ABSOLUTE TASTE COMPANY PROFILE

Since 1997 ABSOLUTE TASTE

Since its very beginning Absolute Taste has been providing fabulous food for events clients. We now operate all over the world with an amazing list of high profile clients. Building the business into other sectors, Absolute Taste is now a truly diverse set of businesses, all of which complement one another.

Absolute Taste was formed in 1997 by and Lyndy Redding. Since, we have grown from providing the hospitality for the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes F1 team to being one of the leading events companies and party planners.

As a result of our continued success, and exposure, we now operate a number of companies. We find that this allows us to bring innovation and inspiration to all areas of our business.

Managing Director, Lyndy Redding remains at the heart of Absolute Taste‟s success. Passionate and dedicated to food, service and her fabulous staff, Lyndy has built an organisation that still retains its core values. This along with the backing of the hugely successful brand, McLaren Group, always guarantees a level of quality synonymous with the company‟s unbeatable standard of service.

LYNDY REDDING

Lyndy Redding, born in Yorkshire, began her career training as a chef at the prestigious Tante Marie School of Cookery in with a dream of one day having a successful catering business.

On graduation Lyndy began working around the world as a private chef, at privately owned ski chalets, a chateau in the South of France, shooting lodges in Scotland and on a luxury yacht in the Seychelles. She returned to and began to work at a small, privately owned catering business, which further inspired her business dream. Cooking for the Directors Dining room at leading ad agency, BSB Dorland followed before moving into motor racing. Working for a catering company she cooked her way around the world travelling with the team to all the F1 races and some Moto GP‟s for . During this period she began making her dream of having her own business a reality and would prepare food in the evenings from her tiny flat and dash all over London to cook for clients and friends

Having met Ron Dennis, Executive Chairman of McLaren Automotive whilst in the motor racing world the dream came true and together they formed Absolute Taste in 1997 which became part of the McLaren Group. Under Lyndy‟s management the company has grown, she has built a team of over 200 full-time staff around her that is not just professional and capable but enthusiastic, charming and hard working. Lyndy remains as passionate about Absolute Taste and events as she did on day one.

The company started by providing the hospitality for Vodafone McLaren Mercedes at the races and tests. The Events team caters for any event all over the world for both private and corporate clients and has become one of London‟s leading catering and event design companies. When McLaren moved to their new Foster designed premises in Surrey, Absolute Taste took over the front of house facilities as well as all of the catering for the staff, partners and VIP guests

Lyndy, who lives in London with her husband, son and dog Truffle, is passionate about food and takes every opportunity on her travels to experience a new restaurant or explore a new culinary technique. With a fantastic sense of style Lyndy is inspired by the look, feel and texture of food and especially by contemporary design. Working around the world she seeks out the latest design trends in each country and brings back ideas, tastes and styling to Absolute Taste to use as inspiration.

EVENTS AND PARTIES

Absolute Taste has successfully established itself as one of the leading catering and event design companies with an impressive portfolio of both National and International clients. This has been achieved through its professional team who are renowned for their enthusiastic and expert approach.

Each year the events get better and better with repeat clients and new business from the world of sport, aviation, beauty and fashion, property companies, interior design and all our favourite private clients.

Key to any successful event is the planning, something the Absolute Taste team pride themselves on. Absolute Taste event planners guide their clients through the process of organising the most beautiful and chic event by finding the venue, designing menus, creating bespoke table settings & unique details, sourcing fabulous entertainment and arranging stunning flowers that make the difference.

Our food is the most important thing about what we do. It is fundamental to Absolute Taste‟s thinking that our menu is correct to our client.

2007 saw the launch of a new partnership with Gordon Ramsay, Gordon Ramsay by Absolute Taste, working closely with Gordon and his team to create the menus which allow the celebrated chef‟s food to be available outside of his restaurants for the first time and at events around the world.

