The Ultimate Wedding KarenRhodes and Event Company.
Wonderful Menus...
Weddings
...perfect Service
Innovative and Unique...
Events
...organised to perfection
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Email KarenWe started catering for weddings and events twenty years ago, mainly in Cumbria, Cheshire and throughout the North West. We provide food for all types of events from birthday parties in family homes to huge corporate events. Initially there was just me but as the business grew my husband Phil joined me, getting involved with the logistics, marquees, sound and light and general co-ordination of the wedding or event. Our daughter Charlotte joined us in the business two years ago and mainly concentrates on wedding co-ordination and party planning.
Prior to starting the business my family owned a country pub with sixteen bedrooms and an excellent reputation for good food, so even while I was at school I had a huge interest in working with food, helping chef devise menus and working front of house. It was a natural progression to go into outside catering as we’d often done outside parties and when we decided to start the catering business people knew my name and that it was synonymous with good food.
We have imaginative menus with emphasis on local farm produce, free range and organic. Its proper food beautifully presented. We can do traditional, quirky or contempory styles and we work very closely with the client and chef to ensure you get exactly what you want and that it works. If it doesn't work we won't do it. We want everyone to go away talking about the wonderful food and the memorable service, so if you want tapas or a meze or an informal barbecue in the garden its no problem. If you prefer the traditional three course meal we will source the best possible ingredients, cook it simply and present it beautifully.
We go direct to Smithfields market in Manchester to get a large percentage of our fruit and vegetables ensuring the produce is extremely fresh and of the highest standard. Everything is made at our premises and we don't use frozen food. To plan a wedding or event we need to talk about the sort of food you want, not the sort of food you think you should have. The most memorable parties are often when the food is unconventional or different.
It was very difficult to get into the wedding market because until you’ve catered for weddings no-one will let you do theirs. In the beginning we did a lot of low budget weddings and whilst the food was always good it was a steep learning curve to perfect the running of the day. We learnt on the job and now run a very slick operation. We are so confident in our ability to deliver that we are one of the only wedding and event company in the Lake District, if not the whole country to guarantee our services. As wedding caterers and co-ordinators we want to make sure that you will talk about your exceptional experience.
I know that one of the most important things to a bride is having complete confidence in whom she has chosen to co-ordinate her wedding, and I would like to think that’s what we achieve week after week. We are only as good as our last job so we never get complacent. Every week is different, every menu is different. We get so many requests from brides for favourite dishes that bring back special memories. I have to say that we have taken some of those dishes and now regularly offer them as part of our menus. So thank you to all those brides that have passed on much loved family recipes. I only hope we did them justice.
With corporate events and private parties it's usually a much tighter schedule often with businesses who have little time and no knowledge of what they need to do, only of what they want to achieve. We do everything from simple product launches and opening nights to huge gala dinners. We start from scratch, finding venues, organising marquees and luxury loos, sourcing entertainers and all the hundred and one things you need to do when orchestrating an event. We can do everything for you or work alongside you to do the things you can’t or don’t want to do.
If you are planning a party and love organising things yourself, but don’t want to do the cooking or washing up and want to remain stress free and enjoy the party we offer our simply catering service that delivers everything from picnic hampers for a day at the races, to home-made soups, a wide range of canapés, delicious buffets and mouth watering desserts. We’ve also produced an extensive range of gluten free products including soups, cakes and sauces along with our own range of marmalade, lemon curd and vinaigrettes.
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We match your attention to detail at every step. No stone is left unturned.
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No fuss, No Hassle and a gracefulness of purpose.
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Mmmmm.....
This is one of our newest venues based near Newby Bridge in a village called Graythwaite. With an already well established estate, their new addition Silverholme is something really special.
This self catering holiday let allows your closest friends and family to spend the weekend over looking Lake Windermere & enjoying the best of the Lake District.
What we love about this venue is it’s versatility. Whether you’re a small party of 18 guests looking for a formal dinner, a larger party wanting to celebrate a big birthday or an engagement party or a wedding party of 150 guests, this venue suits everyone.
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Holker Hall.
A few days after the fire in March 1871, when it was cool enough to examine the ruins, Lord Frederick saw an Italian marble pedestal which appeared quite undamaged, but when he attempted to lift it, it disintegrated. The fragments of marble were collected and later set into the chimneypiece in this hall.
Hardcragg Hall .
Hardcragg Hall is a unique experience, offering luxury 5 star self catering accommodation. This spacious property, which sleeps up to 14 in 7 bedrooms and has 6 bathrooms, is perfect for groups and families seeking larger holiday cottages for their Lake District holiday. The Hall makes an excellent choice for those celebrating a special occasion, be it a birthday, anniversary, intimate celebration or simply the annual family get together.
