly smoothies as additional dessert. Just make sure they are separated from one another so there won’t be any accidents of an alcohol-laced pop being served to one of the flower girls (yikes).

Also, for these treats on sticks, why not make things interesting by making a game out of it? Engrave one of the popsicles sticks with an emblem or symbol of sorts and distribute these popsicles to the children. Whoever gets the lucky stick wins a prize from the bride and groom. What a way to turn your tasty ideas into an even better one.

Macaroni and cheese

Macaroni and cheese is a certified hit with kids and is many parents’ go-to to make sure their kids have happy tummies. You can have this at your wedding as well, but you’ll have to get creative to make them feel like they’re eating special macaroni and cheese. Go serve this recipe in small colorful bowls or get creative by making mini mac and cheese pies. Fried mac and cheese balls is also a good alternative because you can skewer them with sticks for a fun, lollipop-like look.

Peanut butter and jelly

Along with macaroni and cheese, the PBJ is a classic among young and the young at heart. It has made its way into every lunch box throughout the years and has continued to bring smiles into children’s faces.

Rather than serving these in the traditional sandwich at your wedding, let your creativity shine through by making peanut butter and jelly sushi – bread strips with peanut butter and jelly then rolled up to look like sushi – or peanut butter and jelly muffins. You can even use different kinds of peanut butter and jelly to twist things up in a fun and exciting way.

Key Takeaway

These foods are a sure way to satisfy the kids – and their parents. Serve these up in a separate station for kids only so they can form a line altogether without having to mix up with the adults. Try also to set up an activity section for the kids where they can quietly entertain themselves all throughout the reception. That way, you have kept your guests and their kids happy and worry-free.

How to Accommodate Handicapped Guests

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How can I make sure an event is accessible to persons with disabilities?

  1. All pathways and doorways must be at least 32 inches wide and that the corners are maneuverable.
  2. The entrances and exits must have wheelchair ramps. If they don’t, then rent out portable ones.
  3. Bathrooms must have cubicles for the disabled with grab bars.
  4. There must be elevators or other alternatives for reaching higher or lower floors of the venue. It’s best if the elevator has low controls or an elevator operator.
  5. Work with the venue manager regarding the accommodations for the disabled.
  6. Allow such guests to bring a plus one that can help them throughout the event.
  7. Leave ample space for guests to sit comfortable at a table or pew.
  8. Have ushers attentively standing by in wait to address any concern a person with disabilities may have.
  9. There must be handicapped parking

Accessible Wedding JUAN CARLO

While choosing the best place to celebrate a wedding in Manila, catering to handicapped guests could easily slip out of your mind. Forgetting to make your venue accessible to disabled people could force them to go through inconveniences that could ruin their day and, subsequently, yours as well. You don’t want this type of complication at your wedding if you know you’ll be having guests that are persons with disabilities. Ensure that they will have a fun and stress-free time during your special day by going the extra mile to accommodate them.

Choose an Accessible Venue

Of course, when finalizing a church and reception venue, you would want to conduct an ocular. Usually, this is done to see if it fits your preferences and, more importantly, if it can accommodate your guests. Thus, you should check it for accessibility (the term used for products, devices, services, or environments made especially for the disabled). You should do this for both the reception and wedding venue.

The first few places you should check are the entrance and exit. These should have ramps for those that find it difficult to use stairs.

Then, check the pathway going to the specific room(s) and function hall(s) that you wish to rent. Be sure that there is no obstacle that can hinder a disabled guest. The hallways must also be at least 32 inches wide to have enough room for wheelchairs to pass through comfortably. While you’re at it, measure all the doorways, elevators, bathrooms, and ramps to see if the fit this criteria.

For the bathroom, check to see if there a cubicle for the handicapped. It must have a grab bar for your handicapped guests’ convenience.

If you’re venue has more than 1 floor, then it’s an absolute must that your guests have an alternative to taking the stairs. Check to see if there is another entrance aside from the main one for the higher or lower levels. Also, check the elevators (if any). These must have either low controls or an elevator operator for those in wheelchairs. If you know that you’ll be having a blind guest without a caregiver attending, then check if the elevator has brail.

Lastly, try to avoid booking a historic church as much as possible if you know you will have many elders and/or disabled guests attending. These venues may be beautiful venues, but they were also built during a time where accessibility wasn’t a priority. However, you may still choose to book this type of wedding venue if you can make the space work.

Make the Space Work

Regardless of whether or not you made sure that your venue is accessible, you must be prepared for special cases. Some venues may have accessible facilities, but these were designed around common disabilities. Your guests may have more specific needs. The most common of these special needs come when the wheelchairs and walkers that your handicapped guests are larger than regular ones. Even if you’ve made sure that the ramp is 32 inches wide, it may still be too narrow to such a guest. Other complications include narrow hallways, cramped pews, and maneuverability issues.

But don’t fret just yet. It doesn’t hurt to ask the venue managers what can be done about these. If the venue is a common venue for any family gathering, then the managers would know exactly how to handle guests with specific needs. For sure, they’ve seen it all. Let them know of your guests’ specific needs and they in turn can let you know what they can offer you.

