Highlights & Updates from FE HQ
Creative Catering for the World Of Wearableart (WOW) Show
Last year we had the opportunity to cater for one of the most coveted events of the year, the World of WearableArt Show at the TSB Arena.
We had the privilege of serving guests with Stageside Experience tickets, a 3 course dinner for VIP Table guests, as well as lunch and dinner for the cast and crew over the course of the season.
The theme for the 2023 show was BEYOND, and the menus were designed by Food Envy’s Group Chef, Mark Trzebiatowski. We spoke to Chef Mark to learn more about what the process of creating a menu for WOW is like.
Read on for a preview of what we do best with an insight into the menu and creative process.
Image courtesy of World of WearableArt
What was your main inspiration for the theme of BEYOND?
I always start my ideas with seasonal and local ingredients as my inspiration. For this brief I wanted to keep with familiar flavours, but giving it small twists to elevate the flavour and textures to take the guests' tastebuds to another level.
How important was the presentation for this menu and how did this influence your menu?
With WOW, the presentation had to be on point, the more flamboyant the better! Colour, texture and flavour were the main influences but the overall process played a big part in the menu creation. While some ideas worked and some didn’t, I still had a lot of fun with the process and fully embraced the freedom to experiment which influenced the final result.
What was the biggest challenge you were faced with when designing menus for WOW?
Designing a menu that could be plated on a large scale. It’s a huge testament to the skills of our chefs to be able to execute each dish perfectly, while recreating it on a daily basis consistently for three weeks.
What was your favourite dish of the season and why?
My favourite dishes were the ‘alternative’ Salt Baked Beetroot entrée and the Maple & Spiced Rum Pineapple dessert served to guests with dietary requirements. We create dietary inclusive items across all our menus and serve clients with dietary requirements every day – WOW was no different. By making a dish dietary friendly, you don’t always have access to ingredients traditionally used to enhance dishes (eg. butter, eggs, nuts, cheese), so you are challenged to come up with different techniques to elevate dishes in interesting ways. I believe that getting out of your comfort zone is a sign of strength and growth which is why those dishes were my personal favourite!
Image courtesy of World of WearableArt
Come behind the scenes with us!
WOW 2023 BEYOND MENU
Stageside Experience
Individual Antipasto Plate
Salsiccia Napoli salami, prosciutto, mortadella, buffalo mozzarella, grilled & pickled vegetables, Spanish peaches, truffled zucchini involtini, grilled focaccia
Individual Antipasto Plate Alternative
Faux gras, ashed vegan cheese, grilled & pickled vegetables, Spanish peaches, truffled zucchini involtini, grilled wholegrain pane, tapioca wafer (vegan, gluten-free, nut-free)
VIP Dinner - 3 Courses
Entrée
Ham Hock Terrine
Manuka smoked ham hock terrine, pickled daikon & cucumber, apple & ginger, date purée, nori salt, croissant loaf
Salt Baked Beetroot
Salt baked beetroot, pomegranate & cherry gel, scorched mandarin, bitter leaf, orange & chardonnay dressing, tapioca wafer (vegan, gluten-free, nut-free)
Main
Canterbury Lamb Rump
Canterbury lamb rump, chou farci, rosemary granola, BBQ baby carrots, broccolini, celeriac purée, pea & mint, rosemary jus
Confit Pumpkin and Herb Gnochetti
Confit pumpkin, coffee crumb, herb gnocchetti, salt baked kohlrabi & pea fricassée, charred onion petals, kale crisp (vegan, gluten-free, nut-free)
Dessert
Miso Chocolate Bar
Mirror glazed miso chocolate bar, vanilla crème fraîche, sour cherry
Maple & Spiced Rum Pineapple
Maple & spiced rum roasted pineapple, whipped coconut cream, sorrel, chilli sherbet (vegan, gluten-free, nut-free)
Image courtesy of World of WearableArt
Hot Cross Buns Incoming!
Hot cross buns are almost here! Our bakers are getting ready for orders in March.
Food Envy hot cross buns are a modern twist on the classic. Warmly spiced with cranberry, apricot, currants and an orange blossom and marmalade glaze.
Get your order in to include hot cross buns in your delivered catering as they’re only available for a limited time between 18 - 28 March.
$5 + gst each, minimum order of 12.
We’re able to do large corporate groups so order with us if you have a crowd to cater for!
Wedding Venue Guide
Wedding planning can be overwhelming and the hardest part can be getting started. Choosing a venue and caterer is a great starting point in the early planning stages, and if you are struggling to decide on a date - this could help narrow down your options.
