Michelin-starred Northcote launches event catering service

The Michelin-starred Northcote in the Ribble Valley has launched an event catering business, Blooming Onion Bespoke Events, following investment from new owners Silkstone Finance.

Earlier this year, the Britannia Hospitality-owned Stafford Collection, which had owned Northcote hotel and restaurant since 2019, sold it to the investment vehicle run by husband-and-wife team Alf and Clare Ellis.

Blooming Onion Bespoke Events will provide menus and event planning services for birthday banquets, business breakfasts, private dinners, networking events and corporate parties.

It takes its name from chef patron-director Lisa Goodwin-Allen’s favourite ingredient and builds on the restaurant’s existing Northcote at Home catering division, which was limited to dinner parties.

Goodwin-Allen has devised the new menu, which ranges from fine dining to street food, garden barbecues and themed buffets.

Dishes will be prepared by Goodwin-Allen’s kitchen brigade and served by a dedicated front of house team, consisting of sommeliers and cocktail specialists. Crockery, cutlery and glassware can also be personalised to each event.

Northcote has historically been involved in event catering, having been the corporate and match-day caterer for Blackburn Rovers Football Club at Ewood Park for 20 years, until 2019.

Goodwin-Allen said: “The name Northcote at Home put us in a box, meaning that it was very much about creating Northcote food in a home environment. With Blooming Onion, we will do anything from a barbecue to a canapé event or something more elaborate, whether it is in the home, a corporate location or at another venue. Clients will provide the criteria, and we’ll provide the magic.” 

Craig Bancroft, managing director at Northcote, added: “All of the team members engaged in Blooming Onion projects will be Northcote F&B team members to ensure the delivery is consistent, genuine and matches Northcote’s high standards. We will aim to grow the team at Northcote as the catering arm of the business expands.”

Blooming Onion Bespoke Events is available nationwide via a refrigerated van.