Founded by Cordon Bleu trained pastry chef (and former Kalm Kitchen team member) Ellie Rymer, Milk Street Kitchen specialises in creating beautiful and tasty cakes and pop-up patisseries for weddings and events. Taking inspiration from classic patisserie and the wonderful flavours and colours of the English countryside, Ellie’s cake creations are a sight to behold. We caught up with her to chat about her passion for baking and what’s catching her eye in the world of cake design.

Q// How did you start out in cake making, and is it something you always wanted to do?

I’ve always loved cooking and baking but in 2012 I decided I wanted to make food my career. I left my job in PR to retrain as a pastry chef at Le Cordon Bleu. I loved it and after I graduated I happily began getting requests for wedding cakes from friends and family – that was the unofficial start of Milk Street Kitchen!

Q// What are you most known for, and how would you describe your signature style?

My signature style is natural, bountiful and full of flavour. I specialise in buttercream cakes and use lots of fresh flowers and fruits to dress my cakes as well as other patisserie items such as macarons and meringues.

Q// Who and what inspires you in your work?

I always take inspiration from the clients I work with and their style. I also get a huge amount of inspiration from modern patisserie and foodie fashions. For my flavours, I’m always inspired by seasonal ‘hedgerow’ produce.

Q// How did you come about working with Kalm Kitchen?

I actually first started working with Kalm Kitchen as part of their patisserie team! It was a fantastic place to learn. Everyone at Kalm Kitchen is incredibly professional and has an amazing eye for detail, whether in the kitchen or running events front of house. The creativity and care they bring to weddings are second to none. I feel very lucky to now be one of their recommended suppliers.

Q// What has been the most memorable creation you’ve ever had to come up with?

Towering croquembouches are always pretty memorable. They are a bit of a race against the clock, as I fill the choux buns with flavoured creams and construct the tower with caramel as close to delivery as possible. They are slightly nerve-wracking as well as great fun to make!

Q// What would be your dream event to work on, and what would you create?

My fantasy would be to be commissioned to bake on location for a wedding in a French country house. I’d create a classic buttercream cake accompanied by a bountiful display of macarons, madeleines and chouxquettes.

Q// What is trending right now in the world of cake design?

I think it’s really exciting at the moment as there’s so much variety in the world of cake design, so you really kind find the perfect style for your event. Tall tiers and nice sharp sides are definitely still the way to go but I’m really seeing couples feeling confident about using more texture and colour too, which is exciting.

Q// What advice would you give to couples who are currently choosing a cake or sweet showcase for their big day?

Work with your designer to create something that is perfect for your day. Something that suits the style and feel of your wedding and, most importantly, that you know your guests will enjoy tucking into – after all cake is made for eating!

Q// Got any exciting future plans for Milk Street Kitchen?

Yes! This year I’ll be building on the success of my newsletter which is filled with baking inspiration using the best freshly picked seasonal ingredients – suitable for beginners as well as those wanting to expand the repertoire in the kitchen. I’ve also got some exciting collaborations and workshop plans. Keep an eye on my Instagram (@milkstreetkitchen) for details!

Q// And finally, what’s your favourite thing to bake at home?

One of my absolute favourite thing to make are shell shaped madeleines – subtly flavoured with lemon and honey. They are amazing straight from the oven with a really good cup of coffee.

To find out more about Milk Street Kitchen and see more of Ellie’s creations, visit her website milkstreetkitchen.co.uk

We’ll be joining our friends at Gate Street Barn in Bramley, Surrey for their Open Day on Sunday March 1st. This beautiful venue boasting a new orangery and atrium, plus a unique woodland wedding setting is stacked with character.

On March 1st it will be welcoming couples, their family and friends, plus prospective couples looking for a wedding venue, to its Annual Open Day. Kalm Kitchen will be there as we team up with some of the loveliest brands in the wedding business to offer all kinds of wedding inspiration. Lara and Amber will be showcasing one of our imaginative food stations. Plus, you’ll get a chance to sample some of our canapés and signature bowl food creations.

