March 22, 2018

Willowdale Kitchens & Food Trends

If you’re hosting a celebration you’ll need food and drinks to match the occasion, location, and most importantly the tastes of your guests! At Willowdale Estate we have you covered with our full service kitchen at your disposal! Here are four culinary and cocktail trends that we’ve seen gaining in popularity.

Meat-Alternatives & Plant-Based Diets

It’s apparent in the culinary industry that more people have been switching to vegetarian and vegan lifestyles. With that, comes a need to accommodate those dietary requests. Willowdale Estate offers these options to all of our clients to meet those needs. And it’s not just that, we offer gluten-free, nut-free, any any other free you can think of! We’re committed to upholding the highest standards of hospitality, anticipating your needs, and exceeding your expectations.

Top Left: Roasted Vegetable Quinoa Napoleon | Meghann Gregory Photography

Top Right: Zucchini Fritter | Billye Donya Photography

Bottom: Layered Fried Eggplant | Sharon’s Studio

Close ups of food

Transparency & Sustainability

Our Executive Chef leads an expert culinary team, expressing the rich history and character of the estate through flavorful menus including farm-fresh ingredients and locally sourced produce, seafoods, and meats. We’re excited to partner with nearby farms and purveyors to provide our guests with the freshest ingredients, seasonal menus, and special additions.

Left: Clam Chowder on the Half Shell | Phil Fox Photography

Right: Fig & Ricotta Seasonal Platter

Close ups of food

Ethnic Cuisine & Inspiring Flavors

Our menus include everything from comfort classics to imaginative creations. Do you have an adventurous palette? Consider trying one of our Red Door Supper Clubs. This four-course meal is a unique dining experience each time and has a more exotic menu with a widespread range of culinary traditions.

Octopus with red wine braised cornmeal, sweet and black garlic | Clark Weddings

A close up of food

Mocktails & Pairings

Mocktails or alcohol-free beverages are gaining in popularity. These cleaner cocktails can include your mixed drink favorites minus the spirit or herbal infusions and floral notes like this refreshing recipe. Lavender Smash – blackberry puree, lavender simple syrup, soda water in collins glass garnished with mint and cucumber. If you’re not ready for the mocktail movement, food and drink pairings are on the rise. For weddings and events, our menus provide suggestions for which wines and sparkling wines pair the best with our entrees. Our Red Door Supper Club also offers wine pairings to compliment each course.

Top Left: Cucumber Mint Water |  Zev Fisher Photography

Top Right: Lavender Smash | Bharat Parmar Photography

Bottom: Beef Entree with Wine Pairing |  Leona Campbell Photography

Close ups of food and drink