It will also help to warn guests in advance of these complications. Then if it is okay with you, allow them to bring along a guest or caregiver that can help them. This will make them feel more at ease with the situation.

Wheelchair Ramps

If the venue cannot offer any means to address your guests’ accessibility problems, then you can choose either a customized ramp, portable ramps, or a different venue. Customized ramps are good as a carpenter can build exactly what you need; this will depend on the measurements of your guests’ need and the steps/ledges they will need to pass through. Portable ramps, on the other hand, offers mobility and flexibility you may need in case of an emergency.

Seating

At an accessible wedding venue, there should be spaces next to some pews for those in wheelchairs. These should be spacious and easy to get to. Be sure to tell ushers to inform guests on wheelchairs or crutches of these spaces and bring them there if choose to sit there. At the same time, these guests should be given a choice to sit wherever they want.

At the reception, remove chairs at the tables where for the wheel-chaired guest will sit. With a proper seat plan, you should be able to plan ahead of time where these empty spots should be in. Also, be sure to leave ample space in between tables so that maneuvering between them is easy. This will also ensure that sitting at a table will be comfortable.

Lastly, have ushers or waiters assigned specifically to assist persons with disabilities in both venues.

Parking and Transportation

No matter what the situation is for your guests with disabilities, there are two things you must check: the parking and the driveway.

At the parking, you must make sure that there are parking made especially for the handicapped. These are usually marked by the usual handicap parking signs. If this is not available at your venue, then you can assign the parking spots nearest to the entrance for them. Make sure that these have ample space for the guests to be able to exit their car comfortably.

But if these guests choose to get a drop off, then parking won’t be a problem. But you must make sure that the driveway has accessibility as well. If it doesn’t, then you must absolutely have a portable ramp.

For those coming via taxi, you must make sure that taxis or similar transportation services are available going out of your venue.

Key Takeaway

Taking the extra time (and going the extra mile) to make sure the wedding is accessible will ensure that your beloved family and friend with disabilities can celebrate your special day with it. All the trouble will be worth it when everyone enjoys the culmination of love you and your partner share.

 

 

How to Personalize Your Reception Menu

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Did you know that food and drink make up the large percentage of your wedding costs? Food plays the biggest expenses on your wedding as this will be based largely on how many guests you will have in your wedding. Good thing, wedding catering services these days offer a wide variety of options and can give the proper advise in line with your budget and number of guests. You can choose from several wedding menu packages according to the types of food to be served and the serving style.

On the other hand, you can also incorporate your own idea to your reception menu. According to a winning chef, Hugh Acheson, the wedding meal should be a tale of you and your fiancée, which includes the food you both love. Consider this when you start planning your wedding reception menu. To help you more, we compiled some of the tried and tested tips and tricks for personalizing your wedding reception menu.

 

Choose Local Bites

Opt for local ingredients in your meal to showcase to your out-of-town guests the authentic flavor your place has to offer. Just ask your caterers to create an elevated meal that include such ingredients. Even better, you might want to go with local dishes!

Present Food Stations

One of the growing trends in the wedding industry is food stations. A food station is not the typical buffet spread style. Rather, it is customized stations of meal that provide different themes and offerings, depending on your preferences. Opting for a food station will help you personalize your reception menu and show off your personality and your fiancée. For example, if you will have a morning wedding, why not included a pancake station into your wedding reception? A perfect pancake station should have the freshly made pancakes and different choices of syrups and honey. Having food stations in your wedding will definitely make it a gastronomical paradise to your wedding guests.

Ditch Fried Foods

Fried foods, such as fried chicken and French fries are not so ideal to serve during wedding reception as these foods will become soggy quickly and normally aren’t in line with the theme.

Incorporate Family Recipes

Does your family have a special and scrumptious recipe? Why not include it in your reception menu? Ask your caterer if he or she can a turn your homey family recipe into a more elegant and scrumptious meal.

Go Fresh

Who wouldn’t want food that is stale and old? Go fresh by opting for fresh salads, seasonal veggies, and other finger foods.

Go Themed

A perfectly themed wedding is certainly the best. The menu is best when it complements the theme you choose. For example, you choose to have a beach wedding, making seafood the center of attraction might be more apt than serving pasta.

 

Your wedding should be one of the most memorable events in your life. Milestones such as this is best shared with the people you love and a lot of good food. Make your reception menu exciting and customized by following some of the mentioned tips above. After all, the whole wedding should be a reflection of you and your fiancée’s personality, so make the most out of it.

How did chocolate become so popular?

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How did chocolate become so popular?

  • It originated from the Mayans and Aztec who drank crushed cocoa beans. To them it was considered a food for nobles because of its spiritual effects.
  • It was discovered by Hernán Cortés who introduced it to Spain in the 1500s.
  • Here, it was mixed with sugar and became an addictive treat enjoyed by their court.
  • When King Louis XIII of France married the daughter of King Philip II of Spain, she introduced chocolate to France.
  • From here, the popularity grew all over Europe with plantations being setup in France, Netherlands, and England.
  • In the 1800s, Coenraad Johannes van Houten introduced alkaline salts to chocolate which extracted the fat from the food. This made it much more affordable to produce and it was sold at a cheaper price, which made it available even to the poor. This was called Dutch cocoa
  • In the same century, Joseph Fry made the first truly solid and edible chocolate bar by reintroducing cocoa butter to Dutch cocoa.
  • Finally, Rodolphe Lindt created the first conching machine which made chocolate into the taste and texture we all know today.