You’re also sure to pick up plenty of ideas from photography to entertainment for your big day. Many other suppliers such as florists, photographers, cake supplier, wedding cars, hair & make-up artists, toastmaster, coaches, garden games, jeweller, hoteliers, a magician & even a first dance teacher will be there.

Chess Disco will be providing the music, while drinks come courtesy of Taurus Wines and Gate Street Evening Bar.

Come and say hello

Do pop along – it’s open to all between 10am – 4.30pm. RSVP to info@gatestreetbarn.com or click HERE. There is no entry fee but the venue does ask you let them know you are coming, the size of your party and at what time you are planning to visit. This is to avoid congestion.

We are looking forward to welcoming new couples who are looking for a caterer for their event or wedding, as well as our happy couples who are already booked in with Kalm Kitchen. Lara and Amber will be delighted to say hello and help in any way.

See you there… Gate Street Barn, Gate Street, Bramley, Surrey GU5 0LR
Sunday 1st March | 10am – 4.30pm

**Exciting news** Kalm Kitchen’s very own Jen Middlehurst will be taking part in The Women In Business Masterclass hosted by Dazzle & Fizz. Held on Friday March 13th at The Corinthia Hotel in London, it’s a day that will help you take your business (and professional network) to a whole new level.⁣

⁣Joining Jen in the line-up will be:

• Amanda Harrington of InParlour and Amanda Harington London
• Founder of Nail’d It London Donna Mihaylova
• Charlotte Melia and Christie-Lee Molgaard, owners of specialist luxury events business Dazzle & Fizz
• Social media royalty & face of Benefit cosmetics Anna Saccone. Hear her awe-inspiring rise to fame & life as a working mum-of-four
• Plus talks from the founders of global clean beauty brand BYBI Elsie Rutherford and Dominika Minarovic

Included in your ticket price is a full day Masterclass in a five star setting, an exclusive give away bag, all food and beverage for the day, beautiful photo opportunities, top guests speakers and surprise entertainment and treats. Tickets are limited on a first come first served basis. Head here to to find out more.

Launched in summer 2019, The Barn at Botley Hill is an exclusive-use wedding venue. This inspiring barn with far-reaching views has been re-imagined to combine rustic with contemporary for a versatile space you can style your own way. We’re thrilled to be on board as one of the venue’s preferred suppliers…

Where:

Renowned for its breathtaking views, Botley Hill is situated on the Titsey Estate at the highest point of the North Downs Way, in the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

What:

The Barn sits alongside the celebrated restaurant and pub Botley Hill Farmhouse. Shortly after revitalising the Farmhouse, its current owners undertook a four-year journey involving planners, architects and builders to build this luxurious barn which would celebrate the magnificent views over the sweeping valley. Built from traditional black shiplap timber and crafted inside from reclaimed wood, the Barn features exposed steel beams. Aged terracotta tiles have been shipped from Italy and the tables have been hand crafted by local carpenters from reclaimed wood. Stunning floor to ceiling windows made from glass and steel take in the breathtaking views and spectacular sunsets which can also be enjoyed from the landscaped gardens and terrace.

We love:

This really is a most special space to tie the knot. The view out from the massive floor to sky windows is enough to give you goosebumps. We love the rustic elegance along with contemporary features which makes the space beautiful in its own right. But also it offers huge versatility as a backdrop to a wedding or event as unique as your dreams can imagine.

For more information on hosting your wedding at The Barn at Botley Hill visit their website www.botleyhillbarn.co.uk. Email the team on weddings@botleyhillbarn.co.uk or call on 07920 085454.

The Barn at Botley Hill, Limpsfield Road, Titsey Hill, Surrey CR6 9QH

Who: Emma and Dean | When: September 2019 | Where: Hackney Town Hall

When Emma and Dean decided to have their wedding at Hackney Town Hall – one of our favourite venues – we were super excited. This grand East London art deco building is blessed with the most incredible spaces to get married in. The North and South Atria are architecturally perfect with striking sky lights that flood the space with light. In the day it has a beautifully bright feel and by night it transforms into a spectacular outdoor Venetian garden.

