Nashville weddings

Down South Delights: Exquisite Wedding Catering, Fabulous Parties + Events

Thursday, November 11, 2010

If you're not hungry, you might just be by the time you're done reading today's Vendor Spotlight!  I know I'm craving some yummy desserts and wishing there was a table covered in delightful finger foods right now!  Caterer spotlights are always fun to do - they tend to have such fun answers, great perspective on weddings (since they see it all unfold from start to finish) and I like learning about their own favorites when it comes to food.  Hope you enjoy this post as much as I enjoyed writing it!

Meet Nashville Wedding Caterer Down South Delights

Contact Info
Name: Down South Delights,LLC
Main Contact: Rita Rowland
Phone Number: (615) 513-9147 & (270) 784-8385 for Kentucky brides
Email Address: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Number of Years in the business: 7 years

How did you get started in weddings? I've actually worked in the wedding industry most of my life. My family owned 5 flower boutiques when I was younger and my first job was catering assistant at a reception venue. I knew when I finished college and culinary school that the wedding industry would be Down South Delights primary focus.

What do you like most about weddings? I love the excitement of the reception, also the enthusiasm couples have for planning their menus. The details and original elements that each couple adds to their day is always something that I remember from each wedding. Creating original, unique displays for each reception is one of the exciting elements I love in addition to the creative menus with offer clients.

What is your service philosophy? Down South Delights specializes in creating elegant memorable experiences that express your personal style. We are committed to providing impeccable service and hand prepared cuisine that exceeds your expectations.

What are your strengths compared to others in your category? Why should a bride hire you? Versatility - Our staff has such a wide range of food knowledge that we can create anything that a couple envisions or requests. A large number of local chefs and caterers from upscale establishments have called upon us to handle their receptions because of the endless selections we can offer our clients. I've had couples that want to integrate both of their cultures into the menus and we've created a complimenting menu that showcases dishes without clashing or seeming mismatched.

What is your specialty? While our name implies that we specialize in southern cuisine we really do not have a particular specialty. Family style dinners have definitely gained popularity this year and we have had a great time with this new trend. We really try to make everyday favorites pop and add exciting elements. Whether you are looking for an old fashioned southern inspired menu or very modern haute cuisine we can definitely accommodate.

Do you provide bar service? We do not have a liquor license so the client must provide their own alcohol.

Who are your 5 favorite Nashville wedding vendors – helpfulness, professionalism, style?
*Knestrick by Design (KnestrickByDesign.com): Jim and his team create some of the most fabulous floral creations with such an attention every detail. He is so versatile and he has endless options.

*Liberty Party Rental: They are very professional and always there for any last minute orders. They are super helpful to all of our brides and very informative about assisting with sizes, room layouts, and the setup team is amazing!

* Dulce Desserts (DulceDesserts.com): The cake is too die for! The real buttercream is amazingly decadent and I love their designs.

*King Jewelers (Kings1912.com): They are so very patient and have the most elegant, classic selection in town! My mother gave me a beautiful loose stone my grandfather purchased in Tunisia during WWII as the primary stone. My fiancé's mother manages Diamond's International in St. Croix so she sent us an array of accent diamonds to work with. The jewelers at King's were able to create a masterpiece with the visions we brought to the meeting. My ring is beyond perfect and I recommend them to everyone for a custom engagement ring.

*One Source Weddings (OneSourceWeddings.net): She is my primary go to for reception decor. They have options for all budgets and the draping/lighting packages are a great deal. They can take ANY venue and totally transform it.

Who do you recommend when you’re not available/not a fit? Martha Stamps Catering (Formerly Martha's at the Plantation) & Lillie Belle's. Both companies have excellent food, creative menus, and creative displays.

What do you read/watch regularly to stay on top of wedding/event/food trends? Town & Country Weddings- The epitome of wedding style. Blogs: RuffledBlog.com 100layercake.com classicbride.blogspot.com I always look to Fauchon located in NYC & Paris for inspiration and trendsetting. They create some of the most awe inspiring food and displays in the world! They are the Louis Vuitton of the food world and really set the standard in trends for the catering and pastry world. Every May we attend the National Assoc. of Specialty Food's annual Fancy Food Show in Chicago.

