Tea training in the sunshine at Dulwich Picture Gallery

It's only three days till the big opening of the new Dulwich Picture Gallery Café.  The café has been undergoing a refurbishment over the last three weeks while the staff have been extremely busy with training.  

This morning the team were learning about the new tea menu from Birchall, who are based less than two miles from the Gallery.  Their award winning tea's are sourced exclusively from estates across East Africa and the leaves only ever hand plucked.  Their every day black teas are 100% pure, main grade black tea leaf and their infusions, from classics such as Camomile and Peppermint through to Lemongrass and Ginger are packed with the best ingredients sourced from around the world to ensure intense aromas and revitalize the taste buds.

Look out for these beautiful teas on the new Breakfast, Lunch and Afternoon Tea menus at the Gallery, which reopens to the public on Tuesday 11th June.

Zoë Watts joins the Creative Team

We are very excited to announce that Zoë Watts has joined our team at Creative as Business Development Director.  Zoë is an experienced operator in the Culture and Heritage sector and has held roles as Head of Events and Catering at the Natural History Museum and more recently as Head of Business Development at Company of Cooks.  She was also an integral part of the original team who set up the pioneering catering service at the Tate Modern and Tate Britain.  Exciting times ahead!

http://www.eventmagazine.co.uk/Event_suppliers/article/1183922/zoe-watts-joins-creativevents/

A Cookie Recipe - Chocolate and Coffee Truffle

On a visit to our central kitchen yesterday it was these cookies - which are being trialled for the South of England Show next month - that really caught our eye.  Chef has kindly shared the recipe so give them a go at home... and if you fancy adding a personal twist, the Kahlua can be replaced with your favourite tipple, maybe amaretto or a raspberry liqueur?!

Chocolate and Coffee Truffle Cookies

160g plain flour

50g cocoa powder

1 tsp baking powder

180g caster sugar

50g butter

2 large eggs 

20ml Kahlua

50g icing sugar to coat

Sift all the dry ingredients together.

Add the butter and rub in until there are no lumps and it is sandy in texture.

Mix together all the wet ingredients and add to the dry mix. Once thoroughly combined refrigerate for an hour.

Make the dough into golf ball sized balls and cover in the remaining icing sugar.

Place on to a tray lined with grease proof paper and bake at 180 degrees for 10-12 minutes. Allow to cool before serving.

Creative Taste wins six year catering contract at Dulwich Picture Gallery

We are extremely excited to announce that Creative Taste has won a six year contract to provide the catering services at Dulwich Picture Gallery, the very first public art gallery in England.  Creative Taste will be operating Dulwich Picture Gallery Café together with hospitality for events in the Gallery and its gardens.

Menus will feature freshly cooked dishes with seasonal ingredients working with many local suppliers, including East Dulwich Naturally and the Paul Rhodes bakery.  We will be serving wonderful morning coffee and pastries, enticing brunches, afternoon teas, Sunday roasts and small portions on our children’s ‘Little Gallery Menu’.

The Café will be undergoing a renovation and open to the public in June.  Watch this space for more news!

http://www.catererandhotelkeeper.co.uk/Articles/8/5/2013/348389/creative-taste-wins-3-8m-dulwich-picture-gallery-catering-deal.htm

 http://www.dulwichpicturegallery.org.uk/the_gallery/picture_gallery_cafe.aspx

RHS Cheslea Flower Show Countdown...

The sun has been shining and the Creative teams are busy preparing for the RHS Chelsea Flower Show that kicks off in just 3 weeks!  This is our second year at the fantastic show and we are looking forward to a wonderful, and fingers crossed very warm week.
Let the Pimm's flow!  Here are a few pictures from last year...

http://www.rhs.org.uk/Shows-Events/RHS-Chelsea-Flower-Show/2013

Creativevents New Website is LIVE!!

We are extremely pleased to announce that our new Creativevents website is live and kicking!!  The Creativevents side of the business provides a comprehensive range of innovative and bespoke catering services to the exhibition and special events market with clients including EC&O Venues, ExCeL Exhibition Centre, RHS Chelsea and Hampton Court Flower Shows and many many more.... Enjoy browsing and we do hope you like it!

www.creative.co.uk

Team Night on the Tiles

The Creative team enjoyed a fantastic night at the Cost Sector Catering Awards last week... particularly the entertainment from comedian Hal Cruttenden.  All recovered now!