The couple had prepared for the wedding breakfast with long tables festooned with flowers, moss and greenery alongside wooden tables and cross back chairs to create a ‘Woodland Elegance’ theme. We placed terracotta pots of hummus and crudités on the tables along with an assortment of mini Crostinis served on log slices. The starter was an interactive delight, which everyone agreed looked incredible!

After a main course of Chicken Saltimbocca, The Patisserie Bar was the central focus of proceedings, laid out in front of the beautiful architectural wall. With the speeches finished, guests made their way over to our rustic style bar filled with a selection of opulent and delicious desserts.

Kind words from the bride and groom

Emma and Dean had the day of their lives and contacted us afterwards with these kind words:

“We really don’t know where to start with thanking you and your team for our day… the catering and the service you provided was absolutely perfect. Thank you for everything you did for us on the day. It all went perfectly and we 100 per cent attribute this to you and your team for putting in so much effort and thought. The canapés at the drinks reception were just so yummy, and the way you decorated the trays with our flowers just made everything tie in together so well!

Everything looked absolutely incredible and so much more than I could have ever imagined. The food at dinner was so good and we’ve had so many people complimenting it. Thank you so much again. We are so happy that we went with Kalm Kitchen for our wedding and would 100 per cent recommend you to anyone.”

Credits… Venue: Hackney Town Hall {www.hackneyvenues.com}. Florist: Annie Jones at Pollen Nation  {www.pollen-nation.co.uk}. Photographer: Mark Bothwell  {markbothwell.com}. Cake: Spooned {www.spooned.london/home.htm}. Food & Styling: Kalm Kitchen {www.kalmkitchen.co.uk}

What: Tasting Evening | When: 2nd October 2019 | Where: Millbridge Court

It was a seasonal spectacular for the latest tasting evening at Millbridge Court. This special date is for couples who are planning their wedding at this Frensham venue. It gives them a chance to gather plenty of creative inspiration and imagine how their special day will come to life. These entirely unique evenings happen throughout the year to showcase the versatility of Millbridge Court.

As part of the planning journey we were there to provide advice and get the creative ball rolling for our brides and groom. This includes all the important touches – such as flowers, food and photography. Meanwhile our couples are free to ask questions and get inspiration on how best to use the beautiful venue.

Creative collaborations

This time, we teamed up with the amazing team at Bubblegum balloons to create a breathtaking balloon installation. The balloon clouds tied all of the colours in beautifully and proves how a simple concept can conjure up something spectacular.

Gemma Milly used her talent to create gorgeous stationery which we used throughout the evening. Her elegant place cards created a lovely contrast with the autumnal-themed napkins and showed how colour palettes can weave a theme throughout your wedding day.

Hannah Berry created a vision in florals and brought in some incredible blooms to dress the space. From gorgeous table decorations to a stunning ceiling installation, her creative flair made everything come to life. Finally, our musician for the evening Thom Moorley infused the atmosphere with his acoustic music, which kept everyone entertained throughout the night.

Food and drink inspiration

For Kalm Kitchen, it’s a great opportunity to showcase what concepts are new on our menu. As well as demonstrate the new and imaginative ways we love to present them. For instance, our brand new Colonial Patisserie Bar is a new take on a much-loved dessert choice.

Also, alongside the Patisserie Bar was our new sharing dessert – Spiced orange and ginger Mille Feuille, a warming combination of seasonal flavours.

In addition, during the evening we served up a tasty selection of canapés. These included Smoked chicken and mango salad in mini filo baskets, Moroccan lamb curry on feta couscous, Crispy pork belly with spiced pineapple chutney and Mini potatoes stuffed with roasted artichokes, lemon and rocket.

Main course inspiration came in the form of our much-loved Mediterranean Platter. Plus there were Seared scallops served with Jerusalem artichoke puree and chorizo crumb and an intriguing dish of Textures of broccoli including puree, roasted and fresh with hazelnuts, blue cheese and sea buckthorn.

