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Recommended Supplier Spotlight – The Red Olive Catering Co

In my experience, food can make or break an event. Catering for a crowd requires a great deal of skill. As well as a delicious, well-executed menu, you need service staff you can rely on to create a fabulous dining experience for your guests. The wedding breakfast is usually a central part of your wedding day, so you’ll want to ensure your friends and family enjoy their meal and feel looked after. In my latest Supplier Spotlight, I want to introduce you to a team you can trust to do exactly that.

The Red Olive Catering Co. provide outside catering for weddings, private clients and the corporate market. I’ve previously had the pleasure of working with Managing Director Charlie Thellusson and his team, most recently for Tom and Iona’s summer marquee wedding in Nottinghamshire. They offer the whole package - impeccable customer service, attention to detail, bespoke menus, friendly staff and delicious food!

What inspired you to start your business?

I used to work in London for Michel Roux at Le Gavroche. He sent me off to cater private dinner parties for the Governor of The Bank of England. I really enjoyed this, so when I returned to Derby this is how I started my business.

What do you enjoy most about your business? 

I love looking after our clients and making their event feel special. There is a huge amount of satisfaction in this and it’s the main thing driving us on. Great tasting, beautifully presented food combined with attentive service is what I strive for every single day.

What has been the best moment of your business so far?

I have had so many great moments at Red Olive, but one event in particular stands out. It was an 80th Birthday party and the client really went for it. The circus-themed celebration was hosted by the late Paul Daniels and his wife, Debbie McGee. We catered for 200 guests in a big top. There were horses, elephants, acrobats and even the odd clown. Our staff were dressed up as usherettes and the whole event was simply amazing to be involved in. They requested 50 service staff (one member of staff per four guests) and we had 18 chefs!

Describe a ‘typical day’ at Red Olive Catering Co.

Tuesdays tend to be spent doing office work and getting back to normal after a heavy weekend. As the week goes on, we start to prepare for upcoming events. Fridays are normally spent setting up venues, getting tables laid up, preparing drinks and making sure we’re all set for the next day. During our quieter months, we have lots of meetings, tastings and plenty of planning for the summer months which is by far our busiest time. I really enjoy meeting our wedding couples and planning their big day.

What are you most excited about in your business plans for the next few months?

We are fine tuning what we do and continually working hard. We’re always looking for new ideas and I spend far too much time shopping for interesting ways of presenting our food! Dietary requirements have become a huge part of our business over the last six years and this is only going to become bigger and bigger, so we need to be ready. We will be creating new ideas that cover all the requirements. 

Thank you, Charlie!

You can learn more about Charlie, his team and their award-winning wedding catering at www.theredolive.co.uk. You can also see what they’re up to and make yourself seriously hungry by following them on Instagram and Facebook. Finally, to see some of the other fabulous wedding, party and event suppliers I’d recommend, click here.

Until next time, happy planning!

Val x

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