Category: Featured
Nocturne Music Festival
What: Nocturne Music Festival | Where: Blenheim Palace | When: June 2023
Kalm Kitchen were delighted to cater for VIP guests at the Nocturne Music Festival this summer. Held at Blenheim Palace, Nocturne is a unique music and dining experience that immerses guests in the world-famous surroundings of Sir Winston Churchill’s birthplace.
Attendees of the four evening spectaculars were treated to a drinks reception, delicious food and a prime seat at performances. Artists including Lionel Richie, Gregory Porter and Emeli Sandé headed the line-up.
The evening began with guests gathering in the Great Court, where we served up arrival drinks of Prosecco, Pear Collins, bottled beer and sparkling elderflower. Proceedings then moved onto the magnificent Long Library, which was the ideal place to set the scene for such a special evening. We dressed the tables with Chalk Urbane tablecloths alongside vintage green hemstitch napkins. A modern and stylish way to showcase the iconic surroundings.
Music & dining
Pre-laid starters paved the way for a choice of either a meat or plant-based menu, which we rotated between the evenings for anyone lucky enough to attend more than once. Highlights of the menu were treacle and soy cured salmon with a celeriac remoulade and a balsamic glazed beef short rib. The plant-based menu included a cauliflower panna cotta and summer squash arancini. For dessert, a crowd-pleasing toffee apple cheesecake likewise went down a treat!
After the show, guests enjoyed post-concert drinks in the Saloon – a fine setting to wrap up a spectacular evening. All-in-all this was an unforgettable dining experience in exceptionally grand surroundings. We can’t wait to do it all again next year!
Credits:
Festival Organisers – U-Live @weareulive
Festival – Nocturne @nocturnelive
Venue – Blenheim Palace @blenheimpalace
Catering – Kalm Kitchen @kalmkitchen
Michelle & Elliot
Who: Michelle & Elliot | When: August 2021 | Where: Langley Park Marquee
Michelle and Elliot had their wedding at the recently restored Langley Park. Originally due to have a destination wedding, they decided instead to stay in the UK for a full week of festivities at this 18th Century Georgian listed mansion located between Tetbury and Chippenham. Sitting in almost 100 acres of gardens, parkland and pasture, the location had several perfect areas for the celebrations to take place.
First up was a welcome party on the main lawn. The couple chose canapés and one of our famous Patisserie bars, served alongside a selection of cocktails. The beautiful ceremony itself was hosted in the walled garden, followed by drinks around the pool. Guests were then welcomed into the marquee for dinner and drinks throughout the evening before retiring to the cellar bar for an after-party.
The couple worked with the talented Holly Episkopou from Wonderlust Events to bring their dream wedding to life. Her vision came through in creating a gorgeous ceremony area and a spectacular marquee design for all the guests. Chandelier light installations above the tables were incredible. Switched on for the speeches as it started getting darker created a glorious mood.
Magical menu
As self-confessed ‘foodies’ Michelle and Elliot admitted that food was a huge part of the wedding for them. From welcome canapés to late night evening food as the party drew to a close, guests were treated to a varied menu. Highlights included herb roasted chicken breast with thyme butter fondant, wild mushrooms and pea velouté for the main and as the bride and groom both loved crab, we created a bespoke crab arancini as a starter for the wedding breakfast.
Kind words
Afterwards, the couple fed back with kind words about their day:
‘“Best wedding food I’ve ever had!” The words of many of our wedding guests. We had such a great experience with Kalm Kitchen. We found Kalm to be a very bespoke and tailored service to ensure our day was exactly how we wanted it to be.
From replanning our wedding in the UK with only a few months to go, they were so accommodating. The food tasting was such a pleasant and exciting experience, we loved absolutely everything that the chef made. This really was one of the best parts of the planning process. Pete was especially amazing, his communication and attention to detail was over and above anything we expected. He made us feel so confident that our day was in safe hands, and helped to visualise how it would all work.
On our wedding day, the staff were all incredible, nothing was too much. They always made sure my husband and I were looked after, and the guests were so impressed. Anytime we host an event in the future we will most certainly return to Kalm Kitchen.”
If you’d like to talk to us about creating dreamy food memories for your wedding or event give us a call on 01483 813360 or email info@kalmkitchen.co.uk.
