London – 14th December 2009 – The UK’s offices and businesses may be under immense pressure to lower their event costs in the current economic climate, but staff still want a Christmas party. So this year, luxury catering and event companies have had to be that bit more creative about how they deliver a Christmas event for a little bit less.

Many have designed their party menus around substantial canapés or ‘bowl foods’ rather than sit down dinners. That way everyone gets lots of delicious food to eat, and lots of seasonal variety, but the costs are kept down. Current Christmas bowl food favourites at “rhubarb” food design are sticky beef with parsnip mash or delicious lamb tagine with aromatic basmati rice.

Wonderfully rich and tasty (but cheaper) cuts of meat can be used in these kinds of dishes and are slow cooked to release fabulous flavour and succulent juices. Of course if main courses are compulsory, classic crowd pleasers like sausage and mash and fish and chips are cheap and easy to produce and if presented beautifully can easily provide that crucial party ‘wow factor’ too. Luxury party catering offers all the above said delicacies

Some companies have been looking into cheaper venues, or even in-office events, with a bit more time spent on creative decoration. Stunning flowers and candles, evergreen table decorations, swags of mistletoe and gorgeous twinkling lighting, can turn even the most uninspiring corporate boardroom into a winter wonderland!

Finally – companies are being that bit more creative with the bar bills this year. Prosecco rather than Champagne has been a big seller, and seasonal punches and cocktails such as brandy punch,

mulled wine or sea breezes (with Christmas cranberry juice of course) are proving popular.

Put simply, the event companies who can be creative with their offerings are the ones who, despite the economic downturn, stand to have one of the best Christmas party seasons yet! Choose best catering company for that.

For further information, please contact “rhubarb” food design on 0208 812 3200.

London  – 7th November 2009- rhubarb food design, the London-based catering company and food organisation, have had one of their busiest years since they started trading 12 years ago.

Despite the economic downturn, “rhubarb” has managed to diversify business substantially over the last 18 months, venturing in to the retail sector by opening a food bar in Heathrow’s Terminal Three, and winning the contract to be official food operator at the new and much praised Saatchi Gallery restaurant/cafe and bar on the Kings Road – Gallery Mess.

The core event catering business outside the new retail side of “rhubarb” has also been substantially developed, with the addition of major new clients, fixed venues on the Silver Fleet on the Thames (“rhubarb” on the river) and at Royal Ascot (“rhubarb” at the races), stunning new menus, new party planning and business development teams, and a brand new website.

The company continues to provide the very best London catering for private parties, corporate events and weddings, and can cater for events from 10 to 1,000 people. Amongst the high profile events “rhubarb” has catered for this calendar year are: The ARK Charity Gala at Waterloo Station, The Elton John Aids Foundation White Tie and Tiara Ball, and the Porsche Panamera car launches nationwide.

Pieter Bas Jacobse, Managing Director of “rhubarb” food design UK catering said: “Of course we are delighted that business is still good. But we understand that times are more challenging for some of our clients, so we have tried to flex to the market and be more creative in meeting our client’s budget and overall vision for their event. We have definitely found that business enquiries have picked up over the last six months and we look forward to another good year developing our business in 2010.”

For more information about “rhubarb” food design, please contact Head Office on 0208 812 3200, or by email at [email protected]