Tag Archives: antipasti

Hall & Co Event Design’s Home Entertaining Blogger Event – St Ives, Cambridgeshire (UK)

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In February, Hall & Co Event Design hosted a Home Entertaining blogger event and I was delighted to be one of the four bloggers invited, along with Soph Hearts, Chloe Jo Bletsoe and Sophie Kate Blogs. Hall & Co are not only an award-winning bespoke wedding & events company they also own fantastic café Little Acre Kitchen and run Gather Grow Connect, a physical and digital space for creatives. All three places are in St Ives, in the same building or right next door. What a wonderful hub of beauty, deliciousness and creativity in this little corner of Cambridgeshire!

I’ve been to Little Acre Kitchen many times – it’s one of my favourite cafes. However, I didn’t know that Hall & Co Event Design’s showroom sits at the back of the building. The interior comprises of two rooms with original architectural features: the light-filled prop shop where they display their gorgeous furniture, tableware, signs, lighting, cushions, throws, mirrors etc for hire as well as an intimate, opulent dining room where clients sample their event menus.

The whole blogger event was impeccably organised, a testament to Hall & Co’s planning expertise and welcoming service. As soon as we stepped into the dining room, with its warm tones, ambient lighting, wooden table, fur throws and stunning fireplace, we were made to feel special. The place settings included our name card, personalised message, information pack and Hall & Co’s very own honeysuckle & elderflower scented candles in a little sack (a gift for us to take home).

The table was beautifully set with plates, glasses, cutlery, napkins, candles and vases of fresh flowers. The whole room really reflected the essence of Hall & Co Event Design’s Home Entertaining Guide, which features useful sections on planning, hosting, drinks, cooking, flowers and styling – all ways to create warmth, thoughtfulness and an enticing event. We got a sneak peek at the guide but it’s now available to download.

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La Cucina Italiana: A Big Friendly Do – Burwell, Cambridgeshire (UK)

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We live in delicious times! Pop ups and supper clubs have been keeping the foodie scene in Cambridgeshire fresh and La Cucina Italiana is a relatively recent contributor. Sally Bycroft, a hugely talented cook inspired by the flavours of Italy, launched La Cucina Italiana last year to cater private dinners and events. Sally has taken her culinary journey a step further by hosting A Big Friendly Do, an Italian style lunch where her guests gather around a table on a Sunday afternoon and sample the recipes she has collected on her travels. This immensely popular pop up (it sells out fast!) takes place every month or so at the Elk café in Burwell, the perfect cosy spot for a group of 20 to relax and enjoy an afternoon of wonderful food. I almost expected to look out the window and see the Tuscan slopes!

We were impressed by the whole experience. I attended with Paulo and our friends Peter and Jenni, who travel to Italy very often to visit family and explore the country. I’m from Italian parents so I knew the 4-course menu was a reflection of what Italian cuisine should be – simple, honest food expertly prepared with quality ingredients. Sally is not a formally trained chef but started helping out her mum with frequent dinner parties at an early age. Although Sally’s background is in PR and marketing, her travels ignited her love of cooking. Italy is Sally’s spiritual home and she lived in Tuscany for a while, giving her the opportunity to hone her Italian culinary skills. It’s clear she understands the flavours and traditions, not to mention the organisation and timing required to host such an event. There was also a great team in place and the venue was just lovely –we’ll definitely be going back to Elk café.

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