ABSOLUTE TASTE AND THE McLAREN GROUP

As the catering company within the McLaren Group, Absolute Taste has a dedicated division that provides a first class hospitality service for the VIP guests and the team of the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes F1 team, around the world during the F1 season. Catering at the races and tests is a huge logistical challenge which has grown from a few travelling chefs to a team of 18 people.

In 2004, The McLaren Technology Centre was completed and the style and operations for the front of house facilities as well as all of the catering is provided by Absolute Taste, from the employee restaurant and VIP dining rooms to all the partner events held at the facility. The McLaren Technology Centre is the corporate and production headquarters for The McLaren Group bringing together all of the Group‟s activities under one roof. Together, with their associate companies in The McLaren Group, Absolute Taste shares the same goal: „To be the best at everything we do.‟

ABSOLUTE TASTE INFLIGHT

Absolute Taste Inflight was formed in 2003, resulting in another exciting division for the company. Providing an innovative and contemporary approach to inflight hospitality it allows corporate, business and executive aircrafts to experience a whole new concept: to eat the very best food available while in the air. This division has since flourished and by using Absolute Taste‟s highly developed kitchen facilities at their London HQ, an experienced team of chefs create exciting menus with fresh food that is easy to prepare & delicious to taste. A dedicated fleet of modern liveried vehicles guarantees each order arrives on time & in perfect condition. Servicing all UK airports 24/7, they supply to a prestigious list of international clients that demand nothing but the best. As one of the fastest growing parts of our business, we have recently opened in Geneva, and expect further new opening soon.

ABSOLUTE TASTE CAFES

Absolute Taste continues to expand and evolve including the four Absolute Taste cafés. The Design Café by Absolute Taste and the Dome Café by Absolute Taste in the Design Centre at Chelsea Harbour, London, open to the public serving breakfast, lunch and afternoon grazing. The Apron Café by Absolute Taste at TAG Farnborough Airport, Hampshire serves businesses based at the airport, airline crew and anyone departing from the new terminal where they can also order boardroom lunches and in- flight food from the Inflight representative on site. Also in the Absolute Taste café portfolio is Absolute Taste at Harvey Nichols Fifth Floor, Knightsbridge and most recently, The Orangery Restaurant at Burghley House.

ABSOLUTE TASTE AT MERCEDES BENZ WORLD

Absolute Taste look after all the catering at Mercedes-Benz World including the Gullwing Restaurant offering a first class dining experience with its own bar and private terrace overlooking the test tracks at the world class facility and the Surrey countryside with a delicious menu of fine British products. Café 1886 located on the ground floor is great to relax with a quick drink and a light snack of homemade cakes and biscuits, delicious sandwiches and salads. Also at this unique setting Absolute Taste look after all the functions and events that take place at this great location.

OUR FOOD

We are passionate about food and always use the best produce around to create delicious cuisine. For us, great food should be a memorable experience.

Our team of event planners guide each client through the menu selection process. Every season we release new seasonal menus for clients to make their selection from. We also offer a bespoke menu design service for each client to guarantee that their specific requirements are met and that the menu is correct for the event.

Clients are invited for tastings at our offices in Wandsworth. Tastings are a perfect time to go through the menu and discuss every detail from the flavours in the food to the presentation.

Whilst a lot of our competition seek to formalise their brands and standardise what they do, we work hard to be bespoke – giving our clients something different in everything we do, as long as the quality is at its heart.

THE ABSOLUTE TASTE TEAM

Absolute Taste, a division of the TAG McLaren Group, embraces their principles of total commitment, quality and excellence. At Absolute Taste we work together as a close-knit team with the aim to be the very best in our business achieved through commitment to the goals of the company and attention to every detail.

The business of Absolute Taste is customer focussed and provides the very best in food, style, design and personal service. Our staff is a young professional team, many of our staff will experience working with the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes race team to fully understand the pressures of catering on location and the value of successful teamwork.

As a catering company we care about the freshness of the food and are passionate about presentation and service. Each new menu we produce is tried and tested in the kitchens beforehand and we encourage each member of staff to be our test customer‟s before a new dish becomes a part of the menu.

