In a wedding, every aspect matters; the rituals, the celebrations, and of course, the food. The culinary experience is not just about feeding guests; it is about creating moments of joy, conversation, and connection.
From carefully selected ingredients to beautifully presented dishes, every meal becomes a celebration in itself, reflecting the richness of the occasion and the love poured into it. Shayona Caterers understands this perfectly, providing exquisite catering that matches the grandeur and joy of the wedding, making the dining experience as unforgettable and special as the ceremony itself.
Darshan Patel, Director of Shayona Caterers, said, “Shayona has been around for about 35 years, if not longer. The main goal was to provide sattvic food. At that time, there were very few options for clean, pure sattvic catering. The idea behind starting this catering service was to offer wholesome, sattvic meals for religious and ceremonial functions, whether it’s a wedding, a housewarming, or any other special occasion.”
He added, “What began as a volunteer-based initiative eventually evolved into a professional setup. Over the years, we’ve updated our menu and presentation to align with contemporary tastes, appealing to the preferences of newer generations while staying true to our roots.”
On the philosophy guiding their approach to hospitality and food, Darshan explained, “For us, it’s about creating an emotional connection with guests and supporting our clients throughout the entire event. Weddings, for instance, often include multiple pre-events, and we ensure our presence and support across all of them. At the same time, we honour tradition. Typically, pure food served during wedding ceremonies is prepared without onion and garlic. Even guests who normally consume these ingredients often choose dishes that are culturally appropriate for Hindu ceremonies. That balance between tradition and thoughtful hospitality is central to our approach.”
On the availability of sattvic food in the UK, Darshan noted, “In the early days, sourcing pure ingredients was very challenging. Even today, we grind and prepare our own masalas to ensure nothing non-sattvic enters our food. Everything on-site is strictly onion- and garlic-free, and these ingredients are never handled in our facilities. While ingredient availability has improved over time, we continue to make our own garam and chaat masalas in-house to preserve the authentic flavours we aim for.”
“Every menu reflects the couple’s personality”
Darshan emphasised the significant role food plays in shaping the overall wedding experience. “It’s often the one thing guests remember from a function, the quality of the food and the service leave the lasting impression,” he said.
Discussing the balance between tradition and innovation, he noted, “Wedding menus have evolved into more ‘fun food’ over recent years. Items like paneer, which were uncommon 30 years ago, are now standard. We also add Western twists, dishes like ‘mock’ curries, cauliflower kababs, vegetable fritters and hara-bhara kababs have become very popular, while ensuring that authentic masalas and flavours are maintained within these contemporary formats. We have over time also innovated matho/shrikhand flavours such as Rajbhog, Cookies and cream bringing 21st centuries flavours into traditional dishes.”
He elaborated on the challenges of cooking without onion and garlic: “Onion and garlic are powerful flavours that dominate a dish. Those unfamiliar with cooking without them often struggle to bring out the other flavours. For instance, with chhole, we sometimes use a cashew-based gravy to add richness and creaminess. Cashew nuts have a natural, creamy texture, which allows the dish to retain depth of flavour without missing onion or garlic, empowering the other spices to shine.”
On collaborating with couples to create wedding menus, Darshan said, “We focus on bespoke, ‘fun’ menus that reflect each couple’s personality. Drinks may be named after the bride or groom, or favourite fruits may become the base for a signature mocktail. Likewise, if a guest loves potatoes, we incorporate them thoughtfully into their menu. We don’t provide set menus; every menu is crafted in consultation with the couple, offering suggestions and options so they can customise a menu unique to their celebration.”
He also highlighted emerging trends in modern weddings: “There’s a growing emphasis on healthy food. Instead of a basic salad, couples now opt for quinoa or protein-rich salads. Meat alternatives like tofu or soya-based curries are also becoming increasingly popular, reflecting contemporary tastes while maintaining high-quality, flavourful options for all guests.”
Behind the scenes of a perfect wedding
Discussing the preparation process behind weddings, Darshan said, “It varies from wedding to wedding. Every event is unique, with different menus, setups, and on-site facilities. Over the years, we’ve refined a streamlined process so that what guests see front-of-house is seamless and well-organised. Behind the scenes, we have dedicated leads for each segment; crockery, cooking, logistics, and service, ensuring every aspect is expertly managed. For a large wedding, a guest may interact with just one front-of-house coordinator, while five other leads handle the event quietly behind the scenes.”
“We also offer packages to clients where we host events of up to 100 people in our Shayona Lounge serviced by the Shayona Restaurant team, becoming a one stop service providing and removing the hassle and stress of having to juggle multiple clients.”
Comparing destination weddings to local events, he noted, “Destination weddings are more challenging, especially when maintaining authentic Gujarati Flavors in Europe. We often bring our own ingredients or import them from India. For instance, at a wedding in Santorini last year, most ingredients and our blended masalas were transported from the UK and India to ensure guests enjoyed the same quality experience as they would in London, just in a stunning setting.”
Tel.: 0208 900 0314
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.sayacaterers.com
