As the end of the year approaches, we thought we would allow ourselves a brief reminisce about a few of the ‘firsts’ that KP got involved with this year.
VENUE 1st
We loved using The West Reservoir Centre for the first time this year. Located in Hackney, this unique venue, which features a 1930s red brick tower and numerous striking and unusual design elements, can be transformed in to a quirky and versatile event space. The four storied tower features original water processing pipes and equipment, high above guests’ heads, adding great opportunities for fantastic lighting and decor. Situated right on the water, it also boasts two outdoor terraces providing pretty great views of the reservoir. The venue can be dry hired giving clients ultimate freedom to create whatever they want out of the space.
CATERING 1st
A wedding client wanted Lebanese food for their special day, so we worked with a wonderful restaurant called Al Waha in Westbourne Grove on the catering. The manager of the restaurant was a delight to deal with and the food was truly memorable and incredibly plentiful. The buffet lunch for 150 guests was delivered to the venue beautifully presented on an array of elegant serving platters. We had ordered a wide variety of both hot and cold dishes to suit all tastes and dietary needs. There were stunning salads, freshly prepared Lebanese breads with authentic dips, wonderful savoury pastries and a mix of delicious meat, fish and vegetable dishes, all filling the room with the most amazing Middle Eastern aromas.
PARTY PIECE 1st
Every event needs a gimmick! And one of the most memorable things we organised this year was a liquid nitrogen dessert station. Guests were dazzled by the dramatic spectacle created by this dessert extravaganza. Chefs dressed as scientists in long white coats and big goggles prepared a variety of small dessert canapes, including meringues, fruit bubbles and sorbets. These were plunged in to a large cylindrical copper barrel of liquid nitrogen, cooled to -321 degrees Fahrenheit. The desserts were extracted, briefly left to warm up and then presented to guests. As bite sized morsels were tasted, huge clouds of smoke came streaming out of people’s mouths, ensuring an altogether bizarre experience for those eating as well as for those watching.
SPEECH WRITING – 1st
Having often helped with speeches and scripts in the past, for both corporate and private clients, KP were proud to be commissioned to pen the principal presenter speech for this year’s Professional Footballers’ Association Awards at The Grosvenor House Hotel in London. Hosted by BT Sport, the occasion was also televised, with, as we all recall, Suarez taking all the plaudits. It was an honour to be asked to provide this, not least of all because part a key part of the brief was to ensure that the football industry pays homage to those who had fought in the Great War.
EVENT SITE – 1st
Over the years, KP has worked on events in a huge variety of prestigious outdoor London settings; among them Leicester Square, Trafalgar Square, Oxford Street and Regent Street. Working in a Historic Royal Palace – indeed none other than The Tower of London’s Moat – was new to us. And a very exciting project it was too, site managing a multi-faceted Tudor Experience for kids over the May Bank Holiday. Activities included Tudor cooking, weaponry, music and theatre, as well as arts and crafts, all set within authentic Tudor tents.
Having a good supply of ‘firsts’ each year is the life-blood of any organisation. It keeps us all interested, alert and open to fresh ideas, approaches and suppliers. And ultimately that enables us to provide our clients with an even better service.
+44 (0) 20 8883 7411