Philip Atkins, MD & Founder of Off to Work, talks to leading event company leaders about planning their own party. Taking them through their venue of choice, the drinks, food, entertainment, celebrity guests, music and overall feel of the event we hear inspirational ideas, creative touches and learn what makes a great party.
While going through we also hear about their own career challenges, highs and lows and how they have successfully built their businesses up. This includes advice to others going through the trading difficulties brought on by Covid 19 from previous learnings.
One Amazing Experience with Rick Perry, Managing Director of By Word of Mouth
As summer events and celebrations come alive I am delighted to be joined by Rick Perry , Managing Director of By Word of Mouth. By Word of Mouth are one of the most long established and decorated caterers in the London market, established in 1981, and listed at over 50 venues and with a reputation for delivering exceptional events from Harry Potter film premieres to Vogue parties.
Rick has been with By Word of Mouth for 22 years, joining the team initially as party planner until, as he put it, he found a proper career. Thankfully for the industry Rick realised his calling and he worked his way up through the ranks to his current lead role.
Rick’s celebratory event takes place at Hampton Court Palace for 150 friends and colleagues. English sparkling wine and canapes, including scallops wrapped in pancetta. Rick goes for a vegan starter followed by Halibut and a Taster Pudding Bar.
The London Essentials provide roaming music from classical music to Britney Spears and other entertainment is provided by Stevie Wonder with Marilyn Monroe and Roger Federer also as invited guests.
Rick talks about the importance of focusing on the food and staying always aligned to your company culture and the ethos of “no compromise” – doing the very best in what they do. Equally how they have driven success by always thinking ahead and pre-emptively avoiding issues: it is always better to have an item and not need it than to not have it and need it.
Rick also touches on changing trends in menu choice with veganism and fish becoming ever more popular and also the ever increasing desire, both from within his team and clients, to ensure a sustainable and social aware way of doing business.
Like all other caterers By Word of Mouth had to pivot during the Pandemic and they took the time to develop their own frozen dine at home range: Friese to expand their business and provide greater robustness to their business model.
From discussing the challenges of dealing with working around Nelson Mandela’s speech time to serve a cheese souffle to 300 guests, to how they work with City Harvest to provide meals to those less fortunate in society Rick is truly inspiring to hear from.
2 Jul 2021
One Amazing Experience with Richard Meyer, Director at Blue Strawberry & Flourish
I am delighted to be joined by Richard Meyer, Director for Flourish & Blue Strawberry Group (//www.bluestrawberry-tabletalk.co.uk) for this episode of One Amazing Experience. Blue Strawberry, previous winners of FSM Event Caterers of the Year, have been operating for over 30 years, are listed at some of London’s most prestigious venues and have provided catering and event management services from high level corporate events to Royal weddings. Flourish is their new venture providing in-house catering solutions to the corporate environment.
Richard has over 20 years’ experience in events and hospitality management. His career started working as a Lodge Manager on a game reserve in South Africa and, since moving to the UK, has seen him continue to work at some of the most awe inspiring venues in the UK. He has worked for both independent operators and large market leading conglomerates capturing great learnings from both.
While his career has developed, and his role gained ever more responsibility, Richard has never lost his love of providing an exceptional hospitality experience for guests and, most importantly, his sense of fun.
And his own event would most definitely be fun: set in the stunning surroundings of Hampton Court Palace Richard treats his guests to a beautiful dinner in the regal 16th century Great Hall. Richard will be serving guest Smoked Mackerel Paté , Roast Venison and a wonderful selection of cheeses. Michael McIntyre will be on hand to entertain guests and then, by special request from Richard, the cheesiest disco possible will be had in the Undercroft.
Richard talks through the important lessons he has learnt over the years from taking time to evaluate a situation, to understanding the different needs of the business you are in and the clients you are servicing, and enjoying the challenges in front of you. He discusses the importance of keeping control and how, when working for independent caterers, there is the ability to give that extra personal service.
He discusses the many influences on his success from Molly Roland, Sarah Hammond, Bill Toner and Stuart Jenkins all adding to his business management skills and client understanding.
Richard is a true ambassador for the Events & Hospitality industry, the diverse experiences and career growth it gives and most importantly the fun can be had (especially when, like him, embarrassment is not an issue).
5 Jun 2021
One Amazing Experience with Nick Mead, World Environment Day Special
On World Environment Day I am delighted to be joined by Nick Mead, Managing Director of Eden Caterers (//www.edencaterers.london) for a One Amazing Experience special. Eden have been certified as one of the most sustainable caterers in the UK and have been awarded a 3 Star Food Made Good Rating from the Sustainable Restaurant Association.
From having the Environment Trust as their first landlord to being invited to be part of the team to write the Sustainability policy for the London Olympics, which came to be ISO 2012, they have remained at the forefront of sustainable practises.
Nick talks us through his beautiful sunset party on a beach in Belize. From guests arriving by boat being met by steelpan drummers and mojitos and mango bellinis to then being served a sumptuous barbeque with lobster, prawns and lamb. The meal is finished with Sicilian Orange Gelato with Will Ferrell keeping the humour flowing and Bruno Mars doing a set to get the party really going.
Guests depart as sun rises by boat again with scuba gear at the ready after having given each other the gift of a big hug goodbye.
While going through it we touch on how sustainability practises are maintained through the company. This starts from all team members receiving sustainability training, having a clear annual sustainable development plan that is reviewed on annual basis, to having set principles on no single use plastic, zero to landfill, having their own beehives, doing a bike tour of the coastline of the UK and even going so far as to have a corn starch based alternative to clingfilm created for them.
Eden also focus on supporting their local community be this launching the Waterloo Foodbank Supporters scheme in 2013 to lending their vehicles to the Felix Project who have provided over 11 million meals to Londoners in need in 2021 alone.
It is an inspiring conversation showing how sustainability and care for the environment can remain at the core of a business and be supportive of a quality and commercial successful operation. Eden, in line with World Environment Day, really do reimagine, recreate and restore faith in how a business can and should operate.
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