Payne & Gunter at the WiHTL & DIR Inclusion Summit 2024

In November 2024, Payne & Gunter were proud to be the gala dinner caterers of choice for the WiHTL & DIR Inclusion Summit 2024: Measuring the Business Impact of Inclusion. Hosted in London’s Indigo at The O2 Arena, this prestigious event brought together over 700 delegates from the hospitality, travel, leisure, and retail industries to discuss the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and their tangible impacts on business success.  
 
Last year’s summit was particularly notable because it celebrated the inaugural WiHTL & DIR Diversity and Inclusion Awards, which highlighted remarkable achievements in fostering equity across these sectors. 

Payne & Gunter’s role was pivotal in delivering a memorable culinary experience, with meticulously curated menus that reflected an ongoing commitment to sustainability, heritage, and innovation. As leading award dinner caterers, Payne & Gunter ensured that the dining experience perfectly complemented the significance of this milestone gathering. 

To match the event’s inclusive and celebratory spirit, Payne & Gunter curated a vibrant and sustainably focused menu that combined traditional British seasonal produce with creative flair. Guests began their day with an energising breakfast featuring waffles with plant-based merguez sausage and tomato salsa, banana French toast, and refreshing fruit skewers. Mid-morning treats included plant-based brownies and cleverly repurposed leftover breakfast items, highlighting a commitment to reducing food waste. 

For lunch, the spotlight was on live food stations offering hearty bowls, including Slades Farm confit duck with winter greens and carrots, ancient grains with Chalk Stream trout, British Caeser salad with Sutton Hoo chicken, and harissa cauliflower on a chickpea and courgette salad. Desserts brought a sweet finale with candied carrot cheesecake and a glazed Bramley apple mousse showcasing the finest seasonal flavours.  

Moving into the evening, 400 guests were treated to a sumptuous gala dinner to round off the day in style. Proceedings began with a drinks reception in the VIP Lounge, complemented by elegant canapes, including London burrata with salt-baked beetroot and watercress dressing and Wicks Manor ham hock terrine with piccalilli.  

Payne & Gunter’s three-course menu showcased British produce at its finest, opening with a captivating ‘woodland forage’ starter featuring truffle mousse, chestnut purée, pickled oyster mushrooms, artichoke bark, and a fragrant touch of Douglas fir oil. For the main event, guests chose between aged Braemar venison or a vibrant beetroot Wellington; both served with a spelt and Savoy parcel, carrot purée, spiced red cabbage, and crispy leeks—each dish a tribute to Britain’s rich culinary heritage. 

To add a touch of elegance to each table, Payne & Gunter rounded off proceedings with a decadent cake stand of desserts featuring treats like bitter chocolate pavé with malted chocolate crèmeux alongside The O2 honey, balsamic, and rosemary roasted fig tartlets. To end on a playful note, popping candy "fireworks" truffles brought a fun and memorable sparkle to the dining experience.

At last year’s WiHTL summit, Payne & Gunter’s approach to catering went beyond exceptional food. Emphasis was placed on sustainability by prioritising local and responsibly sourced ingredients, including British quinoa from Essex and Chalk stream trout, a heritage fish unique to England.  

The menu also featured creative solutions to reduce food waste, such as using overripe bananas and leftover bread for banana French toast and crafting vegan jus from vegetable trimmings. Partnerships with sustainable producers, like Wildfarmed flour and Slades Farm duck, emphasised the commitment to ingredients that are produced with biodiversity in mind.  

By combining culinary excellence with environmental stewardship, Payne & Gunter elevated guests’ dining experience while reinforcing our leadership in sustainable catering practices. 

As experts in delivering tailored culinary experiences for corporate events and large-scale celebrations, Payne & Gunter remain the trusted award dinner caterers of choice.  

Whether you’re planning a large-scale gala or an intimate dinner, choose Payne & Gunter as your gala dinner caterers in London for unmatched professionalism and creativity. Contact our team today to find out more or to discuss your next event.