No doubt about it, summer is officially wedding season and this year we’ve seen some truly stunning celebrations. Sarah and Nick chose the beautiful surroundings of Micklefield Hall to host their stylish summer party. Their brief was to blend timeless elegance with country styling, and they managed to achieve a refined simplicity, which ran right the way through the whole proceedings.

Nick works for Tyrrells, and Sarah works in international hospitality, so they both have an exceptional eye for detail and a clear idea of the aesthetic they wanted to create. Expectations were high for the day, but thankfully, at Kalm Kitchen we love a challenge, and we agreed on a menu that showcased seasonal flavours and provided a treat for the eyes too! Canapés consisted of winning combinations such as beetroot cured salmon paired with sweet dill and mustard, and Pork Belly on creamy apple Dauphinoise; while for the main meal, a roasted fillet of beef took centre stage.

As a playful nod to Nick’s work, the couple had two giant bags of popcorn specially commissioned, with their faces printed on them, which sat alongside our popcorn wall. Guests commented what a fantastic day it was, and it was definitely a real pleasure for us to achieve such a seamless service for this gorgeous couple. They got in touch shortly afterwards with this feedback…

‘We genuinely can’t thank you and the team enough for everything you did throughout the planning process and on the big day. You were so helpful in walking us through everything and in making decisions (especially when we couldn’t make them) and we have loved working with you, we couldn’t have asked for a better caterer and wedding planner. So many people commented on the day what a fantastic job you were doing, and in particular my Dad wanted to pass on his thanks as he was so was impressed with how you managed the day.

You made the whole day seamless and the timings worked perfectly. The food was also insanely good, I’ve never heard so many comments about a meal, with the beef top of everyone’s comment list, it was all delicious. Everyone says that as a bride you don’t eat that much, but I ate every last bite of every course – it was too good not to.

Best of luck with the rest of this summers wedding…wish we could do it all again.

Sarah and Nick xxx

If you’d like to talk to us about helping to plan your special day, do get in touch at info@kalmkitchen.co.uk or call us on 01483 813360.

Credits… Photography: Anneli Marinovich {www.annelimarinovich.com} Videography: Justina Frankowska @ HD Moments {www.hdmoments.co.uk} Flowers: Sarah Rogers {www.sarahrogersflowers.com} Cake: Lewis Freeman Music: Titanium String Quartet {www.titaniumstrings.com} ‘Motown Gold’ {earcandylive.co.uk/acts/motown-gold}

Who: Belinda and Dominic | When: July 2018 | Where: The Garden Museum, London

Situated on the banks of the River Thames, in the imposing shadows of the Houses of Parliament, The Garden Museum provided the astonishing setting for Belinda and Dominic’s classy, city wedding. With a brief to capture a clean, botanical and fresh mood, which reflected London life, we were thrilled to conjure up a modern, original menu for them.

Guests arrived at 5pm to start the drinks and canapé reception, while a chorus of strings played in the background. This was very much an evening affair, so with that in mind, we went for an array of stylish combinations, which were bursting with flavour. With crisp, contemporary styling at the heart of the day, we accessorised with an understated palette of white, with a touch of gold and an abundance of green accents provided by vibrant foliage.

Children were catered for with their very own menu, which was just as stylish as the grown-ups’, and vegetarians tucked into an indulgent Moussaka, while a rump of perfectly cooked new season lamb took centre stage – served up and carved at the table.

With the wedding party and all the guests happily fed, soul band The Suggestions took to the stage with an amazing set, which really brought the party alive. This was followed by DJ Chris Binns on the decks, with the music continuing long into the evening.

 

This was certainly a day to remember – chic, memorable and full of big city spirit. The bride and groom contacted us afterwards with this glowing feedback…

‘Dom and I would like to express our gratitude to you for all you did to make our wedding on Saturday special. In the run up to the day you had endless patience with all our questions, and helped us negotiate our way through the huge mountain of organisation to ensure that we had every part of the day planned out to a tee.

Under your leadership, the Kalm Kitchen team did a brilliant job and everything from the drinks reception through to the three-course meal and bar felt totally seamless. We particularly appreciated your efforts to keep Dom and myself fed and watered with your personal service during the drinks reception – eating and drinking definitely had been low on our agenda the whole day so it was great to be reminded to do that!

In terms of the food, the meal was excellent and we have had a lot of people say that it is the best wedding food that they have ever had. The lamb in particular was perfectly cooked, and we would be grateful if you could pass on our compliments to the chef. The service too was slick and unobtrusive, and the team members were polite and courteous.

With thanks again to both you and Kalm Kitchen for making our day special.

Best wishes

Bea and Dom xx

 

If you’d like to talk to us about creating a menu for your special day, do get in touch at info@kalmkitchen.co.uk or call us on 01483 813360.

