· Moving Venue, trusted and accredited caterers of Historic Royal Palaces, the independent charity that cares for Kensington Palace, for over 25 years, provided the food and beverage for the launch event.
· Exclusive venue space available all year round.
· Kensington Palace Gardens, London W8 4PX
· www.hrp.org.uk/kensington-palace/hire-a-venue/the-orangery/
Following an extensive period of restoration by independent charity Historic Royal Palaces, the Orangery at Kensington Palace has reopened this spring as an exclusive events space. Perfect for all types of celebrations, the Orangery is an architectural gem, available for a range of events, from lavish weddings accommodating up to 300 guests, to summer soiree receptions.
Moving Venue, a trusted catering partner of Historic Royal Palaces for over a quarter of a century, were appointed to deliver outstanding food and beverage during the reception of the Orangery re-opening event on 23rd April 2024. Delivering a variety of events of all types and sizes, Moving Venue will continue to be a recommended caterer for events hosted in the Orangery.
Guests were invited to embark on a culinary journey with Moving Venue’s exquisite menu offerings, all inspired by the culinary trend of “Glocalisation”; the concept that involves seamlessly integrating global culinary influences while utilising locally sourced ingredients.
Orangeries, initially conceived to protect citrus trees from Britain’s harsh winters, could be said to represent a pioneering and sustainable form of ‘Glocalisation’ in their own right. Citrus fruits, traditionally grown in Orangeries, appeared throughout the entire menu, starting with the Orange Blossom and Bergamot Martini cocktail upon arrival, followed by the wild bass fillet and scorched orange butter ravioli bowl food, and finished with the striking Amalfi Lemons; Lemon whipped ganache with mint and lemon marmalade. Moving Venue has also championed a variety of seasonal British ingredients. Dishes served to guests included delicate flavours of Courgette Cannelloni, stuffed with creamy cashew curd, complemented by a smoked vinegar gel. For those craving a savoury delight, the Lamb Belly Croquettes were a must-try, served alongside pickled rhubarb, golden beets, and a refreshing crushed pea salad.
For four decades, Moving Venue has been the cornerstone of London’s iconic venues and premier hospitality events, setting the standard for unparalleled catering. The company’s legacy is built on a foundation of unwavering expertise, earning Moving Venue the trust of industry leaders and patrons alike. With each event, the team infuse a signature blend of innovation and tradition and are fuelled by a restless ambition. The agile team embrace challenges head-on, constantly evolving to exceed expectations and uphold their commitment to deliver remarkable events.
“Catering the launch reception at the newly reopened Orangery at Kensington Palace is an honour for Moving Venue. With over 25 years of experience in collaborating with this prestigious Historic Royal Palaces venue, we are thrilled to continue as a trusted caterer. Our team were excited to elevate this occasion with our expertise and commitment to delivering culinary excellence and exceptional service.” – Chloe Jackson, Managing Director, Moving Venue.
In the summer of 1704, Queen Anne commissioned the Orangery, as a place to grow lavish orange trees and exotic plants in large ceramic pots. The beautiful architecture, designed by Sir Christopher Wren and Nicholas Hawksmoor, allowed the space to evolve from the intended ‘greenhouse’ into a magnificent ‘summer supper house’, hosting extravagant royal gatherings, summer parties and her Maundy Day Ceremony amidst the fragrant blooms of citrus. Young ‘upstart’ architect John Vanbrugh then added details of his own such as Grinling Gibbons carvings and elegant pillars to create the airy and delightful space present today.
Kensington Palace was once a small and suburban villa, known as Nottingham House with new monarchs William III and Mary II choosing the once modest mansion to be their country retreat. Over the years, Stuart and Georgian monarchs have transformed the palace into a fashionable home for Britain’s young royal families. Queen Caroline shaped the palace and gardens, and Queen Victoria spent her childhood here.
“We are delighted to be partnering with Moving Venue to re-launch the Orangery at Kensington Palace, following a period of extensive renovation. Moving Venue are a long-standing event partner across our Palaces and will be bringing their signature creativity and flair to the event with a range of cocktails, canapeìs, bowl food and dessert stations inspired by the beauty and history of The Orangery.” Liz Young, Head of Events, Historic Royal Palaces.
The style of the venue encourages events all year round, inspiring drinks receptions in the summer, with the Orangery Terrace as an extra outdoor space, as well as cosy, ambient, sit-down dinners in the winter, set amongst a backdrop like no other. Immersed in the history of Queen Anne’s Orangery, each event is individual and extraordinary.
