Posh Nosh Ireland | Wedding & Corporate Catering Northern Ireland

Sharing Style

When it comes to choosing your wedding catering there are other options other than a traditional formal style meal. Some of our couples are choosing to move away from traditional dinners and are opting for something more casual. Often this takes a form of a sharing style or family style service which offers a more relaxed style of dining, it is a perfect alternative to a formal wedding reception.

Sharing style menus are casually elegant. They allows guest to remain seated but are served in a more casual manner making this the perfect fit for almost any style of wedding.This style of service creates a warm atmosphere amongst guests as guests who have known each other for years, or only just met both engage in a comfortable flow of conversation over the passing of plates and enjoyment of the theatre created around the delightful style of food presented to each table.

Whether you chose to have one course sharing or several courses, sharing menus at Posh Nosh are truly delectable. Italian Antipasto Platters, Posh Ploughman inspired boards and a Luxury Local Seafood Platter are just some of the starter options. This followed by main course such as Roast Shoulder of County Down Lamb marinated overnight in Posh Nosh Harissa Rub with Harissa Roast Lamb Juices, Clandeboye Estate Yoghurt, Minted Comber Baby Boiled Potatoes and Tabbouleh is one example of such a menu.

Posh Nosh Top Tip : Family style dining requires ample space on your dinner table for various platters and dishes so centre pieces may need to be kept to a minimum if you choose this style of dining.

Please do not hesitate to get in touch to request a copy of our sharing style menu.

Posh Nosh On Local Produce

Traditionally soil, land, climatic constraints and individual craftsmanship all donated to the individualities of the regional food which filled our diets. In more recent times our food has been shaped by the effects of cultural exchange, global distribution and technology which has treated our palettes to delights from around the world. However as the concept of our authentic traditional food has become a blurred, we have recently witnessed a small food revolution as we reconnect with our own regional produce.

Wherever you go on this Island you are never far from the landscape of lush green fields, fresh pure loughs and Atlantic and Irish Sea waters which have created a distinct food culture with a focus on the very best local ingredients. At Posh Nosh we take pride in celebrating our delicious local food and drink by showcasing a wealth of regional specialities throughout the menus that we serve.

We are proud members of A Taste of Ulster which is all about showcasing the finest food and drink from Northern Ireland. Whether you’re a tourist or a local, you’ll want to know that where you choose to eat will deliver on taste, atmosphere, service and value.

Posh Nosh Taste of Ulster Entrance

When choosing to source our produce locally the first step is homing in on what is actually in season. Seasonal produce is harvested when it has been allowed to fully ripen and as it is local and hasn’t travelled too far to get to our plates. Our fresh seasonal vegetables are supplied by North Down Group which can have vegetables from the field to our kitchens within 24 hours of harvest. This freshness gives produce with optimal flavour.

 

A few Posh Nosh Favourites:
• Irish Champ made using Comber Potatoes grown in the sheltered soiled around Strangford lough, just a stone’s throw from Posh Nosh Head Quarters. This is a world class potato which has a distinctive nutty flavor and claims a Protected Geographical Indication.

• Yellowman or Yellaman is a chewy, toffee-textured honeycomb and is associated with the Auld Lammas Fair in Ballycastle, County Antrim. The perfect garnish for our Crunchie Pot Dessert.

• A Seafood Sharing Platter boasting Glenarm Salmon, Portavogie Prawns and Bangor Bay Crab is the a great way to showcase our local fish. The clear waters that surround us teamed with the loughs and rivers provide some spectacular fresh fish.

• The pure sweet grass of our landscape contribute to some of the best beef in Europe. We use Peter Hannans beef which is extra-aged in Himalayan Salt Chambers to producing totally unique, sweet, flavorsome and multi-award winning beef. It is hard to choose a favourite beef dish but our Posh Nosh Deconstructed Beef Wellington which is comprised of Prime Fillet of Irish Beef, Mushroom Duxelle, Gratin Potatoes, Wilted Spinach and a Rich Madeira Jus is a clear winner.

• Cheese has been one of our long reigning highest quality artisan products. A local cheese board is always a well-received supper option. Fivemiletown Extra Mature Cheddar, Kearney Blue, Young Buck and Ballyoak Brie are just a few of our go to local cheeses. All served with Dittys Oatcakes and homemade chutney using Armagh Bramley Apples.

