Menus and catering

Chicago enjoys a vibrant culinary scene founded on fresh ingredients, exciting international influences and a deep love of food. Our creative, talented catering team reflects this approach with menus that celebrate fresh market flavours from Chicago's Green City Market and local co-operative organic farmers. Delectable menu items include hand-cut pastas, wild fish, grass-fed beef, oysters and shellfish, and artisan cheeses and breads.

When designing your wedding menu, you may choose from our extensive array of innovative menus, or we can create a custom menu to suit your preferences. Traditional cuisine is reborn with unique contemporary flair, such as our Indian menu's cumin-scented braised oxtail samosa, or the mint and brioche crusted rack of lamb featured on our kosher menu. Courses may reflect a particular cuisine, align with ethnic or cultural traditions or incorporate personal elements, like the groom's favourite dish or a bride's family recipe.

When the celebration extends late into the evening, guests will be sustained by butler-passed sweet or savoury items. Truffle-scented pomme frites and lobster BLTs take comfort food to the next level, while warm doughnuts and mini ice-cream sandwiches offer a boost of energy for those still eager to keep the party going.

View a sample wedding menu

Service

For your wedding, we offer the unique option of elegant table-side silver service, as well as plated service. Additionally, you may choose one of our engaging interactive chef stations for pre- and post-dinner service, featuring creative and tantalising food selections prepared for each guest.

Kosher cuisine

At The Ritz-Carlton Chicago, we cater to tradition beautifully, blending the laws of kashrut and catering expertise into singularly memorable events. Under the kosher supervision of the Chicago Rabbinical Council, we work with you and your family to ensure that every detail and nuance of protocol are adhered to properly. Kosher menus are personally designed for you and your guests and prepared in a kosher facility and in our kashered kitchen on the day of your event.

Cakes and other desserts

Our exclusive cake designers will work with you to select the cake flavour and filling to please your palate and impress your guests. You may choose from an extensive menu of popular cakes, or we can create a customised cake that complements your wedding theme or incorporates personal elements into the design.

Alternative or additional options include active dessert stations – ice cream prepared on a cold stone, chocolate-dipped ice cream lollipops, chef-prepared crêpes or made-to-order bananas foster are sure to wow your guests. A miniature dessert buffet offers guests who just can't choose – or don't want to – the opportunity to taste a variety of treats, from pastries to crème brûlée, from traditional chocolate cake to dessert canapés and beyond, all prepared by our pastry chef.

Beverages

Custom-designed beverages offer another opportunity to add your signature to your wedding. Whether it's a favourite cocktail, designed to match your wedding colours, his and hers martinis or beverages personalised with your names, you can create drinks your guests will remember as delicious details.

We also offer a wine list of over 300 selections, with a focus on Californian and French varieties, and are pleased to custom order wines on request. For wine pairing advice, we offer the services of our sommelier, who will be able to recommend the ideal vintage to complement each course of your menu.