For the longest time, chocolate has been a staple in many dessert recipes. So much so that you wouldn’t see much wedding catering services leaving it out of their menus. It is also has a huge influence on culture; especially in gift giving. Chocolate has and remains to be one of the most popular gift options out there; whether for valentines, a birthday, anniversary, or just for the heck of it. However, it took a lot of development for chocolate and it wasn’t always a sweet and tasty treat. Discover how it became food behemoth it is today by reading on further.

Mayan and Aztec Culture

Chocolate wasn’t always eaten in delicious chocolate bar form. That came much later. Instead it was enjoyed as a bitter drink that was made from cocoa beans. The beans were grinded into paste and mixed with a number of ingredients, including vanilla, honey, water and pepper.

These chocolate drinks were well known in the Mayan and Aztec communities as a mystical drink that was spiritual in nature. This was because of the unique effects they had on the human body. The people of this time found that consuming the drink would make them feel more invigorated; it gave them better moods. Talk about comfort food! At times, it was even considered as an aphrodisiac.

With such luxurious effects, the Mayans believed it came from cocoa. This is why the right to consume chocolate was saved for nobles, spiritual leaders and rulers, and for sacred events.

In the 14th Century, the Aztecs began to conquer and dominate Mesoamerica. However, they started craving for cocoa which could not be found in central Mexico. Because of this, the Aztec people started to trade with the Mayans for cocoa. By this time, the beans were so coveted that they were even used as currency.

There were even accounts of the 16th century ruler of Tenochtitlan, Moctezuma II drinking three gallons of chocolate a day. He did this with the belief that it would increases his libido.

Sailing Across the Atlantic

In the early 1500’s Hernan Cortez invaded and conquered a part of Mexico in the name of Spain and was introduced to these special beans. He was fascinated by how the local cultures valued it and treated it as a form of currency. Cortez put up a plantation for the cocoa beans and started importing them into Spain. Because it was an imported product it was still saved for the royal and noble, and they tweaked the recipe a bit by sweetening it with cinnamon and cane sugar.

Spanish Discovery

When Christopher Columbus made his fourth trip to the Americas in 1502, he and his crew became the first Europeans to encounter cocoa beans. They found it when they seized a large native canoe that contained many trade goods. Columbus took the bean back with him to Spain where it was introduced to the Spanish court.

But it wasn’t until 1519 until a European experienced a chocolate drink. In this time, Hernán Cortés and his troops came across Tenochtitlan during the Spanish conquest of the Aztecs. He was introduced to these special beans in the court of Moctezuma II. He was fascinated by how the local cultures valued it and treated it as a form of currency. It was even documented that the servants would serve their ruler this drink made of cocoa in gold cups and large pitchers.

After the conquest, Cortés put up a plantation for the cocoa beans and started importing them into Spain. Because it was an imported product it was still saved for the royal and noble. They tweaked the recipe a bit by sweetening it with cinnamon and cane sugar. This quickly became a favorite in the Spanish court.

Spain Couldn’t Keep It a Secret Any Longer

When King Louis XIII of France married the daughter of King Philip II of Spain, her addiction to the drink migrated to France and from there the spread began. The aristocrats loved the sweet drink and the numerous health benefits they believed it brought. The social status it implied was another reason for its popularity. Chocolate was still a premium product, after all! In order to appease the growing demand these same European influencers set up plantations for the beans in different regions near the equator around the world.

Expanding to the Rest of Europe

Eventually, plantations started sprouting in France, England, and Netherlands. At first, they used Mesoamerican natives as their labor pool for these plantations. But eventually, disease would kill a majority of these natives and the Europeans resorted to importing African slaves. It was a bad turn for slavery but luckily, wind and horse powered mills were created to speed up the

The Real Chocolate Revolution Begins

Chocolate found its way in many stores not just in Europe. In America, they were incorporated in many recipes. Rather than being just a drink, chocolate became sweet treats and were included in pastries. The true revolution began with the invention of the cocoa press by Van Houten in the 1800s. This made the processing of cocoa beans into fine powder much easier and more affordable. Thanks to this innovation chocolate wasn’t just made for the rich and powerful, it paved the way for chocolate to be enjoyed by the masses.

Key Takeaway

The rest as they say is history. Many other players took advantage of the growing popularity of chocolate and created their own variations. Now we are exposed to a market with so many variations of this sweet and sometimes bitter treat. Next time you take a sip of hot chocolate, take a moment to appreciate its journey to where it is now.

The Do’s and Dont’s For A Beach Wedding

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What are the do’s and don’ts of planning a beach wedding?