• Specialty bread has to be one of our unsung heroes of local produce. Soda Bread and Potato Bread Farls made from the flours of our local mills often appear on our menus. One of our popular canapes is Thinly Sliced Toasted Veda Bread topped with Creamy Goats Cheese and Plum Jam.

 

Let’s Talk Canapés

A canapé is a type of appetizer served before a meal, a small bite size portion usually decoratively presented. Commonly served before dinner accompanied by a cocktail. Typically known in America as Passed Hors d’Oeuvres.
The traditional technical composition of a canapé consists of a base, a main item and a garnish. For example Golden fried potato bread (base) topped with whipped goats cheese (main item) , pickled heritage beetroot and pearls (garnish).

 

However modern canapés take many forms but the purpose remains the same, to have a tasty bite size hand held nibble which can be easily eaten without the fear of crumbs or spillages while holding a drink. Posh Nosh recommend a glass of champagne or a refreshing glass of elderflower cordial.
Although canapés are not essential they make a welcome addition to any function or wedding. Canapés are usually the first thing that your guests will eat since leaving home. This is all the more reason to whet your guests’ appetite and leave them eagerly anticipating the main banquet to follow.

Fried Potato Bread with Creamed Leeks and Crispy Bacon

A drinks reception usually lasts two hours. In this time we would recommend choosing 3 to 5 canapés per guest. During pre-event planning this may seem like a long time however taking into account that this will be the first opportunity you have to mingle with all your guests. This part of the day will pass in the blink of an eye.
At Posh Nosh we have a selection of almost 30 canapés to choose from in our current brochure. We can also work with you to incorporate your ideas for bespoke canapés at your party.

Posh Nosh Ireland | Marquee Weddings

With marquee weddings on the rise, and the increased amount of marquee vendors in Northern Ireland, you are literally given a blank canvas to build your dream wedding on… although, it’s not so much a blank canvas as it is a patch of land outside your/your parents’ home, if we are being realistic!

When it comes to arranging catering for a marquee wedding, the catering is very much at the forefront of the day as it will be your caterers who essentially run the day, as there is no venue/venue representative to liaise with. So, where do we start? What do we need to think about?

 

  • Kitchen Annexes/Marquees – these are essential in providing catering for a marquee wedding. We need a big enough space from which we can prep, plate and also have our ovens, hot cupboards, fryers etc. Very often, we have to make a little space go a long way! The size of the kitchen annex/marquee required will depend entirely on your menu and number of guests.

 

  • Electricity – do you want hot food? Us too! So, we need hooked up to your supply. A generator (or two!) is your answer, and can be sourced from your marquee company. Again, the usage and overall draw of electricity will vary depending on your menu and number of guests.

 

  • Lighting – especially with a wedding towards early spring/late autumn, please provide us with some lights so we can see what we are doing when it gets dark? How many caterers does it take to screw in a lightbulb, and all that!

 

  • Bins – we remove all food wastage and rubbish from the kitchen, but what about your empty bottles and cardboard boxes from your wine and champagne? You will need to make arrangements for a skip.

 

  • Tables & Chairs – what sort of layout do you want in your marquee? Would you like traditional round tables, or long, rustic banqueting style tables? Don’t forget to speak to your marquee provider about what’s feasible in the space. Also, are you having tables on the dancefloor? Will these need to be removed after the meal?

 

  • Access to kitchen – please provide us with access into the kitchen via a ramp, drive, road etc.

 

  • Water please – you will need to provide your caterer with access to water via your home, a standby water pipe etc.

 

  • Drinks on me! – Are you having an open bar, or a cash bar? In most instances, if you are supplying any of the booze yourselves (wine for the meal, fizz for the reception) you will need to hire in some fridges for these to be chilled in – nobody likes warm Prosecco!

 

Posh Nosh have been catering for marquee weddings with various different vendors for nearly 30 years’, so we know the craic! If you are looking for a marquee wedding caterer, look no further than Posh Nosh. Why not give us a call today, to get a quotation for catering?

Posh Nosh Ireland | Dinner at Belfast Cathedral

To celebrate the Belfeast Food and Drink Festival by Belfast City Council, Belfast Cathedral was transformed into a unique and fabulous dining room for 60 guests on Saturday 24th March.

