Find out the latest goings on here at Blue Strawberry

AUSTRIAN NATIONAL TOURIST BOARD

The Austrian market themed event at One Mayfair, complete with festive Christmas trees decorated in the style of the four provinces of Austria, kicked off with traditional Austrian Glühwein, mulled wine and a delicious rum punch. Potential business trading partners for Austria were invited to the event and enjoyed a mixture of traditional Austrian food served in the form of canapés and mini meals including Wiener schnizel - Viennese schnizels with roast parsley potatoes and cranberry compote and Char Gravadlax - Beetroot cured char gravadlax with dill and cucumber pickle. After an informative speech about Austrian traditions, attendees took part in cookie decorating, getting everyone into the festive spirit as well as creating a fun and relaxed opportunity for networking.

ASIAN ART IN LONDON AT THE V & A

Guests were greeted by traditional oriental drummers 'Taiko Meantime' as they arrived for The Asian Art in London Annual Gala at the V&A. Attendees at this exclusive reception, mingled with directors and curators of Asian art collections from worldwide museums. Under the impressive Chihuly glass chandelier that hangs in the Dome, Blue Strawberry served an array of delicious canapés from bite size steak and chips with béarnaise sauce to Vietnamese rice paper rolls with crisp Asian vegetables. This annual event is the highlight of a ten day series of sales and exhibitions; the evening was an enjoyable networking occasion for London’s leading dealers in Asian art. 

THE START OF CHRISTMAS AT HAMPTON COURT PALACE

The Direction Group made an early start to the festive season by holding a stunning Christmas party at Hampton Court Palace. A dinner of golden beetroot cured salmon, warming pot roasted chicken with potato Dauphinoise followed by a desert of Brandy snap boxes and salted caramel popcorn was served to over 400 guests split across four dining areas in the Palace. This never before seen feat was expertly managed by the Blue Strawberry team, proving that no challenge is too great for them. Merriments were further continued in the historic Tudor kitchens where, at the end of the evening, mulled wine and mince pies completed the festive occasion.

EXHIBITION LAUNCH AT THE DULWICH PICTURE GALLERY

An immaculate table set for 125 guests, awaited the lenders, friends and sponsors of Painting Canada: Tom Thomson and the Group of Seven exhibition. This new exhibition at the Dulwich Picture Gallery displays works from the early twentieth century depicting the Canadian wilderness- last displayed for the British public in the 1920s. Guests discussed the artwork over canapés and drinks before a feast of Orkney scallops, fillet of venison and chocolate and clementine sabayon mousse were served, by Blue Strawberry, to great delight in the main gallery.

DON MCCULLIN AT THE IMPERIAL WAR MUSEUM

Fighter planes lit with shades of purple and orange set the scene for the opening of Shaped by War, photojournalist Don McCullin’s new exhibition at the Imperial War Museum. Having trained in the RAF and worked as an overseas reporter for the Sunday Times Magazine, award-winning photographer McCullin has a significant body of work. From powerful pictures of Iraq and Afghanistan to capturing scenes from the Vietnam War and the conflicts in Northern Ireland he has photographed monumental landmarks from our history of modern warfare. Displaying over 200 photographs, as well as other objects and personal memorabilia, this exhibition provides a unique insight into how McCullin’s life and work has been shaped by modern conflict. A mix of celebrity guests including Bill Bailey, Tony Robinson and Jon Snow were among those celebrating the exhibition’s opening as they, and the host, sung the praise of Blue Strawberry’s canapés. Guests enjoyed lobster and crayfish thermidor tart and miniature wild boar sausages with creamy mash as well as a selection of other delicious canapés.

RED HOT VIRGIN ATLANTIC DINNER AT THE ORANGERY

On an unseasonably warm autumn evening the most influential figures from the airline industry came together at Kensington Palace. The evening organised by Virgin Atlantic saw waiting staff in red hats serve canapés from trays decorated with red rose buds. Ruby red runners ran down the tables in the Orangery where guests dined on fresh crayfish, prawn and avocado salad followed by roast fillet of Casterbridge beef braised on short rib with fondant potato, cauliflower purée and wilted spinach. A desert of mini Eton mess, chocolate and strawberry mousse on a sable biscuit with a berry glass and mini bramble apple crumble was served on cake stands. As well as Virgin Atlantic cabin crew stewards in full uniform who hosted the evening, several singers dressed in uniform went on to sing in a stunning cabaret act at the end of the event. Delicious food and dramatic dressing communicated to competitors… Virgin Atlantic is still as sexy as ever.