We’ll make this Christmas memorable…

CHRISTMAS PACKAGE 2013EXCLUSIVE/PRIVATE CHRISTMASPARTIES

BIRMINGHAM BOTANICAL GARDENSWestbourne Road, EdgbastonBirmingham, B15 3TR

AT THE BIRMINGHAM Botanical Gardens you will find three beautiful and distinct event spaces, each one accessed through one of our handsome glasshouses. Your choice of these versatile settings will host your reception, then offer you a stunning backdrop to a delectable dinner followed by dancing.

The Loudon Suite is an exquisite Victorian style dining room which offers sweeping views across the gardens – just perfect for an intimate Christmas Carol themed party. The adjoining veranda and conservatory, which overlook the Japanese Garden, will provide your perfect reception venue before you move to the Cedar Room for dinner.

Accessed through a private entrance from the Arid House, the Terrace Suite is a superb choice for larger parties. This elegant space was originally the ballroom for the Gardens and is traditionally decorated with a domed ceiling and sprung dance floor. Featuring its own bar, the room provides a seamless experience from the moment your guests arrive.

Our largest event space, The Garden Suite, is approached through the magnificent Tropical House and boasts a stage and its own private bar, the Palm Lounge which affords fabulous views. Christmas parties held here will be a truly unique experience, with the panoramic splendour of the gardens creating the perfect backdrop.

By choosing Birmingham Botanical Gardens for your event, you will be making a valuable contribution to the charity and helping to keep our beautiful gardens thriving.

Car Parking available on a first come first served basis, or we are a short taxi or bus ride from New Street Station or Five Ways Station.

Capacities

• Seated lunch / dinner 25 - 432

• Reception 25 – 850

There’s something magical about Birmingham Botanical Gardens in the wintertime. Delicate frost laced across evergreen leaves and glistening under the clear skies of the morning, crisp afternoons and the hush and stillness of the evening… It’s a breathtaking setting for an extraordinary Christmas party; you’ll hardly believe that this tranquil oasis is just one and a half miles from the centre of Birmingham!

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Soak up the warm festivity of a traditional Victorian style Christmas with our Christmas Carol theme. Carefully selected decoration and centrepieces are designed to complement and enhance the exceptional interiors of the Gardens’ venues and recreate the joy and wonder of Christmas-times gone by. With their history and character of a Victorian public park, Birmingham Botanical Gardens provide the perfect setting for the perfect festive theme.

To complete your experience at the Gardens why not upgrade your party to include a Christmas choir to welcome your guests, setting the tone for an enchanting evening?

CREATE THE FESTIVE WARMTH OF A CHRISTMAS CAROL

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• Venue hire

• Innovative menus using the finest of ingredients

• Sparkling Dickensian cocktail on arrival (1 per person)

• ½ (half) a bottle of house wine per person with dinner

• Festive decorations and creative theming

• Staffed cloakroom

• Event management

• Professional DJ and dance floor

• Finally, all the essentials: staffing, silverware, tableware and linens

If you are looking for something different, we would be delighted to create a bespoke package just for you.

SUGGESTED TIMINGS

The timings below are a suggested order for an evening event and can be amended to suit your requirements:

Lunch Dinner

Guests arrive / reception 12 noon 7.00pm

Guests invited into lunch / dinner 12.30pm 7.30pm

Lunch / dinner is served 12.45pm 7.45pm

Disco starts n/a 9.00pm

Bar closes / disco finishes 4.00pm 12.30am

Guests depart 4.30pm 1.00am

YOUR CHRISTMAS PACKAGE INCLUDES:

For evening events we are able to extend the bar from 11.30pm to 1.00am (guests depart by 1.30am) at £275.00. Please note the bar must shut half an hour before departure.

All our prices are subject to VAT.

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PACKAGE UPGRADES

Champagne reception

Delight your guests with gorgeous bubbles from £4.50* per person.

*based on 1 glass per person when ordering our standard package.

Wine and drinks all evening

House Prosecco reception followed by house wine, beer and soft drinks from £19.50 per person*

Unlimited house wine, beer and soft drinks from £17.50 per person*

*supplement price based on 45 minute reception and 5 hours of house wine, beer and soft drinks when booking our standard package.

ADD THE PERFECT FINISHING TOUCHES TO YOUR PACKAGE…

MENU UPGRADES

Our highly skilled team of chefs will offer you the most creative and delicious menu options designed to complement your chosen package.

Starters / desserts from £1.50 per person and main course from £4.00 per person please see our attached menu for details.

Please note that Ampersand promotes responsible drinking. We will only serve wine by the bottle with a seated meal, all other wine will be served from the bar by the glass.

All our prices are subject to VAT.

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ENTERTAINMENT UPGRADES

Victorian pickpocket

A thrilling twist on strolling entertainment; our pickpocket stalks among your guests, kindly relieving them of their belongings without them noticing – he will, of course, give them back afterwards!

From £655 per artist

Actors for your event

Strolling costumed actors are a brilliant way to set the scene for a traditional Christmas evening, turning your venue into a scene from a Christmas Carol.