A headline event of the BelFeast Festival, which ran from 23rd March to 25th March and was hosted by Belfast City Council, the Dinner at Belfast Cathedral consisted of a Sparkling Wine Reception, a delicious five-course dinner by ourselves, Posh Nosh, and paired wines provided by Mark Jefferson wines.

Tolson Sherwood, our Executive Chef said “It was truly an honour to be involved in such a fantastic and memorable event. With stunning surroundings and beautiful music, the Cathedral was the perfect venue for the event. We very much look forward to working at more events in the Cathedral, and seeing it being transformed once again.”

 

McLaughlin Marquees provided tables & chairs for the event, at which guests could sit as an intimate table for two, or in a large group with friends and colleagues.

Ryan Horner produced an amazing video of the event, which you can find below. You may spot a few faces you know!

If you are looking for the perfect venue in the City Centre for your next event, why not check out Belfast Cathedral? The pictures speak for themselves!

'An Evening at Belfast Cathedral' – BelFeast Dinner

We had a wonderful intimate dinner on Saturday evening as part of the BelFeast festival happening in the Cathedral Quarter. An evening of wonderful food and music performed by the talented choir and musicans of Belfast Cathedral. All our guests had a fantastic time and we look forward to welcoming more people to the Cathedral for such occasions in the near future.Video produced by Ryan Horner

Posted by Belfast Cathedral on Tuesday, 27 March 2018

 

Posh Nosh Ireland | Team’s Top Ten Dishes

We cater for weddings and corporate events day in, day out and we do so on a bespoke basis – so we see a lot of different dishes on our menus!

We consulted our Posh Nosh Team as to which dishes are their favourite – what’s your favourite?

 

Tolson – Executive Chef & Proprietor

Grilled Fillet of Beef on Crushed Comber Potatoes, with a Sundried Tomato & Basil Butter and Rich Beef Jus

 

Philip– Front of House Manager

Lightly Whipped Goat’s Cheese, with Heritage Beetroot, Mini Beetroot Meringues, Candied Walnuts drizzled with Honey, Balsamic Pearls and Micro Leaves

 

 

Sean – Head Chef

Roast Chicken Supreme stuffed with Mozzarella & Sun Dried Tomato, wrapped in Pancetta with Buttery Mash, Baby Pearl Onions & Bacon Lardons in a Rich Chicken Jus

 

Darryl – Sous Chef

Tasting Plate of Irish Salmon – Locally Smoked, Gravadlax and Rilette served with Lemon Aioli and Watercress Salad tossed in Virgin Olive Oil

 

Jade – Corporate Client Coordinator

Prime Roasted Fillet of Irish Beef with Gratin Potatoes and Red Wine Jus

 

 

Lynda – Planning Coordinator & Proprietor

Pan Seared Scallops with a Pea Puree, Pancetta Crisps & Balsamic Pearls

 

 

Shona – Wedding Coordinator

Study of Butternut Squash: Demi-tasse of -Soup, Arancini and Tartlet

 

Ben – Business Development

Creamy Clandeboye Estate Yoghurt Pannacotta

Carl – Logistics

1920s Eton Mess – Cocktail of Crushed Meringues, Fresh Raspberries, Lightly Whipped Cream and a White Chocolate Straw

 

 

Geoff – Logistics

Pan Seared Fillet of Irish Salmon on a Bed of Buttery Mash, Creamed Cabbage and Leeks topped with a Caper, Shallot & Chilli Butter

Posh Nosh Ireland | Quirky Wedding Show

We recently exhibited at the Quirky Wedding Show, and what a blast we had!

Our experienced and professional team who attended include both our Coordinators Shona and Jade, and our Front of House Managers, Philip and Sean.

 

Posh Nosh have exhibited at the Quirky Wedding Show twice a year for the past five years, and have been an active member of the “Quirky” family since then.

The show takes place in the Waterfront Hall and features lots of amazing suppliers, to include photographers, videographers, venues, make-up artists, hairdressers, florists, photo booths… to name but a few!

The show is a great place to meet lots of lovely couples and answer their initial catering questions. From there, we provide them with a Wedding Brochure and take their enquiry to the next stage.

