The Cooking Experience Catering Facilities

We offer Top Quality Catering facilities for all manner of events

• Weddings. Up to 200 for formal sit-down meals, 300 for canape receptions.
• Landmark Lunch and Dinner Parties. Up to 30 at our own premises, up to 200 at outside locations
• Corporate Entertaining. Up to 200 for formal sit-down meals, 300 for canape receptions.

We have been catering in marquees, village halls, and private houses for over 20 years. Our team comprises people who we know well and trust. Helen Golland is a brilliant Cake Maker (wedding cakes particularly) and also a wonderful organiser of marquee service kitchens wherever they might be! She is backed up by Kim David (Mark & Annie David’s daughter-in-law) who likes to get away from her growing family occasionally! Simon Golland (Helen’s husband) runs the wine and drinks service out front with one or more of their daughters. We use a growing band of students from local families who have been chosen by Julie Benee who works with us at The Cooking Experience on a regular basis and rounds up her family and friends when required. So our catering team is truly family and they all know how to smile and work tirelessly. They also know that we require them to look good in front of the public, so no trainers or odd colours. Mark and Annie can guarantee that they will both be in charge of all the functions on the day and will not double up with any other event. You can be sure of our fullest attention for your special day. We offer a full and comprehensive service to ensure that you do not have to worry more than is necessary. Here are the services we provide:

• Marquees. Our chosen provider is Chelmer Marquees, Essex, contact Graham Ansty. He is very reliable and will plan your exact requirements with you on a site visit, and liaise with the caterer.
• Crockery and Cutlery provision. Hired locally from our reliable Dedham supplier along with glasses, linen and any cooking/food heating equipment required. All china, cutlery and glassware is returned to the hirer for them to wash and sanitise, so it arrives at the next function in top condition. China is plain white with a border, the cutlery heavy stainless steel (not cheap canteen stuff!).
• Linen. We hire from the crockery hire people to your requirements, including linen napkins. We can also source coloured linen if required.
• Wine. We are happy to let you supply the wine. We do not charge corkage, we simply ask you to ensure it is delivered to the right place. We do the rest and charge you for the staff engaged to prepare and serve it, including cooling down.
• Refridgeration. We comply fully with local authority regulations regarding food safety and always use a mobile or static unit on site. We are licensed with Babergh District Council to undertake catering events.
• We suggest to all clients that they take out some sort of insurance policy to cover the unlikely scenario of cancellation. Having said that we are insured for Public Liability.
• We can advise on flowers and photography (we recommend one photographer particularly, see below for links).
• Menus; We like to tailor the food to what you want, anything from a Hot Meal served to a Cold Buffet to a Canape Reception. Everything we cook is proper food prepared by us and we use top quality local ingredients as much as possible.
• Rubbish Disposal. We undertake to remove all waste generated by us. This is included in the priced. We can also remove your empty drink bottles and cardboard boxes they came in. We charge extra for this service
• Venues. Our favourite Wedding Venue is Priory Hall, Benton Street, Hadleigh, Suffolk. The setting is unbeatable, the summer marquee overlooks a breathtaking sweeping lawn, the gardens are immaculate and open to you to walk around, and you can have your civil ceremony in the medieval setting of the stunning Tudor house. The owners, Cyndy and Anthony Hilton are justifiably proud of their home and offer a top class venue for a reasonable price, see below for contact details.
• Mobile Cash Bars. Steve Laing from The Queens head at Layham nearby offers a reliable, well-stocked cash bar for the post wedding bash if you require it, see contact details below.

Here are some examples of what we can do for you:

More people are having canapes in place of a starter which allows variety and satisfy hunger pangs after the wedding ceremony rather than waiting for the meal.

Menu 1

Hot and Cold Canapes to include Marinated Cocktail Sausages, Crostini bread bases topped with ripe brie and onion marmalade, Hoi Sin Chinese duck on gem lettuce, parmesan cheese straws, Gravadlax Pancake Pinwheels, Chicken and tarragon Terrine, Raw Vegetables with Pepper Hoummus, Button Mushrooms wrapped in Pancetta.

*****************

Noisettes of English Lamb served with a port and redcurrant sauce.
Fillets of Fresh Salmon with a dill cream sauce
Roasted Vegetable Parcel with a tomato and basil sauce (V)
(We can do both of the below provided we have a rough idea of who wants what in advance)
Gratin Dauphinoises Potatoes
Fresh Vegetables

*****************

Trio of Desserts:

Mini Pavlova filled with sharp lemon cream
Fresh raspberries
Dark Chocolate Brownie with a rich chocolate sauce

*****************

Coffee and tea available from a Coffee Point as required.

Menu 2

Canapes as in Menu 1

*****************

Colourful Cold Buffet

Whole Smoked Gammon on the bone and carved at the Buffet
Whole Joints of Beef off the bone and carved at the Buffet
Fillets of Fresh Salmon poached, decorated on a large mirror and served with a fresh herb mayonnaise
Roasted Vegetable Wellington with a basil tomato sauce (V)
New Potato Salad with spring onions, fresh flat parsley and a lemon mayonnaise.
Couscous Salad with toasted cashew nuts, roasted garlic, red pepper, cucumber, fresh chopped sage and chives finished with balasamic vinegar and rapeseed oil.
Blushed Cherry Tomatoes and Roasted Red peppers in a sherry and olive oil dressing.

*****************

Dark Chocolate Roulade
Fresh Summer Fruit Pavlova
Sharp Lemon Tart.

Prices depend on what your particular requirements are, location and access to the site. Please enquire by email or telephone, we will then do a proper quote, and if you are interested, we can arrange a site visit to discuss the quote.

Click here to contact us.