Do’s

  1. Set the perfect theme
  2. Wear sunblock and insect repellent
  3. Check legal matters
  4. Ensure comfort and privacy for everyone

Don’ts

  1. Rent weak furniture
  2. Plan a Beach Wedding between 8AM to 2PM
  3. Wear a lengthy veil (for the bride)
  4. Plan during the rainy season

As we all know, planning a wedding requires meticulous efforts and an acute attention to detail. In short, it requires a keen eye and patience. One must be able to handle all the factors which include consulting an event planner or manager, hiring a wedding catering service, fitting suits and dresses, holding a reception area, and renting a venue to have your wedding location. That’s for a traditional wedding.

Of course, this become more complicated for those looking to shake it up a bit and break tradition. The most common way couples do this is by holding a beach wedding. This is many couples’ dream themes for their special day.

While planning such a celebration is a little more complicated, it is still very possible if you know what to do. If you’re looking for the ideal things to do and not to do, here are the things you must consider:

Pick the Perfect Beach Location

Thankfully, there are a lot of beautiful and breath-taking beaches right here in the Philippines so there’s no need to go very far. With 7,107 Islands of your choice, there’s no limit to where your dreams can take you. While the beaches in question may understandably be quite a distance from the city, the view and the unique location will definitely be worth the ride. Plus, it adds a lot of factor when it comes to taking photos. Definitely worth savoring the memories.

Traditionally, beach weddings are held in venues with available resorts or cottages. These places have amenities of normal, urban life still present but with the majesty of nature’s waters nearby. Imagine the scenery of having the beach right outside your window and just admiring the venue. With all the comforts in store for you, your special day is guaranteed to be a hit for years to come.

The Do’s:

  • Set the perfect theme – one that doesn’t require too much dressing up. A beach wedding should have a light and chill design to match the general “free” aura of the outdoors. Outfits should also be compromised: no heels, no long dresses or gowns, nothing too thick, and definitely no heels.However, while the dressing up part can be as minimal as you want, this doesn’t mean that you neglect your appearance altogether. Looking good and feeling good are just some of the things that make your day special. With that said, make an effort to look your best in an environment that encourages you to bathe in the water under the sun.
  • Wear sunblock and insect repellent. The outdoors are still the outdoors, after all. No matter where you go, there are bound to be pests that are up and about such as flies, mosquitoes, and the occasional cockroach every once in a while. Also, you can’t forget about the sun. While it can give you that great tan you’ve always wanted, it’s certainly unforgiving when exposed to it for too long.
  • Check legal matters like permits to make sure you’re allowed to have a wedding in the beach of your choice. On your special day, the last thing you’ll ever want to get in your whole life is a police record. What a flop to a momentous occasion of love.
  • Ensure comfort for everyone – depending on the place and time, beach weddings can get quite hot. To make sure this doesn’t get people out of the mood, have refreshments and cooling items such as fans readily available. This isn’t just limited to just the ceremony or the reception, but also for accommodations as well.As mentioned before, the beach can be quite a distance for many people, so there are bound to be guests that would want to spend the night instead of having to take that long drive back to the city. Since beaches have resorts nearby, why not take the opportunity to book rooms for your guests. They’ll be able to rest well, prepare well enough for the celebration, and enjoy your day even more.
  • Privacy – beach weddings are best when held during lulls in tourism peaks.

The Don’ts:

  • Delicate designs and weak furniture are definitely not allowed. Remember that these will be exposed to the outdoors, so make sure that they can withstand a bit of wear and tear.
  • Never plan a beach wedding on an extremely sunny day or from 8 AM to 2 PM because the sun shines bright on those durations. The photographer might struggle in taking photos of the wedding due to the sunlight, and your guests may sweat too much or also hurt their eyes. Also, another thing to avoid in general for this summer is none other than heat stroke.
  • For the lovely brides, try not to wear a lengthy veil because of the wind. The bride, at all costs, must remain picturesque and gorgeous; nobody wants to see a “messily veiled bride” right?
  • Don’t plan a wedding  during the rainy season.

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Settle Everything

After knowing about all the pros and cons of a beach wedding, you’ll practically be prepared already in order to get that dream beach wedding you’ve been waiting for. Make sure you’ll have everything in check, and try to get a checklist to keep in track of what you need. In every occasion you have planned, whether it be small or big, it never hurts to keep tabs on what can happen.

Key Takeaway

Convinced to have a wedding in a beach? Just be ready to prepare all the requirements and necessities for a perfect wedding. If you’re in need of a wedding catering company, contact Juan Carlo today to give you an impeccable and extraordinary wedding experience.

Unconventional Wedding Cakes

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What are examples of unconventional weddings cakes?

  1. Doughnuts
  2. Cupcakes
  3. Dessert Shots
  4. Cinnamon Rolls
  5. Pies
  6. Cake Pops

Besides the bride and groom, the wedding cake is undeniably the star of the wedding reception. Many guests look forward to seeing the couple slice through the delicious confection before serving it to them. Plus, who wouldn’t want to get a bite out of that delicious delicacy right before their eyes? Wedding catering in the Philippines certainly know how important the cake is and make sure that they provide their clients with beautiful designs that is sure to make guests smile.

Recently though, couples are looking beyond the traditional wedding cake look. Sure, the classic designs with multiple tiers of sweet goodness spells classical savory. But there’s something about the unconventional and unique ones that truly attract the eyes of many.

