One of the most memorable parts of a wedding? Hands down: the food. Your guests will walk away from your wedding reception either wowed by your menu selections or discussing them as they stop through their local drive-thru for a late-night snack.

With so many great options for Tampa Bay wedding caterers in the area, we partnered with our preferred Marry Me Tampa Bay wedding vendors to showcase their signature dishes and passion for food with the help of downtown St. Pete wedding venue NOVA 535, Special Moments Event Planning, Grind & Press Photography, and Outside the Box Event Rentals.

Elite Events Catering:

Elite Events Catering are known for their creative seasonal menus, with locally sourced ingredients, and stellar presentation. After realizing a shift in clients' requests for healthier options, they've created new recipes and elevated menus which offer a variety of gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan options.

“For the last several years we have been focusing more on creating menus that are seasonal and finding the best ingredients that we can source locally.  We feel strongly that these options should not just be a substitute for another dish, but can be a featured item that anyone would love to have on their menu,” Melissa Misgen, Creative Director of Elite Events Catering, explained. “For this shoot, we chose to feature our “Impossible Sliders” and our “Beyond Mini Tacos” as a couple of our newest appetizers which we recently added to our collection. We are so happy to find ingredients like this which we can use to make more dishes that are vegan and sustainable.”

Beyond Mini Tacos | Elite Events Catering | Grind & Press Photography

Impossible Sliders | Elite Events Catering | Grind & Press Photography

What was the inspiration for your dishes?
We can create a unique and custom menu and design it for any style of event. We are always trying to challenge ourselves to be as creative as we can, and come up with new ideas for menus as well as presentation. We really wanted our dishes to be true to our style and attention to detail. It's our philosophy that one of the biggest responsibilities as caterers is planning and logistics, but we also believe that how we present ourselves and our food is what truly makes us different. Presentation is an art and we really love to get creative in how we display our dishes, whether it's a formal plated dinner, a festive buffet/station style event, or an elegant cocktail party with passed appetizers. In fact, we custom make all of our passing platters and find this to be a really fun way to offer our clients a one-of-a-kind display that features the theme and purpose of their event. Every event is unique, and we love finding new and creative ways to showcase some delicious food!

Elite Events Catering | Grind & Press Photography

Elite Events Catering | Grind & Press Photography

Elite Events Catering | Grind & Press Photography

Amici's Catered Cuisine:

Showcasing the artistry and talent of their many garde mange chefs (specialists in cold side cuisine), Amici's Catered Cuisine showcased a variety of carved “flowers” made from turnips, beets, and radishes to create bouquets of vegetables throughout their display. Creating a “wow” factor for customers and guests through innovative and decorative fruit and vegetable carvings is a signature of Amici's.

“At Amici's we like to create and serve delicious tasting food items that are also extremely visually fresh, and appetizing as we all ‘eat with our eyes' as well as our mouths. We use locally grown microgreens to garnish many of our hors d'oeuvres (including our sweet and sour cippolini onions with gorgonzola mousse served on edible spoons) and love combining sweet and salty flavors (watermelon, feta and basil skewers drizzled with balsamic glaze) to create unique experiences for the taste buds,” Michael Lamando, Owner of Amici's Catered Cuisine shared.

Hand Carved Vegetable “Flowers” | Amici's Catered Cuisine | Grind & Press Photography

Hand Carved Vegetable “Flowers” | Amici's Catered Cuisine | Grind & Press Photography

Hand Carved Vegetable “Flowers” | Amici's Catered Cuisine | Grind & Press Photography

What was the inspiration for your dishes?
The inspiration for the dishes presented on this shoot was primarily attributed to the popularity and feedback from our clients who have enjoyed them at their catered events. The look, feel and taste combinations have always earned Amici's high praises at the weddings, corporate and private events where they are ordered and enjoyed quite frequently.

Tomato Bisque Shooter Topped with Mini Grilled Cheese,
Hand-cut Garlic Parmesan French Fries Served in a Bamboo Cone | Amici's Catered Cuisine | Grind & Press Photography

Sweet and Sour Cippolini Onions with Gorgonzola Mousse Served on Edible Spoons | Amici's Catered Cuisine | Grind & Press Photography

Harvest Salad | Amici's Catered Cuisine | Grind & Press Photography

Grilled Beef Tenderloin Topped with Goat Cheese, Portobello Mushrooms and Demi Merlot, Duchess Potatoes and Asparagus Bundle | Amici's Catered Cuisine | Grind & Press Photography

Mini S'mores Dessert Cup | Amici's Catered Cuisine | Grind & Press Photography

Catering by the Family:

When New Orleans flare and Tampa roots are brought together, the result is a fusion of creative dishes that showcase the heart behind Catering by The Family. Chef Steven Gonzalez Jr. is well-known for his fresh and made-from-scratch recipes that highlight the flavors of Tampa Bay.

“Chef Steven's inspiration can date back to when he learned to cook by helping his grandparents, aunt, and father as a young boy. He developed his love of food through his family, and they remain his inspiration today. After graduation from Johnson and Wales Culinary Institute, he spent three years in New Orleans under the tutelage of the world-famous Brennan Restaurant Group, so while Chef Steven honors the ‘family' recipes, he has expanded the menu to a chef-driven cuisine that fuses his Tampa roots and love of New Orleans’s cuisine,” Sandra Thiebe, Executive Sales Consultant for Catering by The Family shared.

Jumbo Sea Scallops en Brochette placed on Rosemary Skewers served with Tuscan Citrus Butter Sauce | Catering by the Family | Grind & Press Photography

Bordeaux Braised Beef Short Ribs with Cabernet Demi Glace and Chilean Sea Bass served with Sherry Citrus Buerre Blanc, On the Side: Smoked Heirloom Carrots tossed in a Honey Comb Reduction and Baby Portabella & Mascarpone Risotto | Catering by the Family | Grind & Press Photography

What was the inspiration for your dishes?
The food prepared is part of our chef-driven cuisine that infuses Chef Steven Gonzalez Jr.’s time in New Orleans with the Brennan Family and his formative years soaking in “The Family’s” recipes. The ingredients are always fresh and made from scratch. Chef Steven is well known for his sauces (some that require several days to prepare). Our desserts are all made-from-scratch with fresh ingredients that highlight the flavors of Tampa Bay cuisine.

French Brie & Roasted Pear Crostini topped with Cranberry Honey & Candied Pecans | Catering by the Family | Grind & Press Photography

Grilled Tuscan Romaine Salad with Baby Heirloom Cherry Tomatoes, Pickled Shallot, Hearts of Palm, Grated Spaniard Manchego Cheese served with 12 Aged Balsamic & Sherry Vinaigrette | Catering by the Family | Grind & Press Photography

Bordeaux Braised Beef Short Ribs with Cabernet Demi Glace and Chilean Sea Bass served with Sherry Citrus Buerre Blanc, On the Side: Smoked Heirloom Carrots tossed in a Honey Comb Reduction and Baby Portabella & Mascarpone Risotto | Catering by the Family | Grind & Press Photography

Pain de Genes with a Dark Berry Coulis and Poached Pear | Catering by the Family | Grind & Press Photography

Venue: NOVA 535 *Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Venue
Planner: Special Moments Event Planning *Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Pro
Photographer: Grind & Press Photography *Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Pro
Linen Rentals: Outside the Box Event Rentals *Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Pro
Caterer: Amici's Catered Cuisine *Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Pro
Caterer: Catering by the Family *Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Pro
Caterer: Elite Events Catering *Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Pro