Event Guide 2022

TO THE

WELCOME TO A WORLD OF IDEAS

IT MAY BE A BARMITZVAH, A WEDDING OR A SPECIAL ANNIVERSARY, but it’s the most important date on your calendar. Or maybe you are arranging a corporate event.

This will be the day when you bring family and friends, or colleagues and clients together to celebrate at an event you’ve been planning forever. Or what feels like forever.

To make that simcha or celebration as perfect as it is in your mind, you will need help from the people who can make it happen. And we’ve found them, so look no further.

Assembled here are the talents who know how to create a memorable party. The sort of party where everyone will have the best time and talk about it for months to come.

From venues and invites to table settings and music, if you were worried about where to find them, the search is over. Regularly booked because of their brilliance, now is the time to call these party people who will help you to organise your big night.

Be it a banquet or an intimate gathering, we’ve found the caterers who can cook up a storm and the planners who can transform any room into a magical space.

And that space can be filled with the music of your choice if you bring the musicians we’ve found into the mix. Whatever the ages of your guests, they will all feel included when these DJs and musicians start to play, and there will be suggestions for other amusements if you ask the right company. Anything is achievable from the group we’ve assembled. Just pick up the phone or send an email to share your party dreams.

PERFECTLY POSITIONED FOR

Ideally situated in North-West London, a stones throw from the prestigious Primrose Hill and Hampstead Heath areas, the hotel effortlessly blends style, substance and award-winning service. Home to a beautifully renovated meeting space, with the main ballroom boasting 3,346 sq. ft of flexible function space with private entrances which lead into a dedicated pre-event welcome area for your celebrations.

situated in North-West London, a stones throw from the prestigious Primrose Hill and Hampstead Heath areas, the hotel effortlessly blends style, substance and award-winning service. Home to a beautifully renovated meeting space, with the main ballroom boasting 3,346 sq. ft of flexible function space with private entrances which lead into a dedicated pre-event welcome area for your celebrations.

The

has proudly hosted bat & bar

weddings for generations, and is passionate about

events to life,

team has proudly hosted bat & bar mitzvahs, birthdays, and

the country’s leading caterers.

for generations, and is passionate about bringing events to

the country’s leading caterers.

VENUE THAT CATERS FOR EVERYONE

Say yes to a venue with the experience to cater for all types of celebrations, for every culture and religion. We think you’ll love Village, with stunning event rooms, and stylish accommodation for you and your guests. Including a pool, great Pub & Grill and much more all under one roof, rest assured you will have a memorable occasion. Offering outside catering options for Kosher events and also offers Bar/Bat mitzvah packages that include non-offensive menus specially created with Jewish clients in mind.

Our Inspiration Suite is versatile, easy to transform and can seat 220 guests for a dinner dance. We even include a dance floor and stage as part of their packages. Our packages also include complimentary accommodation for the host. Well located with ample parking. We have an experienced team of event coordinators who specialise with Jewish events.

Call us or email to book a showround and inquiry about availability. Special offer if you pay a deposit by December 2022 you will also receive 6 free bottles of Prosecco as part of their booking.

Email: watfordhub@village-hotels.com

Phone: 020 3841 9890 option 3 Villagehotels.com

Village Hotel Club London Watford Centennial Avenue, Centennial Park, Elstree, WD6 3SB

Pan Pacific London, we love nothing more than curating that special day for you. From the initial planning stages through to the day itself, we are with you every step of the way.

Whether it be choosing florals, recommending suppliers, or designing bespoke menus we say

” so you can say “I do ”.

more information call +44 (0) 20 7118 6888 or email

HOUNDSDITCH, LONDON, EC3A 7AB

CATERING KING

THEY CAME, WE PRAYED, LET’S EAT. Food is a fundamental part of every celebration, and whatever your budget you want to feed your guests that very best that your money can buy.

Kushan Marthelis at Cacao Catering has been doing this for years. He knows how to please your guests even better than you do, and if you want to keep it kosher, he can do that too.

“Event food used to be very classic but now people travel more and eat out more, they want the amazing dishes they have discovered recreated at their party,” says Kushan.

Born and raised in Sri Lanka, Kushan is no stranger to innovative dishes and training at some of London’s finest restaurants provided the finesse that we see in his work today. The creativity and artistry is all his own, though, and canapes such as Korean smoked bbq chicken or coconut sea bass with mango salsa and blackened aubergine are an amazing way to get your party started.

Bowl food is becoming a big thing and with options such as blackened cod with coconut rice, miso dressing and lime leaves or braised beef with crushed baby potatoes, caramelised onion and wild mushroom, Cacao Catering is a big player in this field. “When you want to invite lots of people but don’t have the space to seat them, buffets, food stations and bowl food are the answer,” says Kushan.

