Jess & Daniel Ford, the husband and wife founders of Peppercorn Events, are experts in the wedding catering niche and have shared their personal favorites when it comes to preparing a classic and modern wedding menu with a personal touch.

Our Favorite Wedding Menu

Part of being a custom catering company is getting to know our couples, and incorporating their backgrounds, cultures and favorite food memories into their menu. Over the years, we have added some of these dishes to our seasonal menus, for other couples to see and select as they build their wedding selections. Daniel and I put together our ideal wedding menu and how we put it together.

Cocktail Hour

Raw Bar

fried chicken + buttermilk waffle, hot honey aioli porchetta crisp, mascarpone, shaved asparagusramp risotto ballsgougeres, herb goat cheese, honeysalmon millefeuille, crostini

Jess – For me, a raw bar is a must! Ideally this wedding is in a cooler month, so the ice won’t melt too quickly, but I think it is a great station to have, to set the tone for the evening.

Daniel – While stations are great, I often find myself getting caught up in conversations during cocktail hour, so I prefer passed canapes.

 Reception

Plated 1st Course charred gem lettuce salad, citrus, herbs

Family Style Entrees + Sides: shallot braised beef, marinated heirloom tomatoes, herb butter poached Chilean sea bass tomato and olive chutney, creamy polenta charred eggplant, tahini, pine nuts, raisins asparagus romesco

Daniel – A plated first course at a wedding is a great way to invite guests to sit down before the formalities, such as the introduction of the couple, and any dances. A unique take on a salad, that is a crowd pleaser, is my favorite way to start.

Jess – Family style is such an intimate way to serve your guests dinner. I love how it encourages your guests to talk to each other, if only to ask to pass a plate! But it also allows guests to taste a little bit of everything.

Dessert

mini key lime pies, cheesecake bites, brown butter chocolate chip cookies, mini strawberry shortcakes, two bite shoofly pies

Jess – When building a dessert display, I try and create a balanced assortment, incorporating something citrus, chocolate, fruity and creamy (like a cheesecake). For the fifth item, I like to pick something fun and personal!

Daniel – I agree. That ensures there is something for everyone.  Jess and I have been obsessed with shoofly pies ever since a quick getaway to PA last year, when we had it for the first time. It’s essentially a molasses pie, topped with unsweetened whipped cream.

After Party

mini breakfast sandwiches

Daniel – The best late night food is the BEC (Bacon, Egg & Cheese) you get from a deli on your way home. This may be a hard find in suburbia, but when we lived in Brooklyn, it was the perfect way to end the night.

Jess – I personally don’t love fast food, but would not say no to a SEC late night. Because it is a special memory for both Daniel and I, looking back on our city days, it is something we always love seeing on the late night menu!

Peppercorn Events & The Grocery | 663 Westwood Avenue, River Vale, New Jersey | 201- 402-9091 | @peppercorn_events | @thegroceryNJ

#AScoutedLoveStory

Throughout the month of June, The Scout Guide Bergen County has curated a directory of the premier Bergen County wedding professionals to help our local couples make their special day a Bergen County standout.

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