I would have to say the most fun we have had with our wedding planning has been centered around food. We are driven by the need to provide a gastronomic feast that will tantalize the palate of our guests. I previously talked about how we were going to try to incorporate Colombian appetizers into our menu but it looks like that will be a little tough to do. Which in the end works out to our advantage. We had to look no further than our wedding location for inspiration. Our inspiration is the wonderful New Orleans Christmas tradition called "Réveillon", a dinner ritual inherited from European immigrants that is celebrated across the city.
During the 19th century, French Catholic immigrants brought over the réveillon tradition to New Orleans; a dinner/breakfast celebrated in the wee hours of Christmas morning. Catholics would fast during Christmas Eve and would then break their fast after attending midnight mass. The réveillon, meaning "awakening" in French, would follow and this celebratory dinner symbolizes the awakening or revelation of the birth of Jesus. Restaurants across the city would stay open into the early morning serving the réveillon to hungry Catholics. The dinners are usually very elaborate and "heavy" to ease the hunger pains from the fast. Courses would include gumbos, tasty shrimp remoulade, sweetbreads, rich turtle or oyster soups, souffles, and a delectable assortment of desserts that include the rich Bûche de Noël, meringues, and a selection of tasty pastries. Eggnog, coffee, champagne and brandy were served aplenty. Tables would be elaborately set with fancy sugar sculptures, candles, towering Croquembouche's or baskets of crystallized fruits. The picture above is a réveillon scene from Brennan's Restaurant and as you can see it truly is a sight to behold.
One doesn't have to be Catholic to take part in this feast. The réveillon tradition has expanded in the 21st century and is now celebrated ever night of the holiday season, albeit with earlier hours. Restaurants like Brennan's or Commander's Palace will offer special menus that celebrate this tradition in high style. We hope we can offer our own "réveillon" feast by serving many similar items, especially the desserts! Are any of you getting married during the Christmas season and if so what culinary traditions do you hope to include?
During the 19th century, French Catholic immigrants brought over the réveillon tradition to New Orleans; a dinner/breakfast celebrated in the wee hours of Christmas morning. Catholics would fast during Christmas Eve and would then break their fast after attending midnight mass. The réveillon, meaning "awakening" in French, would follow and this celebratory dinner symbolizes the awakening or revelation of the birth of Jesus. Restaurants across the city would stay open into the early morning serving the réveillon to hungry Catholics. The dinners are usually very elaborate and "heavy" to ease the hunger pains from the fast. Courses would include gumbos, tasty shrimp remoulade, sweetbreads, rich turtle or oyster soups, souffles, and a delectable assortment of desserts that include the rich Bûche de Noël, meringues, and a selection of tasty pastries. Eggnog, coffee, champagne and brandy were served aplenty. Tables would be elaborately set with fancy sugar sculptures, candles, towering Croquembouche's or baskets of crystallized fruits. The picture above is a réveillon scene from Brennan's Restaurant and as you can see it truly is a sight to behold.
One doesn't have to be Catholic to take part in this feast. The réveillon tradition has expanded in the 21st century and is now celebrated ever night of the holiday season, albeit with earlier hours. Restaurants like Brennan's or Commander's Palace will offer special menus that celebrate this tradition in high style. We hope we can offer our own "réveillon" feast by serving many similar items, especially the desserts! Are any of you getting married during the Christmas season and if so what culinary traditions do you hope to include?
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