In South Africa, there are plenty of delicious and creative wedding food options that have emerged. The latest trends in wedding catering, including unique menu options and presentation styles explored.
Planning a wedding entails a myriad of decisions, including lavish African outfits, decor, venue scouting, and, among the most daunting is catering services. It’s not just about selecting a menu; it’s about creating an unforgettable dining experience for guests while managing costs. However, despite its challenges, wedding catering offers an opportunity for couples to showcase their culinary creativity.
In recent years, wedding catering has evolved significantly. Gone are the days of standard options (where typical African wedding food was cooked by skilled and experienced cooks, neighbors, and close family); now, weddings embrace innovation, diversity, and a celebration of culinary craftsmanship. From farm-to-table cuisine to fusion flavors and artisanal beverages, the options are endless and enticing.
Couples are using catering to express their personalities, styles, and cultural heritage. Whether incorporating global influences, family traditions, or sustainable practices, modern weddings redefine dining and celebrate love through food.
In this article, JanaTribe will explore the latest trends in South African wedding catering. From innovative menus to creative presentations, join us as we journey through the vibrant and diverse culinary landscape of South African weddings.
Why do people opt for catering services for their weddings?
There is an insane cost of catering services in today’s weddings; however, a lot of couples still opt for it due to important factors.
First off, planning on cooking your food for your guests at your wedding can be daunting enough to even ruin your big day. If you decide to cook it yourself, remember that you’ll need:
- Serving utensils
- Serving containers
- Silverware, flatware, and glasses/cups (These are things a caterer typically provides; sometimes venues will provide these included or at an additional cost. Also, these can be rented from party rentals)
- Food: Make a grocery list. It will be a lot.
- Your venue may require you to vacate the place by midnight. You have to remember someone has to have all those dishes washed and packed up by that time. So plan on hiring a dishwasher.
- Buffet tables: containers, spoons/tongs
- Someone to cook the food. Unless you’re making cold foods (finger sandwiches, cucumber sandwiches, chicken salad, potato salad, etc) someone will have to prepare it.
All of these are tiring factors that make today’s couples opt for catering services from venues or food companies.
Remember to make arrangements for guests with special requirements, eg vegetarians, diabetics, etc. With this information, craft your menus with your caterer. Remember, the whole idea is to choose a good caterer, who provides you with the food of your choice within your budget. After you choose the caterer, all the arrangements are done by them.
The best wedding food and drink trends in South Africa
In South Africa, where diversity is celebrated and culinary traditions are rich and varied, wedding catering trends are constantly evolving to offer couples an array of options to tantalize their guests’ taste buds and create memorable dining experiences.
When planning for your food and drinks, you need to decide the dishes that will be served, the expected number of guests, and your budget. Please remember not to break the bank because of your wedding.
From innovative menu offerings to creative presentation styles, here are some of the latest trends shaping the world of South African wedding catering.
1. Farm-to-Table Cuisine
Embracing the farm-to-table movement, many couples are opting for locally sourced and sustainably produced ingredients from farmers and producers, which leads to fresher, more nutrient-dense dishes for their wedding menus.
From organic vegetables and free-range meats to artisanal cheeses and handcrafted wines, farm-to-table cuisine celebrates the natural flavors and seasonal abundance of South Africa’s diverse landscapes.
When deciding on the right caterer for your affair, remember to vet the vendor by asking where the ingredients will be coming from. Make sure that they use only locally sourced produce.
2. Fusion Flavors
South Africa’s multicultural heritage is reflected in its cuisine, and many couples are incorporating fusion flavors into their wedding menus.
From Cape Malay curries and Indian-inspired samosas to traditional African braais with a modern twist, fusion cuisine offers a vibrant and eclectic mix of flavors that reflects the diversity of the country’s culinary landscape.
Though the concept may not be new, fusion food is still rare on occasions like weddings, especially if your family and loved ones are very traditional. I suggest adding a subtle change to a dish to bring it closer to home.
The latest favorite fusion food per iol is amasi-marinated Cajun chicken, an African twist on the beloved American Southern fried chicken. Traditionally marinated in buttermilk, this shake is sure to please guests.
You may multiply quantities according to the number of guests, and one kilogram of chicken serves eight to ten guests.
3. Interactive Food Stations
Interactive food stations are a popular trend in South African wedding catering, allowing guests to customize their dining experience and engage with the culinary process.
From build-your-own taco bars and gourmet burger stations to DIY sushi rolls and artisanal pizza ovens, interactive food stations offer a fun and interactive way for guests to enjoy delicious food while socializing with one another.
4. Global Influences
With South Africa’s cosmopolitan cities serving as melting pots of cultures and cuisines, many couples are incorporating global influences into their wedding menus. From Mediterranean mezze platters and Spanish paella to Thai street food and Japanese sushi bars, global cuisine offers a world of flavors and culinary traditions for couples to explore and incorporate into their wedding celebrations.