From finger foods to mini versions of the classics, here are 6 dessert alternative desserts that will surely satisfy your guests’ sweet cravings:

Doughnuts

Whether it’s eaten with a hot cup of coffee, some ice cream, or on its own, a doughnut is truly the dessert that stands among the rest in its own right. With its various flavors and toppings that make every doughnut-eating experience unique, this dessert makes a mark in any setting.

It is also starting to be seen in weddings and gaining popularity as a wedding cake substitute. If you’re yearning for that sweet and glazed goodness of doughnuts to be the centerpiece of your reception, then feel free to go to your local bakeshop to try and find the freshest, yummiest treats. Once you find the best doughnuts in town, then have it arranged in tiers to mimic a multi-tiered cake.

As mentioned before, ice cream makes a great mix for doughnut. If you really want to mix things up a bit, then why not make a doughnut-ice cream sandwich? Also, you can try something new by adding in a doughnut bar, doughnut centerpieces or doughnut wall to the buffet table or cocktail hour.

Cupcakes

Sure, cakes are the dessert that make the peak of any wedding celebration. But cupcakes as the main attraction? Now that’s something out of the box.

Cupcakes are a fun alternative to a wedding cake because of the various toppings available for anyone’s choice. You can take this to your advantage by providing all the flavors that you know your guests will love.

To make this “cake” a beautiful centerpiece for the reception, go for a cupcake tower and make sure to stack up a couple extra tiers for that ‘wow’ factor. Every guest will be attracted to get his or her individual serving of a beautifully decorated piece of pastry.

They are also easy to transport and prepare which makes for an easy set-up. When the celebration is over, these cupcakes can also be an easy giveaway.

Dessert Shots

Can’t decide what dessert to serve? Go for dessert shots! This option makes a great way to cater to the tastes of any age group; the more alcoholic ones can go to the adults.

These sweet creations are as beautiful as they are delicious. You have a variety to choose from: strawberry cheesecake, chocolate mousse, and key lime pie, among many others. You can create an array of dessert shots on a side table with 4 or 5 varieties.  Also when compared to a slice of cake, these shots are easier to eat which is practical for walking and socializing around.

Another thing about this dessert that adds to its greatness is that they can be presented in any way you want. Whether it be a tower or a standard row-and-column setup, you’ll surely be able to reign in some hungry eyes and sweet teeth.

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Cinnamon Rolls

These delicious rolls are best when freshly baked and served hot with extra cream. Although such rolls are usually seen and enjoyed in a bakery or from your local coffee shop, it can also be the perfect attraction in a brunch-themed wedding.

This is because the beautiful designs of cinnamon rolls make it a great choice as a centerpiece. While you can present them as edible decorations around the venue, you can also put them into tiers for a really unique cake. Another unique idea with these desserts is arranging them into makeshift bouquets. These can be given away as thank you presents given to your guests for attending and bearing witness to your romantic union.

After a whole night of being around these desserts and being able to take them home, they’ll remember your epic celebration every time they have a cinnamon roll.

Pies

A pie is one of the perfect wedding cake substitutes because it is one of the most seasonal foods around. Also, its rustic appearance will give a homey, avant-garde atmosphere in your wedding reception.

You can go with mini pies, opt for a pie dessert bar, or stack multiple pies to mimic a tiered cake. Go for a variety of flavors like apple, blueberry, and chocolate cream for a classic twist.

Also, you can even give mini-pies to give to your guests as goodies for attending the wedding. That way, after all that’s been celebrated, they’ll be able to enjoy a taste of love for themselves.

Cake Pops

If you love cake but want a wedding dessert that is more on the playful and miniature side, then consider cake pops. These decadent desserts are dipped in a candy shell for an extra dose of sweetness and topped with different toppings of your choice.

Like with other desserts, you can go for a tiered cake pop. To get that artistic touch for the day, you can color coordinate these pops according to your wedding’s color scheme or create a mild gradation effect.

Also, once everything is done and there are lot of cake pops leftover, simply pop them in the fridge and before you know it, they’ll be good to go.

Key Takeaway

These delicious options will definitely stand out from the wedding cake crowd. If you’re aiming for a unique wedding experience, then these are the foods for you. Remember, there is nothing wrong in adding a touch of uniqueness in the food, especially with dessert.

It’s So Corny: All About the Corn

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Corn Juan Carlo

What do I need to know about corn?

  1. Corn is part of the grass family of food and it is one of the most readily available foods in the world today.
  2. It originated from the Aztec and Mayan Indians in Mexico and Central America, who domesticated it from wild grain.
  3. It eventually came to be known as “Maize” to the natives and was the main source of food in Central and South America.
  4. Christopher Columbus and his men discovered corn from these natives and brought it back with them to Europe.
  5. Corn became the answer to the growing problem of hunger in Europe.
  6. Eventually, varieties of it were made, namely: field corn, sweet corn, popcorn, and ornamental corn
  7. The growth process of corn:
    1. When the seed is planted, it must be buried at least 1-2 inches in the soil.
    2. It will germinate for 5-12 days, depending on the temperature of the soil and variety.
    3. If the soil temperature is below 55°F is will not germinate. The best temperature for this is 68° to 86° F.
    4. When the seed sprouts, taproot will emerge and this will start to create its first leaves.
    5. As the corn grows, it will develop a thick and fibrous stalk with numerous flat and pointed leaves.
    6. The roots of every plant can burrow as far as 3-5 feet into the ground and grow further by 1 foot or more from each side of the stalk. Some roots can even grow above ground. These a called “prop roots” and naturally support the tall stalks.
  8. Corn is healthy for you:
    1. It gives you an energy boost.
    2. It is loaded with vitamins and minerals.
    3. It is rich in antioxidants, zinc, magnesium, iron and fiber.

