Review is written by Staff @ The Ring and is based on • Interviews with this vendor • Interviews with past brides
At The Ring, we are almost always in the midst of interviewing past brides, grooms and wedding vendors for their feedback on local wedding professionals. So, we know first-hand how much brides adore the incredible Bellamere Winery (www.bellamere.com). But, we were absolutely blown away by the response we got about their catering division, Custom Cuisine. With responses like “beyond delicious,” “an incredible dinner experience,” and, “one of the best meals I’ve ever had,” we knew we had to share this talented team with brides in The Ring.
Whether you’re planning a small backyard gathering or a large formal affair, Custom Cuisine offers a variety of menus that will satisfy any culinary taste and budget- the possibilities really are endless.
Couple that with fresh, local ingredients and menu options that often leave guests raving for months after the big day, and it’s no surprise that Custom Cuisine is a top choice for London area brides and beyond.
Here’s more on this incredible catering team…
Personally Speaking
After twenty-five years and thousands of events, Custom Cuisine has a reputation for creating exceptional custom experiences for weddings and events. Manager, Brandon explains, "Custom Cuisine was founded two decades ago on the premise that great food and exceptional service will create a lasting memory. Since inception we have offered a broad spectrum of corporate, social, and special event catering services in the greater London Region. However, we focus on creating London’s premier wedding catering experiences, and in that capacity we cater about 100 weddings each year."
Booking with Custom Cuisine means you'll get to know their team, including Brandon and Senior Planner, Karen. Karen has been at Bellamere Winery and Custom Cuisine for five years and she not only acts as a planner but, is often referred to as, “just like your best friend,” because of her contagious excitement for the couples that she works with during the planning process.
John and Barbara DeSumma, told The Ring about their experiences working with the Custom Cuisine team for their February 10th, 2012 wedding day, “Brandon and his team were top notch. Trish, Karen and Brandon helped us to achieve the ultimate day for both John and I. They took any suggestion or wish we had and put it into action. The catering options allowed us to provide hors d’oeuvres to our guests at a reasonable cost while maintaining a sophisticated feel to the common selection.”
Bride-to-be Nicole Lofgren agrees, “[We] love Brandon and the team …feels like family. Brandon is very professional but not stuffy…all of the staff are amazing and have the attitude of ‘serving’ you. We love that they are available to talk whenever you need to and on the day of the wedding, they are all present and ready to help. You are never left alone to figure it out yourself.”
Samirah Ahmed, owner of Designs in Bloom says that she always looks forward to weddings where she knows her brides have hired Custom Cuisine for their catering, “Karen and her staff are so helpful and accommodating. They are always willing to lend a hand and really, truly put their client's happiness above all else. They bend over backwards to make sure the day goes smoothly and according to plan. When I hear back from clients after the event, I always hear positive things - the food, the staff and the ambiance. I recommend them to anyone…the catering team and staff are great!”
Cathy Acnu had Custom Cuisine cater her reception dinner. She told The Ring about her experience working with the team long-distance, “We actually live in Vancouver so were only able to meet our events coordinator in person twice before the wedding. We were a bit worried about dealing with a vendor from so far away, but they managed to stay in touch via email and Skype and everything went off seamlessly during the day. [We] were in good hands and the menu [was] well thought out and the food was great.”
The Custom Cuisine Experience
The team at Custom Cuisine takes creativity and quality to a whole new level. Says Brandon, “From finger food party platters to classy hors d’oeuvres and traditional favourites, our flavours come in full force.”
For example, one of their fabulous options is their interactive chef engaged food stations. A fun style of service that allows for guests to mingle and enjoy different food stations. Karen says that custom stations are one of her favourite options at Custom Cuisine because couples are getting creative with it, from custom salad and pad tai to flaming donuts and smores- the sky really is the limit!
“We are constantly creating exciting new chutneys and sauces made from local products to complement our menus and gourmet seasonal features. If you don't see what you’re looking for we will be glad to customize any menu to meet your catering and culinary needs.”