Malt Kiln Centre.
Bardsea Malt Kiln has a date stone of 1829, but it is not clear if that is when it was built - it could be earlier.
As the name suggests it used to be a Malt Kiln where they roasted the malt for making beer. When commercial activity ceased it eventually became the Village Hall, and is owned by the Villagers.
The Malt Kiln is run and managed by a Management Committee made up of volunteers from the village. In May 2003 the hall was closed for extensive refurbishment, funded by a grant of some £230,000 from the National Lottery. It was re-opened in April 2004 by the oldest resident of the village, Mr Patch.
Underley Grange.
An early Victorian Farmhouse, part of which dates back to the 14th Century, the property has recently been fully refurbished and modernised, so as to provide exceedingly comfortable accommodation for up to 16 people.
Holbeck Ghyll.
Holbeck Ghyll Country House Hotel is one of the Lake District’s finest luxury hotels, boasting breathtaking views over Lake Windermere and the fells and mountains beyond. We insist on the highest levels of comfort and service to ensure that your stay in the Lake District is as enjoyable as it is memorable.
Moresby Hall.
Moresby Hall is one of Cumbria’s most historic homes. A Grade I listed building (circa 1620) offering stunning Country Guesthouse accommodation and retaining so many original features. This spacious Hall has been described as “one of the most important buildings in Cumbria” by English Heritage and “totally unique and welcoming” by so many guests.
Lowther Castle.
At the top of the park stand the imposing remains of Lowther Castle and its hidden Gardens. The 130 acres of gardens and grounds were opened to visitors once in 1938 but after being used to test a secret tank weapon during the Second World War, the place was dismantled and abandoned. Now the castle, its massive stables, gardens and over 140 acres of parkland are once again being brought to life.
Fell Foot Park.
If you love the Lake District and fancy a wedding by the lake you can't get much better than Fell Foot Park. Although the park is open to the public they have an enclosed area which is absolutely perfect for siting a marquee. Its surrounded by rhodedendrum bushes ensuring a totally private occasion and if you are lucky enough to have fantastic weather the sides of the marquee can be opened up giving you one of the most idyllic views.
With plenty of parking, easy access by both road and boat its one of the best kept sectrets in the Lakes.
Leighton Hall
Leighton Hall opens its doors a limited number of times throughout the year to host a variety of weddings and events. If you want exclusivity, elegance and exceptional service combined with magnificent gardens, then its the perfect place for you.
The house and grounds are yours for the day with your own team of staff running your wedding exactly as you would like it to be run.
The house itself seats 84 guests comfortably but for larger parties a marquee can be attached to the drawing room and can easily seat 150 guests. If you want a smaller party the house is endlessly flexible and can accomodate up to 30 guests in the dining room. With its oak panelled walls and family silver lit by candlelight its an amazing setting for a small wedding party, business dinner or family event.
Suzie Reynolds looks after the weddings and offers unlimited help and support from the first meeting right up until the day itself. As they only do a limited number of events you can be sure that you'll feel extremely special and will experience all the grandeur of a stately home without the pomposity.
If you would prefer a marquee within the grounds without using the house its a perfect venue. The gardens and terrace are still available to use and your marquee can be set up under the trees with the magnificent house in the backdrop.
Appleby Castle
The most striking feature is the dwelling house , built in the late 17th century by Lady Anne Clifford's grandson the Earl of Thanet. The Great Hall contains paintings and furnishings. Also recently opened are a bedroom with a fascinating carved four poster bed, and the dining room.
Lancaster Town Hall.
Our marriage rooms, situated on the first floor are reached by a magnificent marble staircase-great for photographs and grand entrances. The impressively ornate council chamber is the perfect setting for the smaller more intimate wedding, whilst the richly oak panelled banqueting suite is ideal for the larger ceremony.
Cartmel Racecourse.
Set in the beautiful surroundings of Cartmel Park this is a fantastic venue for couples who want something a little different.
The venue is licensed to hold civil marriages or you can get married at the historic 800 year old Priory Church in the centre of Cartmel village. A short walk or ride away the grandstand facility offers a fantastic setting for up to 110 guests.
They have a fully licensed bar facility, a fully equipped kitchen, crockery, cutlery and glassware. All you need to do is book the caterers, which is where we come in. We can produce restaurant standard food and great service in a stunning location.
It doesn't have to be a wedding, you can have a birthday party, corporate event, christening or Christmas party.