Food has always been an important part of humanity and its culture and it will continue to be important until the end of time; or if someone invents an alternative to food but that idea is a little too sci-fi right now. This is evidenced by Juan Carlo’s wedding catering services, where we’ve seen many couples in love share food and drink with the people that they love. Simply put, food is important to people both emotionally and physically.

However, food is an expensive resource and the sad reality of it is that not everybody can afford to eat 3 meals a day. This is true today and this was a debilitating fact even before the advancement of humanity as a species. During the middle ages, people were still experimenting with the preparation and consumption of food, a research which started even before the dawn of humanity. Enter – the corn.

The Origin of Corn

Corn is part of the grass family of food and it is one of the most readily available foods in the world today. It is nutritious, delicious, affordable, and easy to grow. But the corn that we know is actually an aberration as a vegetable as it was artificially grown and developed. It is very different to the corn back then.

The origins of corn can be traced back to thousands of years ago when Aztec and Mayan Indians in Mexico and Central America domesticated it from wild grain. These first generations of corn were loose-podded and looked like seed heads that could be found on the top of wheat stalks. The kernels that these had were small and covered by hulls. This was developed from Teosinte, a wild grass native to the Mexican area. It eventually came to be known as “Maize” to the natives and was the main source of food in Central and South America. In fact, the natives even devised the earliest version of a crop calendar to be able to manage the planting a harvesting schedules of corn.

It continued to be cultivated and grow in popularity that it even reached North America. It was here that Christopher Columbus stumbled upon America, its Indian natives, and corn. At the time, Maize was the chief food crop of the Indians and was a popular commodity traded between the Native Americans and the Mexicans

It was in this trade route that Columbus and his men discovered corn. They quickly learned how to grow them and were quick to want to adopt it for their use. In fact, the first battles that Columbus’ men and the Indians fought were for the control of cornfields. During this time, it was a common war tactic to cut off the food supply of your enemies. They proved successful in these battles which allowed them to bring some corn seeds with them back to their Motherland, Europe.

During this time, the corn was what is known today as field corn which will be discussed below. Some of this would be eaten straight from harvesting. Most of it were used in other ways such as:

  • Cooked into pudding, cakes, and breads.
  • Dried up for storage and to be eaten for winter.
  • Grounded into cornmeal or corn flour.
  • Fed to livestock.

Progression of Corn

At the time, Corn became a hit with both the nobles and the commoners because of how easy it was to produce, how cheap it was to trade, and how delicious they were. In short, corn was their answer to the growing problem of hunger in Europe. In time, corn and potatoes eventually became the staple food in the known world and for a time, people were happy.

Eventually, varieties of corn were made. These varieties were then divided into four groups, namely: field corn, sweet corn, popcorn, and ornamental corn. All of these groups differ in starch and sugar content, which dictate the kernel texture, shape and flavor

For field corn, these came in two varieties: dent or flint. Flint is hard-shelled and can thrive in cold climates, which is why it is usually found in New England and Canada. Dent, on the other hand, is a bit softer and has a dent shape on the top of the kernel when it matures. Both can be made into homemade meals by drying and grounding them. Usually, these are eaten as roasting ears which are favorites of gardeners and farmers.

Popcorn is another hard shelled variety that has starch which expands when it is heated.

The soft shelled variety is called sweet corn and this usually has a sweet taste and a moist consistency.

How They Grow

No matter what the variety, all corn are grown the same way. When the seed is planted, it must be buried at least 1-2 inches in the soil. It will germinate for 5-12 days, depending on the temperature of the soil and variety. If the soil temperature is below 55°F is will not germinate. The best temperature for this is 68° to 86° F.

When the seed sprouts, taproot will emerge and this will start to create its first leaves. These leaves will resemble blades.

As the corn grows, it will develop a thick and fibrous stalk with numerous flat and pointed leaves. This stalk can grow to be as tall as 15 feet; it depends on the climate and variety. The roots of every plant can burrow as far as 3-5 feet into the ground and grow further by 1 foot or more from each side of the stalk. Some roots can even grow above ground. These a called “prop roots” and naturally support the tall stalks.

The True Value of Corn

Corn is delicious as a food but eventually, people started really studying it. It was during that very course of study that they discovered that corn is actually a healthy type of food. Not only does it give people the energy boost that they need, it is also loaded with vitamins and minerals. Some benefits of corn include being rich in antioxidants, abundance in minerals such as zinc, magnesium, and iron; and it was also a rich source of fiber for people. All of these made the already-popular corn even more in-demand and that appreciation of corn has persisted to this day.

