Great ingredients are at the very essence of our cooking, black trumpets, saffron, Jerusalem artichokes, blood oranges. When designing a new canapé it must taste sensational and look amazing, it needs a balanced depth of flavour with the seasoning added subtly. It must invoke intrigue and should certainly never disappoint. Here at By Christopher we have a great passion for food and it’s creation; as the butter just foams in a hot pan, that’s when you add the mushrooms, as the juice from the loin of cod bleeds saffron’s inky orange, that’s when the flakes are just set and its out of the oven. A passion for the moment too, like slowly pulling the long cork from an 89 Pontet Canet while eyeing up the marbling of your trimmed rib eye off the bone just waiting for the hiss as it hits the hot grill pan, searing, grilling eventually resting and then the eating. This is the passion we apply to every aspect of our events, it is something we are proud of and keen to maintain. From the out set we are forth coming with our knowledge and expertise and will work with you from start to finish to present the perfect event for any reason, every season.

Price List

Canapé receptions £/unit £/head6 canapé /head £1.15 £6.908 canapé /head £1.15 £9.2010 canapé /head £1.15 £11.5012 canapé /head £1.15 £13.80Staffing - based on a 2 hour reception £5.45Hire - glassware, bar, ice etc. £3.45Logistics - delivery, refuse removal etc. £0.95Example50 guests for 2 hours with 8 canapés each no. £/unit sumFood 50 £9.20 £460.00Hire, staff, logistics 50 £9.85 £492.50Sum £952.50vat £166.69Total £1,119.19Total costs/head including vat 50 £22.38Lunches, dinners and wedding breakfasts £/head3 course meal £24.95Bowl food receptions example, 4 bowls and 6 canapés £18.90Wine tasting dinners - typically 3 courses with 3 wines £34.00As a guide, staffing, hire and logistical costs are 65%, 35%, and 15% of food costs respectivelyExample80 guests 4 canapés reception with 3 course meal no. £/unit sumCanapés 80 £4.60 £368.00Food 80 £24.95 £1,996.00Staffing - based on a 6 hour service 80 £16.47 £1,317.36Hire - tables chairs, crockery cutler, glassware, bar, ice etc. 80 £8.73 £698.60Logistics - delivery, refuse removal etc. 80 £3.74 £299.40Sum £4,679.36vat £818.89Total £5,498.25Total costs/head including vat 80 £68.73The Canapé Box - a perfect party in delivered direct.Canapés priced as indicated above less 15%Please inquire for further information on this service*Please note, prices where not indicated are subject to Vat.Prices are as an initial guide onlyFor a more accurate and detailed quote please don't hesitate to get in touch.

Wines List

Champagne and sparkling wineProsecco di Valdobbiadene Spumante, Botter £10.95Bernard Massard cuvee l'eccusion brut traditional £12.95Heidsec brut blue cap Champagne NV £26.95Perrier Jouet NV Brut Champagne £29.95RoseLes Quatre tours - coteaux d'aix-en-provence 2008 £7.95White WinesConosur Maiden flight grewerstraminer 2008 £6.95Carmen sauvignon blanc - Chile 2008 £7.95Ironstone vigonier Californa 2008 £7.95Jackson Estate un-oaked Chardonnay Marlborough 2003 £13.95Fritz Hagg Reisling kabinett 2005 £14.95Pieropan La Rocca, Soave Classico Veneto 2007 £27.95Red WinesCarman Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 - Chile £7.95False Bay Cabernet/Merlot 2005 Stellen bosch £10.95Boutinot, Carriane Cotes du Rhone 2006 £13.95La Reserve du Leoville Barton 2004 £25.95Felton Road Pinot Noir Central Otago 2006 £35.95Chateau Clos Rene Pomerol 1989 £39.95NotesPrices per 750ml bottle, sale or return by the case of sixVintages may vary according to supplyPrices may vary in line with vintage, duty and exchange ratesWe can source many wines specifically for your event and menu choiceUse of client wines carry no addioional charges - ie we don't charge corkagePrices are subject to vatWine ListA fine selection of delicious wines selected fromgood quality, well priced producers from top vintages.Wine is an essential element of any party with this listbut a few of those we can supply. If you have a certaingrape variety or region you particularly enjoy, just sayand we'll source the wine for you

Deliciously approachable

StartersSalmon gravadlax with a radish and celeriac saladPoached smoked haddock with bubble and squeak and buttered asparagus.Crumbed grilled mackerel with shredded mooli and a tomato and anchovy sauceBaked mussels with Swiss chard and saffron sauce with toasted sour doughSmoked ham hock and lemon thyme terrine with beetroot salsa and piccalilliButternut squash, leek and gruyere flan with fresh leaf salad (v)Goats cheese puff tart, beetroot, rocket and walnut salad (v)Classic French onion soup with gruyere toast (v)Main CoursesBaked loin of cod with braised gem lettuce, thyme and sweet potatoSlow roast pork belly with star anise, roast apple, garlic and braised bok choySupreme of organic chicken with lemon thyme, chantenay carrots, almonds and crisp new potatoGrilled 28 day rib eye, caramelised shallots, baked potato halves, roast tomato and sauté field mushroomBraised shin of beef with beef sauce, suet crust, steamed green cabbage and baby turnipsSeared salmon fillet, welsh onion cake, marsh samphire and saffron sauceIrish stew with chopped parsley and freshly baked breadFish and chips with mushy peas and a tartar sauceDessertsRhubarb fool tart with rhubarb sorbetA big fat slice of strawberry Victoria sponge cakeStacked blueberry drop scones with walnut butter creamCalvados apple tart with apple and honey comb ice creamTreacle pudding with cinnamon vanilla ice cream.Hazelnut meringues with vanilla whipped cream and summer fruitsChocolate puddle cake with whipped raspberry cream.Sticky toffee pudding and toffee sauce

Specialist Services

Cocktails: Essentially, like making a fine sauce, cocktails need to be balanced. The skill is gaining that careful combination of sweetness, acidity and alcohol combined with the subtle aromas of fruits and liqueurs. When done well and at the right moment, a good cocktail can be sensational. While we of course offer a fine selection of the classics, there is no reason why we can't design one especially for your event. Mojito Moscow Mule Martini Cosmo Cranberry Mule Alabama Fizz Mint Julep Iris

Trade Bodies / Associations

Your Private Chef: Working in the event catering industry for over 10 years and in a 5 star hotel for 5 years before that, Christopher Messum gained a first class diploma from the Leith's School of food and wine before setting up his business By Christopher in 2005. He still offers his private chef service where he can create exclusive multi-course tasting dinners for up 14 guests. Prices start from £80/head. Menus on request – Please contact Christopher on 01494 883 445