Dishing with Weston

 Top local chef Weston Simpson is not only the proud owner and operator of Mobile’s latest hit restaurant, West Food Bar, he’s also a private chef and quite the foodie. Noting the Bay’s food scene is moving on up, he shares wedding trends to encourage brides and event planners, thereby avoiding the ho-hum, same old fare. Considering 2022 will boast more weddings than ever before, here, his tasty tips. By Weston Simpson

Hey there, fellow foodies!

As a chef and a social person who attends countless events, nothing says “thank you” or “I love you” to your guests more than serving thoughtful cuisine. And the best part is that doesn’t always require spending more.

 Today’s food scene is churning and burning with inspirational crowd-pleasing ideas. For starters, more personalized food menus are gaining popularity. Couples will be choosing their menu based on things that are meaningful to them or their families. Items can range from a gumbo inspired by the Sunday family lunch the bride grew up with to a dish the couple adores from a favorite restaurant. Another example of this is cultural menus. If you have a heritage or culture that means a lot to you, choose to incorporate it into your wedding day menu.

 Because more couples are personalizing their menu choices, that means more comfort food options. I’m talking mac and cheese or pizza. Naturally, a good caterer can make these options a bit more upscale with a few ingredients and how they’re served or presented will make all the difference. At my restaurant, we spin down-home Southern favorites into glorious modern dishes like buttermilk fried quail with a bourbon cranberry sauce and a boudin dirty rice cake and a Gulf shrimp angel hair pasta dish topped with a creamy lemon blanc and fresh basil oil.

 Another comfort food opportunity is brunch. This is especially popular when couples are choosing a morning or midday wedding time. Think chicken and waffles, avocado toast, hot donuts, breakfast tacos, mimosas, and more. What could be better?

 I’m excited to see brides and grooms serving more locally sourced foods like meats, seafood, and produce at their receptions. This is not only a way to support the community, but it’s also a way to connect your out-of-town guests to what you love about your hometown. Naturally, add the source to your food descriptions so guests are aware. A great way to start this is by finding a local restaurant to cater your wedding.

 While late night snacks aren’t exactly new, they’re here to stay and couples are getting more personal with their choices. For example, couples are choosing to serve their favorite movie night snacks or fast food items. You can’t beat the price and guests will rave about this for years to come. Think Krispy Kreme doughnuts, McDonald’s cheeseburgers and fries, and more. The sky is the limit, even at the fanciest wedding. 

 As you’ve probably noticed in recent years, couples are choosing cake alternatives. Many still have a small, decorative cake for cutting purposes while offering guests customizable options like an ice cream sundae bar, a dessert display offering mini assortments of pie, cookies, macarons, parfaits and of course, doughnuts. Creating  displays is great fun and the effort results in guests feeling loved.

Cheers Until Next Time, – Weston Simpson

West Food Bar | 69 St. Michael Street, Mobile | 251.459.0245 | TheWestFoodBar.com