Objectives
The goals for our Developer, and Landowner, clients in London are similar and relatively straightforward. It’s all about ‘Place-Making’. To help shine a spotlight on neighborhoods – often newly developed – by creating dining experiences that entice people to visit the area to not only try out the restaurants but also be introduced to a new neighborhood they may know nothing about and may now be keen to return. Our clients want to reach press, retail/dining customers and potential tenants of their new residential and commercial development.
Client: Crown Estate
The Crown Estate manages the Queen’s property portfolio across the UK. In London this includes the areas of St James and those around Lower Regent St, including Heddon St. We have worked with the Marketing Team at the Crown Estate since 2015 creating Restaurant-Hopping Tours across the estate to drive footfall to the many new restaurants opening in the area that is undergoing a long-term development.
Client: Cadogan
The Cadogan Estate, managed by Earl Cadogan and his family, owns significant parts of London specifically around Chelsea. The area is continually being developed and improved and we were asked to look at ways that a focus could be placed upon the work around Pavilion Road off Sloane Sq. The street now has a ‘neighbourhood’ of exceptional artisan food shops and restaurants but is a hidden gem. We created a fun and informative early evening event where customers spent 20 minutes in each shop and being given a short talk and tasting the cheese, fruits, wine, meats and fish. The evening finished with dinner in one of the restaurants.
Client: Battersea Power Station
Battersea Power Station is one of the most significant developments in London. Both for residential but also retail/dining and commercial tenancy. Apple has announced that they will be making their European HQ on the site. In 2017 we were approached to help create dining experiences that would help bring people to the area. In 2018 we created five events that were all sold out and brought 500 people to the area to try the restaurants. We created London’s Longest Lunch to showcase how to get to Battersea Power Station via public transport, prior to the tube station opening.
Client: Ballymore
London’s Longest Lunch’. A one-off six-course, wine-paired, tasting menu cooked by two of London’s best chefs: Richard Corrigan and Tomos Parry. Gastro built two pop-up dining rooms at either end of the River Thames, one at Embassy Gardens and one at Design Cube. Over 150 guests split into two groups and enjoyed three courses in each pop-up – travelling between the two on a boat along the Thames. As well as Amex card members, the guests included press and prospective property buyers. We also did a one-off event at The Wardian where guests enjoyed a Tasting Menu by acclaimed Chef James Knappett in the brand-new rooftop restaurant with 360 views of London, usually only open to tenants. Participants had an opportunity to have a private tour around the available flats once dinner had come to an end.
Client: St Katharine Docks
This historic dock on the fringe of The City of London and next to the Thames has had significant investment and redevelopment to create a new ‘neighbourhood’ of residential, commercial and retail. Involving St Katharine Docks in the London Restaurant Festival and creating a Restaurant-Hopping Tour involving five of the area’s restaurants. This sees 100 consumers, split into groups of 20 visiting each restaurants and getting a real feel for the area with a view to them spreading the word and returning themselves. During our first ever London Restaurant Festival: Summer Edition 2021, we held an event exclusively for American Express Centurion and Platinum Cardmembers ‘Tennis at The Marina’. Situated on a floating pontoon in the middle of the docks, attendees watched the Wimbledon finals whilst enjoying a seafood tasting menu. During our Autumn Edition of the festival, we also worked with local restaurant The Melusine on a special Tasting Menu, taking over the restaurant for the evening.
Client: Grosvenor
Working with Mayfair and Belgravia as new landlord partners for London Restaurant Festival October 2021 where all events are exclusively sold to American Express Platinum CMs. We created a bespoke Event series named “Discover Mayfair” and “Discover Belgravia”. Key highlight events from this series include “Discover Pantechnicon and Motcomb Street” and “Discover Mercato Mayfair and North Audley Street” which were our answers to shining the spotlight on specific streets in their areas by involving many retailer experiences e.g. Fine Cheese Co, Rococo Chocolates, Danceworks Mayfair, McQueens Flower School. They had separate pages on the London Restaurant Festival Platinum website as well as links to October promotions in their restaurants on each of those pages (mini menu promotion).
Client: Television Centre
Their very first partnership with us during London Restaurant Festival October 2021 with creative events showcasing everything TVC had to offer. In the BINGE series for example ‘Eat TV’ and ‘Eat Film’ events incorporated BBC Studio Works, watching a Jonathan Ross show live, or Electric Cinema, for an exclusive viewing of ‘Pulp Fiction’, after a special menu from Patty & Bun. Also promoting restaurants in the area via restaurant takeovers where attendees can try a Tasting Menu from Bluebird Cafe to Endo at Rotunda and audiences from Amex Experiences to Amex Centurion Members.