Credits…
Destination Wedding Planner: Wonderlust Events
@wonderlustevents | https://www.wonderlustevents.co.uk/
Venue: Langley Park
@luxurycotswold | https://www.luxurycotswoldrentals.co.uk/properties/langley-park/
Marquee: Sail & Peg
@sailandpeg | https://www.sailandpeg.co.uk
Photographer: Elias Kordelakos
@eliaskordelakos | https://eliaskordelakos.com/
Videographer: HD Moments
@hdmoments | https://hdmoments.co.uk/
Catering: Kalm Kitchen
@kalmkitchenltd | https://kalmkitchen.co.uk/
Florals: Emma Soulsby
@emmasoulsby | https://www.emmasoulsbyowers.com/
Entertainment: Guy Preston – DJ
@grspreston | https://www.djguypreston.com/
Hair & Makeup: Claire Jones
@clairejonesmakeupartist | http://www.clairejonesmakeupartist.com
Celebrant: Love Stories by Lydia
@lovestoriesbylydia | lovestoriesbylydia.com
Stationery: Vine in the Wild
@vineinthewild | https://www.vineinthewild.com/
Linen rentals: Just 4 Linen
@just_4_linen | https://www.just4linen.co.uk/
Chandelier rentals: Crescent Moon
@crescent_moon_events | crescent-moon.co.uk/
Dress Designer: Mira Zwillinger
@mirazwillinger | https://www.mirazwillinger.com/
Dress Boutique – Browns Brides Instagram
@brownsbrides | https://www.brownsbride.com/
Jewellery (including rings): Bond Jewellery
@bond_jewellery | https://bondjewellery.co.uk/
Shoes: ASOS
@asos | www.asos.com
Groom’s & Groomsmen’s suit: McCann Bespoke
@mccannbespokelondon | https://mccannbespoke.co.uk/
Bridesmaids’ dresses: White by Vera Wang, Ghost and Ralph Lauren
@verawanggang / @ghostfashion / @ralphlauren
https://www.verawang.com/ | https://www.ghost.co.uk/ | https://www.ralphlauren.co.uk/
Ferrari launch
What: Ferrari Roma Spider launch| When: July 2023 | Where: Somerley House
Somerley House was the spectacular destination for the Ferrari Roma Spider launch event, hosted by Meridien Modena. Nestled within the New Forest on over 7,000 acres of land, Somerley Estate was designed by architect Samuel Wyatt. Featuring a grand picture gallery, this was the focal point of mingling as the first of the VIP guests arrived.
This extra special car preview deserved an extra special menu. We had the pleasure of conjuring up canapés, bowl food and patisserie desserts to mark this wonderful, celebratory evening. While a first wave of canapés including scallop tartare, deviled chicken bun and cider braised pulled pork croquettes was circulated, guests enjoyed an Italian-themed line-up of drinks. Limoncello, Italian wines, Peronis, negronis and espresso martinis were all served up in luxurious glassware. Meanwhile, clean line seating and a bar were provided by the client to match in with the sleek lines of the evening’s main star – the Roma Spider.
Food fit for Ferrari!
Other crowd-pleasing bites on the menu included a selection of five bowl foods, which included herb crushed tuna loin and a seasonally themed green summer salad with white asparagus, courgettes, feves, peas and goat’s curd. After everyone had finished gathering in the library, guests walked through the garden to the bottom lawn. This was the destination for the car unveiling where everyone got first look at the supercar up close and personal.
To round off the evening in fitting style, we circulated a sweet selection of three desserts in glass patisserie pots: Rhubarb mousse, chocolate fudge pieces and a buttermilk & rosemary pannacotta.
What an evening – Forza Ferrari!
Are you planning a corporate event that needs a professional touch? Talk to us about how we can bring your ideas to life. Give us a call on 01483 813360 or email info@kalmkitchen.co.uk.
Images: Kindful Creative
Credits:
Brand: Ferrari
Dealership @meridenmodena
Events Team @geniusprogetti
Photography and Videography @kindfulcreative @benkapurphotography @richpearcephoto @salternscreative
TOP 5 PATISSERIE BOUTIQUES
Seated desserts are making way for spectacular dessert tables and we are increasingly being asked to create stunning Patisserie Boutiques. All our stunning displays include a choice of three beautifully styled, delicious desserts, which can include macarons and chocolate lollipops.
This wonderful spread of sweet treats gives guests the opportunity to graze long into the night. And they look amazing too! Whether you’re catering for 30 or 300 people, a Patisserie Boutique is a fantastic, interactive feasting experience for your wedding or event. This relaxed approach to dining is a great way of bringing people together to eat, chat and mingle.
