Event - Canapé Reception

When the son of an American-based Chief Executive and 24 of his classmates came over to the UK to row in the Henley Regatta we were called upon to throw them and their parents a welcome party in the stunning Michelin Building in South Kensington. This called for some creative thinking; smart enough canapés to impress the parents, but large enough quantities to satisfy 25 hungry teenage rowers.

The Michelin Building has a fabulous roof terrace, so we set up a satay grill outside and our chef produced skewers of prawns and scallops, Thai chicken satay, seasonal Kent asparagus and marinated halloumi with spicy red peppers. Unfortunately the weather was the typical British summer mix of sunshine and showers so we were unable to take advantage of the terrace to serve the food outside. Inside, away from the rain, our waiting staff circulated with delicate canapés including artichoke tarte tatin, crayfish Caesar salad and terrine of foie gras with Sauternes jelly on toasted brioche as well as more substantial mini beef burgers and mini fish and chips in cones made from The Rowing Times. The centrepiece of the event was an elaborate giant ice sculpture of a swan, with English strawberries cascading from its wings!