The evening was a great success and our couples left brimming with all kinds of new ideas how to make their wedding day extra special. Some of the feedback we had included:

“Yesterday evening was fantastic, and food was incredible!”
“Thank you for such a lovely evening the other night, we really enjoyed it and so so excited!”
“Thank you so much for having us last night. We both really enjoyed ourselves and left feeling very excited for the big day!”

Are you planning a wedding at Millbridge Court? Get in touch with the team to find out how you could attend one of these special evenings www.millbridgecourt.co.uk/

Or for further wedding menu inspiration contact one of our team at Kalm Kitchen. Get in touch at info@kalmkitchen.co.uk or call us on 01483 813360.

Credits…
Venue: Millbridge Court {millbridgecourt.co.uk}
Flowers: Hannah Berry Flowers {hannahberryflowers.co.uk}
Photographer: Kit Myers {kitmyersphotography.com}
Music: Thom Moorley {thom-music.com}
Furniture – Academy Furniture Hire {academyfurniturehire.co.uk}
Balloons: Bubblegum Balloons {bubblegumballoons.co.uk}

We contributed to the beautiful Coco Wedding Venues blog recently. Curated by founder Emma Hla, this style-focused wedding venue directory and blog is a great first port of call when searching for your perfect wedding venue.

Wedding planner extraordinaire Katrina Otter picked our collective brains on all aspects of planning the catering for your big day. The result? A wealth of wedding planning advice. Find out more including setting your catering budget and our top trend predictions for 2020 here.

Do you want to speak to one of our capable team about any aspect of the catering for your big day? Give us a call on 01483 813360 or email info@kalmkitchen.co.uk

Photography: Hannah Duffy {www.hannahduffy.com}

This July one of our favourite exclusive-use wedding venues, Millbridge Court, officially unveils its latest new addition – a groom’s room named ‘The Lodge’.

This stylish venue set in the picturesque village of Frensham, Surrey is already known for being loaded with unexpected surprises. And now The Lodge has been created and designed with the leading man and his entourage in mind. Located in a self-contained cottage adjacent to the main venue space, it is the perfect, private ‘den’ for wedding morning prep.

When it comes to design and style, The Lodge takes its aesthetic inspiration from cool and contemporary private members clubs. A colour palette of strong, warm neutral shades work alongside cocooning leather sofas and chairs. Combine that with dark wood flooring, painted panelling, a statement sand-blasted raw brick feature wall and giant stags head and you have the ultimate in classic style. Outside, there’s a private outdoor space with seating.

The ultimate pre-ceremony space

The Lodge features a living area and double en-suite bedroom on the ground floor. Upstairs, there’s a dedicated space to get suited and booted along with an intimate bamboo crafted self-serve bar stocked with beers, soft drinks and snacks to shake off any pre-wedding nerves.

The result is a stylishly sophisticated intimate space in which to relax and prepare before the formal proceedings commence. We love it!

Led by a dynamic team of event experts, Millbridge Court is a unique and style-driven venue combining the highest quality event spaces with exceptional, luxury hotel standard service. Operating throughout the year, the venue caters for up to 150 guests. You can enjoy a multitude of spaces including two modern reception barns, a striking atrium, welcoming lobby and lounge areas, outdoor arbour for ceremonies and beautifully landscaped gardens. For accommodation, there are eight guest bedrooms and a stunning bridal suite, The Hideaway, nestled at the end of the gardens.

Millbridge Court offers exclusive use venue hire throughout the year. For further information visit www.millbridgecourt.co.uk or call 01252 792572

Images courtesy of Philippa Sian Photography {www.philippa-sian.co.uk/}

Who: Olivia and Jack | When: June 2019 | Where: Houghton Lodge

At just under 80 guests, Houghton Lodge provided the perfect venue for Olivia and Jacks’s intimate wedding. This stunning country house and gardens in Hampshire’s Test Valley is a tranquil, romantic space with plenty of special features. The couple had chosen to have their ceremony by the banks of the river. As guests gathered in this idyllic spot, they enjoyed drinks served from a special station offering up two of the couple’s favourite cocktails – Negronis and Margaritas.

