Forget the sausages and omelettes - bring on the salmon and caviar! Planning an unforgettable breakfast menu is easy, and not to mention cost-effective...Say goodbye to drab morning weddings.

When you hear the term `breakfast`, you imagine a few rashers of bacon, an egg, perhaps some fried tomatoes and mushrooms, and a splash of orange juice - neatly rounded off with a strong cup of coffee. Nothing to write home about, right? Wrong. Whether it`s because you prefer getting married in the morning or because of budgetary constraints (breakfasts are usually less expensive than dinners), there`s no reason why your breakfast reception can`t be a truly lavish affair. Sean Macdougall, chef at the Park Hyatt Johannesburg, prepared these delectable breakfast dishes and shared some trade secrets on how to create the ultimate breakfast feast.

Divine displays
When planning a breakfast menu it`s important that you remember to vary the colours and textures of the food you intend to serve. There`s nothing worse than beautifully decorated tables with plates of dull, flat and shapeless food.

Enhance your food display by making containers look both interesting and appetising. Colourful fruit cocktails served in cocktail glasses so each piece of fruit can be seen, or grissini sticks displayed in unusual jars to give height to an otherwise flat cheese board, add something spectacular to relatively ordinary dishes. You needn`t splash out on expensive china or silverware; items such as Chinese steaming baskets and cast iron baking trays are ideal for serving.

Remember: People eat with their eyes before they taste with their taste buds.

No mess, no fuss
For buffets where less time is required in the kitchen, choose items that can be served at room temperature. This way they won`t need to be eaten whilst piping hot, nor taste bad after they`ve cooled down. Strudels, frittatas or baked tomatoes are all examples of such dishes.

Never over-cook meat or fish as they can become dry, tough or bland. When serving these items, include easy-to-prepare, colourful salads on the same platter so you have both appealing colour and taste combinations.

For a more casual and fun atmosphere where guests can walk around and mingle, cocktail buffets are ideal. Finger foods such as bacon-tomato roti rolls work well as they can be eaten without making a mess.

Delectable treats
For dessert, serve cakes such as carrot and walnut with tarts, and interesting sweet and savoury slices. A cheese board, served with various cheeses, biscuits and snack breads, always makes for an interesting taste sensation.

Freshly sliced as well as toasted unusual homemade breads, displayed with butter and preserves such as fruit jams and marmalades, are always best served with coffee and tea.

Tips to remember
Remember seasonality when it comes to selecting dishes that contain fruit. Your caterer or chef may have to import certain items if they aren`t in season at the time you get married, and this can add quite a bit to your bill.

Sunny South Africa may have many gorgeous outdoor venues, but keep in mind that we also have many `creepy crawlies`. Food nets are a must for outdoor food displays. Also, the sun can be merciless on fruits and items that are prone to melt or turn sour in the heat. Rather avoid these types of foods if you are outdoors, or have them served quickly so they don`t lay about for too long.

Budget breakfasts
Probably your biggest cost-cutter when it comes to a breakfast reception is the alcohol, or more specifically, the lack of it. People tend to consume less alcohol during morning and afternoon receptions as opposed to those held in the evening.

The food selection at a breakfast is almost always much simpler than that of a dinner buffet or carvery meal. For one thing, you don`t have to splash out on kilos of rump or T-bone steaks! You also don`t have to serve multiple course meals. Bacon, eggs, fruits, yoghurts and pastries are far more economical. The proof is in the cost per head. Depending on the venue you choose, an elaborate breakfast reception will more than likely cost you half as much per head as a dinner would (dinners averaging between R90 to R150 per head).

Another important factor is music. The last thing people want at a breakfast function is a jamming DJ or band. A solo musician such as a pianist, or a string ensemble are ideal, as background music is perfect for a breakfast function. These musicians are also usually less expensive to hire than a band or disco.

Article source: LifeWorld