Something Old, Something New, & Something Borrowed

In a world where love knows no boundaries, multicultural weddings have become a beautiful celebration of diversity by merging traditions, customs, and cuisines from different corners of the globe. As caterers, navigating this rich mosaic of cultures can be both a challenge and an opportunity to showcase culinary prowess.

The set table for an intercultural wedding from Events by Ayesha. Photo courtesy Forever Photography

“This growing demand for multicultural fusion wedding menus presents an exciting opportunity for chefs to showcase their creativity and expertise in blending and complementing the many different food traditions,” says Chef Kieron Hales (Zingerman’s Cornman Farms*). “Gone are the days when a wedding menu consisted solely of traditional dishes specific to one culture or region. Now, couples are embracing the richness of culinary diversity, seeking to celebrate their love with a feast that resonates with both their heritage and their personal preferences.”

Tradition on the menu

Multicultural weddings are more popular than ever as couples want to incorporate their heritage and traditions into their celebrations. Younger couples are taking a new approach to traditions, either updating them to fit their personal values and identity, or else tossing them out completely in favor of creating new rituals (see the spring issue of Special Events magazine for a deeper look at this). Couples are looking to curate an experience that speaks to their relationship. 

One tradition that has stood the test of time (and continues to be top of mind for today’s couples) is food. 

“Food is one of our deepest connections to our past generations and culture. It is our verbal history passed down to us from our families,” says Hales. “Food is a link to the past and a road to the future. Food is deeply intertwined with our cultural identity. Traditions from our past are nearly always connected with food. These dishes serve as a tangible link to one’s heritage, history, values, and often helps explain our customs.”

A traditional Korean wedding from Blend Catering. Photo courtesy Lauren Han Blend Catering 

Have you ever considered how the food we eat shapes our cultural identity? Many of us associate our favorite recipes with warm feelings and memories of home. During the holidays, our appreciation for and interest in food traditions peak as we gather with family and friends over meals. Cooking and eating together nourishes both body and spirit and is a tangible expression of the way we care for the people we love. Traditional recipes are carefully passed down from one generation to the next, and family recipes are cherished and kept secret.

“This has been a wonderful way to get my hands on well-loved, well-kept family recipes I would never have had access to in any other way,” says Hales.

To understand the traditions and significance behind the foods we eat and why we make them is to gain a deeper appreciation of the role food plays in helping us relate to our cultural identities.

“So many of our traditions involve communal meals or gatherings centered around food,” says Hales. “These shared culinary experiences create opportunities for people to come together, strengthen bonds, and foster a sense of unity and share our stories. Whether it’s a family gathering, a religious celebration, or a cultural festival, food serves as a common thread that brings people closer. In essence, food transcends mere sustenance; it is a cornerstone of human culture and civilization and is our verbal history for many generations ago.”

Shawarma bar during a wedding by Blend Catering. Photo courtesy Sonum May

Consider this anecdote from Mark Ryan (Robert Ryan Catering & Design): “We have seen many different types of cultures coming together to celebrate events over the decades and the one that most stands out is a Peruvian groom and an American bride. That menu was so much fun to create. The client gave us some names of dishes and then we did some research and sourcing of ingredients. This client gave us one of his mother’s recipes for a braised chicken dish that used bone-in chicken thighs and drumsticks; the dish was prepared and served to the groom and his reaction was unbelievable. He started to cry and was speaking in Spanish to his fiancée, and what he said was that he hadn’t had that dish in three years since his mom passed away and it reminded him of his mother’s cooking.”

Mini ancho braised beef taco with white onions, cilantro, and queso fresco from Blend Catering. Photo courtesy Sara Lynn Hunt-Broka

Couples are also looking to tap into their own stories and histories by incorporating menus that resonate with them, whether it speaks to their travels and the global cuisine that they’ve enjoyed, or it highlights their favorite neighborhood restaurant. 

“For me the biggest evolution of menus has been the ‘gap,’” says Hales. “For many couples over the last few years there has been a gap in the sharing of food stories and traditions from the previous generations, so this ‘gap’ has been somewhat filled with a new set of stories from travel. A lot of couples often share their favorite food traditions not from families but from travel. This has had the effect of bringing a greater mix of food and cultures to the table when it comes to their menu.” 

Food connects us

By embracing the cultural significance of food, today’s couples are seeking to connect with their guests on a deeper level. 

“Food reflects where we are from and how we are raised, so it is a deep reflection of home for us,” says Chef Karen O’Connor (Daniel et Daniel Catering & Events). “When we come together to celebrate, we want to share that with others. It lets us share who we are with others and invites them into our world.” 

Rack of lamb with dill rice, chickpeas, babaganoush, and date-Aleppo lamb jus from Blend Catering. Photo courtesy Sara Lynn Hunt-Broka

Food is more than just something to consume. Thousands of variations and dishes give people the ability to express themselves through food.