It’s also a great opportunity to catch up with all of the lovely suppliers who we run into on the wedding scene, and chat about what they have been up to!

Every year, we struggle with the question – how do we showcase our food? How do we capture our brand and our concept to prospective couples at a fair? There’s no real way to show just how delicious our food is without tasting it!

Thankfully, our team love a challenge and we always manage to pull a few ideas out of the bag! The past few years we have had photo displays and pantry ideas – which is your favourite?

Posh Nosh Ireland | Profiles – Jade

Meet Jade, our Corporate Client Coordinator.

Jade has been with Posh Nosh for six years, and works primarily in the office dealing with all of our Corporate Clients and developing the operations and menus for their events.

Jade has a First Class Honours in Event Management from the University of Chester and she won Chester Business School Valedictory Award.

 

 

  1. Tell us a little bit about what you like to do outside of Posh Nosh?

I live in North Down with my fiancé AJ and our rescue dog, Jazz. I am originally from Manchester, so sometimes on a free weekend, I like to travel home to visit my family and catch up with friends. I love food and a good glass of Prosecco, so most often you will find me on the weekend in a restaurant with a glass in my hand!

 

  1. What is your favourite Posh Nosh dish?

Oh it is hard decision, but 100 per cent has to be Tolson’s Fillet of Irish Beef with Gratin Potatoes and a Red Wine Reduction… I’ve actually chosen this as the main course for my wedding in August.

 

  1. What is your funniest Posh Nosh memory?

Back in 2012, just after I had started at Posh Nosh, we undertook a massive catering contract at the Irish Open in Royal Portrush. The weeks leading up to the event meant numerous late nights at the office and operation meetings, followed by four eighteen hour days and 2 hour coach rides either side of those shifts! At the end of day 4, the whole team was exhausted and on the coach home, our Front of House Manager AJ wept with pride at the team and all that we had achieved… for some reason I found this hilarious in the exhaustion, and laughed the whole way home!

 

 

  1. What is your favourite Posh Nosh memory?

It definitely has to be catering for Her Royal Highness Queen Elizabeth II in Belfast City Hall in June 2014 – it has to be the highlight of my Posh Nosh career, and was one of the most exciting days I have had with the team! If it’s good enough for the Queen…

Posh Nosh Ireland | Welcoming MEMS Conference to Belfast!

MEMS IEEE 2018 Conference – Welcome Reception

Where? The Great Hall, Belfast City Hall
When? Sunday 21st January 2018

We were so excited back in November of 2017 when Shirley and Sara, who are two fantastic conference coordinators from PMMI Conferences in San Diego, made enquiries with Posh Nosh for a welcome reception for a whopping 515 delegates.

The MEME IEEE conference is held annually in cities around the world, and attracts a group of Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems professionals from around the globe. In 2017 the conference was held in Las Vegas, so it was safe to say that Belfast had very large boots to fill in terms of expectations!

It was like music to our ears when Shirley and Sara explained that they loved the idea of a relaxed Cheese and Wine event, in the grand historical surroundings of Belfast City Hall, and we honestly could not think of a better way to welcome the delegates in to the city.

 

We set to work on a menu to suit the occasion, and with Shirley and Sara’s professional seal of approval, the following dishes were served:

Posh Nosh Grazing Table
A Selection of Irish Cheeses to include:  
Young Buck Blue Cheese
Fivemiletown Mature Cheddar
Smoked Gubbeen
Kearney Blue
Bally Brie

Ditty’s Oat Cakes
Freshly Baked Crusty Bread
Irish Butter
Posh Nosh Homemade Chutney
Quince Jelly
Fresh Fruit

A Selection of Vibrant Crudités 
Armagh Apple Wedges with a Caramel Dip
Baby Roasted Comber Potatoes, with a Cream Cheese and Herb Dip
Carrot, Cucumber, Celery, Red and Yellow Peppers & Radishes
Homemade Guacamole
Red Pepper Hummus
Posh Nosh Tomato Salsa

Canapes
Mini Prime Ulster Beef Burgers with Mature Cheddar Cheese & Homemade Tomato Chutney, Topped with a Cherry Tomato and Dill Pickle
Locally Smoked Salmon on Homemade Guinness Wheaten Bread with a Dill and Lemon Crème
Wild Mushroom Tartlets, drizzled with Broighter Gold Truffle Oil

 

 

We also served a selection of local beers including Hildon Ale and Armagh Apple Cider, which went down an absolute storm!