Are there currently any popular menu items or dining styles that you’ve seen or even would like to see? For smaller receptions under 100 guests I absolutely love elaborate course dinners.

What is your favorite dish to serve at a wedding/event?  Cooking is our passion at Down South Delights so it's really tough to narrow it down to just a dish! Personally, I absolutely love creating sweets and confections. So it is always great when a bride orders very detailed desserts or chocolates. Recently, we did a customized sweet and savory popcorn station for guests to take as favors. We made mint chocolate oreo, dulce de leche, white chocolate raspberry cheesecake, Balsamic with Sea Salt, and sundried tomato popcorns.

What food trend do you dislike?  I am a true cupcake aficionado! So I absolutely despise the trend of gooping on 2 pounds of icing on a cupcake. Icing is the best part, but lately it's getting totally out of control. When your cupcake topples over from the frosting, maybe less is more!

Trend I’m glad is gone? Fruits & Vegetables carved into animals, flowers, etc. It's just so 1980's and something I wish would go away forever.

Trend I’m sad is gone?  I love comfort foods, but I also miss very styled ornate little hors d' oeuvres. They are super time consuming, but the end product is so beautiful.

What are your favorite wedding websites? / Neatest wedding find? Neatest wedding find- wildflowerlinens.com - super luxe linens and they will even custom create linens for your reception. Favorite websites- ABG of course. The site has been so instrumental in the growth and marketing of our business that I tell all vendors that it's a must for success in the Nashville market.

For "budget savvy" brides: what's the one thing you think should always make it into a budget. Every bride should always have a great photographer. This is one of the main things I would not skimp on no matter what. Besides personal recollection, the photos are your main keepsake from the big day. Hiring a licensed/insured catering company is also a must.

What's one way brides can save money/be more economical? The new DIY aspect is really a great way to save and also add unique personal touches to your big day. A really great way to do this is favors. Whether it is a family member creating a cherished cookie recipe packaged in cute adorned bags or adding custom tags to pre-packaged favors this is a great way to save.

Does your company do anything special that a green bride might want to know? Yes! My fiancé is actually a real estate developer that focuses on eco friendly projects. Several years ago he implemented a great system at our facility. We recycle over 75% percent of our trash, have a compost program that benefits local farmers/growers, and we've revamped the kitchen to utilize natural lighting. I am also happy to offer our green brides an alternative to plastic or china that is totally biodegradable.

What's been going on with you lately?  Tell us about your last vacation? New Orleans- I visit there at least twice a year. It's such a great location for any foodie and I always get tons of inspiration after each visit. During my last visit in July we actually attended 2 weddings, very large ornate weddings! Going to a wedding ceremony at St. Louis Cathederal for 600 guests was a once in a lifetime experience that totally blew me away!

What advice would you give to brides on the wedding planning process in general? Hire a great planner is the first thing I tell all of my clients. Even just a day of planner so that on your big day you are not worried about vendors, setup, lighting candles, etc. Also, I tell all of our clients to enjoy choosing your vendors. This is one of the most exciting elements of the planning process so have a great time doing it and do not stress if it takes time to find the perfect fit for a particular vendor. I know that is point is said a lot, but make sure you connect with your vendors. You will be working with these people for at least several months so you need to make sure that it will be an enjoyable experience!

See more mouth-watering food and pictures from events they have decorated and catered at Down South Delight's website.  When you give Rita a call, be sure to let her know that you're an ABG Bride!!

All photographs courtesy of Down South Delights.

About the Author:

Tabitha

Blogging is something I’ve enjoyed doing for years. My interests lie mostly in lifestyle related topics like fashion, style, design, food and weddings. When I heard Ashley was looking to bring on new members to the ABG team, I jumped at the opportunity - I can’t think of a better way to stay involved in weddings than to write about them and to stay in touch with the trends and new ideas. Lucky for me, Ashley likes my blog and trusts my experience to bring me on and so far, it’s been a blast.

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send   Posted on November 11, 2010 | Filed under: Cakes & Food