We ensure that a dedicated team of friendly and professional Absolute Taste staff are selected for each event. The impact of delicious food will be greater if the team delivering the service are just as perfect.

We concentrate on every stage of the process, from recruitment to training, every area must be focused on to ensure the event runs exactly to plan.

ABSOLUTE TASTE WRITTEN FEEDBACK

“One week you are feeding the Queen, the next Gordon Ramsay is telling ITV viewers that you deserve a Michelin 3* - entirely justified in my view. What next?!” Autosport

“Tom Aiken said that the canapés were AMAZING, the best that he has ever had!” Giorgio Armani

“Everyone has been commenting on how friendly, courteous and helpful all of your staff where. Personally I would like to say thank you for all your support and guidance, it was greatly appreciated.” Stratstone of Mayfair

“We have come to expect the best from Absolute Taste and again you didn‟t lets us down, the food, displays and staff were terrific, as always!”

“What an experience! Thank you so much for the most wonderful experience you created. I heard so many enthusiastic comments already. South Africa has definitely never seen such beauty. You really did the family proud. From all of us thank you again for an extraordinary evening.” Fancourt Hotel and Country Club, South Africa

“Your organisation, delicious food and care and attention were absolutely perfect and helped make it a memorable day for all the right reasons and for that I truly thank you.” Woodhams Landscapes

“Thank you and your personnel for an outstanding catering service performed at the TAG chalet during the Paris Airshow. The food, wine, service and attention were exceptional and our guests had nothing but praise.” President – TAG Aeronautics Ltd.

“It has been quite some time since I have seen and experienced such fine-tuned, attentive and immaculately well-organised banqueting service.” Tower 42, City of London

“A triumph!! Rachel and I would both like to thank you so much for once again providing a terrific operation for us in Monaco over the weekend - in fact we think it was even better then last year. The design was lovely, the flowers were beautiful, the food spectacular and the service first class. All in all a very impressive set-up.” IMG

ABSOLUTE TASTE WRITTEN FEEDBACK

“Thank you for your sterling contribution to the success of last Thursday‟s event. Consensus is that the entire launch, in all respects, was fabulously well delivered and the client, and Camron team, is absolutely delighted. The professionalism of all concerned was very much evident and we look forward to working with you again.” Camron PR

“You were absolutely fabulous, creating food and service only found in the poshest restaurants, in the middle of a field in Gloucestershire for 360 people.” Aero Super Batics Ltd.

“Thank you for looking after all our catering arrangements in Monaco. I know that the logistics of the events were very challenging for all of us, but our guests thoroughly enjoyed the event. We had many favourable comments regarding the lunches etc…”

“It was a pleasure to work with the Absolute Taste chefs, who worked with the up- most professionalism resulting in a complete stress-free event.” Fifth Element

“The food proved to be a great success and the quality and taste impressed all of our guests.” Fred Perry

“Your enthusiasm and concern is always welcome and we always feel we are working as part of a team which we greatly appreciate.” Nibbs Events

“It is hard to describe just how great a job you did for us on Saturday night….everything was perfect….I really cannot thank you enough. Everyone has raved about the party from the food to the décor to the cocktails...everything!!!!” Event Vision

“Absolute Taste were amazing and exceeded all expectations. Your team were delightful. I have received many letters praising your professionalism. The food was excellent and service spectacular. We will now be a client for life.” Stewart Smith Recruitment

WHAT OUR PRIVATE CLIENTS SAY

„Huge, huge thank you to you all for making our wedding day just the most memorable day ever. From the first moment that Mum and I stepped into your office back in April, we knew we had nothing to worry about.‟

“The food was delicious! And the presentation was lovely too. Everyone did a great job and we will look forward to seeing you all again – perhaps in the autumn?!”

“Jan and I would like to thank you and your staff for making Mandy‟s wedding really exceptional. We have received a large number of letters full of effusive praise for the table presentation, the outstanding food and the service of the staff. We really could not have hoped fir anything better – many, many thanks for everything.”

