A five course banquet fit for Santa himself

Over the past week I have been extremely busy planning the perfect Christmas bonanza for a VIP client from the Academy of Medical Sciences. I was given full creative control to transform the venue from an elegant townhouse into a winter wonderland. Being a magpie for anything sparkly and enchanting, this event was right up my alley.

The client decided to use our reception room for an intimate dinner of 17 guests, with pre dinner drinks in our Ann Rylands room and Terrace (yes terrace!). As we all know, London had been a little nippy of late; however our brave guests huddled under glowing patio heaters wrapped in lamb’s wool blankets, sipping on the finest of champagne.

After braving the city’s chill, the guests gathered inside to enjoy a selection of pre-dinner canapés lovingly created by our Harbour & Jones head chef Will Carvalho. With a distinctive festive feel, the canapés chosen from our Christmas menu included Norfolk Bronze turkey with sweetcorn rosti, Cornish sea bass on Chorizo risotto cake, and sun dried tomato and rosemary fritters with basil pesto.

After a good old catch up around the Christmas tree the guests were welcomed into the dining room to feast on a 5 course banquet fit for Santa himself. Starting with a traditional salmon starter, Chef Will’s Chalk farm salmon three ways with a horseradish crème Fraîche ensured this wasn’t just your average smoked salmon. Moving on to the mains, the braised speyside feather blade of beef in red wine with pumpkin ravioli and baby leeks warmed everyone’s cockles whilst they washed its down with glugs of Maison de la Pays, Old Vines Carignon 2011. Pudding played homage to great British creations with a classic Cambridge burnt cream served with chestnuts and chocolate delice. Like any great dinner party pudding was followed by cheese boards from Neil’s Cheese Yard and glasses of vintage port.

Surrounded by the classic sounds of Frank Sinatra, guests celebrated the festive season deep into the night, with the finale of coffee and Will’s famous homemade chocolate truffle petit fours long after the clock struck midnight.

The Terrace at 41 Portland Place enchanting after dark

 The Reception room ready to play host to a banquet fit for kings

Homemade gingerbread men garlands in the Ann Rylands room

La Perla Spring/ Summer 2013 collection showcase

Coming from a fashion event background my eyes lit up when an email from La Perla popped up in my inbox.

They were on the scout for a grand Sicilian ballroom that could play host to their spring/summer 2013 collection preview.

After brainstorming with on-site caterer Harbour & Jones to find the perfect Sicilian refreshment, the Council Chamber was perfectly transformed by the La Perla team from heritage London to Sicilian chic.

With thanks to Big Wednesday PR for the official press release below:

La Perla, the leading creator of luxurious and fashionable lingerie, nightwear, swimwear and loungewear for women and men, used 41 Portland Place, the home of the Academy of Medical Sciences, to host its 2013 spring/summer collection preview. The intimate event saw 50 VIP buyers and press in attendance.

The venue’s elegant John Newsom-Davis Council Chamber which boasts ornate plaster ceilings, antique mirrors, paintings and a marble fireplace housed the showroom and reception area. Mannequins dressed in the latest collection were displayed around the room in standing and seated poses alongside floral displays and period furniture. Sample pieces were presented on clothes rails.

Guests enjoyed Virgin Victorian Mojitos: a mix of fresh pressed apple, mint and sugar and Sicilian lemonade provided by in house caterers Harbour & Jones. Presented as part of the display were multi-coloured meringues and cupcake confections that buyers could devour whilst surveying the latest in haute lingerie.

Suppliers of the event included mannequins from Adel Rootstein, floral displays by Rebel Rebel, sweet treats by Beas of Bloomsbury, skirt props for the mannequins from Lora Avedian and furniture from Farley and Granger Hertz.