Brandon suggests incorporating family traditions into your menu as well. “Choose the most important things and then incorporate them in a way that stays true to your vision of the day.” Maybe you’d like to include a perogy bar to honour your grandmothers’ Sunday night perogy dinners or, a late night sundae bar for the family who loves to get together over a bowl of ice cream.
Whatever you decide, Brandon says that your wedding day should reflect you and your personalities as a couple, "You can get distracted by what everyone else wants for your day and you can lose sight of what you want in an effort to make everyone happy. It's about you and your husband to be, make sure that your day reflects your personalities and relationship."
Cathy Acuna says she loved the customization at Custom Cuisine and would absolutely recommend them to any couple getting married, “I liked that they were happy to comply with our request for something local and not bland. Most weddings we had been to had really bland food choices. We also had lots of guests coming from abroad so we wanted to serve something from the area where the wedding was being held (on Lake Huron). They put together a menu for us which involved Lake Huron Pickerel and Roast Baron of Beef. They were also happy to comply with substitutions and also catered to our guests with food restrictions.”
Nicole Lofgren agrees, “There was a package for stations and all of it sounds exotic …not your home-style meal but something fancier yet yummy for your guests. Love the variety as well.”
John and Barbara DeSumma talk about some memorable moments during their wedding reception, “The mini sirloin burgers will go down in history according to most guests. My personal favorite memory was the care that John and I were given by [Custom Cuisine] as we entered the reception hall. [They] had taken the time to create food plates for John and I to ensure that we didn’t miss out on the food. It’s the personal touches that I remember most; there were several, including the Hershey Kisses I had provided, being arranged into a double heart on the cake table to the take out boxes being supplied by Custom Cuisine so guests could take cupcakes home.”
Brides Love...
One of our favourite things about Custom Cuisine is how stress-free they make your entire planning process. They understand what's important and that there's only one chance to make your wedding great. And, they understand that your wedding is an experience, it’s not just about the day, but the planning process too. With that said, they take care of as much as you like: food, beverages, wait staff, bartenders, tent, rentals, decor (with the exception of florals), and even your DJ! "You decide what you want to happen. Let us figure out how to make it happen for you."
The team at Custom Cuisine specializes in experience driven events; from the planning process to leaving the actual day confidently in the hands of your experts. Don't worry about the details, Custom Cuisine will. Brandon told us, “Take it all in. Live in the moment. Lots of brides try to micromanage their day and end up missing it. Take a step back and enjoy."
Walking you through it...
If you're interested in booking Custom Cuisine for your wedding day, you'll meet with a member of the team (usually Brandon or Karen). Here you'll discuss your plans for the day, your vision, group dynamics, theme, expectations, and anything else that might be important on your wedding day. When the team has got to know more about you and your wedding day vision, they’ll take care of the details. They can even help you narrow down your choice of locations, from venues to private residences.
Brandon told us a little bit about the questions they ask, "[We aim to] understand what's important to you. What defines a successful day? Who else is influential in your day? Include them in the process. The earlier you get everyone on the same page the easier the planning process will be for you."
From here, you'll receive a custom quote, including complete package pricing- covering everything that you need to make your vision a reality. They can even give you a price break down so that you have a clear understanding of all costs. To give you a general idea, the average 100 person event costs $16,000 (for everything reception based).
Next, you'll be able to refine the proposal and when you're happy with everything, you'll sign your contract. For Brandon, helping couples understand their contract is an important part of the process. Brandon told The Ring that brides should be always be aware of the details, "Really understand the details up front. Don't gloss over important details in your excitement. Read your contract/proposal."
A deposit of $1000 (depending on your quote) is due to book your wedding day with Custom Cuisine. A second payment of $3000 is due three months before your wedding and your final payment is due two weeks out.
Once you're booked, Custom Cuisine will send you a planning guide. This guide will run through a wide selection of items to consider before your first planning meeting. It’s a great way to crystallize your ideas and help you make decisions.