The connection between culture and food lets us embrace each other’s heritage in a tasteful and respectful way. It’s natural to feel pride toward your family’s heritage, and many choose to share their traditional food as a way of doing that. Food acts as a portal into others’ lifestyles and experiences—you can take someone on a journey with each flavor and spice, giving them a taste of your own life. Some may have never experienced those unique flavors before, and it will allow them to reach common ground with a culture they’re unfamiliar with. 

Japanese Carrot Nigiri from Daniel et Daniel Catering & Events. Photo courtesy Dana Gibbons Photography/AGNYC Productions, Inc.; 

Food can serve as a bridge between different cultures, allowing people to learn about and appreciate other ways of life. Food can also help bring a wedding together. Eating together, especially foods that represent a couple, is an intimate experience and takes the experience a step further.

“It excites me because multicultural fusion wedding menus offer a way to break down barriers and foster inclusivity,” says Hales. “In a world that often feels divided, food has the power to bring people together, transcending differences and creating connections. By celebrating diversity on their wedding day, couples send a powerful message of unity and acceptance, inviting their guests to join them in embracing the beauty of cultural exchange. Sharing one’s roots with the menu makes for a magical moment where conversations and connections are made across the dinner table.

thiopian Key Wat from Daniel et Daniel Catering & Events. Photo courtesy Chef Karen O’Connor

“Food transcends language and geography, communicating the heritage and traditions of culture through flavors, aromas, and textures. By thoughtfully curating multicultural menus, we can take significant steps towards creating more inclusive communities.”

A marriage of cuisines

Multicultural menus aren’t just about incorporating global food onto the menu; they’re about creating innovative dishes that pay homage to both sides of the family. Whereas weddings are a marriage of two individuals, multicultural menus are a marriage of two cuisines. Fusion cuisine allows caterers to blend elements from different cultures, creating a harmonious fusion that appeals to a diverse palate.

“We are blending global influences,” said Kristin Banta during Catersource + The Special Event 2024. “We’re talking unique combos that are blending different cultures and different flavors.”

Korean Loaded Kimchi Potatoes from Daniel et Daniel Catering & Events. Photo courtesy Chef Karen O’Connor

Once you have an idea of what cultures and traditions the couple wants to incorporate into their wedding, start by experimenting with cross-cultural ingredients and cooking methods to craft a menu that seamlessly integrates diverse culinary traditions. 

Reinvent classic dishes 

Put a unique spin on traditional dishes by incorporating ingredients or techniques from diverse culinary traditions, such as adding Asian spices to classic American dishes or creating innovative sushi rolls with regional ingredients.

Strike a balance between traditional dishes that pay homage to the couple’s cultural heritage and contemporary interpretations that cater to modern tastes.

Asian-inspired cuisine from Blend Catering. Photo courtesy Ryan Ray

Remember: even though you’re writing your menus for the couple, your menus still need to be accessible for all guests. Think: simple crowd-pleasing options or deconstructed dishes that help to make them more approachable and simpler to understand. 

Pair flavors

Experiment with flavor combinations that highlight the diverse taste profiles of different cuisines, like marrying the spicy and aromatic flavors of Indian cuisine with the fresh, vibrant notes of Mexican cuisine.

“We try to take flavors from the cuisine we are being asked to include and add them to recipes that might be more familiar to their guests,” says O’Connor. “Rather than trying to be authentic, we try to bring the seasonings into foods that we normally make.”

Consider courses

If fusing cuisines together into a single dish isn’t within your wheelhouse, or you don’t feel comfortable taking such liberties with traditional foods, opt for courses: you can put the focus on a primary cuisine without neglecting the secondary culture. 

Middle Eastern Za’atar Chicken from Daniel et Daniel Catering & Events. Photo courtesy Chef Karen O’Connor

Consider having one cuisine for cocktail hour or appetizers, and the other for dinner. If spicy Thai food won’t go down well with all your guests, offering bite-sized nibbles gives everyone the chance to taste a new cuisine. Or consider serving desserts from around the world (think Greek baklava, French macarons, Italian cannoli, Indian gulab jamun, and Mexican churros).

Consider this example: a Chinese bride and Greek groom served a traditional multi-course Chinese banquet where guests feasted on Cantonese pork, hoisin duck, and seafood soup, as well as noodles and dumplings. However, following the meal guests were handed a shot of ouzo and a bottle of Greek olive oil to take home as a memento of this blended union of cultures. 

Events by Ayesha delivered a intercultural wedding that resonated with the couple’s elevated design sense while also reflecting two very different cultures: Hindu and Christian. Shown: The main dining space; (Right) The sweetheart table. Photo courtesy Forever Photography

Another way to bring in a secondary culture would be through the beverage offerings, whether it’s traditional cocktails from any given country, or imported beers and wines from a specific region.

