Bolly Darlings Dish out at Destination Dining!

We had great fun on Wednesday 14th July at the official launch of Destination Dining at centre:mk.  Before you get too excited we should stress though that these are not our regular staff uniforms! 

We had the pleasure of working with 3 ladies from Bolly Darlings who were brought in by the centre:mk organisers – they even bring their own perspex trays (and little else judging by the costumes), which once loaded up with canapes provide good theatre and a talking point for guests. 

The Destination Dining launch event was held in a plush marquee in Queen’s Court, transformed with cool white bars, uplit seating cubes…and a vibrant pink floor!

We started the day early if not bright at 8 am with a hot and cold bite sized breakfast, juices and Illy caffe offered to retailers and trade guests. 

At lunchtime we served a 3 course circulated lunch with savoury and sweet canapes and hot bowl food, followed by an afternoon tea incorporating a selection of miniature patisserie from restaurants in the new dining quarter. 

The event culminated in a drinks and canape reception in the evening for 150 VIPs and local stakeholders and a ribbon-cutting display which involved letting off hundreds of balloons tied to the marquee.  It looked like a scene from Pixar’s ‘Up!’

We also successfully trialled our latest bit of coffee equipment from our friends at Illy caffe, enabling us to serve frothy cappucinos and milk lattes on demand throughout the day.  We love Illy!

Wyatt James engineers winning cuisine for

Northamptonshire Grand Prix Dinner

On the eve of the British Grand Prix, Wyatt James has received praise from a motorsport VIPs, including BBC1 F1 commentator Jake Humphreys, for the hospitality provided at the inaugural Northamptonshire Grand Prix Dinner on Wednesday 30th June.

Over 240 specially invited guests from the county’s finest High Performance Engineering (HPE) companies supplying the motorsport industry were invited to Hanger 1 at Sywell Aerodrome, which was transformed into a plush Formula One themed dining area, for a celebratory dinner on the eve of The British Grand Prix taking place this month at Silverstone.

Locally-based Formula one teams, circuit engineers, engine and component builders and world rally teams were greeted on arrival with a Pimms and lemonade reception and later a themed four course dinner creatively prepared and featuring many of the region’s local delicacies.

Organised by Northamptonshire Enterprise Ltd (NEL), the Grand Prix dinner was held to showcase the technological contribution of the county’s HPE companies to the motorsport industry and launch the new High Performance Engineering and Motorsport Strategy for Northamptonshire.

The evening was hosted by BBC One’s F1 presenter Jake Humphreys which also included the launch of a series of groundbreaking motorsport initiatives, the announcement of new futuristic motorsport festival planned for August 2011 and a silent auction for the Chancellors Fund at the University of Northampton which raised over £7,000.

Diane Richards, NEL organiser:

Wyatt James to cater for launch of Destination Dining at the centre:mk

Wyatt James is thrilled to announce that it has won a contract from thecentre:mk to provide hospitality at the official launch of ‘Destination Dining’, centre:mk’s brand new restaurant quarter on Wednesday 14th July.

Nandos, Cafe Rouge, Yo Sushi! and Carluccios are all part of Destination Dining, which will offer an premium dining experience incorporating alfresco dining within the newly created dining environment in centre:mk shopping centre.

Working from a spectular marquee situated within Queen’s Court, Wyatt James will provide full hospitality throughout the day for a lunchtime launch for 100 retail and trade guests and an evening VIP reception for 300.

Jo Hunter-Wyatt, Director at Wyatt James explains: “We are thrilled to be asked to cater for such a landmark event for centre:mk and look forward to championing our ‘Simply British’ style alongside the culinary delights that Destination Dining will offer.”

Melanie Beck, Head of Advertising and Communications at thecentre:mk commented on the news:

“thecentre:mk is delighted to be working with Wyatt James on the launch event for Destination Dining. This is high profile event showcasing our new retailers Carluccios, YO! Sushi, Cafe Rouge and Nandos, therefore to find a local operator who is able to provide a menu which supports these new caterers has been invaluable.”

Jo Hunter-Wyatt & David Bowen (Wyatt James) with Chamber MK CEO Rita Spada & centre:mk events manager Jackie Tracey

Wyatt James scoops contract for MK Chamber of Commerce Awards Dinner

Wyatt James has been awarded the prestigious contract to cater for the Milton Keynes and North Bucks Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards 2010 to be held at Middleton Hall at thecentre:mk on 12 October.

The ambitious venue for the awards is another ‘first’ for the city with Middleton Hall being transformed into a lavish dining hall for over 600 people. The organisers approached Wyatt James to conduct a feasibility study knowing that the team had experience of catering for the 2007 Chamber Awards at MK Dons Stadium when temporary kitchens were required.

