Food and Drink Pairings for Entertaining

Jun 9, 2015 | Full Bar Service

In our last blog we talked about how you can add unique memories to your event by adding Bar Service to your catering. We continue that discussion by suggesting food and beverage pairings that might best suit your specific event.

When it comes to successful pairings of dishes to specific beverages, there are several things to consider. A drink is just as important to the menu as the type of complimentary dishes you are providing. By pairing food and drink you can create an entire adventure from a single flavor profile.  Here are some ground floor pairings to start the ideas and inspire your imagination wet (don’t really like) your appetite.

 

Blushing Introductions

If your catering consists of a wide variety of hors d’oeuvres, pairing it with a nice Rose will cover your bases. A Rose wine has the crispness of a white but the fruitiness of arestaurant-691397_1280 red, which complements the many textures of your appetizing selection.

 

Earthly Delights

Will your main dish have earthy elements such as lentils, mushrooms or gamey meats? Perfectly pair them with a Syrah or Pinot Noir that has matching earth tones. It will bring an uncompromised flavor profile to your dish your event.

 

Tenacious Tannins

Oleaginous dishes such as rib eye steak or braised duck is best paired with deep reds such as Petit Syrah or Cabernet Sauvignon. The tannins from the red wine will balance beautifully with the heartiness of the dish. It’s sort of a meat and potatoes type of pairing and a classic crowd pleaser.

 

Sweet Heat

If you are serving a dish with a little pep in its step, consider balancing it with a lighter, sweeter wine such as a Riesling, Moscato or Gewürztraminer. A little sweet and spicy combo is a unique way to bring a little excitement to your event.

 

Citrus Blends

Dishes high in acidity including chicken piccata, pasta with tomato-based sauces or roasted fish with lemon are best paired with a light, citrusy acidic white wine such as Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc. It’s a beautiful blend of fresh and fantastic.

 

Mix It Up

Don’t be afraid to mix and match contrasting yet complementary textures in your menu selections. You don’t have to pair just wine with your menu. For a unique experience, why not take a signature drink that you love and plan an entire menu around the various elements of that drink. Such as pairing a triple berry Vodka martini with baked brie bites, an arugula and blueberry Salad with goat cheese, and rosemary stuffed chicken breast. You can also turn your favorite drink up a notch by adding a rim of salt, sugar, cocoa powder, chili powder or fresh herbs.

 

Your Key Signature

When picking your food and beverage menu, consider the overall theme of your event. It’s those personal touches that make an event so memorable. If it’s a wedding, consider sharing the story of your relationship by serving dishes inspired by special moments of your journey together. If it’s a birthday or anniversary, use some of the favorite dishes of the person you are celebrating and share the moments that inspired those memories. If it’s a corporate event, take some of the key elements of the message and pair them with a complimentary food and beverage menu that will continue to inspire your guests.

There are many more ways that you can make a memorable event from your food and beverage pairings. Contact us today to assist you in finding that unique signature to your event with the perfect menu pairing.

 

 

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