Credits… Food: Kalm Kitchen {www.kalmkitchen.co.uk} Photography: Hamish Irvine {hamishirvine.com/} Flowers: Karen at Karen Woolven Flowers {karenwoolvenflowers.co.uk} Wedding cake: {Mother of the Bride made it!} Music: Blue Topaz Strings {https://www.bluetopazmusic.com/}

We’re lucky enough to work with some fabulous venues, and we’re extremely proud to call ourselves exclusive catering partners to Micklefield Hall. With its stunning country house surroundings and views that still take our breath away, it’s the perfect setting for all kinds of special days. Here’s just a little on why we love it so much…

Where… Just outside Rickmansworth, in Hertfordshire. A short hop from the M25.

What… A beautifully restored private house and 16th Century Barn, which seats up to 200 guests. Inside you’ll find a separate bar, bridal changing room, luxury loos, sophisticated lighting, under-floor heating, air conditioning and purpose built kitchens. The Great Barn boats a cloistered walkway and a French fountain as well as a lovely terrace for drinks and a garden room with open log fire.

Not only that, but environmentally conscious and with an on-going sustainability program, Micklefield now has solar panels generating green energy, a bore hole to provide the farm with pure drinking water and a biomass boiler which heats the barn with wood from the Estate. 20 Ruby Red Devon cattle graze in the Parkland and Oxford Sandy & Black pigs rootle in the paddocks.

We love… When weather permits, the outside grounds of Micklefield make such a gorgeous backdrop for outside ceremonies and celebrations. As well as the spectacular gardens, there’s also a temple by the pond. Truly magical!

For more information on Micklefield Hall, visit their website here…

Credits: Top images courtesy of Micklefield Hall / bottom three images Sarah Legge {sarahleggephotography.co.uk}

We’re proud of our wonderful team at Kalm Kitchen, and without a doubt it’s what brings a truly personal touch to all that we do. Most of our faces have been with us for years, so we thought we’d introduce you! First up, it’s Lara Kellaway – Senior Event Manager (and secret Percy Pig fan!)

Q: Lara, when did you join Kalm Kitchen and what has been your journey since you started?

A: I joined Kalm Kitchen in March 2014 on placement year from Bournemouth University. I stayed for about 8 months before returning back to Uni for my final year. I was offered a full time job on completion and I’ve not left since!

Q: Tell us a little about your role at Kalm Kitchen, and what’s a typical day for you?

A: I’m the Senior Events Manager at Kalm Kitchen and lucky enough to look after an incredible team. There is no typical day in the events world, it’s a diverse job and you have to juggle many tasks, so every day is different – varied, challenging, and fun!

Q: What are the best and worst things about your role?

A: The best is seeing an event through from start to finish, going on a journey with our clients and exceeding their expectations on the day. There really is no worst part for me as I see everything as all part of the job.

Q: What’s the best ever event you’ve ever had the pleasure to work on? What made it so special?

A: I really couldn’t pick a favourite as they’re all special in their own way. I must admit though to a particular love for marquee weddings, you have to think about every aspect and it’s a huge achievement when it all goes well. I also suppose each current event I’m working on become a favourite as you really throw your heart and soul into it for the duration of the planning and execution.

Q: What are the particular skills you think you have that make you good at your job?

A: Well, I’m confident, very approachable, very motivational and – most importantly maybe – I have endless energy!

Q: If you could choose a dream party to plan, what would it be?

A: I suppose I’d have to say it would be my own wedding (one day – it hasn’t happened yet!) Like most girls it’s something I dream about, and with the job I do it would be a chance to pour all my ideas and creativity into this one amazing day.

Q: What are your best tips for hosting the most successful party?

A: Don’t overcomplicate things. Sometimes simple is best.

Q: What’s your favourite food?

A: Anyone who knows me will vouch for the fact that I’m a bit of a fussy eater, although I’m really lucky that I get to taste some incredible dishes here at Kalm Kitchen HQ. In general, give me anything sugary and I’m in heaven. White chocolate, cappuccinos and Percy Pigs are my guilty pleasures. Oh, and I do LOVE Bearnaise sauce.

Q: What do you do in your downtime?

A: I have a house back in Dorset, which is where I spend my days off. My family runs a dairy farm there too so I get involved with that and there is never a dull moment.

Q: Are you going on holiday this year and where are you off to?

A: Yes, I am going on a very special holiday this year – it’s my dear friend and work colleague Cat’s hen party. I can’t disclose where we’re going though. Top secret!

Q: What’s the most useless talent you have?

A: My ability to come out with random words. Coolio, fanjabioli, all kinds of nonsense. Oh, and I describe pretty much everything as ‘delicious’, even when it doesn’t make sense!

Q: What would your autobiography be called?

A: ‘A Life of a Dorset Girl’.

Q: If you had to make a rule for one day and everyone had to follow it, what would it be?

A: Be positive, keep smiling!

Q: What’s your favourite book?

A: Peter Rabbit

Q: Favourite film?

A: Matilda

Q: And finally, favourite song?

A: I love anything upbeat – basically something I can tune into on the radio and sing along!

Photography: Eddie Judd {eddiejuddphotography.com}