Colin Nevitt of AGA with Sarah Dibden and Lucy Alexander

Event Catering Award Winner 2007

2nd May 2007, 4:34pm

Sponsored by AGA Foodservice Equipment

Searcy

Popularly known as the 'Gherkin', London's iconic building is more properly known as 30 St. Mary Axe where contractor Searcy was responsible for hosting 101 high profile events for corporate clients in 2006 on the top floors of the 180 metre tall, glass-domed structure. They included the Thomson Financial client reception with its 'under the sea' theme that included 'rippling blue light', ocean images projected onto walls and an ice bar serving oysters and the more formal Tesco Stores debate that included branded lecterns and backdrops that were replaced by a grand piano and champagne as the mood was deliberately lifted later. The team's flexibility was fully tested for the RIBA 2012 Olympic Legacy Dinner when they had to accommodate a big jump in numbers at short notice by splitting the formal dinner across two floors - all delivered despite complicated access, security restrictions and an unusual space.