In the realm of wedding celebrations, few events capture the essence of culinary artistry and cultural fusion quite like the 2024 ICA CATIE Awards finalists! Culinary Crafts with their “Restaurant Rustica” and Blue Plate’s unforgettable event for David and Omar at Chicago’s Field Museum not only demonstrated exceptional culinary artistry but also highlighted the seamless integration of cultural influences, creating unforgettable experiences for all in attendance.
Ready for a behind-the-scenes look at these two spectacular celebrations of love and life?
WINNER: Culinary Crafts, “Restaurant Rustica”
Culinary Crafts demonstrated an exceptional ability to blend Italian heritage with an American twist, creating a dining experience that was both elevated and intimate that they dubbed “Restaurant Rustica” for this multicultural couple’s foodie-centric fete.
The vision
The journey toward crafting this remarkable wedding feast began a year prior to the event, as a food-loving couple approached the Culinary Crafts team with a vision. They sought to blend their Mediterranean roots with their American upbringing, aiming for a dining experience that reflected their shared heritage while exuding elegance and familiarity.
Culinary Crafts took home the 2024 CATIE Award for Best Catered Wedding. Photo courtesy Culinary Crafts
The couple envisioned a celebration akin to a tasting menu at their favorite restaurant, combining American favorites with Old World specialties. They desired a menu that would tantalize the taste buds and evoke a sense of home for all their guests, whether Italian or American.
The menu
Culinary Crafts rose to the occasion, curating a menu that celebrated the best of both worlds.
Restaurant Rustica. Photo courtesy Culinary Crafts
The cocktail hour teased guests with Mediterranean aromas and a selection of signature cocktails while butler-passed hors d’oeuvres and an elevated charcuterie station set the stage for the culinary journey ahead.
Favorites included:
- Classic fried squash blossoms in light beer batter
- Roasted beet arancini with habanero apricot glaze
- Pan-seared scallops glazed with almond caper butter
- Savory parmesan macarons with lemon thyme gelato and candied sage
The reception dinner showcased a three-course feast, with plated citrus-focused salads and handmade black truffle and ricotta malfatti leading the way.
For the main course, the couple opted for family-style service, with entrée boards featuring:
- Roasted half chicken with lemon preserves, Castelvetrano olives, and chimichurri
- Lemon and rosemary stuffed full branzino fish with caper butter and a sun-dried tomato, artichoke, and Kalamata olive relish, cooked in wood-fired pizza ovens
- Grilled asparagus with olive oil, fresh lemon, and black garlic panko
- Blistered on-the-vine cherry tomatoes
After dinner, desserts included homemade gelato with gourmet fixings, fresh churro bites with dulce de leche, chocolate, or raspberry coulis, and bacon bourbon popcorn in bamboo cones.
The challenges
Despite the seamless execution of the event, Culinary Crafts faced its fair share of challenges. From sourcing specialty wines to navigating the logistics of serving whole roasted fish and chicken, every aspect of the event required meticulous planning and attention to detail.
The execution
What truly set this event apart was Culinary Crafts’ commitment to refinement and authenticity. The couple, true foodies at heart, collaborated closely with the culinary team, refining recipes and ensuring that each dish reflected their favorite flavors and dining experiences.
Guests enjoyed a tasting-style menu. Photo courtesy Culinary Crafts
Moreover, the decision to incorporate both plated and family-style service added a dynamic touch to the dining experience. By blending elements of restaurant dining with the warmth of a family meal, the company succeeded in creating an atmosphere that was simultaneously upscale, inviting, and engaging.
Perhaps one of the trickiest but most impressive features was the couple’s vision of a Mediterranean open kitchen. During cocktail hour, branzino was roasting in pizza ovens, and chickens were grilled on their Santa Maria grill, all in front of the guests. Many guests came up to watch and ask the chefs questions. This created an even richer sensory experience for everyone.
No better way to celebrate a new union and family coming together as one.
Blue Plate, “David & Omar”
David and Omar’s wedding at the historic Field Museum in Chicago was nothing short of magical, with every detail meticulously crafted by Blue Plate to create an enchanting evening that would be remembered for years to come. Against the backdrop of the museum’s newest attraction, a towering Spinosaurus, guests were treated to a celebration that seamlessly blended high design, culinary excellence, and captivating entertainment.
The vision
David and Omar wanted to transport their guests into a world of wonder and romance from the moment they stepped in the door. The choice of the iconic Field Museum as the venue set the stage for an extraordinary celebration, with its blend of history and modernity creating a captivating atmosphere. Every aspect of the event was carefully designed to enhance the overall vision of a vibrant and immersive experience.
The menu
The culinary journey began with a cocktail hour on the North Terrace, where guests indulged in an array of drinks, mezze, and hors d’oeuvres like crispy taro root tacos and mini lamb burgers against the backdrop of the museum’s historical setting by candlelight.
Guests enjoyed a multi-course dinner featuring favorites such as a grilled peach and pear chip salad and cacio e pepe ravioli.Photo courtesy Blue Plate
As the evening progressed, guests were treated to a multi-course dinner accompanied by mesmerizing entertainment, including fire dancers and belly dancers, that added an extra layer of excitement to the celebration. A few favorite plates included:
- Grilled peach and pear chip salad with spring mix, frisée, watercress, Marcona almonds, Amish cheese, and aged sherry vinaigrette
- Cacio e pepe ravioli with sofrito and Parmesan Reggiano
They also had decadent dessert stations and late-night mini thin-crust pizzas featuring buffalo mozzarella and fresh basil, so guests didn’t leave hungry after dancing the night away.
Organizing a multi-space wedding at such a unique venue presented its own challenges. With three separate kitchens and event teams, meticulous planning and coordination were essential to ensure that every celebration aspect ran smoothly.
Despite the logistical intricacies, the decision to set up distinct kitchens and teams proved instrumental in delivering a flawless culinary experience across all event areas.
The execution
What set this event apart was its exceptional uniqueness and flawless execution. The culinary offerings, featuring culturally blended dishes and personalized cocktails, added a layer of depth and meaning to the celebration. At the same time, the festive food design touches created an immersive and visually stunning atmosphere.
Dinner was accompanied by mesmerizing enteratinment, including fire dancers and belly dancers. Photo courtesy Blue Plate
Including top Chicago vendors ensured a high level of quality and expertise, while unexpected elements like the Britney Spears-themed bathroom brought a sense of humor and pop culture to the event, making it truly one of a kind.
In the end, David and Omar’s wedding at the Field Museum was more than just a celebration—it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Congratulations to all our 2024 CATIE Award winners
These events were the ultimate testament to love, creativity, and the power of bringing people together in joyous union. Through a harmonious blend of flavors, cultures, and dining styles, they created unforgettable celebrations that will be cherished by all who attended.
If you want more inspiration, uncover all the talented winners of the 2024 CATIE Awards here!
