Exultant, Exotic, Exquisite… a milestone 60th birthday at the V&A

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Last week we descended on the majestic Victoria and Albert Museum to stage a milestone birthday to remember. The evening allowed us to flex our creative muscles to create a playful and fun evening but something which equally expressed refined simplicity.

The theme was built around the life and interests of the birthday boy, with a special reference to his connections with the Caribbean and a love of its exotic culture.

Guests were greeted with a vibrant, carnival welcome where waiters dressed in tropical shirts and straw hats offered a thirst-quenching rum punch while a live duo played some of reggae’s best-loved tunes. IMG_3029

Canapés nodded to classic Jamaican cuisine, full of bright colours and bold flavours. Jerk lamb skewers with guava chutney, red snapper escovitch and coconut curried shrimp offered guests a taste of the sun in the heart of London. IMG_3107IMG_3147

For the seated dinner we wanted a sense of old-fashioned, fin de siècle sophistication. We took inspiration from Dale Chihuly’s achingly-cool chandelier, dressing the iconic dome and its surrounds minimally and using a mix of soft and hard lighting to emphasise the grandeur of the venue and the sense of occasion.

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Traditional classics such as double-baked Montgomery Cheddar soufflé and roast fillet of Hake were followed by a decadent and luxurious pyramid of puddings accompanied by espresso martinis. Salted caramel and almond Opera cake, Little Zabaglione goblets and Rhubarb Queen of Pudding Tarts were just a few of the tantalising show-stoppers; instant crowd-pleasers to whet the audience’s appetite. Each aspect of this special dinner exclaimed celebration.

The evening culminated with a lively performance from a Motown tribute band, belting out soul favourites from 60s and 70s, as guests danced the night away.

To find out more about how we raise the bar for milestone events and anniversaries click here.