Next you'll have your first planning meeting which lasts about two hours. When you book with Custom Cuisine you'll have a wedding planner for your day. They have two full-time planners, Trish and Lynn, to assist you. Their job is to understand your vision and to help make it a reality. "If the bride really wants something, it's their day. They can have it. We just explain why it may not work for them and often present alternatives." Your wedding planner will work with you along the way and has the benefit of working with the full Custom Cuisine team, including Brandon and Karen. "We often bounce ideas off of one another to help make sure that we're exceeding the brides expectations."
You'll have three more planning meetings with your planner prior to your day; at three months before, at one month before and at two weeks before. These meetings are for refining details and each take about an hour. And you are welcome to contact Custom Cuisine by email if you have further critical questions.
Once you have a planner, she's yours for the duration of the planning process. She'll be the person to meet with at each of your planning meetings and she'll be there the day of your wedding, until the end of dinner. Her job on the day of the wedding is to make sure that everything meets and exceeds your expectations. She's mostly there as a friendly face working behind the scenes, getting everything organized and helping to keep your day running on time.
At either your two week planning session or at your rehearsal she'll introduce you to the operational staff for your event. This includes the Director of Events, Lead Server, Lead Bartender and Lead Chef. Custom Cuisine recommends that you have a person who is the point of contact for your day, and it doesn't have to be you. It could be your master of ceremonies, cousin or best friend- whoever you designate to be your assistant for the day.
For Brandon and the team at Custom Cuisine it’s about keeping organized but most importantly, having fun throughout the planning process. Says Brandon, "Remember why you're doing this. It's supposed to be fun. Yes, you want to impress. But it's really about declaring your love and commitment in front of your friends and family and celebrating together."
For Sandra Perdeaux-Dunning, Custom Cuisine was an enormous part of the success of her wedding day. She was married at Bellamere Winery and had Custom Cuisine take care of her appetizers, four course dinner, and a late night snack. “My favourite memory about the food would have to be how well they took care of my friends and family who had allergies or special dietary requirements or needs. Everyone was looked after and had enough to eat. Everyone raved about how wonderful it was.”
At The Ring, we are almost always in the midst of interviewing past brides, grooms and wedding vendors for their feedback on local wedding professionals. So, we know first-hand how much brides adore the incredible Bellamere Winery (www.bellamere.com). But, we were absolutely blown away by the response we got about their catering division, Custom Cuisine. With responses like “beyond delicious,” “an incredible dinner experience,” and, “one of the best meals I’ve ever had,” we knew we had to share this talented team with brides in The Ring.
Whether you’re planning a small backyard gathering or a large formal affair, Custom Cuisine offers a variety of menus that will satisfy any culinary taste and budget- the possibilities really are endless.
Couple that with fresh, local ingredients and menu options that often leave guests raving for months after the big day, and it’s no surprise that Custom Cuisine is a top choice for London area brides and beyond.
Here’s more on this incredible catering team…
Personally Speaking
After twenty-five years and thousands of events, Custom Cuisine has a reputation for creating exceptional custom experiences for weddings and events. Manager, Brandon explains, "Custom Cuisine was founded two decades ago on the premise that great food and exceptional service will create a lasting memory. Since inception we have offered a broad spectrum of corporate, social, and special event catering services in the greater London Region. However, we focus on creating London’s premier wedding catering experiences, and in that capacity we cater about 100 weddings each year."
Booking with Custom Cuisine means you'll get to know their team, including Brandon and Senior Planner, Karen. Karen has been at Bellamere Winery and Custom Cuisine for five years and she not only acts as a planner but, is often referred to as, “just like your best friend,” because of her contagious excitement for the couples that she works with during the planning process.
John and Barbara DeSumma, told The Ring about their experiences working with the Custom Cuisine team for their February 10th, 2012 wedding day, “Brandon and his team were top notch. Trish, Karen and Brandon helped us to achieve the ultimate day for both John and I. They took any suggestion or wish we had and put it into action. The catering options allowed us to provide hors d’oeuvres to our guests at a reasonable cost while maintaining a sophisticated feel to the common selection.”
