**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.

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/}

What: Details Date Night | When: April 2019 | Where: Millbridge Court

We were thrilled to be involved in Millbridge Court‘s very first Details Date Night. This evening is designed for couples who are planning their wedding to revisit their chosen venue and start to imagine how all the elements will come to life. As part of the planning journey we’re there to get the creative ball rolling for our brides and groom. This includes all the crucial touches – such as flowers, food and photography – and even sizing up the space. Meanwhile they’re free to ask questions and get inspiration on how best to use the beautiful venue.

Food and drink inspiration

For us, it’s a great opportunity to showcase just some of our food and drinks ideas – and demonstrate the imaginative ways we love to present them! For instance, our brand new luxury cheese board went down a storm. We pieced together a luxurious selection of five cheeses, runny honey, grapes, dried apricots, figs, almonds, breads, wafers and chutneys for this gorgeous display.

Also, alongside the cheese board was our new Cookie Corner – a tempting trio of cookies and mini cookie bites with cold milk served in milk bottles with fun, stripy straws. Couples were welcomed to help themselves during the evening, as well as taking home a selection of sweet bites to save for later.

In addition, during the evening we served up a tasty selection of canapés, such as Parma ham pastry with tomato and mozzarella; Summer chicken, chorizo and corn; Mushroom croquette with tarragon mayo, plus Thai prawn tacos. The evening was a great success and we met some great couples who all left brimming with plenty of plans and all kinds of new ideas how to make their wedding day extra special.

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/.

And read more about it on the Millbridge Court blog here.

Credits…

Photographers: Philippa Sian (www.philippa-sian.co.uk); Matthew Lawrence (www.matthewlawrencephotography.co.uk).

Flowers: Hannah Berry (www.hannahberryflowers.co.uk); Jodie at Boutique Blooms (www.boutiqueblooms.co.uk).

Venue: Millbridge Court (www.millbridgecourt.co.uk).

Entertainment: Lauras Paper Heart Duo (www.lauraspaperheart.com/duo); Music by Kate and Dave (musicbykateanddave.com).

Cakes: Jen at Spongeworks (www.spongeworks.co.uk); Vanessa at Forever Cakes (forever-cakes.co.uk).

Bridalwear: Sophie Rose (www.sophierosebridal.com).

Hair & Make-up: Hanna Wildman (www.hannawildman.com).

A massive thank you to everyone who has followed us on Instagram. We now have over 10,000 followers – and our audience is growing all the time!

For inspiration, updates and plenty of lovely pictures, you can find us at @kalmkitchenltd

Our partner venue, the beautiful exclusive-use events barn, Millbridge Court has launched a brand new website. Giving you a wonderful insight into what it has to offer, take an online look at this restored 19th-Century house in the pretty village of Frensham.

The stunning ceremony and wedding barns lend themselves to a luxurious wedding day. With light-filled halls and sweeping gardens, the space hosts up to 150 guests. Bridal lodge ‘The Hideaway’ was a new addition last year and was recently listed as one of the best UK Bridal suites in You and Your Wedding. This self-contained space has its own decked outdoor area. Luxe touches include a copper rolltop bath, a wood-burning stove and marble-topped bathroom. Read more here.

Millbridge Court stands out in our eyes due to their passion for going the extra mile. The level of detail and care from the whole team who works closely with our couples, plus the endless attention to detail, is truly exceptional.

What: The Garden Museum Corporate Showcase | When: February 2019 | Where: The Garden Museum

We recently took a trip to one of our favourite London venues, The Garden Museum, to host an altogether different kind of event. The evening was put together to showcase the venue to local corporate clients and explore how this eye-catching space can be be used for functions. Our task was to bring along some of our most spectacular catering creations.

Talented florist Elizabeth Marsh and her team had created a beautiful ribbon-festooned walkway, cascading up to the main interior of the museum. This led our guests on a magical journey before being greeted by our awe-inspiring Edible Garden.