David Bowen, head of service and operations at Wyatt James explained: “In 2007, the kitchens at the stadium were not operational in time for the awards so we provided the solution with just six weeks to go by assembling a temporary production kitchen and two production shells – it was seamless, the guests would have never known we were working from temporary kitchens. With this expertise and experience we were able to convince the organisers that this project was achievable. It is going to be spectacular. We will create two temporary kitchens inside Middleton Hall enclosed within the draped dining and reception areas.  These will be used to prepare and plate starters and desserts, and as finishing kitchens for the hot main course freshly prepared from a marquee outside thecentre:mk.”

Wyatt James will prepare a five course meal using seasonal ingredients sourced exclusively from Britain, and locally where possible. The dinner will involve over 80 waiting staff, drinks waiters, team leaders and front of house managers, and 12 chefs overseen by Executive Chef, Jo Hunter-Wyatt.

“The scale of this event, especially as it’s a temporary environment, doesn’t go without its challenges – but this variety is exactly what makes event catering so enjoyable,” David enthused. “We’re passionate about delivering a consistent standard of food and service regardless of where we are operating.  The logistics for the awards will need to be very precise – the venue will not begin to be transformed until Sunday after closing time, so rigging and lighting production teams will be working through the night to create the awards environment. We will cover every logistical detail and work closely with thecentre:mk, the Chamber and EHO to ensure everything is water tight.”

The food will be based on a ‘yet-to-be-revealed’ theme for the event. Rita Spada, Chief Executive of the Chamber commented:

“The Awards Dinner provides a platform to recognise the leadership, courage, vision, quality and excellence that is delivered in business every day locally and we are delighted that once again David and Jo will be leading the way and delivering a fantastic dining experience in yet another ‘first’ for the city”.

Wyatt James on form at the Surrey County Show

For the second successive year, Wyatt James has provided corporate hospitality for the Blackstar Group at the prestigious Surrey County Show.

The Blackstar Group, specialists in wealth and financial management, are one of the main sponsors of County Show and use the opportunity to enterain over 150 guests in a marquee placed in a prominent position off the main exhibition and awards arena.

This year Wyatt James was asked to come up with a full hospitality package incorporating breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea.  The brief was to offer a relaxed but attentive service style to suit guests as they came and went during the day, and food which would appeal in equal measure to corporate guests well versed in hospitality and also their younger families.

On arrival we served cured bacon and portabello mushroom on spliced panini and a minature selection of pastries.  At lunchtime we circulated dishes including speciality sausages with a spring onion mash dip, cones of scampi and chips and mozzarella, basil & sun-dried tomato panini. Later on a traditional afternoon tea was served, along with mini ice creams for kids…and adults as it transpired!

All washed down with Illy coffee, Twinings teas, Cawston Vale apple juices (the Apple & Rhubarb was especially popular!), a selection of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, Italian Pinot Grigio, Chilean Merlot and Spanish Rioja wines, and premium brand bottled beers.

Alice Moore, PR Manager, Blackstar:

“Your professionalism and efficiency, not to mention the delicious food, ensured that the day was enjoyed by not only BlackStar’s guests but the organisers as well.  The food provided was pitched at just the right level for an informal family day.  I would recommend Wyatt James to anyone who needs a professional caterer who cares about getting it right for individual client requirements.  We will certainly be using Wyatt James for any future events that we hold.”

Taking Tea in Wonderland…

Wyatt James has recently played a supporting role in helping Wolverton-based Pepper’s Ghost Theatre Company to raise precious funds for its next production. 

Pepper’s Ghost Theatre Company was formed in 2004 in response to the very successful theatre course “Changing Stages” (an introduction to modern British theatre) funded by The Milton Keynes Community Foundation. The course touched a real chord with many people who wished to study contemporary theatre and perform plays with smaller casts in an intimate setting.

The company, which meets at the locally renowned MadCap Arts Centre, held a “Mad Hatters Tea Party” on 22^nd May in Cosgrove to raise funds for its next production.

We were only too pleased to help out and provided Illy coffee, Twining teas & accompaniments to mark the occasion.

Zara Ronghi, fund-raising organiser, commented:

“Your support was absolutely wonderful and you’ll be delighted to hear that we managed to raise over £250 in the end!”

For more information about Pepper’s Ghost Theatre Company, please go to http://www.peppersghost.uk.com/

Illy Caffé to be part of the daily grind for Wyatt James

Serving the finest coffee is set to be all part of the daily grind for Wyatt James now that Illy caffé is providing their coffee.

