This week I caught up with director Julie Gray from the amazing catering company Bovindons. I’ve worked with the team at Bovingdons on so many occasions over the years and I’m always so impressed with them. Everything runs in such an effortless way. In short they make catering at weddings for hundreds of people look easy and that’s no mean feat.
Bovingdon’s have recently added another string to their bow – the beautiful Nonsuch Mansion in Surrey which has been lovingly restored to its former glory. I was lucky enough to have a look around whilst the renovations were taking place and I can’t tell you how excited I am to be working there this summer. It’s set in the most gorgeous park and has so many great opportunities for beautiful pictures.
Anyway onto grilling Julie about all things wedding delicious!
How long have you been a caterer and how did you start?
So long ago, it makes me feel very old, yet I can remember those early days as though it was yesterday! 22 years later, I still love my work and the man that I started the business with – not a bad record!
How do you find your inspiration?
I love food – “the raw ingredient that becomes a beautiful dish” hence vegetable, fruit & herb gardening has been huge passion of mine and after 8 years of practice, I am now getting quite good at it and can feed my family and most of the neighbours!
My main inspiration is the people that I work for – I never produce the same menu twice, food to me is so highly individual and deserves more thought than often credited – I love to hear about the thank you letters my brides have received and how there guests comment on how good the food was – to me that’s a job a well done and keeps me inspired to keep progressing/improving/designing.
What tips would you give to brides when planning their catering requirements?
Firstly forget about what you want to eat! What will your guests appreciate? Think about the season, the setting and most importantly the atmosphere you want to create. Meet with you caterer at the earliest opportunity – talk – tell them everything you’ve organised, booked, dreamt about. Remember your guests will be in there best silk dress and suits – nothing messy – no BBQ’s No dips.
Less is often more, don’t over think the food, but be bold – despite what you think people relish something different.
You’ve recently taken over The Nonsuch Mansion in Cheam, can you tell us a bit about that?
We signed the lease on 8th June and had a team of 20 on site to fully refurbish for a first event on 18th July! It has been a huge but none the less fabulous project to work on. At last we have a venue of our own!
We are now fully finished and the website www.nonsuchmansion.com is live. We are thrilled with the response and booking for next year & 2011 are flowing in.
What’s the best bit about your job?
Easy – the people! I love my client’s, my staff, my suppliers and that fact that every day brings something different.
What’s the worst bit about your job?
That’s easy too – sitting on the A3 for 2 hours a day!
What is the frequently requested dish/menu for weddings?
It seems to be a fish starter, lamb main course and berries of some sort!
We most frequently produce duo’s or trios as starters – Duck or Guinea fowl main courses and something either chocolate or lemon to finish.
Have you ever had a really unusual/exotic request?
Yes, recently a bride who has planned her whole wedding and indeed wanted to book the venue for a set date – who has yet to be proposed too! We were reluctant to take her deposit!
Describe the most extravagant catering arrangements you’ve done for a wedding?
A 10 course degustation menu – different plates, glasses and wine for each course – and water served by guys on rollerblades! So much fun and so well received by the guests. A huge amount of work to co-ordinate and plan – but well worth it. I eagerly await my next gastronomique couple that want to do something similar.
What are your favourite weddings to do?
Those where the couple are decisive! I like working with people that know what they want, make a decision and then trust implicitly, which enables us to do what we do best – the result are always that little better.
What do you think will be hot (excuse the pun) next season?
Hot…. I hate to fall into providing what’s hot or not. I think there will be more fun this year - we are doing some great late light snacks – popcorn chicken, whitebait! Healthy food seems to be a frequently request too – that is until it comes to the pudding.
Again less is more – keep it seasonal, fresh and simple and it always works.
If you had one wish what would it be?
That I could work until I’m 80 and live until 120. Or alternative retire to a fabulous villa in the sun with a huge library that I could read through until my hearts content. I guess I’m an all or nothing person!
If you’d like to talk to one of Julie’s team about catering your event here are the details:
Tel: 020 8874 8032
info@bovingdons.co.uk
Bovingdon’s cater at the following venues:
Nonsuch Mansion
Surrey’s most treasured celebration space available and exclusive to Bovingdons.
The Orangery
Holland Park’s glass palace, a blank canvas to be transformed.
Leighton House
Victorian artists’ lavish Arab Hall and Holland Park home.
45 Millbank
Edwardian elegance on the Thames next to Tate Britain.
Bankside Gallery
Modern, clean space on the South Bank.
Foundling Museum
Sumptuous Rococo glamour meets poignant social history.
Getty Images Gallery
London’s largest independent photographic gallery.
Hampton Court House
Recherché mansion in the grounds of the famous palace.
Kent House, Knightsbridge
Regency townhouse famed for its classical elegance.
Kew Steam Museum
Dramatic venue themed around majestic Victorian industry.
Lancaster House
Buckingham Palace’s prestigious, political neighbour.
LSO St Lukes
Perfect acoustics meet dramatic aesthetics in the City.
Ministry of Sound
Legendary twenty first century space with superior technology.
Music Room
Mayfair’s most secretive exhibition space and gallery.
Parkstead House
Surrey charm with unparalleled views of Richmond Park.
Neptune Court
Spectacular glass domed space filled with gold and silver.
The Queens House
The original “House of Delight” nestled in Greenwich.
Royal Observatory
Dine amongst the stars beside breathtaking view of London.
Staples Inn Hall
Stately Elizabethan grandeur with a lovely courtyard garden.
Stationers Hall
Historical haven in the heart of the City within sight of St Paul’s.
Trinity House
Maritime history brought to life beside the Thames.
Westminster Abbey Gardens
truly exclusive, heavenly location hidden beneath Big Ben.
Fulham Palace
Stately home, extraordinary location, remarkable venue.
by Kerry Morgan
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