The Intimacy of a Personalised Menu
Weddings are deeply personal occasions – a public statement of the couple’s identity, style and values. Today’s couples are increasingly looking to curate personalised wedding experiences that reflect their story, heritage and, quite literally, their tastes. Food is not just a formality, but an expression that invites guests into the couple’s world and becomes a celebration. Here, Western Australia Wedding & Bride’s Jessica Muller chats with Gerry Matera, Managing Director of Gather Foods, about how couples now seek to curate events that are truly special
Image courtesy of Gather Foods.
Gather Foods is a proudly Aboriginal owned native food catering company based in Perth. It is built on a foundation of culture, sustainability, and storytelling, and a passion to deliver meaningful and memorable culinary experiences that bring people together in a powerful way. “When people eat together, they listen. They share. They open up. That’s what we create – not just a meal, but a moment,” Gerry says. “We use fresh, seasonal, and locally sourced native ingredients that are ethically harvested by Aboriginal growers, foragers and communities, draw from 60,000 years of ancient knowledges and practices to ever dish.”
The Gather Foods kitchens are led by esteemed Native Food Chef and co-owner, Eddie Bulatao, who has recently authored a soon-to-be-published Native Food cookbook. Eddie is well-known for his passion for native ingredients and creative flair that brings depth to every dish.
Each couple has their own unique journey, and Gather Foods tailor its wedding catering to meet their vision and budget, adapting its menus to a range of wedding formats, from elegant long table dinners, a shared feasting table, grazing stations or sophisticated canapé service. “Our menus are custom-designed with the couple and their guests in mind,” Gerry adds.
The company also provides full-service catering, including staffing, styling and bar service, ensuring a seamless experience from start to finish. The team believes that weddings are more than a celebration, but a time to pause, connect and honour, not just the couple’s love story, but the rich stories of our land.
Rooted in Aboriginal culture, Gather Foods believes that sharing a meal is about connection and spirit, and ensures this can take form in a multitude of ways. It is, however, important for couples to choose a menu that reflects you and the vision for your wedding. Gerry offers insight on how to do just that.
PERSONALITY-PACKED
“We are all about storytelling, and we love it when couples bring their personal stories to the table,” Gerry says. “We start by getting to know the couple better, what matters to them, what stories they want to share. We take those ideas and build a menu that is uniquely their own, interpreting flavours and integrating their favourite dishes with an elegant spin that complements the wedding setting and emphasises the personal connection.”
Gather Foods wedding menus range from refined multi-course sit-downs – think 250g sirloin with vegemite and pepperleaf béarnaise, smoked duck with bush honey, or desert lime cheesecake with macadamia – to abundant feasting tables, vibrant grazing stations, and beautifully crafted canapés.
“Native food is our love language and we are all about creating a dining experience that reflects the couple’s energy, story and personalities – it is at the heart of every menu we create,” Gerry assures.
DINING STYLES
When choosing the style of culinary experience at your wedding, it’s important to consider the setting, theme and, of course, your own tastes. “A bohemian, outdoor wedding might lend itself to a more relaxed, rustic share-style feast, while a black-tie city celebration might call for intricate plating and refined techniques,” Gerry advises.
For couples who are looking for a fine dining experience, Gerry highly recommends doing your homework and seeking out a caterer with a proven track record in delivering high-end dining, a creative flair and attention to detail. In these forms of dining, presentation, staff professionalism, and the quality of ingredients are all key. “Trust is everything when selecting a caterer, so you must find someone who can guide you on what works best for the format and flow of the day,” Gerry advises. “We pride ourselves on doing just that.”
Today, most couples want a menu that their guests will be talking about for years to come. Gather Foods ensures every ingredient – from finger limes and wattleseed to Geraldton wax and Davidson plum – is locally and ethically sourced. Gather Foods uses ingredients in a way that offers guests something truly unique and often surprising. “Delicacies like kangaroo fillet with whipped ricotta and bush honey, or scallops dressed in native herb butter and quandong vinegar are showstoppers,” he says. For couples who are after something a bit more casual or out of the ordinary, Gerry often suggests an interactive menu such as coffee and wattleseed beef brisket, buttermilk chicken sliders with lemon aspen remoulade, and vegetable tempura sliders with bush tomato sauce.
FOOD AS AN EXPERIENCE
Food is often a multi-faceted and emotional experience that involves all of the senses – not just taste. “At Gather, we bring authenticity, seasonality and innovation to each dish, incorporating colour, texture, aroma and sound into our service delivery – and we also bring purpose,” Gerry asserts. “When couples choose us, they’re not just choosing good food – they’re choosing to be part of something meaningful.”
To make the food look extravagant, Gather Foods use natural textures like stone, timber and native foliage on its grazing tables. The team also plates dishes with edible flowers and micro herbs to add instant elegance. “Layering height and colour makes even simple fare feel lavish,” Gerry explains.
Gather Foods is more than a catering company – it is a platform for impact with a bold mission to improve the lives of Aboriginal people. “Weddings are a celebration, yes, but can also contribute to a better future for Aboriginal people and a new era in the native food industry. We add the assurance of sustainable, zero-waste menus – a request that is growing in demand,” he continues. “We see every event through a lens of creating economic opportunities for Aboriginal people and leading a new era in the native food industry,” Gerry concludes.