If multicultural courses seem too complicated, consider family style service as well as buffet or station setups. 

For example, if you were blending French and Chinese, one station could be steak frites and the other station could be dumplings. 

“It allows you to take a chance or incorporate a riskier dish on the menu as family and friends can choose what they put on their plates,” says Hales.

Regardless of which service style you go with, make sure to have food labels to describe ingredients, spice level, and any food allergies or preferences.

Be cautious of cultural sensitivities 

Before embarking on menu planning, take the time to familiarize yourself with the cultural backgrounds of the couple and their families. Research traditional dishes, ingredients, cooking techniques, and dining customs from each culture represented. Understanding the significance of certain foods in different traditions (such as Halal, Kosher, or Hindu vegetarian diets) will guide your menu selection and help you create an authentic culinary journey. 

This is where talking with the couple is paramount; ask questions to understand the nuances of their culture and traditions to safeguard against stereotyping. 

“Usually, the couple is really forthcoming with what they need,” says Whitney Deri (Blend Catering). “Whether it’s something their grandmothers used to make or something else representing their heritage, we want to know and translate that into the wedding. It always starts with a conversation and really getting to know a couple, what is important to them, and being able to pull elements from those conversations and ideas that will add something special to the couple and their families. While we diligently research and strive to approach traditional methods, we prioritize transparency and avoid overpromising.”

Additionally, do your own research and refer to cookbooks. 

“It becomes my job to help delve deeper into what a request or dish really means and see what we can bring to the table in another way or at another time during the meal,” says Hales. “Understanding the essence of each cuisine allows me to identify commonalities and potential points of fusion.”

Food hygiene and safety should also be a priority when preparing dishes from different cultures. It’s important to be aware of the specific requirements needed for each cuisine, such as temperature control or certain types of ingredients. Additionally, cross-contamination is a major issue when cooking multiple dishes at once—make sure that you use separate utensils and surfaces for each dish. This isn’t just about complying with hygiene and safety regulations, but also sticking to the tenets of a particular culture’s food prep requirements.

Also, consider hosting a private tasting with the couple to gauge if you met their expectations. 

“This is usually a way to ensure authenticity and make sure I have not missed a cultural nuance,” says Hales, “and this is where all my pride and emotion must be removed.”

A couple performs a Blessing of the Challah ceremony at Zingerman’s Cornman Farms

Be careful not to overpromise either. Make sure what they are looking for is in fact something that you can successfully replicate. 

“I would say that we steer clear of using the word ‘traditional,’” says Deri. “We interpret and are inspired by different cultures, but never want to claim that we are traditional or authentic. We always want to do heritage recipes justice, and never want to insult.” 

A newly married couple smile together over their wedding cake at Zingerman’s Cornman Farms. Photo courtesy Lola Grace Photography

This is where partnering with an outside caterer or chef may come in handy. 

“I want to be authentic, I don’t want to disrespect anyone’s customs,” says O’Connor. “I think it is very important to know what you can do and what the client expects. If someone is looking for an authentic expression of a cuisine, I usually try to find another caterer or restaurant who are experts in that cuisine to pair with and to bring the clients vision to life. I stress to the client that we can bring the flavor of that cuisine into their menu but that it might not be a strictly authentic version of that cuisine.” 

Ham Steaks from Zingerman’s Cornman Farms. Photo courtesy EE Berg Photo

Finally, don’t underestimate the value in your own teams. Tap into their cultural backgrounds and insights as well. 

“Whenever we get the chance to work on a menu from a team member’s home culture they often get really engaged in the process,” says O’Connor. “It becomes an opportunity for them to shine and contribute in new ways which is really beneficial for both the organization and the team member.” 

A family toast to the new couple during an elopement at Zingerman’s Cornman Farms. Photo courtesy Lola Grace Photography

Developing catering menus for multicultural weddings is a labor of love that requires a keen understanding of religious dietary restrictions, vegetarian or vegan preferences, and allergy considerations. Offering a diverse array of options that cater to different dietary needs ensures that every guest can partake in the celebration without compromising their cultural or personal values. It’s time to celebrate the beautiful tapestry of today’s multicultural weddings.

Vegetable fritto misto from Zingerman’s Cornman Farms. Photo courtesy Lola Grace Photography

“The growing demand for multicultural fusion wedding menus represents a culinary evolution that reflects the changing landscape of our society,” says Hales. “As the chef, I am honored and excited to be a part of this, creating unforgettable dining experiences that celebrate love, diversity, and the universal joy of good food. From blending flavors to bridging cultures, multicultural fusion wedding menus are a testament to the power of food to unite hearts and create lasting memories.” 

* Zingerman’s Cornman Farms is a proud member of the Leading Caterers of America, a consortium of the top catering and event planners throughout the United States and Canada.