Under this unique agreement Illy will also supply Wyatt James with custom-built ‘event-scale’ coffee grinders and its latest barista equipment.  This will enable Wyatt James to grind Illy’s finest blend of 100% Aribica coffee beans just before service and provide perfectly fresh coffee for their customers in the wide range of tempory and semi-permanent structures in which we operate.

Robin Sibley, from Eurofoodbrands, exclusive UK distributor for Illy comments, “Wyatt James are the first event caterers in the UK to use Illy caffé in this way; it’s refreshing to work with a company who is prepared to make the extra effort to provide freshly ground coffee regardless of location.”

David Bowen, Director at Wyatt James, says, “Illy caffé is widely regarded as the best espresso coffee in the world by recognised experts in this field, and equally importantly for us, its sustainability values are second to none.  Using Illy caffé will ensure that our customers receive great tasting coffee whether we are serving them in permanent venues or in temporary structures.”

We trialled the new approach for 300 people at a Gala Dinner recently and received amazing feedback from guests – you really can taste the difference. ”

Wyatt James takes centre stage at Royal & Derngate Gala Dinner

Wyatt James has won critical acclaim from the organisers of the Royal & Derngate Gala Dinner for its role in transforming the theatre into a spectacular dining area and serving 300 guests from the local business community with a sumptuous four course dinner – utilising the theatre’s original banqueting kitchens.

Marking the 125th anniversary of Northampton’s Royal Theatre, the Gala Dinner, which was held on May 8, is the culmination of a year-long programme of fundraising events to raise funds for the Royal stage.  Monies raised will be used to increase the range and ambition of the work produced for Northampton audiences.

Richard Clinton, Operations Manager at Derngate, explains the concept for the event. “It was a great opportunity to show off the versatility of the Derngate Auditorium, which has the ability to surprise everyone transforming from a seated auditorium to a complete flat floor within a matter of hours.” Star cloth walls, stunning lighting effects and lavishly decorated tables were combined to create a spectacular setting. Richard said, “We did hear more than one guest say “wow!” when they entered the room which is exactly the reaction we had hoped for!

Jo Hunter-Wyatt, founder of Wyatt James and Executive Chef, says:  “We were privileged to be asked to cater for such a prestigious local event.  Every venue throws up a different challenge, and the requirement to working out of the original kitchens situated on a different floor to the Gala Dinner certainly put our team to the test. However by creating a seasonal menu and configuring a temporary finishing kitchen immediately to one side of the foyer we were able to plate and serve 3 courses live within 90 minutes.  No mean performance in itself!”

Richard Clinton says: “The team at Wyatt James were very professional and happy to assist from the outset. The service and food was of the upmost quality and they truly helped to make the evening a success, with a can do attitude that shone through.”

Guests were treated to a champagne reception in the new central foyer, and during dinner listened to a host of musical acts, including The Wizard of Oz cast performing a collection of songs from their current tour.

The evening, compered by Sarah Moyles, raised over £11,000 towards the Royal & Derngate’s Challenge 125 Fundraising Programme.

Wyatt James chosen to cater for ‘Celebrate Northamptonshire’ Awards Dinner at Althorp House

Wyatt James have received critical aclaim for their part in making the third Celebrate Northamptonshire Awards Dinner held at Althorp House on 9th October 2009 a success.

The event, which celebrates all that is great about Northamptonshire took place in a magnificent marquee against the stunning backdrop of Althorp House, one of the county’s most historic homes.

The event was attended by almost 400 guests and VIPs including Michelin starred Chef Marcus Wareing, who later presented the local food and drink awards.

Wyatt James created a mouth-watering, Northamptonshire sourced, 5 course meal incorporating fillet of beef for the main course….no mean feat for 400 people!

Wyatt James host lavish launch party at Luminar’s Oceana Club

On Thursday 12 February, over 150 business representatives from across the region enjoyed an evening of seasonal foods and assorted entertainment acts hosted by Wyatt James, a new event catering company launched in Milton Keynes.   The launch event, held at Oceana MK, provided an opportunity for Wyatt James to showcase its distinctive and inspirational hospitality to the local business community.

Adopting a ‘Four Seasons’ theme, guests enjoyed Mojitos and Pimms and Lemonade on arrival in the Ice House, before sampling a diverse range of foods freshly prepared by Wyatt James to reflect ‘Spring’, ‘Summer’, ‘Autumn’ and ‘Winter’. Compared by Trevor Marshall from Jack FM, entertainment was provided by the Ice Art World Champion carving amazing seasonal ice sculptures, magicians, caricaturists, fun money casinos and an interactive games zone with table football and giant jenga!

David Bowen, managing director of Wyatt James said: “We wanted the business community to appreciate that ‘MK’s Got Talent’ when it comes to putting on events, and we’re thrilled with the response we’ve had both on the night and since.”