How to Choose a Kosher Wedding Menu

If you didn't break out the Manishewitz when you got engaged, picking a kosher wedding menu might not be second nature to you. But if your wedding's at a synagogue, you'll need a kosher caterer--and some Jewish couples will opt for hotels and reception halls that have kosher kitchens. A kosher wedding menu has strict culinary limitations, but that doesn't mean the food will be anything less than delicious.

Instructions

1. Begin by deciding whether you'll be serving poultry and/or meat at your reception. If you opt for a vegetarian or fish meal, you'll be able to have dairy items at your wedding. If you want your guests to choose from chicken and steak, no dairy will be allowed. Going with the dairy option does mean no meat appetizers, while the meat option means even the wedding cake and coffee creamer have to be dairy free.

2. Find a reputable kosher caterer. Often your synagogue will provide a list of acceptable caterers, but if you can choose from any kosher business, stick with caterers who have the best reputation for tasty cuisine and excellent service. In any given Jewish community, there are usually a handful of top kosher caterers. You can ask for a sample tasting to make sure you're getting the best.

3. Ask your caterer for a recommended menu once you've hired one--and explain whether the wedding will be meat or dairy. Discuss any items on the menu that concern you. Also ask whether your favorite foods can be prepared in accordance with kosher laws. You might be surprised how certain choices can be prepared kosher by using artificial dairy products, tofu and other creative substitutions.

4. Finalize the menu, making sure it reflects the style of your wedding and the tastes of you and your groom. Some menus lean towards traditional Jewish foods like stuffed cabbage and poached salmon, while others can feature world cuisine items like Asian chicken salad, sushi and hummus. Eliminate items that feel out of place or that you know you would not enjoy.

5. Do a cake testing if your reception will be a meat meal. Non-dairy kosher wedding cakes might not taste the same as non-kosher ones because shortening is replacing milk products like butter. While some kosher cakes might taste greasy, others can be divine. Make sure your cake is more divine than greasy.