Bride-to-be Nicole Lofgren agrees, “[We] love Brandon and the team …feels like family. Brandon is very professional but not stuffy…all of the staff are amazing and have the attitude of ‘serving’ you. We love that they are available to talk whenever you need to and on the day of the wedding, they are all present and ready to help. You are never left alone to figure it out yourself.”
Samirah Ahmed, owner of Designs in Bloom says that she always looks forward to weddings where she knows her brides have hired Custom Cuisine for their catering, “Karen and her staff are so helpful and accommodating. They are always willing to lend a hand and really, truly put their client's happiness above all else. They bend over backwards to make sure the day goes smoothly and according to plan. When I hear back from clients after the event, I always hear positive things - the food, the staff and the ambiance. I recommend them to anyone…the catering team and staff are great!”
Cathy Acnu had Custom Cuisine cater her reception dinner. She told The Ring about her experience working with the team long-distance, “We actually live in Vancouver so were only able to meet our events coordinator in person twice before the wedding. We were a bit worried about dealing with a vendor from so far away, but they managed to stay in touch via email and Skype and everything went off seamlessly during the day. [We] were in good hands and the menu [was] well thought out and the food was great.”
The Custom Cuisine Experience
The team at Custom Cuisine takes creativity and quality to a whole new level. Says Brandon, “From finger food party platters to classy hors d’oeuvres and traditional favourites, our flavours come in full force.”
For example, one of their fabulous options is their interactive chef engaged food stations. A fun style of service that allows for guests to mingle and enjoy different food stations. Karen says that custom stations are one of her favourite options at Custom Cuisine because couples are getting creative with it, from custom salad and pad tai to flaming donuts and smores- the sky really is the limit!
“We are constantly creating exciting new chutneys and sauces made from local products to complement our menus and gourmet seasonal features. If you don't see what you’re looking for we will be glad to customize any menu to meet your catering and culinary needs.”
Brandon suggests incorporating family traditions into your menu as well. “Choose the most important things and then incorporate them in a way that stays true to your vision of the day.” Maybe you’d like to include a perogy bar to honour your grandmothers’ Sunday night perogy dinners or, a late night sundae bar for the family who loves to get together over a bowl of ice cream.
Whatever you decide, Brandon says that your wedding day should reflect you and your personalities as a couple, "You can get distracted by what everyone else wants for your day and you can lose sight of what you want in an effort to make everyone happy. It's about you and your husband to be, make sure that your day reflects your personalities and relationship."
Cathy Acuna says she loved the customization at Custom Cuisine and would absolutely recommend them to any couple getting married, “I liked that they were happy to comply with our request for something local and not bland. Most weddings we had been to had really bland food choices. We also had lots of guests coming from abroad so we wanted to serve something from the area where the wedding was being held (on Lake Huron). They put together a menu for us which involved Lake Huron Pickerel and Roast Baron of Beef. They were also happy to comply with substitutions and also catered to our guests with food restrictions.”
Nicole Lofgren agrees, “There was a package for stations and all of it sounds exotic …not your home-style meal but something fancier yet yummy for your guests. Love the variety as well.”
John and Barbara DeSumma talk about some memorable moments during their wedding reception, “The mini sirloin burgers will go down in history according to most guests. My personal favorite memory was the care that John and I were given by [Custom Cuisine] as we entered the reception hall. [They] had taken the time to create food plates for John and I to ensure that we didn’t miss out on the food. It’s the personal touches that I remember most; there were several, including the Hershey Kisses I had provided, being arranged into a double heart on the cake table to the take out boxes being supplied by Custom Cuisine so guests could take cupcakes home.”
Brides Love...
One of our favourite things about Custom Cuisine is how stress-free they make your entire planning process. They understand what's important and that there's only one chance to make your wedding great. And, they understand that your wedding is an experience, it’s not just about the day, but the planning process too. With that said, they take care of as much as you like: food, beverages, wait staff, bartenders, tent, rentals, decor (with the exception of florals), and even your DJ! "You decide what you want to happen. Let us figure out how to make it happen for you."