Kalm Kitchen has developed endless options to provide plenty of tasty flavours and create the ultimate showpiece that makes a real statement. Here is a selection of our Top Five most popular Patisserie Boutique displays:
Classic
A clean and contemporary collection of tiered acrylic shelves. Let the food and flowers do the talking with this simple and elegant option.
Flowers: Hannah Berry Flowers
Photography: Marianne Taylor
Rustic
Rustic props including a selection of vintage crates and scales, for a beautiful summery, relaxed vibe.
Flowers: Carrie Macy-The Topiary Tree
Photography: VLA Photography
Gold
Gold and mirrored elements conjure up a luxurious and elegant visual display
Photography (image 1): Anneli Marinovich
Flowers (image 1): Kate Avery Flowers
Photography (image 2): VLA photography
Flowers (image 2): Hannah Berry Flowers
Botanical
Three layers of acrylic, circular shelves creates a jaw dropping 360 degree grazing display
Flowers: Hannah Berry Flowers
Photography: Philippa Sian Photography
Colonial
Colonial styling presented on an industrial structure with hanging rattan baskets and neutral toned foliage
Photography: Hayley Bray
Find more Patisserie Boutique inspiration, head over to the Kalm Kitchen pinterest feed. Also, follow us on Instagram for the latest inspirational ideas.
For further wedding menu inspiration, talk to one of our team at Kalm Kitchen. Get in touch at info@kalmkitchen.co.uk or call us on 01483 813360.
Main image:
Photography: VLA photography
Flowers: Hannah Berry Flowers
Micro Wedding
Who: Holly & Will | When: September 2020 | Where: Chelsea Town Hall
>> Tell us more about your wedding planning:
This wasn’t the original plan. Like so many couples, we had our big two part wedding all planned for May 2020; a small legal ceremony with just family, followed by a big celebration a few days later with all our friends. When the lockdown was announced in March, no one could have predicted what the future held so. Like so many others, we didn’t know whether to hold out, cancel or postpone the wedding. Initially, with optimism in our hearts, we postponed both parts of the wedding to September 2020. But as the months rolled on, it became clear that we weren’t going to be able to get hundreds of people into a room anytime soon.
We decided to cancel the big event and stick with the plans for the legal wedding. We kept everything crossed that we’d be able to go ahead when the time came and salvage at least some of our 2020 plans. It was actually a huge relief once a decision was made and all the pressure was taken away. A micro wedding wasn’t what we ever thought we’d have, but in hindsight I’m so glad we did.
>> How did you choose your venues:
Both sets of our parents got married at Chelsea and Kensington Registry Office, a month apart from each other back in 1979. So there was a sentimental aspect to the decision, meaning we never really discussed other options. We originally planned to go to a local restaurant for a meal following the ceremony. But because we were no longer able to have Kalm Kitchen cater at the big celebration and we were desperate to still have their incredible food, we decided to hold the reception at Holly’s father’s home. It worked perfectly for the guest numbers. We had drinks and canapés on the roof terrace and set up a banquet style dining table in the living room for the meal. The kitchen was turned into a dance floor later in the evening.
>> How did you choose the menu:
We wanted an Italian theme running through the meal, as our very initial plans after getting engaged was to hold the wedding in Italy (Thank god we didn’t!). We also felt that, because it was a small event, a sharing meal would work best. It encourages interaction and connects people, and Italian food lends itself perfectly to the sharing concept. Kalm Kitchen took our ideas and created a completely bespoke vegetarian menu for us. It was perfect! We felt so comfortable in the hands of the team so really let them run with it.
>> What was on the menu:
>> What was your favourite part of the meal:
We had a bespoke Kalm Kitchen sharing pavlova for dessert, which doubled up as our wedding cake. It was just incredible.
>> What did you have to drink:
We kept it simple with a bespoke Kalm Kitchen drinks package. For the canapé reception we had Prosecco with optional Aperol or Creme de Cassis upgrades, and some bottles of Corona (very fitting). We had red and white wine for the meal and the Kalm Kitchen team made delicious Espresso Martinis and Margaritas for an after dinner “Cocktail Hour”
>> How did you choose the styling:
We followed Kalm Kitchen’s advice with the table styling. Being a living room, the table surroundings were quite ‘busy’, so we kept the table decor simple and neutral, with potted Italian herbs rather than flowers for decoration. The styling worked perfectly in the surroundings and was complemented by fairy lights galore.
