Creativevents, Mitie’s specialist outdoor catering business, has been awarded the contract for all hospitality at one of the best-loved events in the UK gardening calendar, the RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival (1-7 July).
Following a competitive tender, Creativevents was chosen to provide luxury restaurants, three a la carte restaurants, two delicatessens and a traditional afternoon tea area. The RHS chose Creativevents following seven years when the company successfully ran bars and food outlets at the festival.
The event expects to receive 140,000 visitors this July to enjoy the gardens and displays spread over the 34-acre site in Richmond upon Thames.
Creativevents will add further glamour to the illustrious festival by introducing menus designed by culinary experts Jose Pizarro and Ramael Scully, who are part of The Gathered Table collaboration.
Pizarro, known as the Godfather of Spanish cooking in the UK, has created Tapas on the Terrace for the festival, within the Dig In restaurant marquee, offering a selection of traditional and innovative Spanish delicacies, with champagne and cocktails.
Scullyl, who was head chef at Yotam Ottolenghi’s NOPI, has recently opened Scully St James’s. For Creativevents, he has designed Scully’s Deli, which will offer sandwiches, paninis and delicious cakes daily. There will also be a gin bar with a jazz band playing in the afternoons.
There will be an opportunity for visitors to experience a 1950s-style traditional afternoon tea in the Festival of Roses area. Afternoon Tea includes traditional cucumber sandwiches, scones with Cornish clotted cream and caramel eclairs. Customers opting for High Tea can also enjoy a glass of champagne.
Rob Fredrickson, Managing Director of Creativevents, said, “We are delighted to build on our long relationship with the RHS to cover the entire hospitality for this amazing and memorable event, which is a first for Creativevents. This is a tribute to the creativity, dynamism and drive brought to the process and the strong food and drink credentials of our team responsible for winning the contract.
“Our aim is to add the sophistication and elegance of the event by bringing the innovation and expertise of chefs Jose and Ramael to our food offering.”
Kathryn Stafford, Operations Manager of the RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival, said, “We want to offer our visitors a glorious experience among the blooms, and superb food and hospitality is a key part of that. We are very happy to expand our relationship with Creativevents and are excited about the new delicacies they’ll be offering our guests this year.”