THE BACKSTAGE
Let’s start from the beginning.
You wake up one morning, have a nice coffee and you get the message from wedding planner Cindy Salgado who writes: “Hi Alessio! I need a proposal for catering services for about 50 people. I must warn you, they are customers with very special needs … starting with the menu: it must be entirely vegan! ”
Used to working on tailor-made proposals for our customers and attentive to their every request, we immediately got to work and sent our best offer.
Then comes the day of the response from the wedding planner.
“Hello Alessio! I am happy to inform you that customers have chosen your Catering among all the other offers… but they will no longer be 50 people, they will be around 180! As for the location … the event will be held at the Palagio, the Sting estate. And now I can finally reveal to you who the client is… do you know the song “Bleeding love?”
At the end of the phone call, here’s the full picture: we were chosen to offer our services for the wedding celebrations of Leona Lewis, British singer-songwriter, actress and TV personality & Dennis Jauch, artistic director, choreographer, entrepreneur and musician of the panorama German! Two internationally renowned stars!
And what better setting for this fairytale wedding than Il Palagio, the wonderful and famous estate of Sting, the former singer of the Police, located above the picturesque town of Figline Valdarno in Tuscany?
From that moment on, my team and I, supported by the wedding planner, worked for months on the organization of the event, studying down to the smallest details: from the choice of the best fresh and genuine products, to the presentation of the finished dishes, which would enhance its simplicity and beauty.
We have put the best of our Catering & Baqueting services into play:
“THE PICNIC”
In the wonderful setting of the swimming pool, surrounded by a garden finely cared for in every detail, we organized a picnic with a refined and personalized menu based on finger food. For guests we have set up various lounge areas with blankets, pillows and side tables made with wooden boxes. All the packaging was biodegradable: sustainability and respect for the environment are our priorities!
“THE ITALIAN MARKET”
The afternoon aperitif was held in the square of the charming Limonaia of the Villa, where we set up stands that reproduced the festive setting and atmosphere of an Italian outdoor fair. There was the station for Pizzas & Focaccias, made, seasoned and baked on the spot by our expert pizza makers: the corner was a success and a source of great entertainment. Studded with photos and videos, they loved it! A “Star” among the Stars!
Next to it was the fresh pasta corner, where our chefs showed guests how to prepare the gnocchi and ravioli intended to be served during dinner that same evening. There was the drinks corner, embellished with characteristic demijohns and traditional flasks of wine. Crowning the square was the rich and splendid buffet of appetizers.
“DINNER”
Unlike the buffet aperitif, dinner was seated and served. For the convenience of guests, we have set up a large wooden platform, capable of accommodating 3 rows of large tables set for about 180 people, with a very elegant but at the same time very cheerful mise en place, handmade, a real triumph of flowers and colors!
For the occasion, even our uniform could not be outdone: white shirt, suspenders, bow tie, Panama style hat and last but not least, our best smile!
Blessed with the luck of a beautiful sunny day, we have created a unique, professional and exciting atmosphere at the same time.
“BREAKFAST AND LUNCH”
Part of the guests, who came from abroad for the occasion, stayed in the two Sting properties adjacent to the main estate, where the ceremony was held.
For these families we have had the pleasure of organizing breakfasts and lunches, customizing each menu proposal according to their preferences.
“THE MENU”
The most interesting and intense challenge? The whole event was COMPLETELY VEGAN!
Being the bride, Leona Lewis, one of the most famous stars who follow the vegan philosophy, we have studied and created the menus of each ad hoc service, trying to surprise the palates of our guests!
You can make healthy and delicious delights by following the vegan moral and dietary principles without giving up comfort and gluttony!
The satisfaction that my team and I felt during this event is indescribable!
The commitment, dedication, inventiveness and enthusiasm guided us during the performance of all the services.
I thank my brigade of chefs and waiters who proved to be up to the task. I also thank the wedding planner Cindy Salgado, for having tirelessly promoted and assisted us throughout the organization of such an impressive event.
Thanks to the whole team of the Il Palagio estate who have always been available and collaborative.
And a special thanks obviously goes to the newlyweds, Leona & Dennis thanks for offering us this wonderful opportunity!
A memorable debut in the world of stars! A great event, the first of a long series;)