5. Small Plates and Sharing Platters
Small plates and sharing platters are a growing trend in South African wedding catering, offering couples a more casual and convivial dining experience. Instead of traditional plated meals, couples are opting for a variety of small dishes and sharing platters that allow guests to sample a diverse range of flavors and dishes throughout the evening.
6. Eco-Friendly Catering Practices
Sustainability is a growing concern for many couples, and eco-friendly catering practices are becoming increasingly popular in South African weddings.
From compostable dinnerware and biodegradable packaging to zero-waste cooking techniques and locally sourced ingredients, eco-friendly catering allows couples to reduce their environmental footprint while still enjoying delicious and memorable food.
7. Artisanal Beverages
In addition to food, couples are paying more attention to the beverage offerings at their weddings, with a focus on artisanal and craft options.
From small-batch wines and craft beers to signature cocktails and locally distilled spirits, artisanal beverages add a touch of sophistication and flair to the wedding bar and allow couples to showcase their tastes and preferences.
Since more and more individuals are taking an interest in their health and well-being, zero-proof cocktails (beverages made without alcohol) are becoming a staple at weddings.
At your wedding, you can either host a dry affair if it complements your lifestyle or supplement your selection of booze with non-alcoholic alternatives to cater to each of your guests.
8. Alternative Desserts
While wedding cakes remain a popular tradition, many couples are opting for alternative desserts to satisfy their guests’ sweet cravings. The idea is to offer guests a variety of puddings that they can help themselves with.
Dessert is a fun way to give guests a sweet treat and offer a fun and interactive experience.
This includes everything from classic desserts such as crème brûlée, cheese boards, tarts, and chocolate brownies to more unconventional options such as doughnuts, cheesecake, colorful macarons, dessert pops on sticks, sorbets, and make-your-own ice cream or gelato stations.
Alternative desserts offer a creative and indulgent way to end the meal on a sweet note.
9. Elevated Presentation
Presentation is key in South African wedding catering, with couples opting for creative and visually stunning displays to showcase their culinary creations.
From elaborate grazing tables and edible flower arrangements to interactive food installations and live cooking demonstrations, elevated presentation adds a touch of elegance and sophistication to the dining experience.
10. Personalization and Customization
With couples seeking to create unique and memorable experiences for their guests, personalization, and customization are key trends in South African wedding catering.
From custom menu options and bespoke cocktails to themed food stations and family recipes, personalized touches allow couples to infuse their personalities and love stories into every aspect of their wedding celebration.
11. Vegetarian and Vegan menus
Gone are the days of a few scorned vegetarians at weddings. There has been a massive surge of plant-based menu requests, The Flyingpan, a highly personalised catering service combining knowledge and expertise with unique customer requirements, reveals.
Couples are hence required to include a portion of their catering package for people who are vegetarians and vegans.
12. Street Food
Street food is gaining popularity at weddings. The culinary style draws inspiration from the diverse offerings of food trucks and stalls found on the streets of cities worldwide.
The idea is to offer guests a variety of dishes that they can enjoy while mingling with other guests.
Many favourite street food choices include tacos, barbecue pulled pork bao buns, burgers, and pizzas.
Street food is a great way to bring a fun and casual atmosphere to your wedding and allows guests to try a variety of different dishes. It has become popular at festival-style events and is often served as late-night food or snacks to keep the party going late into the night.
For some of the best and most famous catering services in South Africa, check below:
| Catering vendors in South Africa | Services | Location |
| The Velvet Effect | Catering | Cape Town |
| Concept Food | Catering | Cape Town |
| Guyall’s Kitchen | Catering | Cape Town |
| Lifes Little Feasts | Catering | Cape Town |
| Kos Kouture | Catering | Cape Town |
| Two Chefs | Catering | Cape Town |
| The Flying Pan | Catering | Cape Town |
| Sip Exclusive | Drinks | Cape Town |
| Kegorator – Drinks on tap | Drinks | Cape Town |
| Feature Coffee Roastery and Café | Drinks | Stellenbosch |
| Red Pepper Catering | Catering | Stellenbosch |
| Champers on Tap | Drinks | Johannesburg |
| Flair World | Cakes & Desserts | Garden Route |
| Avec Mari Catering | Catering | Stellenbosch |
Conclusion
In conclusion, South African wedding catering trends are as diverse and dynamic as the country’s culinary landscape, offering couples a wealth of options to create memorable dining experiences for their guests. From farm-to-table cuisine and fusion flavors to interactive food stations and artisanal beverages, the latest trends in wedding catering reflect a celebration of creativity, diversity, and culinary innovation. Whether couples opt for small plates and sharing platters or elevate their presentation with interactive food installations, one thing is clear: South African weddings are embracing culinary creativity like never before.