Corn is simply a food rich in taste, nutrition and history. Are you interested in creating your own special moment? Give Juan Carlo’s food a try!

MRE: History of Rations

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What is the history of rations?

  1. The first rations appeared in ancient times when Roman soldiers were given two pounds of bread per day which came with olive oil, meat, and wine
  2. The armies during this time mainly relied on barrels upon barrels of dried meat and vegetables on their longer campaigns
  3. Cutting off an army’s trade route was tantamount to winning the war during this time.
  4. In the 18th century, armies carried “garrison rations” which were stored in large wagons which followed columns of troops wherever they travelled. These contained beef or pork, wheat flour or cornmeal, and barrels of apple cider or spruce beer.
  5. During the invasion of Russian, Nicolas Appert revolutionized rations by placing food in sealable jars and covering it in hot water. This sterilized, cooked, and preserved the food all at the same time.
  6. Because glass jars were expensive, canned food was created.
  7. In the 19th century, the USA created the first legitimate rations which provided the full nutritional value of a true meal.

 

Food is so crucial to the survival of the human race. In fact, there are businesses dedicated to providing it, such as Juan Carlo’s wedding catering services. However, during the darker periods of human history, food was also a necessary resource in the art of war. Sustaining an army of thousands of men got the various military forces around the world pondering the gargantuan task of keeping these soldiers fed. See, food is necessary in peace as well as war because without it, soldiers would not be ready for combat.

Most of history saw some small militias rather than large armies for battle. They would usually come together from the local population and would only be active for a short period of time. When these small groups would need to move from place to place, they simply just lived off of the food that they found, the food they could buy, and the food they could confiscate from stores and farms.

In fact, during the ancient times, Rome created the very first permanent and professional army. The Roman Empire divided this army and stationed Legionnaires at all corners and points of their land. This was possible because of the paved road that they had which made the transport of supplies a bit easier. Every soldier was given two pounds of bread per day, which came with olive oil, meat, and wine. These were the first appearance of something that resembled rations. The supply of these came from places as far as Egypt to as near as local fields.

The armies, during this time, mainly relied on barrels upon barrels of dried meat and vegetables on their longer campaigns. However, dried food can only last for so long so at the time, cutting off an army’s trade route is tantamount to winning the war. At the time, food couldn’t last for more than a month so expenditure was at an all-time high for transporting and producing food alone. Lack of food also drove armies to raid and plunder innocent villages for food, water and at times, for manpower.

History has shown the world that the lack of food during emergency cases often drove desperate people to committing things that they normally wouldn’t do, otherwise known as the state of ‘insanity’. One such example is the 1972 Andes Flight Disaster where after several days of starving, the desperate survivors collectively decided, albeit begrudgingly, to eat the flesh of their deceased compatriots. It is a widely accepted fact that hunger drives people to do things in order to survive.

 

1972 Andes Flight Disaster

For a time, profession armies disappeared and did not resurface until the 18th century; most notably in the British Empire. When the American Revolution broke out in 1775, the British Empire was ready and they easily stuck down any rebellion with trained battalions of soldiers. Both sides relied heavily on locally available food for their rations as well as foraging any land that they could. Often, both sides would find themselves too far away from any reliable source of food. They had to carry “garrison rations”, which were stored in large wagons which followed columns of troops wherever they travelled. Their typical supply of food included beef or pork, wheat flour or cornmeal, and barrels of apple cider or spruce beer (during this time, sanitation was still inefficient and it was more hygienic to bring around cider and beer instead of water).

Fresh vegetables were also very unusual to be a part of a battalion’s food supply since it was hard to preserve them. They were only available to soldiers if there was a local supply of it. Because of the lack of fruits and vegetables, soldiers usually suffered from vitamin deficiencies and winter time would take a heavy toll on them. Most of the soldiers who fought in this war died from disease rather than the hands of their enemies.

Napoleon Bonaparte, a famous French conqueror, once said that, “An army marches on its stomach”; and he ardently believed in the importance of proper military nutrition. Unknowingly, this statement would start the search for a way to preserve food and eventually lead to the invention of canned food.

During the invasion of Russia, Napoleon and the French government needed to find a way to supply their massive army with food since the battles took place in faraway fields from their food sources. Because of this, they promised an award to the person who could revolutionize the transport and preservation of food.  Nicolas Appert heard the call and so he developed a preservation method which involved sealing the food in a glass jar and covering it with boiling water so that it will be cooked as well as keeping it preserved. The boiling water is also what kills the bacteria on the meat and sterilizes it while the jar keeps the bacteria from attacking the meat.

This idea is what paved the way to what we now know as ‘canned food’. At the time, the idea was considered revolutionary and it provided safe food for transfer and consumption.

The only problem with canning was that, at the time, the materials needed for canning were expensive and they were difficult to open without the proper tools. Although their need for fresh food was answered, a new problem popped up, but it wasn’t too big of a deal until the early 19th century when the British military used cans sealed with lead solder, which in turn caused lead poisoning.

Civil_War_rations

It wasn’t until the late 19th century when food rationing was truly revolutionized, at least in its earliest form, by the United States Military. They developed a system of nutrition which addressed the daily nutritional meal of an average person. Various tools and other materials were also developed for the consumption of food, which lead to rations being extremely convenient to transport as well as the easy of preparing the food for eating.