Rising costs are on everyone’s mind and while Cacao Catering’s won’t be the lowest quote you get (this level of

expertise and quality doesn’t come cheap), Kushan will always work with you to accommodate your budget. “People need to look at how to spend their money. They are still investing in the key elements of food and music but some of the extras might be curtailed. If you are having food stations, consider just two or three rather than five.”

Kushan points out that putting up a marquee can be cheaper than venue dry hire, and you will certainly save money on alcohol if you buy it yourself. That said, Cacao Bar & Cocktails can take all the stress out of that for you.

With dishes like sake-marinated yellowfin tuna with Japanese mooli salad, yuzu and mandarin dressing, and butternut squash ravioli with spiced lime and coconut sauce on the menu, you’d be forgiven for thinking that Kushan’s food is too fancy for kids. “We always have kids dishes - and the adults always pinch them!” he says. With options like chicken katsu with Thai rice and katsu sauce, mini fish and chips with tartare sauce, and mac and cheese that’s not surprising.

The most important part of the event is dessert,” says Kushan. Miso brulee with sesame praline cracker or ginger sticky toffee pudding with salted caramel, anyone?

“Every client’s party is a big thing for them. It’s possibly once in a lifetime, so they want it to be the best. For that they need to hire the best – so we need to make sure that we are the best.”

www.cacaocatering.co.uk

YOU ARE UNIQUE

And your party should be too.

At Luvli Events, we celebrate what makes you, YOU.

We work side by side with you in creating lasting memories from your dreams, ensuring the whole process and output is tailored to your personality and your needs.

That’s why no two parties we produce are ever the same. We are flexible, meticulous, creative and fresh-thinking, but above all, we put our heart into everything we do. Inspired by you Created by us

BESPOKE EVENT DESIGN

& MANAGEMENT OF EXTRAORDINARY ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME CELEBRATIONS

Alright on the KNIGHT

MAKING A SIMCHA BUT NOT LOOKING FORWARD TO ALL THE PLANNING INVOLVED?

Overwhelmed by the stress of organising the venue, the caterers, the entertainment?

Let Kwame of Events by Knight do it for you. With 22 years of experience, oodles of passion and creativity, not to mention a very large black book, Kwame is your go-to guy for getting the job done, spectacularly.

No hanging on the phone, schlepping around venues and haggling over budgets for you - go out for dinner or get a massage instead and leave it to Kwame. From conception to completion, Kwame and his team will design it, plan it and organise the whole shebang.

You may want to go along to the food tastings though – who would want to miss out on that?!

The conception stage does require some client input. “You dream it and I’ll create it,” is Kwame’s mantra. You just need to plant a few seeds with him and he’ll come back with a veritable forest full of ideas. Whether you want your event in the shul hall or on the Amalfi coast, Events by Knight will lovingly bring your vision to life and produce an individual, bespoke experience. Kwame has lighting and audio technicians, table

centre décor designers and entertainers galore who will work synergistically to make your event spectacular.

Everything that Kwame and his team advise will make the occasion chic, stylish and accessible for the family and the partygoers. He understands that given the congestion charge and difficulty to park, central London venues are not easily manageable, especially when putting on a bar or bat mitzvah. Instead he has a host of venue ideas in north London and his design team can create a tropical island or a 1920s speakeasy at the drop of a hat. (They could probably even re-create 196 Willesden Lane, better known as The Royal Majestic, complete with cocktail viennas on sticks and the after-dinner liqueurs on the hostess trolley.)

The right music is a key element to getting the party started and keeping it going… and going. Kwame can arrange a saxophonist to roam during the reception, perhaps a pianist or cellist to create atmosphere during the meal, with the main madness coming in the form of a live band or DJ. Or how about both - a DJ-live?

Israeli dancers to give the event some traditional energy? Leave it to Kwame. Street dancers busting moves? Leave it to Kwame. Set design and illuminated dance floors? Leave it to Kwame. He and his team will

be able to fulfill your every wish (and nurture a few more too). As we head into 2023, events are more relaxed and casual than in previous times and a stand- up event is very on-trend. Some male party goers will be happy to hear that black tie is not so often required and instead you can go in jeans, blazer and trainers (clean ones please, though).

Sofas and cube seating may take the place of more formal furniture - the emphasis is on being together and having fun rather than pomp and ceremony.

You might want an edible fragrance bar, a marshmallow buffet or a digital magician (who incorporates the guest’s iPhone or iPad into their tricks). Or you may want to head out of north London for your event. Kwame is particularly experienced and proficient in putting on simchas in Italy. There you

can pretty much guarantee the weather, the stunning scenery and don’t get me started on the food and wine. Given ample warning, guests can incorporate the big day into their summer holiday or have it as an extra break. Who doesn’t fancy a little trip to Lake Como?