From £715 per actor

Jacob Marley escape artist

Our escape artist is trapped in the chains he made for himself in life – unlike Marley, however, this chap may just manage to wriggle out of them! Performing in full costume and ghostly make-up, an escape artist is a dynamic and memorable choice for Christmas entertainment.

From £1,095 per artist

Costumed carol singer

Christmas carollers dressed in costume are a perfect way to set the scene and welcome your guests during your drinks reception

From £415 each

A traditional Christmas choir

A stunning welcome for your guests

POA

Casino tables

Bring a touch of Vegas to your Dickensian world, with your own private casino tables

Two casino tables from £665

Three casino tables from £910

String trio or quartet

Prices from £365 per hour

This is just a small sample of what we can offer; we would be pleased to suggest other ideas for your event.

All upgrades can be tailored to our Christmas Carol theme or to your own ideas if you prefer.

All prices are subject to VAT

Live bands

A great way to make an impression and fill your dance floor!

Prices from £985

Vintage style photo booth

A backdrop, a box of the coolest props imaginable and a very clever photo taking machine – choose between vintage, modern or airstream. This provides instant snaps which can also be customised with your logo or a message!

From £1,040

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MENUS

PLEASE SELECT THE same menu for all of your guests, we will cater for any special diets separately.

STARTERS

Cauliflower soup with crumbled stilton, finished with a chive oil (v)

Leicestershire free range chicken terrine, with beetroot and cracked pepper chutney

Raw, roasted and pickled wild mushrooms, roasted and pureed celeriac, caramelised apple and goat’s cheese mousse £2.00 supplement*

Rolled and poached fillet of salmon, with mint and parsley, crispy fennel salad, lemon jelly and sea herbs £2.00 supplement*

Maple smoked duck breast, with pickled and pureed butternut squash, sour cherry sauce, edible flower £2.00 supplement*

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MAIN COURSES

Tornadoes of bronze turkey with apricot and chestnut stuffing, Woodhouse Farm chipolatas, golden roast potatoes and West Midlands sprouts with seasonal vegetables

Roasted sea bass fillet, olive oil mash, mussel and saffron sauce, seasonal vegetables and aubergine crisp

Scottish Loch Salmon, confit potato and a chive velouté with seasonal vegetables £4.00 supplement*

Pressed Gloucestershire old spot pork belly, puy lentils, clonakilty black pudding, roasted apples, raisin gel, roasted roots, whole grain mustard gravy £5.00 supplement*

Braised blade of Hertfordshire beef, glazed fondant potato, parsnip puree, “Jacob’s ladder” beef rib rolled in bread crumbs, carrot and bean bundle, port gravy £5.00 supplement*

Carpaccio of Mediterranean vegetables, white bean, tomato and basil relish, parmesan crisps (v)

Char-grilled sliced sweet potato dome, filled with vegetable chilli, vine roasted tomatoes, ribbons of carrot and courgettes, served with a sour cream and chive sauce (v)

DESSERTS

Chocolate delice, raspberry sorbet and steeped raspberries

Cinnamon panna cotta with poached and spiced Worcestershire black pear

Chocolate fondant pudding with Marshfield’s chocolate heaven ice cream £1.50 supplement*

Individual raspberry trifle torte, raspberry short bread, raspberry sorbet £1.50 supplement*

Botanical Garden lavender junket, crystallised lavender, home-made kumquat and quince marmalade, elderflower sorbet £1.00 supplement*

Freshly brewed Fairtrade coffee and a selection of herbal teas and infusions

Mini mince pies

*Price supplements are per person

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Christmas Canapés

COLD

Christmas spiced cured salmon, parmesan and paprika shortbread, caper dressing

Worcestershire black pear, stilton mousse, served on a thyme and cranberry scone

Crispy roasted duck on a parsnip rösti with a clementine and redcurrant relish

Grilled vegetable stack, spiced chickpea purée (v)

Smoked trout and watercress mousse, cod and lemon mousse wrapped leek, horseradish purée

HOT

Brie, cranberry and herb tarts (v)

Pan fried scallop, carrot purée and orange glaze

Pumpkin and chestnut risotto cakes with a crème fraîche and deep fried sage dip (v)

Skewers of beef with a salt and pepper crust and lemon hollandaise

Pigs in blankets, honey and whole grain mustard sauce

Parmesan crusted turkey goujons, spicy mango and crème fraîche dip

Why not add some delicious canapés to really start your evening? Pre-dinner canapés start from £8.10 per person for 3 canapés / 3 bites per person.

We can also provide fork buffet and bowl food menus, please ask for details.

All our prices are subject to VAT.

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Cultivating a beautiful Christmas Event

TO ENQUIRE ABOUT your Christmas event please call our specialists on 0121 450 4607

Birmingham Botanical Gardens, Westbourne Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 3TR

www.ampersandcatering.co.uk

Let us help...Whether it’s sparkling wine or cocktails on arrival, half a bottle of wine or an unlimited drinks package, a sumptuous seated dinner, funky bowl food, or eating canapés to your heart’s content, let our on-site events team create your perfect event in the perfect venue.