The days of a cake being the only sweet centrepiece at a wedding celebration have long gone. Instead, we’re increasingly being asked to create spectacular dessert tables. This wonderful spread of sweet treats gives guests the opportunity to graze long into the night. And they look amazing too. Brides magazine has picked up on this trend, and features some of our creations on their website. Have a look here to see a couple of the spectaculars we created.

Gold Luxe

Some of our other highlights include this beautiful Autumnal-themed Gold Luxe Patisserie Bar for Kat and Angus’s wedding. The line-up included Banana Mess, Chocolate Mess and Blackberry and Blueberry Cheesecake. These mini marvels were decorated with gold leaf for a luxurious feel, while vivid purple hydrangeas and golden stands completed the opulent display.

Boutique Chic

Thily and Wain opted for an exotic-flavoured Patisserie Boutique at their celebrations at Fetcham Park. Laden with sweet treats and adorned with the prettiest pastel-toned flowers courtesy of Fairy Nuff, it achieved the luxurious wow factor that Thily and Wain had dreamed of. The display included Sparkling Elderflower Jelly, Mango & Raspberry Panna Cotta, and Coconut Tapioca and Papaya Tart.

Summer sensation

A dessert table is also a great opportunity to find new ways to present traditional concepts. What could sum up the British Summer more than our interactive Eton Mess stand featuring an array of meringues, ripe, scarlet-coloured fruits, cream, wildflower & elderflower jelly, pink rhubarb compote and honeycomb. A help-yourself display invites everyone to get up from the table, graze, get involved, and lose any sense of formality.

Do get in touch if you’d like to talk about how any of our dessert tables could be a beautiful part of your big day. Info@kalmkitchen.co.uk 01483 813360

We’ve brought events to life in some of the country’s most celebrated spaces and venues. But there’s no doubt, it’s always fun to bring our Kalm Kitchen concepts to the Capital. One of our more recent discoveries is the refurbished Garden Museum in London. Here’s just a little on why we love it so much…

Where

Situated on the banks of the River Thames, the Garden Museum sits in the imposing shadows of Lambeth Palace and opposite the Houses of Parliament. It makes an astonishing setting for a chic, city wedding.

What

Entirely refurbished in 2017, from what was once a church, the space is now a shrine to all things garden-related. But not only that, its pop-up exhibition spaces provide the ideal backdrop for weddings, events and  all kinds of special occasions.

We love

Light floods down into the Dan Pearson-designed courtyard garden, which is surrounded by wooden pillars and planted with a mix of maidenhair ferns and black mondo grasses. The cafe, bar and museum are all covered in greenery, so it feels like a total haven away from the bustling city that surrounds it.

For more information on The Garden Museum, visit their website here. You can read more about Belinda and Dominic’s wedding hosted at The Garden Museum here.

We know you want the food at your celebration to have originality, impact, and loads of style. So, welcome to the grazing station – an all-new eating experience.

Think multiple layers laden with sweet sensations. For instance, macarons, mouthwatering brownies and freshly sliced seasonal fruit, paired with honeycomb-drizzled cheeses and meats. Then add in an array of various baked breads and crackers. ‘From a visual perspective, the concept of a grazing stall or station works so well, creating a dramatic centrepiece at any celebration,’ says Kalm Kitchen’s Jen Middlehurst. ‘But the real treat is coming up with amazing combinations of flavours and individual elements. The end result makes the most of seasonal ingredients and sublime sweet and savoury pairings.’

There’s no doubt, grazing tables add a spectacular look to your proceedings. And we promise your guests will be tempted to tuck in!

Would you like to talk to us about a grazing table or display for your wedding or special party? Get in touch at info@kalmkitchen.co.uk or call us on 01483 813360.

Credits… Wedding Planner: Kim Balasubramaniam {www.kimbalasubramaniam.com}. Photography: Flo Brooks Photography {www.flobrooksphotography.co.uk/}. Flowers: Blue Sky Flowers {www.blueskyflowers.co.uk}.

Developing new menus is an ever-evolving process at Kalm Kitchen. ‘It never starts and never stops, ‘ says James Middlehurst, Executive Chef at Kalm Kitchen. ‘We’re always bringing new ideas to the table. In the first place, the kitchen team will come up with concepts, and from there we’ll extensively test them. After that, we present them to front of house (very important),  take on their feedback and finesse them with the help of the whole company. In the end, we come up with dishes that we can all stand by, and that everyone believes in.’

