Contemporary Cuisine
Amazing Presentation your guests will love
Receptions for Japanese weddings are often organized at hotels, fine-dining restaurants or wedding venues. No matter the choice of location, the choice of cuisine will usually be either contemporary or traditional. Contemporary will be continental cuisine presented with a Japanese flair. Based on the kaiseki (see traditional, below), each course is carefully crafted and presented to the guests. All serving sizes in Japan are on a human scale and yet due to the variety and number of courses, guests generally find the served banquet meal to be abundant. Buffets are extremely rare although they may be used in a situation where the guest count makes the seating too tight for table service.
Multi-course extravaganza
A traditional meal will have some significant differences from a contemporary, both in presentation and flavor profile. The range of Japanese-inspired creations is endless but a traditional meal will always be based on seasonal ingredients and so cannot be pre-selected in advance. The chef will determine just prior to the event what the best courses will be to showcase the local and seasonal offerings. Some courses will have many different items each with it’s own presentation, whether in small individual bowls and plates or all on one plate but arranged to highlight eat item with separate garnishes. All courses are served individually, never platter or family style. A Japanese meal is often based on the kaiseki, Japan’s famed multi-course meal which follows a proscribed order.
Traditional Cuisine
Contemporary Banquets
Elegance and Style in Dining
Contemporary cuisine is always served with a matching table style, familiar to most western guests. The meal will start with a table liner, which is removed prior to the first course. The dining utensils needed for the courses to come will generally be present at the start of the meal. Since it is Japan, you will sometimes find a fusion approach, with chopsticks instead of western table ware, even though the rest of of the setting is western style. This is mostly noted by the choice of glassware (wine glasses vs. a simple water glass). Decor will be primarily flowers and perhaps candles, with the color palate and style chosen by the wedding couple. In either style, the bride and groom will be at their own table with the magnificent floral arrangement.
Pure Japanese Style
If you choose a traditional dinner your guests will find themselves deeply immersed into the culture of Japan. Some specifics will depend on the venue, but a few key highlights are: they may be seated on the floor with a zaisu for back support, the table settings will be individual and spaced further apart than western settings (due to presentation requirements), the meal will start with a simple wooden board (like a placemat) and only chopsticks will be there to start the meal. Individual courses that require a different eating utensil will come with the correct utensil to use. Other elements of the decor, such as flower, will be similar to the contemporary options, although often the presentation is more in keeping with traditional ikebana rules and favors dramatic and simple stylings.