Wedding dates are typically booked at least a year in advance, so if you are thinking of getting married this time next year, now is a good time to enquire about next summer. Wellington is spoilt for choice, especially with new venues popping up recently. Here is a quick overview of our favourite wedding venues that we partner with, each one has something special to offer from a lush garden backdrop, to a modern urban setting.
The Atrium
The Exchange, Allen & Blair Street, Te Aro, Wellington
Full of industrial and urban character, The Atrium is a hidden gem in the heart of Wellington. It is a shared public area during the day, with the ability to transform into a private space for booked events and weddings.
Erskine Chapel
31 Avon St, Island Bay, Wellington
Recently renovated and open for bookings from 2024, Erskine Chapel is a breathtaking new venue in the neighbouring suburb of Island Bay. With spaces to host your guests after your ceremony, your wedding reception can take place without leaving the venue.
Public Trust Hall
131-135 Lambton Quay, Te Aro, Wellington
Public Trust Hall is situated in the Public Trust building, a Grade One heritage building and iconic landmark in Wellington. This venue has a modern interior with state of the art AV and lighting, surrounded by an exterior of classic old world charm – a stunning backdrop for photos.
Dominion Museum
15 Buckle Street, Mount Cook
A short walk from Wellington city, Dominion Museum is another iconic Wellington monument with a rich history. Housing two spaces, the Tea Gardens has a cosier feel, while the Great Hall allows for a grand celebration.
The Boatshed
Taranaki St Wharf, Wellington
The Boatshed is one of Wellington’s most recognisable silhouettes on the city’s skyline. It is popular for its spectacular water views, wrap-around balcony and outdoor decks facing both the water and the city.
Whisky & Wood
Level 1/60 Cambridge Terrace, Te Aro
Whisky & Wood in the central city is full of character and industrial charm with its soaring high ceilings and white-washed brick walls. Included is their fully stocked and staffed in-house bar, while the space itself is open and versatile to suit any style of celebration.
Begonia House
101 Glenmore Street, Kelburn
Overlooking the Lady Norwood Rose Garden is the Begonia House at the Botanic Gardens. A wedding at the Begonia House rarely needs additional decor as the glasshouse is full of exotic living plants and hanging begonias. The light-filled interior is a photographer's dream and a great alternative to an outdoor wedding, especially with Wellington's unpredictable weather.
Anam Cara Gardens
150 Rangiuru Road, Ōtaki Beach
Further afield in the Kapiti Coast is Anam Cara Gardens, a picturesque garden venue. Anam Cara features enchanting scenery for weddings with its immaculately kept gardens and lush sprawling lawns. With luxury accommodation on the grounds, guests can move seamlessly from ceremony to reception with the option to stay on site before and after the wedding.
The Milk Station
35 Rahui Road, Ōtaki
Built in 1919, the Otaki Milk Station was renovated with meticulous detail, staying true to its Italian architectural influence and preserving many of its original features. It is now a Historic Places Trust Grade II recognised building. The history and rustic charm suits couples looking for that ultimate romantic setting for their wedding.
To enquire about potential wedding dates, visit our venues page for more information and contact details for each venue.
Once you have decided on a venue, choosing a caterer is a wise next step, especially if you have booked a popular date.
Food Envy’s Event Managers work closely with the venue and relevant suppliers leading up to, and on the big day. Along with the Events Team, they’re usually the first ones on site to set up, and the last to leave to ensure all the equipment is packed down and the venue left clean and tidy.
When planning a wedding, you need to consider how much to undertake yourselves on the day vs. how much you would like an experienced caterer to do. We often see couples underestimate the amount of effort involved to set up and execute a wedding smoothly. Some tasks may save you a bit of money, but the stress and time involved may not be worth the savings in the end.
Where possible, we recommend working with a caterer, leaving you with more time to take care of the fun stuff as we much prefer seeing our couples stress-free, really embracing and enjoying their day with their family and friends!
Food Envy offers a complete food and beverage service, taking care of all the equipment and staff required. Email us your wedding plans and our friendly Event Managers can send you our packages to get started.
A Lovely Bit of Crumpet
In January, Glou Glou opened it’s doors on Allen Street serving coffee, specialty tea lattes, world-class pastries and baked goods.
While the pastries have been the showstopper, the crumpets are a quietly popular item on the menu. The delightfully holey, yeast leavened crumpets are handmade right here at Food Envy and you can order them at Glou Glou any day of the week. Keep it simple with butter and spreads, or branch out and try one of these sweet or savoury toppings.
Salmon Cream Cheese
Ham & Cheddar / Banana Butterscotch
Visit Glou Glou
17a Allen St
Mon - Fri | 7am - 3pm
Sat - Sun | 8:30am - 3pm
Tomato Basil Mozzarella
Strawberries & Cream