The team at Custom Cuisine specializes in experience driven events; from the planning process to leaving the actual day confidently in the hands of your experts. Don't worry about the details, Custom Cuisine will. Brandon told us, “Take it all in. Live in the moment. Lots of brides try to micromanage their day and end up missing it. Take a step back and enjoy."
Walking you through it...
If you're interested in booking Custom Cuisine for your wedding day, you'll meet with a member of the team (usually Brandon or Karen). Here you'll discuss your plans for the day, your vision, group dynamics, theme, expectations, and anything else that might be important on your wedding day. When the team has got to know more about you and your wedding day vision, they’ll take care of the details. They can even help you narrow down your choice of locations, from venues to private residences.
Brandon told us a little bit about the questions they ask, "[We aim to] understand what's important to you. What defines a successful day? Who else is influential in your day? Include them in the process. The earlier you get everyone on the same page the easier the planning process will be for you."
From here, you'll receive a custom quote, including complete package pricing- covering everything that you need to make your vision a reality. They can even give you a price break down so that you have a clear understanding of all costs. To give you a general idea, the average 100 person event costs $16,000 (for everything reception based).
Next, you'll be able to refine the proposal and when you're happy with everything, you'll sign your contract. For Brandon, helping couples understand their contract is an important part of the process. Brandon told The Ring that brides should be always be aware of the details, "Really understand the details up front. Don't gloss over important details in your excitement. Read your contract/proposal."
A deposit of $1000 (depending on your quote) is due to book your wedding day with Custom Cuisine. A second payment of $3000 is due three months before your wedding and your final payment is due two weeks out.
Once you're booked, Custom Cuisine will send you a planning guide. This guide will run through a wide selection of items to consider before your first planning meeting. It’s a great way to crystallize your ideas and help you make decisions.
Next you'll have your first planning meeting which lasts about two hours. When you book with Custom Cuisine you'll have a wedding planner for your day. They have two full-time planners, Trish and Lynn, to assist you. Their job is to understand your vision and to help make it a reality. "If the bride really wants something, it's their day. They can have it. We just explain why it may not work for them and often present alternatives." Your wedding planner will work with you along the way and has the benefit of working with the full Custom Cuisine team, including Brandon and Karen. "We often bounce ideas off of one another to help make sure that we're exceeding the brides expectations."
You'll have three more planning meetings with your planner prior to your day; at three months before, at one month before and at two weeks before. These meetings are for refining details and each take about an hour. And you are welcome to contact Custom Cuisine by email if you have further critical questions.
Once you have a planner, she's yours for the duration of the planning process. She'll be the person to meet with at each of your planning meetings and she'll be there the day of your wedding, until the end of dinner. Her job on the day of the wedding is to make sure that everything meets and exceeds your expectations. She's mostly there as a friendly face working behind the scenes, getting everything organized and helping to keep your day running on time.
At either your two week planning session or at your rehearsal she'll introduce you to the operational staff for your event. This includes the Director of Events, Lead Server, Lead Bartender and Lead Chef. Custom Cuisine recommends that you have a person who is the point of contact for your day, and it doesn't have to be you. It could be your master of ceremonies, cousin or best friend- whoever you designate to be your assistant for the day.
For Brandon and the team at Custom Cuisine it’s about keeping organized but most importantly, having fun throughout the planning process. Says Brandon, "Remember why you're doing this. It's supposed to be fun. Yes, you want to impress. But it's really about declaring your love and commitment in front of your friends and family and celebrating together."
For Sandra Perdeaux-Dunning, Custom Cuisine was an enormous part of the success of her wedding day. She was married at Bellamere Winery and had Custom Cuisine take care of her appetizers, four course dinner, and a late night snack. “My favourite memory about the food would have to be how well they took care of my friends and family who had allergies or special dietary requirements or needs. Everyone was looked after and had enough to eat. Everyone raved about how wonderful it was.”
