Falling in Love with the Perfect Moment

By Kathy J Craig | Castle Event Catering

Sometimes the best relationships begin with the smallest moments. The moment can be between a couple who fall in love, or a lover of good food and their culinary partner. Either way, a small bite can turn into a lifelong love affair as it did with this story.

In this case, it was a single bite. For Paul and Maxine Townson it all began with their first bite of a Castle Event Catering Blue Cheese Truffle.

“It was about 20 years ago,” Maxine recalls. “Kathy and Andy Craig were at the Tri-City Wine Festival offering a few small bites to guests. One of them was their classic Blue Cheese Truffle. It was divine! We were sold on Castle from that moment.”

Since that moment, the Townsons stayed in touch with Castle — attending culinary classes, joining community events, and, as Maxine puts it, “They even kept us alive during Covid with their Fresh Express meals to-go!”

So when it came time for their daughter, Lauren, to marry her beloved Quinn, the decision was simple. “There was really no other choice for a caterer.”

An English Garden Celebration

The wedding took place on April 5. Being English, the Townsons dreamed of a garden party. “Since we couldn’t make it back to the UK for the wedding, we asked Kathy to transport us there,” Maxine says. “And she did!”

For their 100 guests, Castle created an English Garden Wedding inside the charming Sugar Barn at Tucannon Cellars.

Lauren, currently in residency and working 24-hour shifts, leaned on her mother for planning support. Maxine stepped in wherever she could, and White Glove Weddings came on as a planner one month out.

The draping was created by Sash Weddings, Rentals & Decor while the floral vision came to life through Paris Rodgers of Haven Flower Farm. “She created hedgerows and a loose English cottage garden look,” Maxine says. It was the perfect setting for an imported-by-imagination celebration.

The menu was a mix of elegance, comfort and moments of delight.

A Menu Inspired by England (With a Little Adventure)

English pea salad with ham, served in charming silver buckets

Strawberries and cream — because how could an English celebration be without it?

Chicken tikka skewers (Indian food being a staple of London dining)

Al pastor skewers

Vegetables with gremolata

Beef tenderloin with brandy sauce and mushrooms

Mac and cheese bar served in martini glasses

 Flambéed Pad Thai station

Bride’s Tater Tots

“It was like walking into a little piece of the Shire,” Maxine says. “Breathtaking. The food was beyond anything, and Kathy pulled it all together. Our daughter’s day would not have been the same without Castle Catering. I can’t say that enough. They have woven themselves into our lives.”

And at the very end of the night, Andy sent the Townsons home with a box of, what else but Blue Cheese Truffles?

It was a perfect full-circle moment for a relationship that began with just one unforgettable bite.

Photos by Riannon Mim Photography

Menu-Planning Tips

1. Start with one meaningful bite.

Just like the blue cheese truffle sparked a 20-year relationship with our clients, begin your menu with something personally significant. Is there a favorite flavor, a shared memory, or a dish that tells your story?

2. Let your cultural or family background guide the menu.

The Townsons leaned into their English roots. Whether it’s heritage, travel, or a family tradition, weaving personal history into the menu makes the experience uniquely yours.

3. Mix comfort with adventure.

Guests love familiar favorites (like strawberries and cream) paired with unexpected delights (like al pastor or flambéed Pad Thai). A balanced menu creates both comfort and excitement.

4. Think beyond the plate — think atmosphere.

Food helps set the scene. The English cottage garden menu amplified the setting and mood of the celebration. Choose dishes that support the aesthetic and emotion of your wedding.

5. Presentation matters.

Sometimes it’s not just what you serve, but how you serve it — silver buckets, martini glasses, stations with a bit of theater. These small choices create big impressions.

6. Build moments of delight.

Interactive or experiential elements — like a flambé station, champagne cart or tiny luxury bites — turn dinner into an experience guests remember.

7. Consider your venue when choosing the menu.

The Sugar Barn’s rustic charm paired beautifully with an English garden theme. Let your venue inspire dishes, service style, and presentation. Our premier venue, Anthology also offers an inside-outside vibe with huge windows and large plank hardwood floors.

8. Don’t forget a full-circle moment.

Ending the night with a nod to how your story began, such as our gift of the Blue Cheese Truffles to the Townsons, is a meaningful touch and keeps extends the moment into your guests’ life the next day.

We love love! ❤️