XP: Do non-southerners like southern food? (from reception ideas)

hoffse

Hi ladies,

So the venue that FI and I have reserved for our wedding has plenty of space and great food - but it's really great southern food.  They do traditional wedding stuff as well (cue the obligatory roast beef) but it's really just average.  Not bad, not great, average.  Their southern food is fantastic, however, and we're getting married in a small town in north georgia.

So we're looking at our budget and trying to price out different options before we come up with a firm guest list - space isn't an issue, but some food options cost more than others.

My question is this: would non-southerners be open to southern food?  We're talking Jack Daniels pork tenderloin, fried chicken, a New Orleans cajun shrimp & grits station, garlic mashed potatos, bacon & bleu cheese green beans, one other veggie, and a salad bar.  Thoughts?  Our southern friends - whom we live around - practically salivated at the idea.  But we may have a lot of guests from California, the midwest, a few from New England, and even Europe.  We're not super close to them, so we feel weird about asking their opinions.

Thoughts?

hoffse

PS: We're also pricing out a vegetarian option, no worries.  We're just trying to choose the meats.

niobesmum

Well, Im from the midwest and we have alot of southern food resturants up here in Michigan so I myself definetly wouldnt be opposed. I doubt folks from new england (i have plenty of fam from there too) would be either. Now ppl from cali and europe might look a little sideways at it. But I think a wedding is a great opportunity to try new things. Everyone has the same ol boring roast beef and chicken dish.....I saw go for what you and your fiance love!!

baystateapple

I'm from New England and all of those sound delicious.

But I agree with Eagles, make sure you have some healthy veggie options too.

MRSBJS

Do it.

I have lived in the NE my entire life and I LOVE southern food. I know I'm not the only one either, because there are restaurants up here that serve it.

I can't imagine that there will be anyone who can't find something they like with those kinds of choices.

LDYGTR13

DUDE - EVERYONE LOVES OUR FOOD. S

StephBeanWed61502

I'm from the northeast and most of that menu sounds delicious to me.  The only thing I'd say is to make sure there are enough bland options for guests who don't like or can't handle really spicy foods (for me personally "cajun" anything is impossible to eat).

niobesmum

oops....stupid keyboard.....I SAY go for what you like!!

MRSBJS

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_xp-non-southerners-like-southern-food-reception-ideas?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:45b4fef4-b8a5-45aa-9048-35dae86a48a4Post:b67afe64-5048-4060-be1c-73eddf605377">Re: XP: Do non-southerners like southern food? (from reception ideas)</a>:
[QUOTE]Um, that all sounds delicious to me.  However, besides the salad bar, it doesn't seem like there's a lot of healthy options.  So, if your Uncle Jack has a heart condition, what can he eat?  What about your diabetic friend from Connecticut?  Cousins who are trying to watch their weight? I would just try to brainstorm something along those lines. 
Posted by EaglesBride2012[/QUOTE]

Why do you always have to ruin everything with your blasted logic! lol

adamar15

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_xp-non-southerners-like-southern-food-reception-ideas?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:45b4fef4-b8a5-45aa-9048-35dae86a48a4Post:b67afe64-5048-4060-be1c-73eddf605377">Re: XP: Do non-southerners like southern food? (from reception ideas)</a>:
[QUOTE]Um, that all sounds delicious to me.  However, besides the salad bar, it doesn't seem like there's a lot of healthy options.  So, if your Uncle Jack has a heart condition, what can he eat?  What about your diabetic friend from Connecticut?  Cousins who are trying to watch their weight? I would just try to brainstorm something along those lines. 
Posted by EaglesBride2012[/QUOTE]

I had the same thought.  Those all sound great, but maybe throw in a couple of lighter items? 

MRSBJS

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_xp-non-southerners-like-southern-food-reception-ideas?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:45b4fef4-b8a5-45aa-9048-35dae86a48a4Post:208ab3c4-242d-40c3-a37e-eaca6d5b1ad3">Re: XP: Do non-southerners like southern food? (from reception ideas)</a>:
[QUOTE]DUDE - EVERYONE LOVES OUR FOOD. S
Posted by LDYGTR13[/QUOTE]

I love YOU.

