As we look forward to warmer weather and alfresco dining, we welcome Siôn Parry, our new F&B Executive

We should not blame the weather of course but, as I write in late April, it is pretty grim, with cold winds not conducive to alfresco dining – not least because the food gets cold too! The Club benefits from wonderful grounds which offer the perfect setting to eat outside. Sadly, variable weather does have an impact on staffing requirements which can have an effect on service and consistency.

Financially, in the first quarter, F&B has been short of budget mainly because Events sales were lower and payroll costs slightly higher. April looks to be a tight month, but hopes are high that we can recover much of the adverse variance to budget when the sunnier months are with us.

Siôn Parry is our new F&B Executive and successor to André Friedrich. He is now busy getting his feet under the table and meeting the many variables that Hurlingham provides. Siôn has a strong pedigree from his experience at The Ritz and BAFTA Private Members’ Club. He is very much a ‘hands-on’ person, leading from the front and I hope that many of you will have already met him. If not, please do take the opportunity to do so, as he is keen to get to know members.

What will happen when the East Wing closes for development after Tennis Week is very much on our minds, and we are planning for the disruption to normal service. The main kitchen will be utilised as long as possible, before it is updated and becomes fully operational again. The Harness Room kitchen will be the vital link in-between times and will be beefed up with more staff to cope with increased volumes, in addition to the small Polo Bar kitchen and BBQ, plus third-party vendors (food trucks) for large events. The bar in the Dip opened in May, the Polo Bar stretch tent from early June. The fall-back in terms of production capacity would be a hired-in temporary kitchen.

In terms of seating capacity, the outside areas will be pre-eminent during the hot weather. In the winter months the Harness Room will have a smart temporary structure added in the Rose Court – we are aware that this would not achieve planning permission for the long term. The Dining and Terrace Rooms will also be available to members at certain times.

Marketing initiatives continue and following the popular ‘A Taste of Italy’, in the Harness Room, we may offer Spanish-themed menus, paired with cocktails on the Polo Bar terrace. I am delighted to say that the seven-course tasting menu and wine pairing in the Dining Room, at the end of May, was completely sold out. The Summer Fiesta event will take place on Friday 12 July, with the Family Picnic the following day, so please get your diaries out and make your booking.

It’s a moment of change as spring turns to summer, with the new exciting Fiesta event and the start of the East Wing development. We hope for many salad days along the way.

NICK TAYLOR, CHAIR, F&B

Sara Jayne Stanes Awards

Maria Manzanero
Front of House

Maria is fully committed to creating memorable experiences for members and always goes the extra mile to ensure that any tasks are completed to the highest standard. Maria is recognised by her colleagues as reliable, hardworking and supportive.

Emmanuel Quarshie
Back of House

Emmanuel’s positive attitude makes him an asset to the team. Emmanuel uplifts his teammates and creates a cheerful and encouraging work environment for all. He is praised by his co-workers for his polite, hard-working nature and ‘can-do’ attitude.