Mixed Media
ITV, HarperCollins, Associated Newspapers, Financial Times, Cambridge University Press, Random House - just some of BaxterStorey's media clients.
Event management skills, together with imagination and creativity, are essential assets for the catering teams who work at media client sites. Book launches, after-show parties, celebrity entertainment and special events are everyday occurrences.
FLEXIBILITY IS KEY
Annie Herriott, BaxterStorey operations director for Pearson Plc and its sister company the Financial Times, says flexibility is key:
"We operate in a creative environment where writers, journalists and business executives all have differing needs. Hospitality is a major part of our remit - everything from breakfast meetings with political figures to a 'back to school' lunch to launch Jamie Oliver's school dinners book. But we also have to ensure the restaurants, cafes, and salad bars are offering just what our everyday customers want".
MAJOR OCCASION
At ITV, the BaxterStorey team caters for 1200 people daily, operating a restaurant, coffee bar and deli-bar. Hospitality for shows - a pre-show dinner for Parkinson and a much more informal event for Ant 'n' Dec - are a regular part of the catering week.
However, a private barbecue for celebrities and their families at the chief executive's home - to celebrate the 50th anniversary of ITV - was an occasion for specialist event manager Bryn Roberts and his team to organise. There was an eight-page briefing document for this glamorous affair and the menu featured seven varieties of cooking and more than 40 different dishes.
WONDERFUL SCOPE
At publisher HarperCollins (part of NewsCorp) BaxterStorey runs a modern café for 450 publishing executives and support staff, as well as preparing board room lunches.
Hospitality is frequently required and a recent book launch for the Narnia tales gave catering manager Carl McAleer wonderful scope for a themed party. The main entrance became a wardrobe through which invited guests entered a winter wonderland of mock lamp posts and giant snowflakes. An ice sculpture of Aslan, the famous hero of the books, was the spectacular centrepiece. Food and music (including forest noises) continued the Narnia theme.