>> Are you going to have a bigger celebration:
For sure, at some point. We can’t wait to eat Kalm Kitchen’s food again.
>> Would you recommend a micro wedding to other couples:
Absolutely. We are so glad we went ahead with the wedding and had the opportunity to get together with our closest loved ones at a time when we’ve seen so little of them this past year. A small wedding means you get to spend quality time with all our guests on the most important day of your life and that is pretty invaluable at the moment. There was no stress and the pressure has been taken off now, so when we do have the big wedding, we’ll be so much more relaxed and be able to fully enjoy the day.
Credits: Sarah Legge photographed the ceremony for us and we can’t recommend her enough. She made us feel so at ease and captured so many beautiful photos. (https://www.sarahleggephotography.co.uk)
Top 5 Grazing Bars
Whether you’re catering for 30 or 300 people, a Grazing Bar is a fantastic, interactive feasting experience for your wedding or event. Kalm Kitchen has developed endless options to provide plenty of tasty flavours and create the ultimate showpiece that makes a real statement. Savoury, sweet or a combination of both, this relaxed approach to dining is a great way of bringing people together to eat, chat and mingle.
Here’s a selection of just some of the amazing grazing displays we’ve had the pleasure to put together.
Brunch Bar
Photography: VLA photography
What better way to start proceedings or gather everyone together the day after than with a fully loaded bar stacked with a selection of morning treats. Ours combines healthy, sliced fruits with pastries, granola pots, plus fresh breads, with conserves. Throw in salmon and cream cheese bagels, smashed avocado and continental meats and you have the ideal morning mix. Of course, we also provide plenty of coffee to keep your guests non-stop fuelled up and perfectly set for the day.
Luxury Cheese Board
Photography: VLA photography
This impressive, interconnecting display is no ordinary cheese board. Combining height and depth for a wow effect, a luxurious collection of handpicked cheeses, runny honey and fresh breads is served with dried apricots, fresh figs, grapes, wheat wafers, fig chutney and salted almonds. Ideal for rounding off the meal or as a late night extra, it’s always a total crowd pleaser.
Small Plate Grazing
Photography: Anneli Marinovich
With a centrepiece of a whole Prosciutto leg, this assortment brings together the best continental flavours. Served up on beautifully designed, individual plates, your guests can help themselves to the following:
Sliced coppa and prosciutto di speck, cornichons, radishes and celeriac remoulade
Chargrilled yellow and green zucchini, violette artichokes, smashed smoked almonds and shaved pecorino
Sea bream ceviche, sliced greens chillies, charentais melon, toasted seaweed and sesame seeds with spring onion
Perfectly Pink Grazing
Photography: VLA photography
Pretty as a picture, our Perfectly Pink Grazing Platter features an array of iced ring doughnuts, red velvet cupcakes, pink wafers, pink and red macarons and waffles. Tucked in amongst the divine treats you’ll also find berries, white chocolate fingers and pink lady apples. It’s a sweet sensation in every single mouthful.
DIY Eton Mess Bar
Photography: Laura Harvey Photography
Our delicious and interactive Eton Mess Bar is just summer in a snapshot. Invite your guests to create their own delightful desserts with a choice of mouthwatering meringues and whipped cream. Accompaniments include rhubarb compote, strawberry coulis, fresh strawberries, honeycomb, macarons and elderflower jelly with wild flowers.
Find more grazing inspiration over on the Kalm Kitchen pinterest feed. Also, follow us on Instagram for the latest inspirational ideas.
For further wedding menu inspiration, talk to one of our team at Kalm Kitchen. Get in touch at info@kalmkitchen.co.uk or call us on 01483 813360.
Main image photography: VLA photography
Chelsea Physic Garden
Kalm Kitchen is thrilled to be approved as a supplier at the beautiful Chelsea Physic Garden. This historic garden wedding venue is London’s oldest botanic garden, occupying four acres of land on the edge of the Thames.
Where:
Tucked away beside the River Thames and nestled behind walls, the garden has a special, secret feel due to its location. In fact, it’s situated on one of Chelsea’s smartest streets, a buzzing part of London that still maintains a village feel.
What:
With a rich past of providing medicinal plants for apothecaries, today Chelsea Physic Garden is a living collection of around 5,000 different edible medicinal and herbal plants. It is also an exceptional venue for all kinds of events. Light, airy and spacious, The Gallery room is an elegant indoor space available to hire throughout the year. With high ceilings, and an outlook to the iconic gardens, The Gallery can accommodate all types of events, including weddings for up to 90 guests.
