Payne and Gunter caters for 4,000 guests at Brit Awards

Payne and Gunter catered for more than 4,000 guests at last night's Brit Awards - its 12th consecutive year catering for the event.

This year's event marked the 40th anniversary of punk music and the menu was designed to reflect the influence of the genre.

A 600-strong team of front of house employees served guests in less than 75 minutes at London's O2 Arena, while a brigade of 60 chefs were busy in the kitchen.

For starter guests were presented with roasted Wight Isle tomato mousse with Scottish forest mushrooms and shaved truffle. It was followed by a Lake District trio of lamb, including roast best end, pressed salt baked belly and slow cooked rolled shoulder, served with Lincolnshire butternut puree, Berkswell ewe's cheese, lamb jus and marsh herbs.

The vegetarian option included crushed ratte and sweet potato with chermoula, served with baba ganoush rotolo, parslied polenta cake and Lincolnshire butternut squash.

This year's dessert saw an Eton Mess reinterpreted using poached Yorkshire rhubarb, vanilla custard, Chantilly cream and meringues, topped with a selection of nostalgic British sweets and a chocolate themed punk Mohican.

Bethan James, head of operations at Payne and Gunter, said: "The Brit Awards are the pinnacle of the UK's music scene and it's a great opportunity for us to use our creativity to reflect the punk theme, whilst delivering an exceptional dining experience for guests.

"We pride ourselves on using British, seasonal ingredients which have a slight twist, making for a fun and quirky menu befitting for the occasion."

Maggie Crowe, event director of the Brit Awards, added: "Every year, Bethan and her team produce a logistical masterclass and no matter what requests we ask of them, they always deliver to the highest standard."

Payne and Gunter is a business of Levy Restaurants UK the sports, leisure and hospitality division of Compass Group UK & Ireland.

The 2016 Brit Awards were hosted by Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly. Adele was the big winner of the night, walking away with four awards including best British female solo artist and best album.

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