Lots of plates and lots of questions
For many of our clients, the menu tasting is the moment their event suddenly feels real. Up until then, the food has lived on paper: a list of dishes, a few descriptions, perhaps a photo or two. At the tasting, it arrives on the plate.
We often get asked what actually happens on the day, so we thought we would pull back the curtain. Here is everything you can expect, from the moment you book your tasting to the moment you leave (probably a little fuller than planned).
Before you arrive
A great tasting starts well before you sit down. Once your tasting is in the diary, we will ask you to choose the dishes you would like to try from your menu options. This is the fun part: shortlist the dishes that caught your eye, the ones you are torn between, and anything you are curious about.
We will also ask about dietary requirements and allergies for everyone coming along. Whether it is (v), (vg), (gf) or (df), we want every plate you taste to be one you can genuinely enjoy, and it gives our kitchen the chance to show you how beautifully those dishes can work for your guests too.
Behind the scenes, our chefs are sourcing seasonal, local ingredients and preparing each dish exactly as it would be served on the day. No shortcuts, no sample sizes that leave you guessing.
On the day
When you arrive, you will be welcomed by our team, settled in. There is no rush. We want you relaxed, because the best decisions about food are made when you are enjoying yourself.
Then the plates begin to arrive. We talk you through each dish as it lands: where the ingredients come from, how it is cooked and how it would be presented to your guests. Taste, compare, go back for another bite. Take photos if you like; plenty of our clients do.
This is also your chance to see the finer details: portion sizes, plating, and how the courses flow together as a meal. A menu that reads well on paper should feel just as balanced at the table, and the tasting is where we make sure it does.
Ask us anything (yes, really)
There is no such thing as a silly question at a tasting. Would this work as a sharing platter? Could the sauce be a little lighter? What would our vegan guests have instead? Ask away. Our team would far rather hear it now than have you wondering later.
Honest feedback is exactly what we want. If a dish is not quite for you, tell us. If something is a firm favourite, tell us that too. We can adjust flavours, swap elements and tweak dishes so the final menu feels completely yours, not simply chosen from a list.
After the tasting
You do not need to make every decision before you leave. Take a little time to think it over, chat it through with whoever you are planning with, and let us know your final choices when you are ready.
We will take everything from your tasting, your favourites, your tweaks and your dietary notes, and pull it together into your an initial menu. From there, our kitchen and events team can start bringing it all to life for the day itself.
Ready to taste?
A tasting is one of our favourite parts of the whole journey. It is where we get to know you, your tastes and your vision for the day, and where a menu turns into something you are genuinely excited to share with your guests.
If you would like to find out more about tastings or start planning your event with us, get in touch through www.rossandrossevents.co.uk. We would love to hear from you.
