December 2009. RHS Chelsea Flower Show: The pinnacle of horticultural excellence
Undoubtedly unique and undeniably wonderful, each year the RHS Chelsea Flower Show heralds the start of the summer season amidst a blaze of colour and exceptional exhibits.
RHS Chelsea Flower Show is the beating heart of horticulture, challenging the garden greats to reach new heights competing for a coveted RHS gold medal. Eagerly anticipated, this spectacular extravaganza bursts at the seams with cutting-edge show gardens, inspirational plant and floral displays and leading experts in every field. Be the first to admire exquisite new plants, buy the latest garden innovations, tools and accessories and socialise with like-minded people while enjoying the superior hospitality at this prestigious, world-class flower show.
Sodexo Prestige, the exclusive caterer for the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, has been working with the show for over thirty years and each year Sodexo Prestige raises the bar with regard to the style and quality of the food it provides. Sodexo Prestige had another great year at 2009 RHS Chelsea Flower Show. The exclusive Charity Preview Gala Evening held on Monday 18th May saw Sodexo serve champagne and canapés to the Royal Party which included the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh as well as 5,000 assembled guests, including 1,200 dinners for the event’s top corporate clients.
Nick Reid, joint head of UK investment banking, UBS says, “The Gala Evening at Chelsea Flower Show is always a great success. It is a superb business opportunity where the entire city and FTSE 100 boards arrive and circulate combined with great food and an inspirational setting.”
As well as catering for the Charity Preview Gala Evening Sodexo’s 700 per day plus-strong team provided all of the public catering and the through the various outlets and restaurants located around the site throughout the week. 2009 saw an 19% increase in sales at its Loch Fyne restaurant and 33% increase at the Champagne Bar during the show. Other highlights included English strawberries, beef from Cornwall as well as the Loch Fyne platter comprising the best shellfish of the day typically; crab or lobster, shell-on langoustines, oysters, mussels, queen scallops, Atlantic prawns, brown shrimps, crevettes, squid, cockles and clams. Throughout the course of the week-long event Sodexo’s 700 per day plus-strong team provided all of the public catering and the through the various outlets and restaurants located around the site. Throughout the course of the week the team served 18,000 sandwiches, 20,500 cakes and pastries, 716 beer battered haddock and chips as well as 46,500 glasses of Pimm’s, 5,400 glasses of champagne and 32,789 cups of tea.
Corporate Hospitality at Chelsea Flower Show
Chelsea Flower Show 2010 runs from 25th – 29th May 2010. Choose from a range of packages including the Chairman’s VIP All Day Hospitality Package, Chairman’s VIP Package, Chairman’s VIP Champagne & Canapé Evening Package, Chairman’s VIP Evening Package and Director’s Hospitality from £159. Each package includes entrance ticket to the show and show catalogue, hostess to ensure the smooth running of your event, traditional afternoon tea and Complimentary bar.
The Chairman’s VIP All Day Package costs from £249 and also includes morning coffee & patisserie on arrival from 9am, Grande Marque champagne & canapé reception, Four course luncheon with fine wines and coffee, port and brandy. A horticultural expert is also in the village to talk to guests. The Chairman’s VIP Evening Package costs from £249 and also includes access to the grounds and hospitality facility from 3.30pm, Grande Marque champagne & canapé reception and a four course dinner with superior wines. The Chairman’s VIP Champagne and Canapé Evening Package costs from £ 159 and also includes access to the show from 3.30pm and your hospitality facility from 7pm – 9.30pm with Champagne and canapés served during the evening from 7pm – 9pm. The Director’s Hospitality Package is available on Saturday 29th May and costs £229 . It also includes morning coffee and patisserie on arrival, Champagne and canapé reception, Three course luncheon with accompanying wines, coffee, port and brandy.
The exquisitely appointed Chelsea Hospitality Pavilions can be reserved for one or more days. Each private chalet is the perfect oasis for your guests to return to during their day or evening at the show. The Chelsea Pavilions can be reserved for 40 or 80 guests on Tuesday and Wednesday or 30, 40, 60, 70 or 80 guests on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. There is no minimum number required for a reservation within the Chelsea Club. The Chelsea Club is the official shared restaurant located within the Hospitality Village. Private tables will be guaranteed for ten guests, with smaller numbers accommodated on shared tables.
For more information on hospitality packages at the 2010 Chelsea Flower Show, please click here.