Halal Catering

Halal Catering by Gourmet Foods

Halal Catering is an increasingly popular choice for events and occasions where dietary and religious restrictions apply. Such events include weddings, private parties, corporate vents and catering for Muslim communities. If you are considering Halal catering for your next event, this page provides a comprehensive overview of how we ensure that your menu is both authentic and delicious.

Halal food

At Gourmet Foods we have extensive knowledge and experience in providing Halal Catering making us appropriately equipped to deliver exceptional menus whilst observing and adhering to Islamic dietary guidelines.

The word ‘Halal’ means ‘permissible’ or ‘lawful’ in Arabic and It encompasses various dietary restrictions which observant Muslims follow. The law also emphasises clean, healthy and nutritious food.

Prohibited Foods

• Pork and its byproducts
• Alcohol
• Carnivorous animals and birds of prey
• Blood and its byproducts
• Fish without scales

The Halal animals will only be considered Halal if they have been slaughtered according to Islamic law which in turn means great care should be taken with cross-contamination of utensils, equipment and work surfaces.

Halal catering can cover a wide variety of tastes and cuisines and is not limited to just one style of cooking. Not only do we supply a wide variety of middle eastern, Asian and African dishes, we can also incorporate this into more classic dishes such as sandwiches, pasta and even a Sunday roast.

Halal Menu Options at Gourmet Foods

As a Halal caterer, Gourmet Foods offers an eclectic array of menu options. Below are just a few examples of what we can offer. (GF) marks options that are gluten free.

Halal Finger Buffet Items

• Mango & Lime Chicken Skewers
• Sliced Cajun Chicken with Cannellini Beans, Coriander, Red Onion & Garlic
• Coronation Chicken in Little Gem Leaves
• Salmon & Spinach Swirls

Halal Sandwich Selection

• Poached Salmon with Dill Mayonnaise
• Piri-Piri Chicken with Mint Yoghurt
• Tuna, Hoisin & Spring Onion
• Chargrilled Chicken with Lemon Mayonnaise and Watercress

Halal Sweets

• Gelatine Free Cheesecake Sundae Pots
• Fresh fruit Skewers
• Finger Sweets & Sweet Treat Sharing Boards
• Chocolate Orange Tart with Crème Fraiche

Halal Canapes

• Smoked Salmon Blinis with Dill
• Thai Chicken Bon Bons with Sweet Chilli Sauce
• Roasted Butternut Squash with Mango Salsa and Sriracha in a Sesame Basket
• Mini Chicken Quesadillas with Guacamole and Salsa

Halal Starters

• Chicken Liver Parfait with Rocket, Spiced Fruit Chutney and Red Vein Sorrel
• Grilled Cod with Smoked Cauliflower Puree, Crispy Capers and Truffle Oil
• Smoked Butternut Squash Soup with Chilli Shards and Toasted Pumpkin Seeds

Halal Mains

• Fillet Steak with PONT NUF Chips, Garlic Vine Tomatoes, Tender Stem Broccoli and Peppercorn Sauce
• Chargrilled Chicken Breast Stuffed with Sun Dried Tomato and Basil, Served with Lyonnaise Potatoes, Tender Stem Broccoli & Baby Carrots and a White Wine Cream Sauce
• Roast Fillet of Hickory Smoked Haddock Served with a Paprika Fondant Potato & Crushed Peas, Charred Corn & Saffron Chowder, Samphire

Halal Deserts

• Orange Crème Brulee with Seville Orange Topped with Crunchy Muscovado Sugar & Spiced Candied Peel Accompanied by a Caramelised Biscuit
• Raspberries, Strawberries and Blueberries Served in between Layers of Crunchy Meringue & Tangy Fruit Coulis
• Salted Caramel Brownie with Macadamia Nut Brittle and a White Chocolate Sauce

Gourmet Foods offer much more within the above categories with options for sharing platters, sharing plates and side dishes available.

How we Keep the Integrity of Halal Food Through Preparation and Service at an Event

The first step to ensuring the correct management of any dietary specific at an event is to ascertain all dietary obligations for every attendee wishing to eat. Information regarding allergies, intolerances and dietary preferences for every guest is collected from the event organiser. Any Halal based cuisine would follow the strategies implemented below.

Clear Labelling for Dietary Transparency

• All food is clearly labelled from preparation to presentation at the end step ensuring that any Halal food can be clearly identified.
• Clarity in every ingredient within the food is ensured through hour responsibility in traceability.

Separation Areas

• All food for a specific dietary need including Halal food is assigned to an exclusive chef and kitchen area to ensure the prevention of cross-contamination.
• All food for a specific dietary need including Halal food is presented separately to any other food group. For example, Halal catering would have its own section away from non-Halal food at an event.

On the day of the event, all staff will be briefed before preparation or service proceeds highlighting every person’s role for the day. Once service has begun, a member of our team will be available to answer any queries about ingredients and preparation.

Halal Products and Ingredients

When choosing Halal products and ingredients, we only partner with trusted suppliers offering products that are high quality, fresh and free from contaminates or additives. HMC Certified Abattoirs prioritise certain practices to ensure strict standards are met.

Halal Slaughter

• Animals must be slaughtered using the prescribed method for Halal animals in Islamic law.

Cleanliness and Purity

• To ensure freedom from any forbidden ingredients, Halal food must be prepared and handled in a clean and hygienic manner.

Ethical Considerations

• Halal food emphasis the humane treatment of animals avoiding certain substances and is a very ethical practice.

Overall, using trusted and certified suppliers for Halal products and ingredients is essential for ensuring quality, safety, transparency and consistency in the production and consumption of Halal foods.

Is There a Difference Between Home-made Halal food and Halal Food from a Caterer?

With 30 years experience, we stand proud as experts within the catering industry. With a wide spectrum of culinary training and a wealth of experience in creating distinctive dishes across all types of cuisines, we aim to use our thirst for unique creation, knowledge and determination to deliver something a bit above home-made food. Halal catering presents itself as a worthy challenge to do just this.

The team at Gourmet Foods consists of an experienced group of professionals who enjoy sharing and passing on their knowledge to both their peers and to the junior members who work alongside them. We are lucky enough to have team members whose heritage hails from across the globe, giving us rich understanding of cultural preferences and passion for international cuisine.

When considering time and cost, ‘trial and error’ is not always something that is affordable. Creativity and innovation is at the heart of our kitchen. We use our healthy supply of ingredients and access to specialist equipment to push the boundaries of all cuisine, including Halal by experimenting with new flavours, textures and cooking techniques. Our aim is to deliver a dish that is elevated above the typical home-cooked meal.

If you would like to find out more about our Halal catering options and practices, or you have an event you would like to talk with us about then please visit the link below and get in touch.