Swiftly serving up indulgent delights
Payne & Gunter's ability to remain calm and composed under pressure is key to their approach. So, while we’re pretty good at operating under extreme time constraints, serving 3,045 VIPs in the space of just two hours was a challenge even for us – but one we overcame in true Payne & Gunter fashion.
Our focus for this year’s menu was British classics with cultural twists, highlighting the event’s heritage as well as our ever-innovative approach to menu design. Guests enjoyed Coronation cauliflower with curried mango mayo and coconut chips to start, followed by a choice of a coq au vin main with turnip puree and seasonal vegetables or a vegan-friendly beetroot and chickpea Wellington. Dessert followed with ‘After Eight’ Viennetta and a vegan spiced poached Conference pear with chocolate crumble and tart blackberry custard.
Collaborating with Julie’s Bicycle
Sustainable practices remain a primary objective for us at Payne & Gunter, from the suppliers we partner with down to how we make use of leftover produce. And as The BRIT Awards is a large-scale event with the potential to generate significant amounts of waste, we had to make sure everything we did was as environmentally friendly as possible. To make sure the event was as planet-friendly as possible from start to finish, we worked with an on-site waste contractor to ensure all waste was separated effectively, and joined forces with sustainability experts Julie’s Bicycle and Matt from Inspired Efficiency.
Other sustainability initiatives on the night included sending leftover food waste to make green gas, using up leftover ingredients to feed staff, and making menu cards and table numbers in recyclable cardboard. We also donated nearly 4,000 (3,748 to be precise) corks to Recorked the UK’s leading natural wine cork recycling programme.
High-end hospitality, fabulous flavours
Whilst Payne & Gunter is renowned for its fabulous flavours and culinary creations, our high-end hospitality is the icing on the proverbial cake. Our team of professional waiters serving the stars at this live televised event showcased this in full. Behind the scenes, and when the cameras weren't rolling, 80 white-gloved professionals waited on guests with swift and attentive service.
"Inspired Efficiency has been delighted to work with the Payne & Gunter team delivering the BRITs for the last four years. During this time, it has been rewarding to see new innovative solutions to the sustainable delivery of this event tried and tested. Especially when these solutions then go on to become part of normal everyday practice in the wider group and the O2.
We are always looking to the next solution to trial and continue to drill down into challenging areas of potential waste to make sure that next year's event is even more sustainable than the last” Matt Fulford, Inspired Efficiency
Experience the Payne & Gunter touch
If you’d like to see how our team of creative caterers and enthusiastic event managers could bring your ideas to life, we’d love to hear from you. Just get in touch below, and in the meantime, why not check out the rest of our tales and testimonials from London’s events scene?
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Creative corporate catering with historic inspiration
Payne & Gunter were delighted to host a unique corporate dinner and drinks event at London’s Natural History Museum. Read about it here.
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Catering at The BRIT Awards 2023
Payne & Gunter served 3,045 VIP guests at this year’s much-anticipated event, The BRIT Awards. Read more about this starry evening here.
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Catering for London Pride
Payne & Gunter is proud to have brought delightful catering and hospitality to the backstage guests and performers of London’s Pride Jubilee. Learn more here.
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Catering for the MIPIM UK Summit
Payne & Gunter is proud to have served around-the-clock catering at the MIPIM UK Summit, nourishing 800 guests with energy-boosting food. Read more here.
Get in touch
As seasoned caterers and experienced event managers, we’re always ready to serve up ideas to elevate your next event.
Get in touch to talk about how on 0845 128 7395 or email info@payneandgunter.co.uk.