When you need a caterer to take your event to the next level, you need AJ with Red Dot Cuisine.
After meeting with a wedding caterer that really underwhelmed us, my husband and I were worried that our food was going to fall into the trap of many wedding entrees - just ok and not memorable. Lucky for us, we found AJ and our wedding meal is STILL being talked about -- even a month later!
Our experience with AJ was different from any other vendor from the start. From initially posting the project, AJ was extremely responsive and remained that way through the wedding. Planning any event can be stressful, but AJ eases the stress with frequent and fast responses. We truly felt so comfortable and confident with AJ and he never let us down. Both him and his staff went above and beyond to make sure our wedding was flawless. He worked with our budget, gave fantastic menu recommendations and employs a team of hard-working and respectful staff.
Upon first meeting with AJ, we had a phone consultation and told him about foods we thought we wanted to include at the wedding from appetizers during cocktail hour to the main entree. AJ listened to us and then sent over a custom designed menu. He then invited us to come in for a tasting where he prepared numerous appetizers, soups, salads, entrees and side dishes (even more than he initially sent us in the custom menu). We were blown away by the taste and presentation of the food. It was even more difficult to decide on which menu items we wanted to pick because they were all SO good! The item that really was the talk of the tasting and even more so at the wedding, was a plated shrimp cocktail appetizer that AJ created. The shrimp cocktail sits in a martini glass that is standing in a fishbowl...with a LIVE goldfish and LED light. The appetizer was fun, classy, unique, and quite the conversation piece. Not to mention, the marinated shrimp cocktail and mango pico dipping sauce was to die for. I had several guests come up to me during the wedding to say how amazed they were with the presentation and that it actually tasted as good as it looked!
We had 4 appetizers during cocktail hour - chicken salad in an EDIBLE spoon (delicious!), marinated ahi tuna, a fruit and cheese kabob tree (another spectacular presentation) and hummus with vegetables and pita chips. The appetizers were eaten in a flash and really set the tone for the event - that we were about to have an event full of tasty food to follow!
AJ's team had a challenge to serve appetizers during cocktail hour outside while our reception space was being flipped and then prepare for a seated dinner. However, they knocked it out of the park! In the hour that it took to flip the reception space, AJ and team had pre-set the goldfish/shrimp cocktail appetizer -- which let me reiterate, was an amazing setup!
The team had no problem serving a plated dinner to 175 guests. After the appetizer, AJ created a chicken and sweet potato corn chowder soup, which was served hot for all 175 guests. It was extremely tasty and the perfect complement to the 40 degree weather outside! The main entree was a dual plate of filet mignon and cranberry, date and pecan stuffed chicken. The filet mignon was so tender that you could cut it with a butter knife. It was cooked perfectly, and this was another item that guests raved about. The chicken was also very tasty - this was an item that AJ had created for us at our tasting on his own - we didn't request it. As soon as we did taste it, we knew we had to have it! It was a different take on normally dry, boring wedding chicken. The main entree was accompanied by stacked au gratin potatoes (I still think about how good these were) and grilled asparagus. It was the perfect menu for the elegant feel we wanted.
AJ also set up our dessert bar and mini tabasco bottles that we gave as favors. Their attention to detail and commitment to making sure your event is event better than envisioned was totally noticeable. I know I've already said it, but AJ and team goes above and beyond in everything they do.
If you need an amazing caterer - no need to look further. Contact AJ. You won't be disappointed and your guests will be amazed. I can't wait to use him again in the future.
