It goes without saying that Micro Weddings and Events will now become the new normal – ideally not forever, but just for the foreseeable future. At Truffles Fine Foods, we understand how difficult having to reschedule and re-plan your events or big day could cause much unnecessary stress. Where can I find a decent venue? What would I serve my guests? How much would this all cost?
Read more “We Are Servicing Micro Events”
Over the past few months, our lives and the way the entire world operates has evolved into something so unprecedented and unpredictable that planning just about anything is near futile. Due to the seriousness of Covid-19, our industry has faced several challenges from closures of our stores to the cancellation of events. With that said, our province has endured and we are slowly moving into phases that allow us to operate again. We know how important it is for you to tie the knot. And, as the old saying goes, “The show must go on!” When it comes to having your wedding, is it not just as relevant and applicable?
With current restrictions in place, our culinary team has been able to pivot by welcoming any and every request pertaining to Micro Weddings. If this concept is new to you, I invite you to read on.
Read more “How To Have A Micro Wedding”
Picking your wedding venue can be a fun, yet challenging ordeal. If you haven’t had a chance to read my previous blog post where I briefly touched on preparing for your wedding (ie: setting your budget and identifying your guest list), I encourage you to do so!
Read more “How To Pick Your Wedding Venue”It goes without saying that we, at Truffles Fine Foods, has seen our fair share of weddings and events. Having been in the catering industry for 15 years, we have grown accustomed to seeing the best and worst of planning. Yes, planning – the most stressful process of any event you host (especially if it is your own wedding). Planning is what ultimately determines how successful your wedding is. I know “success” is subjective, but you want to put yourself in the eyes of the guest. If I were to attend a wedding, for example, does it look put together or is it missing several elements? Have I had to wait for my dinner because the bride and groom arrived late? Did a golf cart drive through the background of the ceremony as the vows were being said? I’m only using these examples because I have witnessed them firsthand!
I digress. You get the gist. If you’re planning or know someone who is planning their wedding, you’re in luck because here some some high-level tips to make your event smoother and successful! It will also (hopefully) help you mitigate the stressors that seem to manifest themselves in the days leading up to the big day.
You want to make sure your life happily ever after is not filled with debt, so it is always best to set a budget before you begin making any plans. Ask yourself what is feasible or not? What is necessary? What is or isn’t an absolute must-have at your wedding? Once your budget has been set, you can start identifying venues, caterers, gown costs, and other expenses that you will incur during the planning process.
Another major headache for engaged couples is finding the proper venue for your big day. I know a lot of you have a dream venue in mind with certain criterias such as view, decor, location, etc., but nothing can be done until you have figured out your guestlist. I’ve encountered several couples who have families so large or a guestlist so long that most hotel or boutique venues were no longer feasible. So, what do you do? Start figuring out who you intend to invite first, and categorize them into people you must-invite followed by the standby list. The latter doesn’t necessarily mean people on this list won’t get an invite, but should folk from the first list cancel or fail to RSVP, there’s the standby list to help fill seats.
With a budget and your guest list in hand, the planning process will slowly start falling into place! In my upcoming blog post, I’ll provide a couple more wedding-related tips to make your planning process all the more easier. Stay tuned!
Celebrity chef and Food Network host, Guy Fieri was once quoted saying: “Cooking is all about people. Food is maybe the only universal thing that really has the power to bring everyone together. No matter what culture, everywhere around the world, people get together to eat.” I cannot agree more. And, when it comes to a wedding, the meal served at your reception is what all your guests look forward to – after the ceremony, of course.
The reception is the time and place where friends and family gather, chatter amongst themselves, share stories and fond memories of you, and have many laughs over the speeches delivered. What stands out the most, however, with any reception is the meal (barring any embarrassing stories, of course). I have been to several weddings where the food quality ranged from amazing to mediocre – and those impressions are what guests take away from their night. If they leave hungry, or something tasted off, you’ll hear about it for years to come! To prevent this from happening at your reception, allow me to propose Truffles Fine Foods.
During your wedding planning process, you have to narrow down your budget. Putting aside the cost of photographers, makeup, the decor, DJ, and venue, you need to establish how much you’re willing to pay for food while taking into consideration the number of guests in attendance.
At Truffles Fine Foods, we marry convenience and luxury by offering the finest in ingredients, gastronomical creations, and options that work with the budget you have established.
