Over 23,000 guests visited Le Club France entertainment areas catered for by Payne and Gunter, Fauchon and Le Public Systeme at Old Billingsgate during the Olympic period.
The partnership, which catered to the exclusive dining areas of Le Club France, worked tirelessly to ensure the official headquarters of the French Olympic Committee was “the place to be” for French athletes, dignitaries, media, officials and thousands of supporters for the duration of the 2012 Olympic Games.
Fauchon, the celebrated Parisian catering company, Le Public Systeme, the PCO with a track record in national and international events spanning over two decades, and Payne and Gunter, the appointed British catering partner of Le Club France, liaised for over 12 months to ensure the cuisine offered met the high standards of a nation of avid foodies. As a result, travel between Paris and London was a frequent element of the planning process.
The undertaking was substantial: with a venue spanning nearly 7,000m2, the bi-national team ensured Le Club France had over 100 staff on hand to cater for 2,500 daily attendees and a 600-cover restaurant. On the ground floor of Old Billingsgate, a fully licensed bar was open until 3am, serving over 400 barrels of Heineken throughout the two-week celebrations, and with DJs and bands performing late into the night, the venue was transformed into the beating hub of French revelries during the Games.
In the alcoves of Old Billingsgate, “La Brasserie” offered the French Olympic Family and hospitality guests the tradition of fine French cuisine in a relaxed atmosphere. Guests were able to sample dishes of locally sourced British produce with a nod to traditional French cuisine, including ‘artisan charcuterie, duck rillette and cornichon’, ‘Pinot Noir braised duck leg with balsamic grapes, wilted leek and spinach and white bean puree’ and ‘pea and ricotta frittata with pea aioli and parmesan shards’. The team liaised closely to ensure the restaurant’s offering was on par with that of the finest Paris eateries, while The Mezzanine, overlooking the Old Billingsgate Grand Hall and reserved for VIPs, was an exclusive space to sample canapés and cocktails.
Bethan James, operations director at Payne and Gunter, said: “It has been an absolute pleasure to work with such fantastic teams from both France and at home. The project started 12 months ago and involved a huge amount of planning. It has been challenging, but seeing it all come together makes you incredibly proud. I think we should all be awarded Gold for commitment and success!”
Christophe Renard, Chairman at Fauchon Receptions, commented: “The cooperation with Payne and Gunter’s team has been a rich and instructive experience. This was our very first operation in London, and to be working on the Olympics in the new and ambitious Club France configuration was a real challenge and honour.
“This ‘rendez-vous’ was a success, and we are now ready for some new gastronomic adventures together: working with Payne and Gunter was the right choice.”