From an initial list of anywhere around 50 contenders, the team whittle it down to a shortlist of around 25 dishes. And what makes for a successful menu which becomes a firm favourite at weddings? ‘The art is in finding the balance between taste, appearance and perfect delivery of the product,’ explains James. ‘The food should be fun, make people talk and leave a lasting memory.’ And the ultimate measure of success? ‘I like to hear the sound of wow as it gets delivered,’ he confides.

We asked James which are the plates he’s particularly proud to share from the latest collection…

Salmon 99er with beetroot crisp

‘This canapé is pure fun. Resembling the classic ice cream cone, you get a visual shot of salmon pink. We specifically designed it to give a punch of flavour. Fennel blossom and flowers give it a hit of aniseed, and the beetroot crisp provides a lovely crisp texture.’

Chicken liver parfait choux bun with pistachio

‘Taking a classic dessert concept, we create a superbly rich chicken liver parfait, which is cooked at a low temperature and packed with flavour, which comes from the addition of port, shallots and thyme. It’s all encapsulated in a bite-sized choux bun and finished with a nutty sprinkle of pistachios.’

Charred salmon with cauliflower panna cotta and watercress veloute

‘Well, visually this dish is stunning. We cook the salmon sous vide to keep it tender and almost rare all the way through. Then we char it for a lovely, smoky flavour. It’s served alongside our take on a savoury panna cotta on a watercress velouté which brings a peppery hit to the dish. Lastly, we like to add some Romesco, both charred and pickled, which brings acidity, and of course it looks stunning too.’

Lamb Nicoise and pickled walnuts with a caramelised onion puree

‘Nicoise is such a classic, but we’ve given it a modern spin. We take a fillet of lamb and wrap it in Nori, the umami flavour of this edible seaweed gives the dish a real complexity. The expected elements of a Nicoise are there – quail’s egg, Violetta potatoes, and a potato glass. But we also add some pickled walnuts. The end result is mature and complex.’

Seared venison with black pudding salsify, potato fondant and blackberry jus

‘We’ve balanced this rich, gamey meat with a sweet jus, and delicate salsify. The result is a lighter version of what you might consider a traditional game dish. It looks exceptionally stunning too.’

Bread and butter pudding with pineapple salsa, rum custard and coconut ice cream

‘A taste of pure nostalgia, we get lots of requests for bread and butter pudding. We’ve created a lighter version though using brioche and tropical flavours of coconut, pineapple and rum. A pineapple salsa adds a welcome sharpness to the dish.’

What: Planning Redefined workshop | When: November 2018 | Where: Millbridge Court

There’s more than meets the eye to planning the perfect wedding. So where do wedding planners go to get their ideas? The answer is, Planning Redefined. Run by Katrina Otter and Louise, of Louise Perry Weddings, this three-day workshop is an extravaganza of training and mentoring for aspiring, new and experienced wedding planners. Jam-packed with guest speakers, hands-on demonstrations and non-stop inspiration, it’s a go-to event for wedding insiders.

Kalm Kitchen was delighted to be at Millbridge Court – the setting for this inspiration-fest – sharing our ideas for the treats and feasts that are making waves in the wedding world. Our very own Event & Styling Manager, Pete was in charge of pulling out all the stops to create a visual and taste spectacular to set the gathered audience alight.

Foodie highlights

We began proceedings by serving up Organic wild flower bark  as a sweet treat along with fresh juice shots to kick start the day. Then, as attendees got to know each other, we served a gorgeous lunch of Middle Eastern Slow braised spiced lamb shoulder paired with a fatttoush salad and Lebanese breads. An interactive edible ‘garden’ was a show stopper on day three. This was filled with delicious fresh produce, dips and crostinis which proved a wow moment for everyone gathered. Kalm Kitchen’s signature Patisserie Bar was styled with stunning clean lines in cool tones of whites and coppers, hosting gorgeous potted botanical desserts. Finally, as an extra special treat, a delectable S’mores station got everyone talking – and eating!

Pete says, ‘This was an amazing opportunity to showcase some of the more imaginative eating experiences that Kalm Kitchen is renowned for creating. We relished the chance to put together some of our signature sharing stations, and push the boundaries of people’s taste and visual expectations. We believe that when it comes to creating a memorable wedding menu, anything is possible. Why not?’

As well as a non-stop supply of food stimulation, there was a whole range of workshops too. For example, emergency Buttonholes by Liz at Blue Sky Flowers, plus a masterclass in tablescaping. And then, a chance for everyone to create their own place settings using linen, glassware and crockery from Just 4 Linen and Classic Crockery.

