Central Coast Wedding Catering Blog

Cheerful Spanish Oaks Ranch Nuptials

Sometimes simple is best.

We love Dana & Eric’s recent wedding at Spanish Oaks Ranch for this reason.

And because they were just so awesome to work with.

Their friends & family had an amazing time because this lovely couple focused on what truly matters — sharing their love in front of loved ones.

They celebrated their vows with a fun-filled party after that included one of our cost-effecitve yet delicious grilled menus. Deliciousness included heirloom tomato bruschetta, goat cheese & caramelized shallots on grilled crostinis & and a local cheese board.

The buffet focused on classic favorites: grilled tri tip, barbecued chicken, herb potato hash, local veggies & homemade rolls with our famous honey butter.

Can you say yum? Congrats to a beautiful couple!

Thanks Alex with Cameron Ingalls for the always awesome photos!

A Plated Dinner at Santa Margarita Ranch

The rustic elegance of the barn at Santa Margarita Ranch creates the perfect ambiance for any gathering.
For the wedding of Joe & Kat, it was the ideal place to treat their 100 closest friends & family to a fabulous plated dinner of local organic meats & produce.
After a sentimental ceremony under the oak tree, guests enjoyed signature cocktails (his — a manhattan, hers — a lemon drop), tray-passed appetizers and a stationary spread of artisan cheeses & breads. Below is the heirloom tomato bruschetta with fresh mozzarella, basil & balsamic reduction.


Once guests made their way into the barn, our most popular salad was served — mixed organic field greens, cave-aged bleu cheese, candied pecans & zinfandel-poached pear tossed with a pomegranate vinaigrette.
Entrees included Heart Ranch filet, local sea bass & a roasted vegetable torte.
One of the best aspects of this menu is that every entree is awesome & delicious. How could you be disappointed with this vegetarian torte if it was placed in front of you? Layers of farm fresh roasted vegetables (bell peppers, onions, porcini mushrooms, zuchinni, & squash) are stacked under smoked provolone cheese & then cooked to perfection.

But then, the seared sea bass was fresh off the boat & the Hearst Ranch filet mignon (in the background) was as good as it gets.

And, in case you had any questions about the menu…

Simple, fresh, organic, local, and perfect.

Your wedding menu isn’t just about how it tastes…

It’s about the beauty & bounty of the spread.

Many brides shy away from buffets over the fear of lines & and a long row of stainless steel chafing dishes. This lovely wedding at Edna Valley Vineyards shows how buffets can be exactly the opposite!
(Above: Cedar-planked grilled wild salmon with citrus & olive tapenade)

Buffets can be a way to add color & a bit of fun to a reception. It’s also a way to showcase the amazing Central Coast grown produce & specialties.

This menu for Erin & Brad’s wedding was served in the autumn when some local produce is at it’s peak including heirloom tomatoes from Peacock Farms and mushrooms & squash picked up that day from the Templeton Farmers Market. Other menu items included oak-grilled tri tip with chili & orange salsa and grilled corn cakes with roasted tomato & rosemary chutney.


Thanks to the amazing wedding photographer Amy Wellenkamp for taking a moment to capture our cuisine!
Below are a few of the yummy appetizers. Can you see the heart?

And congrats to Erin & Brad–Thanks for letting the crew of Pacific Harvest Catering be a part of your special day!

Country Chic at The Gardens at Peacock Farms

Have we mentioned that we love working at the Gardens at Peacock Farms?
Well, we do.
No, they don’t have a great setup for easy catering or even a kitchen for us to use (we build our own). But this Arroyo Grande event venue is amazing! And the proprietors Logan & Jessica keep the grounds impeccable.
They create a perfct ambience for weddings with their thriving gardens, winding pathways & overhanging canopy of fruit trees.
Here’sa few pics from a wedding we catered there recently. Lucky for us, Jayson Mellom snuck back to our kitchen area to get some shots of the plated dinner service.

Guests started with a plated salad course of organix mixed greens with zinfandel-poached pear, gorgonzola, candied pecans & pomegranate vinaigrette.

Then guests had a choice of aged top sirloin or pan-seared salmon.

And finally, below are some shots of the awesome Pacific Harvest Catering crew at work! Among the praises we get from past clients, our staff is mentioned almost as much as the food. We are very proud of that!

Wine country flavors…

Our favorite weddings to cater are for the couples that welcome us into their lives to become their friends, and then as their caterers.

Tommy & Rosanna were one such couple. They shared their vision and we listened. Then they let the chefs go crazy and create an amazing menu for them. Check out the Korean-style short ribs. This picture was shot as the plate went out to one of the guests. Isn’t it beautiful?

After the lovely ceremony at Venteux Vineyards, guests dined on fresh oysters, ahi tar tar & beef wellington bites paired with champagne. They then proceeded to taste wine & then enjoy the beautiful ambience created by Kramer Entertainment & Allure Events.
Thanks to Viera Photography for the beautiful photos & congrats to Tommy & Rosanna!