As always, we’re so pleased to receive this kind of praise from our customers – it truly does make it all worthwhile!

Dear Sharon,

Thank you for a great effort on Saturday. The food was fantastic, acclaimed by all, service was great and organisation faultless. If you ever need a reference, you know where to come. It could not have been better.

Natalie and Stuart had a great day (and night – it sort of fizzled out at about 4.30 when the cold of dawn got to the stalwarts and they retired to bed/sofas/tents/camper vans and locals B&Bs and the last of the stragglers left us about 5.30 Sunday afternoon,) which they can bank in their memories for their lives together. A great time.

So thanks again.

Steve, Sue, Natalie & Stuart

We take great pleasure in sharing a short extract from a testimonial received from one of our newly married patrons with you, and are proud to have been able to assist in making sure they were able to relax and enjoy their special day without having to worry about minor (well, OK, major!) details like the catering!

We had the most amazing time. I know it sounds clichéd, but it really was the best day of our lives …so far!

Hand on heart, every time we receive such high praise, it makes us feel like it has all been worthwhile, and we wish the happy couple in question all the very best for their next exciting steps together on life’s journey!

The museum was opened in 1970 and is set in 50 acres of a beautiful 19th century park, and features over 40 historic buildings including a Tudor farmtead and 17th century working watermill (they were originally located within the area covered by the South Downs and The Weald, which stretches between the south coast and London at its northernmost extremity, and have been painstakingly transported and reconstructed on the site to preserve them for the future), including the breathtaking Crawley Hall (which was built in the 15th century) with its imposing timber-framed “great hall”.

As a contrast to the ancient buildings, the Downland Gridshell workshop became operational in 2002 – this is an incredible oak built structure that boasts modern curved lines, and has picked up a number of sought-after awards for its groundbreaking architecture.

We really can’t think of anywhere that brings history to life better, and in such an accessible manner, and the many awards it has received, such as the prestigious Museum of the Year, just go to show just how truly special a place it is!

Marriages at the Weald and Downland Museum

Crawley Hall is also an accredited wedding venue, with only one ceremony ever scheduled to take place on any given day, and your party can benefit from access to the grounds, including the tranquil lakeside area.

SJI Food and Service is hugely proud to have been worked at the museum as a caterer, and we can provide a complete catering service for you including a Canape Menu, Finger Buffet or Fork Buffet, all of which can be served inside or outside under the Market Hall.

We’d be delighted to look after your food and drink requirements including glasses, ice and more, and can even arrange for our polite, experienced staff to serve it. We want to help ensure that your day in this most fabulous of venues goes as smoothly as possible, so that you can enjoy the peace and beauty of the place to the fullest.

Planning your wedding? Want to know more?

Contact SJI Food and Service through our website and be sure to contact Rebecca on 01243 811464 at the Weald and Downland Museum for details on dates and prices.

You can also view the Weald and Downland Museum’s website for further information.

Here at SJI Food & Service, we’ve been delighted to provide catering for hen parties in Sussex for some time now, so if you’re starting to plan yours, why not speak to us?

If you’re looking for inspiration on what to do for your hen night or weekend, we’ve put together a few suggestions featuring some of our favourite places and events…

The Chichester Catering guide to hen party venues and events

Racing at Goodwood

Soak up the atmosphere at one of the most beautiful race courses in the world, with incredible panoramic views from the crest of the South Downs; the Glorious Goodwood meeting held every summer is a firm favourite in social and equestrian diaries everywhere, and widely regarded as one of finest flat racing events there is. Elegance is high on the agenda too over the three days of the festival, so why not enjoy the spectacle, and perhaps the odd glass of champagne! June also sees Friday evening races throughout the month.

Goodwood Festival of Speed

A three day paean to all things automotive, where visitors get the chance to see some of the fastest (and quite possibly most expensive) cars on the planet do battle to take the glory of the quickest time on “the hill”; while it might be said that the event is chock full of boys’ toys, where else could you get to rub shoulders with world-class drivers of past and present such as Jensen Button, Lewis Hamilton or Damon Hill?

Goodwood Revival Meeting

The Goodwood Revival Meeting was instigated by the Earl of March (owner of the Goodwood Estate) to renew interest in the racing of classic cars and bikes on the historic Goodwood Motor Circuit. Visitors to this unique and much-loved event get the opportunity to travel back in time to the golden era of British car racing between 1948 and 1966.

Everyone is strongly encouraged to wear period costume over the weekend, and it’s not unusual to see a huge range of characters from Marilyn Monroe to RAF Spitfire pilots enjoying themselves in the late summer sunshine. We think this is a brilliant way to spend a hen weekend – after all, what girl could resist all that old world charm and glamour coupled with the chance to dress up in something out of the ordinary?

Country Pursuits

For those hen parties looking to get away from the crowds, thankfully the local area has plenty to offer – why not indulge in a bit of sunbathing and a picnic on West Wittering beach? This is one of the most unspoilt stretches of coastline in the whole of the UK, and has won numerous awards for its outstanding cleanliness (including a European “Blue Flag”), and the wonderful dunes of the East Head are a haven of tranquility and beauty, and a magical place to watch the sun go down.

As an alternative, what about a shopping trip to Chichester, the county town of West Sussex? Brimming with history, this cathedral city is home to some excellent fashion boutiques and high street names alike. Brighton is an hour away from Chichester, and provides an eclectic mix of shops, bars and nightlife as well as some remarkable sites to visit such as the world-famous Brighton Pavillion; a delicious architectural confection that takes the mysterious lands of the East as its source of inspiration.

The South Downs that traverse most of East and West Sussex are soon to become part of a National Park, and as such are widely known for their beauty; why not let us help you find the ideal spot for a picnic, and we’ll do the honours with putting together the hamper of your dreams!

Home from Home

If you’re looking for a base in the local area from which to explore, we’d seriously recommend the following properties to rent; The Upper House in Itchenor, and Poplars Farm House in Almodington – both these fabulous country houses offer unparalleled levels of luxury, privacy and sophistication, while remaining close to all the events and things to do mentioned above.

And finally…

Don’t forget that we can provide all the fabulous food, wine, champagne, celebration cakes and barbecues that you could ever wish for on your hen night or weekend, so why not let us help you see off your single life in style?

• Portsdown Hill
• Fareham
• Bedhampton
• Hayling Island
• Waterlooville
• Havant

So if you’re planning any kind of event, such as a wedding, christening, birthday party, wedding anniversary, sailing club party, or even naval occasions, then why not speak to us and see how we can help you!

Chichester Caterers – Not just catering for Chichester!

We are also expanding the scope of our services to include marquee hire, furniture rental, and supplying all the crockery and cutlery you could ever need for your party or event. We also offer a fully equipped and staffed mobile bar.

We have always understood that putting the plans together for any kind of function can be a daunting and bewildering process, and we are proud to be in a position where we can take much of the weight off your shoulders with many aspects, and help ensure that things go smoothly on the day – and this isn’t just limited to the food (though of course, we’ll always love what we do with our menus, and continually strive to innovate with new recipes and carefully-sourced ingredients!).

If you’re thinking of having a party of any kind in Hampshire, then why not get in touch with us and see how we can help!