Inspiration all day long

Attendees made the most of the beautiful grounds of Millbridge Court by staying overnight for the full immersive experience. And we made sure inspiration lasted all day long by waking guests up to a bouji breakfast. Homemade banana bread, organic Greek yoghurt, New Zealand honey and fresh fruits was the ideal spread to set things off on the right track.

Pete says, ‘This event was such an amazing experience to be a part of. It was lovely to meet with new talent in the industry and I’m so excited to have the opportunity to work with them again in 2019.’

Feeling inspired and want to come along to the next Planning Redefined event? Find out more details on their website planningredefined.co.uk/

Credits… Hosted by: Katrina Otter {www.katrinaotterweddings.co.uk} and Louise Perry {www.louiseperrywedding.com}. Photography: Hannah at Hannah Duffy {www.hannahduffy.com/}. Flowers: Liz at Blue Sky Flowers {www.blueskyflowers.co.uk/}.  Crockery: Classic Crockery {www.classiccrockery.co.uk}. Venue: Millbridge Court {www.millbridgecourt.co.uk/}. Furniture by Wedhead {www.wedhead.co.uk/}.

We’re lucky enough to work with some fabulous venues. And one we’re excited to share with you is Penton Park – a place we’ve recently forged links with. This award-winning, family-run venue located in the Test Valley offers exclusive use for all kinds of celebrations. Here’s just a little on why we love it so much (and know you will too)…

Where…

The pretty village of Penton Mewsey in Hampshire.

What…

Penton Park is a country house with real character. Not only gorgeous, with a Georgian-style elegance, it also has a wonderfully warm and welcoming feel as it’s first and foremost a family home. The three generations who live here have put their hearts and souls into restoring it and these days they have chosen to open up their doors and share it as an exclusive space for all kinds of special occasions. As well as the family, who only host a maximum of 20 events in any one year, there is a dedicated events manager, who is on hand to help from the moment you book through to the day itself.

The venue has four impressive rooms indoors and is a short walk from a pretty local country church. It’s also licensed for outdoor ceremonies, offering two beautiful spaces in the grounds to say your vows. In spring, the garden is awash with a pretty burst of colourful wild flowers. Fancy a unique treat for your guests? Penton Park brews its own ales on site in its early Georgian kitchen. From Pales to Porters, beers to IPAs, they have something to suit everyone’s taste.

We love…

As grand as Penton Park is, this is your place if you want to embrace a feeling of homely spendour. You’ll immediately notice the family feel when you arrive – from family pictures to the friendly Irish wolfhound and cats that inhabit this home. Some guests have been so enamoured with doggy Duke that he’s ended up on the dance floor! No problem if not though, he’s usually found upstairs peacefully snoozing away in his own private quarters!

For more information on Penton Park, visit their website at www.pentonpark.co.uk/

2018 was a memorable year for Kalm Kitchen. Busier than ever with weddings, celebrations and all kinds of new and exciting events to get stuck into, we caught up with some of the team to share their stand-out moments…

// Laura & Sebastian’s wedding | Lara Kellaway, Senior Event Manager

‘For me the highlight event for 2018 was Laura & Sebastian’s stunning summer wedding at Northbrook Park in August. Working with and getting to know these two beautiful people inside out was an absolute pleasure. It was clear from the start that this was going to be a truly spectacular day. Their personalised styling and vision for the day inspired many other events we have run since, and sparked a couple of new trends that we’ll no doubt see more of in 2019.’

// Gabi & Matt’s wedding | Jen Middlehurst, Kalm Kitchen Founder

‘Working with Gabi and Matt to create something really special was such a highlight of 2018. We loved developing a new starter, which is now available at the wedding venue owned by Matt. It made it particularly special being on the Isle of Wight, which is now my home.’

// Cat & Angus’s wedding | Lily Dawson, The events team

‘It was such an honour to be a guest at Kalm Kitchen’s very own Cat’s wedding, but even more so to help with all of the behind the scenes planning for her big day. The wedding itself was absolutely beautiful and it was so lovely to be a part of it with her. We went back and forth with food and styling ideas, and her patisserie bar has been greatly admired by lots of our other clients!’

// Georgia & Jamie’s wedding | Emily Houghton-Connell, Event Manager

‘My most memorable moment of 2018 was Georgia and Jamie’s Wedding at Georgia’s family home in Oxfordshire. I loved working with the couple to plan and organise their day. The wedding was for over 250 guests, which for me was a personal achievement and a proud moment! I especially loved the Ferris wheel and steel band.’

Would you like to talk to us about how we can help you create a celebration to remember in 2019, or beyond? Do get in touch at info@kalmkitchen.co.uk or call us on 01483 813360. Happy New Year!