Meanwhile, the Garden itself is a beautiful botanical setting with a large marquee as an optional hire. A Wedding Ceremony Room is available for up to 70 guests and blessings in the gardens are welcome. The entire Garden is available to hire exclusively, or more intimate areas can also be booked separately. For instance, the Lower Lawn – tucked away in the South West corner – is a secluded grassy area ideal for small, day-time gatherings of up to 100 guests.
Available for exclusive private hire on Saturdays and on weekday evenings, this outstanding and adaptable venue offers any number of décor and theme possibilities. Exclusive hire means guests are most welcome to explore the pathways and peripheries, loaded with idyllic photograph backdrop opportunities amidst its collection of rare and historically significant plants.
We love:
This magical venue is an idyllic space to hold your wedding. The historic charm of the gardens is quite unique and provides a spectacular yet understated setting for a botanical-themed celebration. Even better, when you hire The Chelsea Physic Garden for an event, your money goes to support the work of caring for the collections of plants and The Garden for future generations.
For more information on hosting your wedding at Chelsea Physic Garden visit their website www.chelseaphysicgarden.co.uk. Email the team on enquiries@chelseaphysicgarden.co.uk or call on 020 7352 5646.
Chelsea Physic Garden, 66 Royal Hospital Road, Chelsea, London, SW3 4HS
Micklefield Hall Tasting Evening
What: Tasting Evening | When: Wednesday 12th February 2020 | Where: Micklefield Hall
This February Kalm Kitchen worked alongside Micklefield Hall to conjure up the latest of our regular tasting evenings. The intimate evening – offered to all couples planning their wedding at the Hertfordshire venue – is a showcase for our menus. But it also gives couples a chance to gather plenty of creative inspiration and imagine how their plans in this special space will come to life.
Our team was there to provide advice and get the creative ball rolling for our brides and grooms. This includes all the important touches – such as food, flowers and photography. Meanwhile our couples are free to ask questions and get inspiration on how to make the most of the beautiful venue.
Creative collaborations
This time we teamed up with talented creative Lou Paper, who provided the gorgeous, hand-finished details. Personalised place cards were placed on dusky pink linens and demonstrated how a simple colour palette can weave a theme throughout a wedding day.
Andrew Flemming styled the venue with some incredible blooms. Potted plants and succulents were used to dress the table, interspersed with some early seasonal spring bulbs. As well as table decorations and floral details to show off the food, he created stunning wall and ceiling displays.
Music for the evening came courtesy of The Collective Band – a group of talented and experienced session musicians who are masters at making an event come to life. And finally, photographer Jack Ladenburg captured the proceedings on camera for us.
Food and drink inspiration
At Kalm Kitchen, we relish the opportunity to serve up long-established favourite dishes as well as new concepts on our menu. We kicked off the evening with a tasty selection of canapés, featuring treats such as
- Monkfish bites with coriander and onion seed crème fraiche
- Marinated lamb skewers with minted yoghurt
- Pork belly on creamy apple dauphinoise, with crackling and apple sauce
Also on the menu was our much-loved Mediterranean Platter. Seared Scallops on sweetcorn purée with toasted corn and Parma ham, and Onion and goats cheese tatin with charred goat’s cheese were other highlights.
For dessert it was our Colonial Patisserie Bar. This new take on a much-loved dessert choice showed how imaginative styling can give your food the wow factor. Alongside the Patisserie Bar was our delicious sharing dessert – Summer Berry Pavlova. A feast for the eyes and also packed with bright, summery flavours.
Our happy couples left with plenty of new inspiration for their wedding plans and it was great to hear back afterwards. They told us that not only had the evening been hugely enjoyable, it had also got them even more excited for their wedding days.
For further wedding menu inspiration, talk to one of our team at Kalm Kitchen. Get in touch at info@kalmkitchen.co.uk or call us on 01483 813360.
For further information on Micklefield Hall, visit their website www.micklefieldhall.com.
Credits…
Venue: Micklefield Hall {www.micklefieldhall.com}
. Flowers: Andrew Fleming {www.andrewflemingflorist.net}
Photographer: Jack Ladenburg {www.jackladenburg.com}
. Music: The Collective Band {www.thecollectiveband.co.uk}