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”.