After the ceremony, the bride and groom led the way up the sweeping lawns and into a private walled garden. In the spirit of the theme of Bohemian elegance, canapés were circulated while everyone mingled. These bite-sized creations included confit beef shin croquets, panko breaded pork belly with gooseberry jam and avocado puree on polenta toast.

Shortly afterwards, dinner was served in the enchanting glasshouse. Overlooking the pretty walled garden, and with a very unique, airy feel, the space looked magical. Florist, Gabi Manivit had very cleverly strung trails of foliage from the beams, which transformed the room. And there were beautifully simple jars of blush pink and white flowers on each of the tables.

A carve at the table roasted rump of new season lamb made for a spectacular main course, and the whole menu was punctuated with early summer flavours and ingredients. As the sun set on the glass house later in the evening, everyone was invited to tuck into a delicious, rustic cheese board.

Feedback from the happy couple

The newlywed couple got in touch with these kind words shortly after their special day:

“Hi Pete… You, Grace and the Kalm team did a fantastic job. We had several guests comment that it was the best wedding food they’ve had. Your organisation of the day, suppliers, stylish presentation and the calming presence of you and Grace were all highlights.”

Would you like to talk to us about how we can create extra magic at your special day? Give us a call on 01483 813360 or email info@kalmkitchen.co.uk.

Credits… Venue: Houghton Lodge {houghtonlodge.co.uk} Food & styling: Kalm Kitchen {www.kalmkitchen.co.uk} Photography: Felix Russell {www.frsphoto.co/weddings} Flowers: Gabi Manivit at Scarlet & Violet {www.instagram.com/miss_manivit}

Keeping your guests cool at a hot summer wedding is a gesture which never goes unappreciated. As we all know, the British weather can keep us on our toes! Thankfully at Kalm Kitchen we have some great ideas for summer wedding refreshments which will keep everyone happy through blazing sunshine and balmy summer evenings.

Kalm Kitchen Event & Styling Manager, Pete Holder is in charge of coming up with creative ways to present our food and drinks. He says, “Knowing what to serve your guests either before the ceremony, or immediately after while waiting or mingling is a detail that can get overlooked. But we know it’s something which proves hugely popular. You can choose either from a fully serviced station, or something more casual and fun where guests simply help themselves.”

Here are some of our favourite ideas…

Lovely lollies

Gone are the days when ice pops were just for the kids. These grown-up versions feature favourite flavours such as Champagne or Bellini. We work with premium popsicle brand Pops and serve up alongside our homemade, thirst-quenching cloudy lemonade to make sure everyone is hydrated. Not only does this nostalgic stall look stunning, it’s a great way to keep everyone happy with a cool, iced treat.

Photography: Kit Myers {www.kitmyersphotography.com}

A lotta bottle

Everyone loves our vintage bathtubs and troughs filled with beers, water or any other bottled drinks you care to serve up! A novel version of taking a dip, guests can ‘dip in’ and fish out an ice cold drink of their choice.

Photography: Anneli Marinovich {www.annelimarinovich.com/}

Flavour sensations

Simple fruit and herb infusions takes the humble glass of water to a new dimension. We fill Kilner style dispensers with water and an array of fresh flavours then decant into cute, individual bottles. So whether it’s lemon and lime, blood orange or handfuls of fresh picked mint, your guests will be coming back for more.

Photography: Anneli Marinovich {www.annelimarinovich.com/}

Summer classic

Refreshments don’t always have to be of the liquid variety. Turning dessert into an epic sharing station is a total crowd pleaser. Our interactive Eton Mess stand features an array of meringues, ripe, scarlet-coloured fruits, cream, wildflower & elderflower jelly, pink rhubarb compote and  honeycomb. Plus, a generous abundance of other irresistible sweetness. It’s a treat for the eyes, tastes delicious and everyone gets stuck in. What could possibly say British summertime more?

Photography: Laura Harvey {Instagram @bylaurasophie}

Planning a summer wedding? Talk to us about keeping your guests refreshed. Get in touch at info@kalmkitchen.co.uk or call us on 01483 813360.