Here are three pricing packages to get you started (all with 30 guests minimum):
The Premiere
$40 per plate
2 Entrees
2 Sides & 2 Salads
1 Dessert
Silver Screen
$50 per plate
2 Entrees
3 Sides & 3 Salads
1 Dessert
The Oscar
$60 per plate
1 Platter
2 Entrees
1 Chef Station
3 Sides & 3 Salads
1 Dessert
We also offer additional add-on options where you can pick and choose from 3 hors d’oeuvres, and/or dessert platters. The flexibility of our pricing for the amount of options found on our menu gives you the freedom to better plan your wedding reception meal while working within your budget. Our culinary team can also substitute dishes for individuals who have dietary restrictions.
Searching for venues can be stressful at times. Will there be enough seated space? Do they have their own kitchen? Is there parking for your guests? Taking these questions into consideration, I encourage you to visit our venues page. Truffles Fine Foods has partnered with several locations who have worked closely with our culinary team to deliver successful parties, meetings, and wedding receptions. From the picturesque UBC Boathouse to the historic Gulf of Georgia Cannery, we pride ourselves on delivering the finest of foods in all venues to make your wedding reception a memorable one.
So, how about it? Let us worry about the food and venue. Reach out to us, let us know what your preferences are and we’ll take it from there! Our team of experts will work with you to make your special day all the more special.
Gearing up for the wedding season? Or perhaps you are planning an event? We have some news for you! Keeping up with the latest news from Truffles Fine Foods, I am proud to announce that The Polygon Gallery has now confirmed that they are a venue partner with our culinary and catering teams! This announcement excites me as it already adds to a very extensive list of venues we have partnered with across the Lower Mainland.
What has me stoked about this particular announcement is that the Polygon Gallery really speaks to both the art scene in our city as well as the history of North Vancouver and the Lonsdale area. To this day, one can still see dry docks and ships coming to port albeit not as frequent as they used to. However, the Polygon Gallery pays homage to this history making this venue all the more desirable, in my opinion. In addition, the Polygon is an active gallery that does an active and amazing job at “presenting the work of artists who respond to transformations taking place in the world.”
If you haven’t heard of this venue or had a chance to explore the Lonsdale area, I encourage you to do so! The venue itself is a sophisticated and contemporary building overlooking the shores of the Burrard Inlet and downtown Vancouver. Located just a short distance away from the Seabus terminal and other major bus routes, getting to this venue is very easy.
I had the opportunity to take a gander at the space and it is absolutely gorgeous. Despite the day being cloudy when I went, the Polygon Gallery still boasted an amazing waterfront view while taking in the hustle and bustle of our lovely city. I would only imagine that, on a summer day, one can expect to see a sunset with a cocktail in hand.
From a more logistical standpoint, this venue has all the amenities you need to host a successful party or event of any size. Their on-site services include:
In addition, the venue is big enough to fit 540 guests at standing capacity, and 180 for a seated dinner. There is also a kitchen prep area on site allowing for our catering team to set up and serve the culinary creations we deliver.
I would go into further details about the Polygon Gallery, but I think the images speak for themselves. It’s a beautiful venue and, when teamed with Truffles Fine Foods, it definitely adds flare to any event you host.
For more information, you can visit them here.
To learn more about the other venues Truffles Fine Foods has partnered with, click here.
With spring now in full bloom and summer just around the corner, it is time for us to talk about another season: the wedding season. Yes, the time of year when love is in the air, when the brides and grooms profess their commitment to each other by saying their vows, and when families and friends gather to witness such a wonderful event unfold.
With so much preparation and planning that goes into the actual wedding ceremony and reception, it can potentially bring out the worst in some of us (cue bride and groomzilla). Everything has to go according to plan, vendors need to arrive at certain times, photographers have to get take photos on your good side – the list is endless! At Truffles Fine Foods, we have seen it all and that is why we are here to help.
We believe that the last thing any bride and groom should feel on their special day is stress, which is why we came up with this handy wedding checklist to help you stay on top of your wedding at all times! Whether your wedding is over 12 months away or just under a year, this list can help keep you organized and ensure you have everything you need when celebrating your big day. Perhaps you are thinking of hiring a professional day-of coordinator or maybe you just want to voluntell a family friend. Regardless of which route you choose, we are confident that our checklist is there to benefit all; and, as always, so is our catering team.
Your wedding day will be, without a doubt, filled with joy, toasts, and tears of happiness. After all the weeks and months of planning, you can finally sit back and let it all unfold. For many years, our culinary experts have helped contribute in making the day so much more memorable by providing the catering experience you have only dreamt of. Whether your wedding day is an affair of 200 or more guests, or a small, intimate core of the most special people in your life, we take great pride in making your special day even more special. From the planning process to the execution, our team of culinary connoisseurs is committed to working with you and are settling for nothing less than remarkable. We believe the food we serve should be as creative and unique as the bride and groom. It would be our pleasure to work together with you and create a customized menu for you and your guests. Our menu options provide for an assortment of hors d’oeuvres, main courses, and desserts. You decide what you would like to feed your guests and we will happily work with you and the budget you set!
