Genuine Dining Co buys Admirable Crichton out of administration

The Genuine Dining Co has bought the Admirable Crichton event catering company via a pre-pack administration.

The Admirable Crichton appointed administrators from UHY Hacker Young last month following the “sudden and unexpected loss” of a significant Middle Eastern contract in August.

A spokesperson for Genuine Dining Co said: “The Admirable Crichton will join group Genuine, operating independently and with assistance from our central support office.

“The experience that their management team brings will allow us to further support our B&I clients with the delivery of high-level events. The addition of the Admirable Crichton boosts our reputation as a growing player within the foodservice and event industry.”

The group confirmed Admirable Crichton managing director Ruth Lawton-Owen will continue to lead the business and staff will be retained.

Brian Johnson, turnaround and recovery partner at UHY Hacker Young, said: “The Admirable Crichton, the up-market event catering company based in London, had been going through a turnaround and, having secured a significant Middle Eastern contract, looked to have secured its future.

“However, following the sudden and unexpected loss of that contract in August, the board of directors had to consider the position. They approached UHY Hacker Young in mid-September for assistance in marketing the business as a going concern and sale by way of a pre-pack administration.”

Johnson said discussions had taken place with a number of interested parties with the eventual sale agreed on 5 November.

Renowned for its flamboyant parties, often in exotic locations, Admirable Crichton was founded in 1984 by Johnny Roxburgh and his business partner Rolline Frewen. It coordinated the Queen’s 80th birthday party at Kew Palace and held a Royal Warrant for the provision of catering service to the Prince of Wales.

Managing director and 2018 Foodservice Caterer Award winner Chris Mitchell launched the Genuine Dining Co in 2011. Along with subsidiaries it now has a total annual turnover of approximately £27m. Genuine Dining Co was also awarded the Business and Industry Caterer of the Year title at the 2017 Foodservice Cateys.