LaurenHH

I have a friend that moved from New Jersey to North Carolina for school, and the food was VERY hard on her stomach, and it took her a long time to get used to it.  You probably want to have some other options in there that might be a little less heavy.  I'm sure they would be open to it, but they might later regret that second helping of fried chicken.

annakb8

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_xp-non-southerners-like-southern-food-reception-ideas?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:45b4fef4-b8a5-45aa-9048-35dae86a48a4Post:208ab3c4-242d-40c3-a37e-eaca6d5b1ad3">Re: XP: Do non-southerners like southern food? (from reception ideas)</a>:
[QUOTE]DUDE - EVERYONE LOVES OUR FOOD. S
Posted by LDYGTR13[/QUOTE]

<div>This.</div><div>
</div><div>If I were coming I'd want you to leave the blue cheese out of the green beans, because I love me some green beans but blue cheese makes me gag. And you don't want anything competing with the wonderful flavor of bacon. But I'm not coming, so feel free to ignore me.</div>

rlavach

Well, I'm vegan, so I'd have to go for the veggie option. I know most of my non-veggie friends wouldn't have a problem with that menu, other than the fact that most of the food you listed there seems very rich. I could imagine that it would be very very filling & weighty on the body (not necessarily a bad thing, but could make guests who aren't used to it feel lethargic). 

I know my LA family would be appalled. Having some filling healthy choices is always considerate. 

annakb8

Also, to the health nuts, pork tenderloin is a very lean protein. I mean a few more veggies wouldn't go amiss, but I think the tenderloin is a good choice.

And no, I am not being paid to endorse pork tenderloin today, as much as it may seem that way.

hoffse

Ok we'll think on it.  Honestly I'm mostly self-conscious about the fried chicken because it fulfills such a stereotype but I mean... I've had friend chicken from all over.  And this is definitely in the top 3 I've ever had.  It's that good.  That said, we could do a lighter chicken option that is healthier.  So that's what I'm struggling with.

ootmother2

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_xp-non-southerners-like-southern-food-reception-ideas?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:45b4fef4-b8a5-45aa-9048-35dae86a48a4Post:208ab3c4-242d-40c3-a37e-eaca6d5b1ad3">Re: XP: Do non-southerners like southern food? (from reception ideas)</a>:
[QUOTE]DUDE - EVERYONE LOVES OUR FOOD. S
Posted by LDYGTR13[/QUOTE]

True

baystateapple

Jack Daniels pork tenderloin is making my mouth water. 

Now I'm hungry.

musicalsunlight

That sounds delicious.

annakb8

Hoffse, do you think it might be possible for the caterer to throw in a few grilled pieces with the fried chicken? 

hoffse

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_xp-non-southerners-like-southern-food-reception-ideas?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:45b4fef4-b8a5-45aa-9048-35dae86a48a4Post:4be029be-7ed7-44f9-934e-b40f02c46133">Re: XP: Do non-southerners like southern food? (from reception ideas)</a>:
[QUOTE]Hoffse, do you think it might be possible for the caterer to throw in a few grilled pieces with the fried chicken? 
Posted by annakb8[/QUOTE]

<div>We can ask about that - that could definitely be an option.</div><div>
</div><div>Haha and the stereotype is: southern, fried, dyed, and fattening :)  But yeah there's a reason why people keep eating that food you know?</div>

annakb8

Also, I have shrimp and grits at a few weddings before and it's always my favorite thing. I've also had fried green tomatoes at a few weddings and those are always good too, although not exactly a healthy option. You could do some kind of tomato salad though, my Southern family always has tomatoes on the table in summer.

adamar15

Yeah, I was thinking lighter sides.  I think the meats sound awesome.  I also missed that there will be a salad bar. 

mari0225

Yum! That sounds delicious!

tenofcups4me

Sounds good to me. I'm personally not a fan of pork or anything Cajun, but that's just personal taste and has nothing to do with where I live. DH loves both.

I think the fried chicken is fine. Yes, it's a southern "stereotype," but yum. Grilled chicken wouldn't play the same at all.

bmoruzzi

I've live in NE all my life and I think that food sounds fantastic.  A wedding is not a time to diet.  If people don't like the food, they won't eat it.  I don't know how many weddings I've gone to where I thought the prime rib sounded good, ordered it and then was disgusted by it when it arrived in front of me.  So I ate the mashed potatoes or cake.  Whatever.  It's one day/night.  Serve what you want.  

Laurmi

I'm a vegetarian from New England but I wouldn't have a problem. I think it's nice to have stuff native to your area at your receiption. If I were going to a wedding down south I would expect nothing less than some southern style cookin'! 

Laura 

adamar15

My parents tried that with me too, Eags.  I sat at the table for a LONG time.

Habs2Hart

I think it sounds great, but I would put in some simple, low fat options as well.  For people who eat healthy all the time and don't eat really rich food, it may not be a happy ending for them.  Lets just say you may need to make sure you have lots of toilets.  I know that sounds terrible, but rich food can effect people differently, especially if you aren't used to it. 

Ditto Anna on the blue cheese beans.  Make sure you have some options for people who may be allergic to dairy aswell. 

annakb8

But Brussels sprouts are awesome. 

achiduck

That all sounds delicious but would probably send me straight to the hospital with a gallstone attack.

Please make sure you offer your guests some lighter fare as well.