Are YOU ready to plan your wedding with Truffles Fine Foods? CONTACT US today!
All photos Ⓒ Butterfly Photography
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THE SAYING THAT “LOCATION IS EVERYTHING” is perhaps no more true than it is for wedding venues. No amount of creativity, decor, and picture-book ideas can compare to the beauty of a naturally-blooming garden on a sunny day. Working with La Vista Events, bride Elise knew exactly what she wanted for her July 2016 nuptials to her now-husband, Austin.
Hasti Maloufi, owner of La Vista, recalls the simple and straight-forward reason the couple chose to celebrate with a VanDusen Botanical Garden wedding: “[It] was the perfect backdrop to showcase Vancouver’s West-Coast style with features of large plant collections and lush greenery.”
Following the charming ceremony, guests were encouraged to explore the gardens while sipping cocktails and nibbling canapés prepared by the culinary team at Truffles Fine Foods. VanDusen’s Visitor Centre was transformed into a gilded wonderland of florals, twinkling lights, and garlands of greenery where the newly-married couple celebrated with a reception including all of their friends and family.
Planning & Design: La Vista Events
Photographer: Taryn Baxter Photographer
Videographer: Chris Carr
Venue: VanDusen Botanical Garden
Decor + Florals: Niche Events
Table Rental: A&B Partytime Rentals
Chair Rental: The Little Wedding Shoppe
Officiant: Bride’s Aunt
DJ: DJ Barron S from GirlOnWax Events & Wedding DJs
Hair + Makeup: Denise Elliott Beauty Co.
Cake: Couture Confections by Rebeka Garcia
Desserts: Sweet Thea
Caterer: Truffles Fine Foods
Invitations: Minted
Bride’s Dress: Isabelle’s Bridal
Jewelry: Earrings from Swarovski
Bridesmaid Dresses: Zara
Groom’s + Groomsmen Suit: Moores
All photos generously provided by Taryn Baxter Photographer. #austinelise1616
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ONE OF THE MOST MEMORABLE PARTS of any celebration with loved ones is the food. Whether it’s a seated meal or trays of canapés, food is what draws people together, and wedding catering is no exception. When thoughtfully planning the various details of a wedding, it’s easy to become overwhelmed.
Truffles Fine Foods has put together 10 questions to ask your potential caterer before you sign a contract. While some aspects may not seem important in the early stages of planning, by arming yourself with information, you’ll potentially save yourself a lot of stress down the road.
1. What is included in each catering package?
Any experienced wedding catering company will be able to provide a variety of catering packages tailored to suit different budgets, tastes, and styles. Some packages include the bare necessities while others are jam-packed with no detail overlooked.
Wedding catering is about far more than the food your guests will indulge in: consider whether table linens, cutlery, dishes, and glassware are included. Other costs, such as cutting the cake, coffee or champagne service, gratuities, service charges, setting up, tearing down, and even garbage and recycling fees may be à la carte add-ons – which can quickly cause your budget to balloon.
2. What’s in the small print?
Like any contract, the agreement you make with your wedding caterer is no different. Read the fine print and make sure you understand fully what you’re signing up for. Have your wedding caterer review the contract with you and make sure they clarify the payment schedule (such as a deposit – ranging from 25% to 75% of the total cost), the refund and cancellation policies, and other important details such as extra charges and gratuities that may – or may not – be included.
3. Where will the food be prepared, and is an on-site kitchen facility necessary?
Depending on the style of meal you’re planning to serve, your caterer may prepare the food in advance and transport it to your venue, or they may prepare it on-site. Confirm whether or not the caterer requires an on-site kitchen facility. Because cooking at the venue may require that a makeshift kitchen be built either inside or outside, this often incurs a greater cost, so clarify this detail with your wedding caterer as you review the budget.
4. Can the menu be adapted to include vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, or other dietary requirements?
What’s good for one guest may not be good for all guests, and vice versa. It’s very likely that a handful of your guests will have unique dietary requirements, and accommodating those requirements is seen as thoughtful and considerate. When inviting your guests, ask what may be necessary for them and then discuss those with your wedding caterer to decide what options will be available for those guests.
5. Where is your food sourced?
The source of your menu’s ingredients is about more than global impact. Where the ingredients come from can also affect your budget as some caterers will charge extra for premium ingredients. Hoping for local or seasonal items? They may be more affordable but, again, a caterer may charge extra for their efforts to source with specific vendors, so decide in advance if this is important to you and whether or not you’re willing to pay extra.