Food is one of the only things in the world which could cause conflicts but at the end of the day, the night will fall and the sun will rise. Simply put, while food is the cause of conflict, it can also be a source of love and nourishment between families and friends.

Asim Kilig! Why Sinigang is So Popular among Filipinos

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Juan-Carlo-Sinigang

Why is Sinigang so popular among Filipinos?

  1. Sinigang is marked as a Filipino comfort food.
  2. It helps cool the body during hot conditions due to its tangy taste.
  3. There are many variations of the dish and it can be prepared in any way.
  4. Depending on preferences, Sinigang can be easily adjusted in both quantity and quality.
  5. Nowadays, numerous trends have been introduced to heighten the dish’s popularity to new heights.

When you think about the Philippines, one of the first things to come to mind is the country’s history, which is rich in excitement and intrigue. While many things throughout the times have been given the Filipino touch, there is nothing better than Filipino food; most especially dishes like adobo and sinigang. This is why the best wedding catering in Manila often serve these dishes in their events.

If a survey regarding the Philippines’ national food was conducted, then adobo and sinigang would certainly be tied for the top spot. Both recipes represent the Filipino culture and many consider these dishes as staples in the traditional family gathering.

Between these two dishes, many argue that sinigang is the dish most representative of the Filipino palate. This is mostly because it can be customized according to any taste, budget, season, and availability. Basically, it is a dish that can be enjoyed by all.

Even celebrities can’t enough of it. In the union of Philippine showbiz icons, Ding Dong Dantes and Marian Rivera, Chef Margarita Fores whipped up shrimp sinigang for the couple’s wedding.

What is Sinigang and How is it Made?

Sinigang is a Filipino soup dish known for its sour and savory taste. Traditionally tamarind-based, this sour dish consists of meat – which can be beef, pork, fish or shrimp –  and vegetables like okra, water spinach (kang kong), daikon (labanos), onions, and eggplant. Sometimes the tamarind can be switched with guava, calamansi, or even unripe mango, depending on the cook’s preference. Green long peppers (siling mahaba) are also added to the dish to add some spice. There are also variations such as sinigang sa miso and sinigang na baboy at hipon.

So why is Sinigang a hit among Filipinos?

With its sour soup, sinigang is marked as Filipino comfort food. It rouses the senses because of the sourness and slight spice. Also, ingesting the long peppers can make the body sweat, which helps it to cool especially during a humid day. Food historians even commended sinigang for being a refreshing and appetite-boosting dish perfect for the Philippines’ tropical climate. A Filipino food writer even wrote in an article that the dish most likely was already in existence during the pre-Hispanic era. He also considers sinigang as the Philippines’ national food.

Nowadays, not only do different kinds of sinigang exist for your preference, but different variations of it have also come to light. Have you ever heard of something called ‘sinigang rice’? The thought of merging the flavor of sinigang with rice is something that exudes innovation in traditional Filipino food. Other variations such as sinigang paella, sinigang bulalo, and even sinigang with other fruits such as strawberries and watermelon have also emerged. No matter what you choose, it’s always a guarantee for you to have a thrilling and unique sinigang experience.

A dish like sinigang is something that’s extremely common to the Filipinos to the point where each and every variation of the dish is entirely in their hands to control. It is this ability to be able to customize the dish that makes it enjoyable to every Filipino’s taste.  With that said, sinigang is the kind of dish that can be served to meet many expectations anyone can have of the dish. It’s entirely up to you, as the cook, to deliver.

Although foreigners have mixed views about this dish – claiming that it is too sour for their taste – Filipinos remain undaunted over the negative views to their beloved sinigang.

Is there such thing as ‘authentic’ Sinigang?

With 7,107 islands in the Philippines, it’s no surprise that every region has a different way of preparing the said dish. In 1995, Sidebar of the Chateau 1771 Group introduced sinigang with corned beef to the public. Eventually, this became a trend recipe.

There’s also this recipe called sinampalukang manok. Some do not technically consider it as a variation of sinigang because of the way it’s cooked and how the tamarind leaves are used. In this recipe, the chicken is sautéed with ginger first instead of being dumped raw in a pot with the rest of the ingredients. This is the typical way to cook sinigang. Also, fish sinigang’s primary ingredient is milkfish (bangus) or any local fish like maya maya and lapu lapu. However, many people switch out the milkfish for salmon or tuna.

When it comes to adding the signature sour flavor, tamarind is the go-to ingredient. However, what many don’t know is that other fruits can be used as a souring agent for this dish. Fruits like lemons, pineapples, strawberries, guavas, and watermelons have been known to make great substitutes to add the sinigang’s signature sour taste while adding a hint of sweetness to the dish. Each addition to this dish brings exoticness and authenticity to it.

Key Takeaway

Whether authentic or not, tamarind-based or guava, sinigang is still sinigang for Filipinos. In a way, the diversity is a Filipino tradition in itself. One thing’s for sure: nothing can beat the refreshing feeling one could get after tasting that sour, savory broth during a rainy day or a hot, summer afternoon.