What’s that? You want a traditional, black-tie dinner with a Michelin-quality tasting menu at a prestigious venue in the West End? If that is your wish then Kwame will grant it.

Every event he puts on is individual, exciting and very, very special.

www.eventsbyknight.co.uk 020 3130 4040 info@eventsbyknight.co.uk

The secret behind the world’s best wedding music

Star ted in 2012 by Jason Sil ver, renowned music producer and keyboard player for the Mark Ronson Band, Sensation Band is seemingly no ordinary Wedding Band. Its roots are firmly from the ‘big stage’. Recently awarded ‘UK’s Best Wedding Band 2019’ in the coveted Wedding Industry Awards, they seem to be on a roll. Amongst Jason’s close friends are lead singers & musicians from Adele, Olly Murs, Robbie Williams, Sam Smith, Tom Jones, Clean Bandit, Mark Ronson Band, Gorillaz and many more, all of whom perform regularly with Sensa tion Band!

I caught up with the lovely Jason Silver, to find out the secrets to their success.

Kate: First off, I have to admit that I’ve just been watching your videos on repeat – and the music is incredible, the band really do live up to the hype.

Jason: Thanks so much! – It’s a massive privilege to get to work with such

amazing and talented individuals it makes my job so easy.

Kate: Haha. So, how did the idea for Sensation Band come about?

Jason: I was backstage after a big pop gig and my friend asked me if I could capture that live gig excitement for his wedding. It was a light bulb moment, and we started putting what would be come Sensation Band together pretty much straight after that.

Kate: What do you love about it?

Jason: We all absolutely love what we do and are immensely proud of the band - I hope that comes across. I genuinely love creating new friendships with clients and delivering the perfect bespoke wedding day. Also, the incredible client feedback and reviews we get is so rewarding.

Kate: What do you think sets you apart from other bands?

Jason: Um, well quite a few things I guess. Guests get to experience per formances from some of the world’s hottest talents in an intimate setting –

a totally unique experience that stays with you. Certainly, our ‘cringe free’ approach.

We also have an incredible high en ergy Israeli set to get the party started. It’s so important to get that element right, and growing up surrounded by Israeli & Mizrachi music means you

really understand it and do it authenti cally.

Kate: So what other services can you provide for weddings?

Jason: Lots! The band is fully flexible in terms of size and format. Starting with our intimate 5 piece, and all the

way up to our 28 piece Superband. We really take the time to get to know each couple so we can create a bespoke line-up perfect for their style and song choices. We also offer klezmer, jazz, strings, roaming sax and various op tions for entertainment throughout the day, and of course to deliver the perfect Chuppah. Am I rambling on too much?

Kate: Ha, no! Thank you so much for taking the time to meet me. I’ll certainly be stalking your Facebook and Insta gram to see what the band’s getting up to next!

Ben was absolutely amazing! We had him for our company party and he didn’t disappoint. His show was the highlight of the night, it was full of surprises and left us all speechless!

was so professional and easy to work with. Will definitely use him for future events.

Can’t thank Ben enough for the brilliant Shabbat friendly mind reading and magic show at our son’s Bar Mitzvah lunch. Kept the whole crowd involved, including 35 boys aged 13.

easy to deal with,

show and

Edel

us all enthralled!

Josh is a dynamic and versatile pianist available for weddings, parties, corporate events and other simchas.

With a wide repertoire of different music ranging from Elton John to Dua Lipa, from Coldplay to Ed Sheehan and Adele. He will tailor the set list to match your occasion and musical preferences. He holds residences at illustrious London venues such as the Four Seasons, The Corinthia and The Savoy.

Josh can also perform with other musicians, or in a DJ Live setup.

info@joshnesbitt.co.uk

• Specifically tailor-made for Jewish Simchas, perfect for Weddings, Birthdays, Anniversaries and Bar/Bat Mitzvahs. Surprise singers posing

staff.

nforgettable songs you will know and love, such as ‘To Life’, ‘Tradition’, ‘Shalom’, ‘Mazal Tov’ and a memorable ‘Israeli Dancing Medley’ to finish, with optional ‘Flag Bouncing’.

•

ghest quality shows with the finest and

who have all played

in the West End.

Shabbat ‘A Cappella’ shows available, and Chuppah Wedding Ceremony Singers.

the catering to the colour scheme, so much at your event

be outsourced to an expert to bring about the level of perfection

expect. The speeches are the true marker for any event, bringing everything together to convey the story of your occasion. The poignant, the humorous and everything inbetween – we will help craft an excellent speech for you which lives on in the memory for all the right reasons.

When the microphone beckons. Whatever the occasion. We are here to make sure you feel completely at ease when delivering your speech.

For all Cocktail, midi dresses and trouser/jumpsuits Please contact Carly in Bushey on 07793 971 210

For all full length/Maxi Evening Dresses Please contact Douglas in Finchley 020 8343 3535