It never ceases to amaze us how well-travelled visitors from near and far are blown away by our architecture, history and culture. We count ourselves incredibly lucky to work in an industry that allows us to experience this.

 

A welcome reception really sets the tone for the rest of the conference, and often will be the delegate’s first opportunity to experience local food and hospitality. We were keen from the off set to incorporate the very best of our local produce, and give the delegates a true Northern Irish welcome to Belfast. True to form, the rain came lashing down, which debatably added to the authenticity of the event!

This event was an absolute pleasure to be involved with, we hope that the delegates continued to enjoy their time in Belfast and that they will be back to visit soon!

 

Posh Nosh Ireland | Weddings – Who, What, Where, When, Why?

Weddings – Who, What, Where, When, Why?

 

So you have chosen a beautiful wedding venue, and been handed a list of recommended caterers to choose from… now what?! Very often, a lot of our couples have never used outside catering before and the idea can be a bit daunting. What questions do we ask, and who provides what? Our Wedding Coordinator, Shona, has put together a list of frequently asked questions we receive from our wedding enquiries.

 Photo Credit: Jonathan Ryder Photography

 

What is your price per head?

With outside catering, the wedding menu is tailored to each individual couple and what they envisage for their special day. Every wedding will be unique in its own way and so, every menu and price is different. We do have some sample menus to guide you along, but these are very much just that – samples!

Typically, our prices range from between £40.00 up to £75.00 per person plus VAT at the current rate, depending on the options chosen.

The best thing to do is to pop in and have a chat with us, we will listen to your ideas, advise you and then compile a totally transparent quotation based on your requirements, tastes, likes and dislikes!

Photo Credit: Bradley Quinn Photography 

 

What type of catering can you provide?

From a sophisticated drinks and canape reception, to hog roasts and opulent barbeques, formal sit down dinners and quirky evening suppers, there is so much choice! Deciding which route to go down is often hard, but we are here to guide you through the process. We love creating a menu to reflect your personality and style.

 

Photo Credit: Jonathan Ryder Photography 

 

What does your service provide?

We will provide everything from a designated Front of House Manager, World Host trained staff to cutlery, crockery and freshly pressed linen tablecloths and napkins.

 

Do we get to taste your food?

Posh Nosh love weddings and so we have many couples to accommodate! For this reason, tastings are exclusive to couples who have confirmed their booking. This means we can ensure the tasting reflects the dishes that fit your style, your venue and your season.

Photo Credit: Jonathan Ryder Photography 

Do you provide kitchen equipment?

When choosing your venue, it’s good to find out what they can offer you. Is there a kitchen and is it fully equipped? If not, is there a space which your chosen caterer can use as a kitchen and bring their own equipment?

 A site visit is always an excellent idea. Electricity, gas and water are essential items which are very easily overlooked in the excitement of choosing your wedding dress and shoes!

 

Why should we choose Posh Nosh?

Posh Nosh has gone from strength to strength over the last 28 years. We have invested in a state of the art purpose built unit in Bangor, established strong working relationships with all our stakeholders. We have proudly established a brand that is associated with fabulous food and 5 star hospitality.

We are the first port of call for the forward thinking organisers of many of Ireland’s most prestigious events & weddings and we are adept at producing bespoke menus for our clients. Our chefs love to create exciting and innovative dishes. Over the years we have catered for many high profile guests including HM Queen Elizabeth, and many other members of the royal family, celebrities, and political figures.

We incorporate the timeless, fundamental aspects of traditional five-star service with stylish modern cuisine to ensure that each and every one of your guests enjoys an unrivalled and unforgettable culinary experience.

 

To discuss catering for your wedding, please email us at info@poshnoshireland or give us a call on 02891 466141.

Unit 15, 16 Balloo Avenue, Bangor, BT19 7QT
info@poshnoshireland.com
028 9145 9090
028 9146 6141
© 2022 Ballywilliam Catering Ltd
(Trading As Posh Nosh Ireland).
All rights reserved.