The countdown to Fabergé’s “Big Egg Hunt”, which starts on Shrove Tuesday (21 February 2012) in London, has now begun, following a lavish Champagne countdown launch party last night, 18 January, at the headquarters of luxury private members’ club Quintessentially, at 29 Portland Place.
Pictured Sarah Fabergé, Mark Shand, Dame Clare Tickell, James Caan and Rachel Waldron
The Big Egg Hunt, which will see 200 eggs beautifully decorated by artists such as Vivienne Westwood, Rob Ryan, Marc Quinn and Giles Deacon hidden in secret locations around London, is aiming to raise £2 million pounds for the charities Action for Children and Elephant Family.
Selected by Fabergé as a partner for the event, contract caterer Harbour & Jones provided a delicious and unusual spread of food for 250 guests at the Champagne countdown, which was hosted by British travel writer, conservationist and founder of Elephant Family, Mark Shand and attended by VIPs and celebrities including Bianca Jagger, Nick Candy and fiancée Holly Valance, Emily Maitlis and Kay Burley.
Hot and cold canapés included roasted Tamara duck with vodka infused cherries, smoked eel and caviar soldiers with savoury duck egg custard and squid and Cornish mackerel dumplings with parsley and caper salsa.
Russian and Fabergé inspired bowl food was also on offer, with sweet bites such as chocolate covered honeycomb, cinnamon doughnuts and carrot and beetroot caramel glass lollies to finish.
The centrepiece for the evening was a stunning ice sculpture of a Fabergé egg, which featured carved pockets housing a variety of fruit espumas (exquisite foams made of purées, coulis, creams, extracts or juices).
Speaking of their partnership with the charitable Fabergé egg hunt, Jules Heckman-Hughes, Creative Director for Harbour & Jones, said: “It seemed natural to partner the Big Egg Hunt as a follow on to our commitment to free range eggs – we’re a Patron of the British Hen Welfare Trust – and our commitment to other good causes like the Marine Conservation Society and the honeybee hives in Regent’s Park. With the charity Elephant Family in mind, on a personal note I have actually bathed Tara the elephant, whom Mark Shand wrote the book ‘Travels on My Elephant’ about, so the cause is close to my heart.”
The Golden Collection – thirty of the most valuable hand-crafted eggs – will be auctioned on March 20th at an invitation-only gala evening and the remaining collection will be auctioned online, offering everyone the opportunity to own a unique piece of Fabergé-inspired art.
About Harbour & Jones
Set up in 2004, Harbour & Jones has drawn on a desire to bring a new dimension to catering by being passionate about provenance and taking seasonality seriously. Bespoke menus offer everything from the highly refined to the fun and flamboyant. Harbour & Jones Events always serve your heart’s desire, but with a sophistication, attention to detail and professionalism you can rely on.
From London’s landmark Cathedral and the stages of RADA, to the grand terraces of St James’s and one of the finest and loveliest English country houses, Harbour & Jones Events offers a truly enviable collection of venues. Whether you are looking to host an intimate meeting or private dinner, a large-scale conference or dynamic product launch, Harbour & Jones Events has a setting to exceed your expectations.
At www.harbourandjones.com you’ll find food for thought on seasonal products and recipes that use them. Enjoy new photography which captures the personality of H&J’s imaginative, fresh food and get to know the team that makes H&J, and the services it offers, tick.