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Oct 31 Katie and Phillip Wedding

Essential Herbs — Katie & Phillip | October 31, 2026

Essential Herbs — Event Proposal   ·   Prepared for Katie & Phillip

Katie + Phillip's Wedding Night

October 31, 2026

Event
Wedding Dinner
Date
October 31, 2026
Guest Count
35
Service Style
Plated + Family-Style

Seasonal depth. Elemental flavors. A menu built around what you both love.

This menu leans into late October’s natural abundance — charcoal powder, black sesame, beet, charred allium, dark broths — ingredients that carry richness through sourcing and technique. The flavor profile runs smoky, bitter, briny, umami. Every dish is designed around your dietary needs and the flavors you love, with a strong vegan presence throughout and trout and poultry as the anchoring proteins.

Menu Flow

On Arrival — Passed Bites
Seated First Course
Main Course — Shared Platters
Dessert — Plated Courses (Choice Of)

Spirit-Forward Menu with Gothic Undertones in Garnish

Signature Cocktails (3)

Spirits: Tequila, Gin, Amaro, Whiskey — all with gothic garnish treatment (charred citrus, herb smoke, black sesame rim, activated charcoal).

Signature Mocktails (3)

House-made syrups, Furnace Creek Farm vinegars, herbs. Same gothic garnish approach as cocktails. Perfect for straight-edge guests.

Non-Alcoholic Options

Katie — Pesco-ovo, dairy-free. Dairy triggers hives. Flavor profile: briny, tart, acidic. Loves funky brine, tinned fish, Jose Portugal brand.

Phillip — No nightshades, no peppers, no tomatoes (acid reflux). Flavor profile: rich, creamy, savory, decadent. Southern vibes: fried chicken, guancale, comfort food.

5 Vegan Guests — Strong vegan presence across all courses — not an afterthought.

1 Celiac Guest — Gluten-free options confirmed.

1 Tomato Allergy — Zero tomatoes in any preparation. Full table is safe.

Food & Kitchen Labor (35 guests × $150 pp) $5,250.00
Sustainability Fee (3%) $157.50
Admin Fee (12.5%) $656.25
Subtotal $6,063.75
NYC Sales Tax (8.875%) $538.16
Gratuity (20% on base) $1,050.00
Subtotal $7,651.91
Beverage Package $2,600.00
Grand Total $10,251.91
50% Deposit Due Before May 8 $5,125.96
Menu Kickoff
90-minute call with Russell to review concept, dietary needs, flavor preferences, and finalize direction. 2 revisions included prior to September.
Menu Finalization
Menu is locked. Final menu confirmed 3 weeks prior based on seasonal availability. 2 weeks before event: Russell + Katie/Phillip visit farmers market together to finalize sourcing.
Sourcing
Union Square + Carroll Gardens farmers markets. Furnace Creek Farm partnership for premium herbs and custom vinegars. Majority of ingredients sourced within 250 miles of Brooklyn.
Staffing
1 Head Chef · 2 Sous Chefs · 3 Front of House · 1 Porter. All service handled by Russell's team for dietary knowledge and execution coherence.
Payment Terms
50% due before May 8 (non-refundable) · 25% due 45 days out (refundable up to 14 days out) · Final 25% due 14 days out (non-refundable). Payment methods: ACH or credit card (+ 4% processing fee).

Chef. Curator. Sourcing obsessive.

Russell Markus founded Essential Herbs to bring chef-led rigor to private events. Every menu is built from his understanding of what's at peak season, who grew it, and how to honor those ingredients. He approaches each event as a full production — menus are never recycled, service is never generic, and the sourcing philosophy is non-negotiable.

Russell maintains direct relationships with farmers across the Northeast. He visits farmers markets weekly, builds seasonal menus around what's abundant, and ensures every dollar spent on ingredients flows back to the people who grow them. This approach takes more time. It costs more. It's also the only way he knows how to work.

Seasonal. Ethical. Direct.

All produce sourced within 250 miles of Brooklyn at peak season. Chef Russell maintains direct relationships with growers, ensuring ingredients are harvested days before the event. This approach delivers three benefits: maximum freshness and flavor, environmental integrity through minimal transportation, and fair compensation that allows farmers to maintain their teams and economies.

ACH / Bank Transfer
Essential Herbs will provide ACH details upon booking confirmation.
Credit Card
Pay by credit card here (includes 4% processing fee).