6. What kind of licenses and insurance will you arrange?
Few weddings are complete without cocktails and dancing. Keep in mind that licenses, such as for serving alcohol or SOCAN, are a legal requirement for weddings that are held in public venues. Other requirements may vary depending on your municipality, so ask your caterer if they can arrange these for you – or point you in the direction of someone who can. If your caterer is supplying alcoholic beverages, confirm that your wedding caterer has both a business license and liquor license.
7. Are meals for children and other wedding vendors included and, if not, how are they priced?
Your photographer, videographer, and DJ (and their assistants!) need to eat too, and it’s a common courtesy to offer each of them a hearty meal. If you’ve encouraged guests to bring their children, the munchkins also have to eat. Some caterers may charge a reduced per-plate price for wedding vendors and underage guests, so confirm this with your caterer before they provide you with an estimate.
8. What will the catering staff wear?
Black bowties at a luau-themed wedding would be as out-of-place as Hawaiian-print shirts at a formal affair. Ensure your wedding caterer’s staff is dressed appropriately for the style and ambiance of your wedding.
9. What do you suggest?
Wedding catering companies do more than simply cook food and prepare meal. Chefs are artists and many relish the opportunity to highlight signature dishes or offer their suggestions for perfect pairings. If you’re unsure about any aspect of your menu, your wedding caterer is your best resource because they’re working from a place of experience and knowledge.
One of the best and most fun parts of wedding planning is deciding on the menu, something most couples do with a tasting. When your wedding caterer does a tasting with you, it’s a great opportunity to discuss your menu options in person, decide on a possible menu theme, and discuss any potential food restrictions. Be sure to ask your caterer if the tasting is complimentary or if there’s a charge for two (which is often deducted from the final invoice).
10. How far in advance to I need to confirm guest numbers and menu details?
Confirm with your wedding caterer how much notice they require with a final guest tally, and then provide your guests with an RSVP date based on that conversation. Your caterer will also want to have all your menu details approved and finalized at the same time. This step is vital to the caterer to ensure that the freshest ingredients are available while allowing for ample time to source any hard-to-find items that may be on your menu.
Truffles Fine Foods is an experienced caterer to weddings of all styles and sizes. If you can imagine it, our team can create it. Our staff is dedicated to providing lasting memories through our unique and inspiring menus. Please contact us today to discuss options for your next event!
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AS THE LAST DROPS OF SPRING RAIN evaporate and the first darling buds of May turn their petals towards a blue sky is when VanDusen Botanical Garden truly comes to life. Inspired by the delicate beauty of the season, Cristie Rosling at Umbrella Events planned and produced this styled spring wedding shoot at VanDusen Botanical Garden, while Vancouver-based photographer Caroline Ross captured every frame.
The catering team from Truffles Fine Foods was tasked with creating a feast that was both delicate in appearance but substantial in nature. Rustic platters were artistically piled with an enticing charcuterie selection. By contrast, bite-sized appetizers beautifully arranged on crisp white dishes offered inventive lighter fare.
Under the cotton candy-coloured canopy of a Benishidare Sakura cherry blossom, our bride nibbled Truffles’ sweet selection of handcrafted pastries and macarons in playful colours. Pantone’s colours of the year — rose quartz (pink) and serenity (blue) – were laced throughout the entire shoot and, specifically, in the desserts our team created.
Mismatched tables, antique jewels, and a dreamy five-tier wedding cake from The Cake and the Giraffe were key elements that added a whimsical character to this styled spring wedding. The sweeping greens and limitless canvas of colour at VanDusen Botanical Garden make it one of Vancouver’s most stunning and unique wedding venues. With the entire Truffles Fine Foods team on site, serving a memorable menu to your guests is a piece of (wedding) cake. Contact our team today to discuss how we can work with you to make your wedding like something out of a fairytale.
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Photographer: Caroline Ross Photography
Producer: Cristie Rosling, Umbrella Events
Location: VanDusen Botanical Garden
Cake: The Cake and the Giraffe
Florals: Green With Envy
Hair Pieces: Blue Brocade
Décor Rentals: Past Pieces and A&B Party & Event Rentals
Models: Madison Mayne & Morgan
Men’s Suit: H&M
Gowns: Frocks
Hair & Makeup: Save the Date Beauty
Jewellery: The Borrowed Collection
Food & Dessert: Truffles Fine Foods
Invitations: Invitations by Jennifer
Rings: Passion Diamonds
All photos Ⓒ Caroline Ross Photography Studio
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