“Where do I start?! Thank you and to everyone involved at Absolute Taste for the most fantastic catering for our wedding.”

“Thank you for all your hard work that made Andrew‟s 40th party such a success. Throughout the whole organising process you were fantastically relaxed, approachable and obviously capable, which was very reassuring. Caroline and Chris‟s advice was correct –„don‟t even think about worrying about Absolute Taste!”

“With out exception everyone has commented on the delicious food both at the party and in their thank you letters. I was very impressed by you efficient organisation and hopefully it won‟t be too long till I have an excuse to use your company again.”

„Absolute Taste was absolutely SUPERB! The troupe you sent were wonderful – so bright, cheerful, efficient and fun too.‟

„Everyone was so impressed and full of compliments about the food, the table layout, your staff and so on. And you do it all with such enthusiasm!‟

“I have been inundated by guests telling me what a fantastic occasion it was, and how they loved the food, (I understand they proved this by eating their way through most of it), the drink – particularly the cocktails, and how unfailingly nice the staff were: I know we were lucky with the weather, but everything else was down to planning, detail and sheer hard work, so please pass on my thanks to all the crew who worked so hard to make it such a success. I hope to do it all again soon……….” Nick Mason – Pink Floyd

EXAMPLE CANAPE MENU

SERVED COLD Asian marinated chicken rice paper roll with a julienne of red pepper, cucumber, bean sprouts, coriander and mint with a honey and soy dipping sauce Tiny bamboo skewers of buffalo mozzarella, peach, mint and prosciutto Tuna tartar on a crispy taco with a jalapeno salsa Herb polenta cake with crispy duck, orange compote, spring onion and cucumber

SERVED WARM The classic fillet beef skewer with a herby hollandaise dip Potato dauphinoise squares on a crisp potato slice topped with lamb fillet and a mint and rosemary crème fraiche Pan fried scallops with an apple and ginger dressing served on a oriental spoon Posh “chip and dip” chunky chips with a fresh truffle dip

PUDDING CANAPES Lavender shortbread with local strawberries and Cornish clotted cream Passion fruit tartlets Chocolate brownies squares

EXAMPLE BOWL FOOD MENU

SERVED COLD Panko crusted chicken breast served with crispy bacon, avocado, little gem lettuce and tomato and chilli jam Posh prawn cocktail with slivers of cucumber, cherry tomatoes and a touch of lemon juice Rare roasted beef with char grilled artichokes, roasted red pepper, balsamic shallots on a bed of rocket drizzled truffle oil

SERVED WARM Mixed seafood, langoustine, scallop, scampi, whitebait with tartar sauce in cones in wire baskets Mini Yorkshire puddings with fillet of beef, mash potato and served with a onion gravy and topped with horseradish cream Wild mushroom risotto with parmesan crackling and truffle oil

PUDDING Panna cotta with fresh raspberry compote Shots of tiramisu

EXAMPLE DINNER MENUS

Tartlet of Reblochon, maple bacon and crispy roasted potatoes served winter leaf salad

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Char grilled monk fish with scallops on a rosemary branch served with violet artichoke and lemon “fritti” and creamy mash potato and green beans

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Coconut pannacotta with spiced pineapple topped with pineapple ice cream with coconut biscuits

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Seared scallops and a pumpkin tortellini with pumpkin puree topped with crispy pancetta and shaved parmesan with a sage beurre noisette

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Char grilled fillet of beef, leek and horseradish rosti with fresh horseradish cream served with roasted baby beetroot, whole baby carrots and whole baby parsnips with pan fried spinach

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Chocolate and chestnut tart with Laverstoke Park Dulce de Leche buffalo ice cream and a shot of chocolate sauce with a white chocolate foam cream

We hope that the information we have provided and our working experience endorses our ability to provide an unrivalled level of service, operational expertise and support.

For further information please contact:

Absolute Taste Ltd 14 Edgel St London SW18 1SR

T: + 44 20 8870 5151 E: [email protected]