Foodservice Cateys 2022: Event Caterer of the Year – Searcys

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Searcys’ celebration of its 175th birthday coincides with its receipt of the Event Caterer of the Year Foodservice Catey. John Searcy’s events catering company, founded in 1847, continues to provide warm hospitality across its 18-fold UK-wide portfolio, which includes the Honourable Artillery Company, the View at the Royal College of Surgeons, the Barbican Conservatory and Helix at the Gherkin.

Despite the challenges this year, Searcys has made a strong financial recovery across its venues for 2021-22, with the brand exceeding its 2019 benchmark revenue by 8.3% in the second quarter of 2022. It boasted high rates of staff retention, with the team back to over 900 employees, which matches pre-pandemic levels.

In the 12 months since reopening in May 2021, Searcys venues have held more than 6,000 events, looked after 136,000 guests, served over 20,196 afternoon teas and poured 30,000 bottles of Champagne. It has also hosted 2,191 weddings and events since restrictions lifted properly in July 2021, including the Bridgerton-themed ball at 116 Pall Mall, which saw over 1,000 guests in attendance.

Searcys has also reported a notable boost in private dining events, which led to over 1,400 enquiries across Searcys at the Gherkin and St Pancras Brasserie. This arm of the business brought revenue uplift of 12% above the budget throughout the autumn of 2021. Its strong track record enabled the successful mobilisation of four new contracts since September 2021, such as Inner Temple, the View, 116 Pall Mall, the Stationers Hall and IET Savoy Place.

The revenue streams for event catering were bolstered by the launch of Searcys’ e-commerce platform, which sells popular gift items such as Champagne, tea sets and flutes. It has continued to innovate its offering, with the introduction of the 175th anniversary bottle, Blanc de Blanc, which has a limited run of just 5,000 and was produced in collaboration with Greyfriars. Searcys also embraced its glamorous heritage by recreating the multi-tiered royal wedding cake of Princess Maud, then the future Queen of Norway, and Prince Carl of Denmark, which was originally baked by John Searcy 126 years ago.

It has recognised the demand for the indulgent through its Searcys Sunset Series at the Gherkin, which featured a five-course tasting menu, two glasses of paired wine and a welcome cocktail that generated 7,000 covers in the first three months. The ‘Staycation Afternoon Tea’ at St Pancras Brasserie has also proved to be a success, with its suitcase of treats and the option of limitless Champagne, bringing revenue uplift of 12% above budget.

It continues to apply the same compassion and creativity to its own events, such as the virtual Searcys Awards in 2019 as well as the ‘Family Day’ in 2022 in honour of Searcys’ 175th birthday, which welcomed 400 team members.

What the judges said

“The recognition that the indulgent will always thrive has unquestionably underpinned its enviable trajectory.” Alan Beddie

“It’s encouraging to see this business in rude health again. True leadership and a focus on quality permeates here.” John Nugent

The shortlist

Amadeus

Freemans Event Partners

Searcys

Past winners

2019 Searcys

2018 Sodexo

2017 Tapenade, Eventist Group

2016 ExCel

2015 Global Infusion Group

2014 Kings Place Events

2013 Absolute Taste