The Edible Garden took inspiration from the beautiful grounds at The Garden Museum. We wanted to bring a taste of outside inside, and create a wholesome and delicious display. An abundance of fresh, wild foliage dressed the edible garden structure – once again provided by Elizabeth Marsh Floral Design, – and then we filled it with opulent seasonal vegetables for styling and eating. Along with the vegetables, the colourful display dazzled with spiced nuts, hummus, sun-blush tomatoes, Burrata, pea and mint dip and pitta crisps. The virtuous nibbles were accompanied by carrot & ginger, beetroot & apple, and kale, cucumber & apple juice shots.

Next up was our Blush Patisserie Bar, which became known on the night as ‘Candy Land’. This delectable display included lemon verbena and chamomile crème brulée with chamomile shortbread; sparking elderflower, honeysuckle and berry jelly and orange panna cotta with edible flowers. Pretty macarons, supplied by Le Papillon Patisserie, chocolate lollipops and botanical cookies completed this sweet selection.

Praise for Kalm Kitchen

The evening was a great success and our hosts emailed afterwards to pass on their thanks. ‘We loved having you and it was really a grand success. We have heard nothing but good feedback and felt the night went so well. Hoping to have you guys do something here again. The food and desserts were delicious!’

Credits…
Photography: Richmond Pictures {www.richmondpictures.co.uk/}. Flowers: Elizabeth Marsh Floral Design {www.emfd.co.uk}. Venue: The Garden Museum {gardenmuseum.org.uk/}. Linen by Just 4 Linen {www.just4linen.co.uk}. Furniture and Production: Velvet Entertainment {www.velvetentertainment.net/}

Who: Olivia Burton Boutique | When: September 2018 | Where: Covent Garden

We loved teaming up with Olivia Burton for the launch of its new boutique in Covent Garden. This super-cute accessories brand – known for stylish watches and covetable jewellery – threw a ‘Dream Garden’ themed party to celebrate the opening of its London-based flagship store. Packed with press and social media influencers, guests were greeted with a swinging bench, festooned with pastel-coloured blooms imagined by the talented Rebecca Avery. In fact, there was no shortage of Instagram-worthy spots just waiting to be snapped.

Inside was a flower-filled dream, so we echoed this theme with a selection of botanical canapés and stunning desserts. Pete at Kalm Kitchen worked hard alongside Rachel Martin, Head of Global PR at Olivia Burton to design the concepts. Inside the Dream Garden a range of cocktails was served up, including Bergamot & Lemongrass Gin Collins, plus Blueberry & Elderflower Rocks. We paired these delightful drinks with platters of divine-looking canapés, specially created for the day including:

Wildflower and baby slaw rice baby rolls
Avocado puree on polenta toast with fresh pomegranate and chervil
Cherver Goats cheese on poppy seed fisselle with borage flowers, nasturtium and baby radish
Parmesan pastry with basil and sun blush tomato mascarpone and rosemary crisp
Pink roasted loin of lamb on a poppy seed ficelle with rosemary cream and redcurrant
Beetroot cured salmon on horseradish blinis with sweet dill and mustard sauce

Downstairs in the newly launched boutique, Olivia Burton’s beautiful wares were on show for everyone to see. And our Patisserie Bar – laden with sparkling elderflower jelly with basil & wild flowers; lemon trifle served with a cake pop and raspberry mousse with wild flowers glass – was getting its own share of attention too. We presented these botanical delights on a perspex bar accessorised with lush, blush pinks and pastels.

The team at Olivia Burton told us they were thrilled with the event, feeding bak with the following praise… ‘I just wanted to thank you for last night- everything went perfectly and everyone was so impressed. I thought that the canapés, drinks and service were all brilliant. Thanks so much Pete for a smooth set up too!’

Do you have a launch or private event in mind? Talk to us about how we can elevate your event with imaginative food and drinks. Do get in touch at info@kalmkitchen.co.uk or call us on 01483 813360.

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.’