Samantha Mattocks When you combine an experienced catering company with one of Suffolk’s most iconic historical buildings, you get magical results. Samantha Mattocks finds out more.
Trio’s Catering & Events started out in December 2011 as a deli and café in Loddon, and it has now grown to become one of the most sought-after outside catering and events companies in Norfolk & Suffolk. Headed up by Natalie Creegan, and run with an experienced team, Trio’s has recently made its base at the amazing St Peter’s Hall on the Norfolk/Suffolk border.
“We have built our five-star reputation through working hard and being adaptable to each individual client’s needs in order to create the event of their dreams, however large or small,” says Natalie. “With over 200 weddings and countless other events catering to our name, both private and corporate, Trio’s has established themselves as a leading catering and events company in the area.”
The opportunity arose for them to take on the iconic St Peter’s Hall in South Elmham near Bungay. Home to St Peter’s Brewery, the building had been closed for a while, and Natalie and her team immediately saw the potential of the space. “St Peter’s Hall is a stunning and unique venue, dating back to the 13th century,” explains Natalie. “It has a picturesque moat, an outside terrace, a walled garden, and beautiful views across the Suffolk countryside. It had so much potential, and we have loved making St Peter’s our own.”
Through adding colour and a modern vibe that complements the many original features through fabrics and paintings, Trio’s have truly put their own stamp on the building, making the interior warm and welcoming.
Putting their experience to good use, they are focusing on weddings and private events, but they also run regular nights, including tapas Fridays and Sunday lunch. In December, they will be open Thursday to Sunday lunchtime as well as Friday and Saturday evenings for their Christmas menu. Local produce is used as much as possible, and the dishes such as seared local venison, parsnip purée, caramelised walnuts and balsamic dressing jump off the menu as does Trio’s wild mushroom pie with creamy mash and winter greens.
December aside, Friday nights are all about Trio’s tapas nights. “They are a huge draw,” says Natalie. “These nights are such fun, as we have live music as well, and it is great to see people sharing food, family style, and relaxing after a busy week, of course, the tapas dishes go down very well with one of the range of beers from St Peter’s Brewery!”
Dishes change regularly but may include tempura courgette fries with lemon aioli, wild mushroom and spinach arancini with basil pesto, smoked duck dish tapas style, and lamb kofta with mint salsa verde, pickled cucumber, and tzatziki.
“We have a full vegetarian tapas menu that rivals our regular menu,” adds Natalie. “And as long as we know in advance, we can make all dishes gluten- and dairy-free.”
Trio’s continues the tapas idea into their desserts, which all come in miniature, starting at £7.95 for two through to £12.95 for five – perfect for those wanting something sweet after their meal but not necessarily a full dessert. White chocolate and raspberry mousse is served with meringue shards and pistachio, while a traditional sticky toffee pudding is made more luxurious through the addition of salted caramel and whipped cream.
Sunday lunch is also very popular at Trio’s, with the 80 covers filling up fast and is fully booked most weeks. A nice touch is antipasti to share – sun-blushed tomatoes, mushroom duxelles with St Peter’s Suffolk Gold Ale focaccia and whipped butter. For the mains, treacle-glazed sirloin of beef, pressed pork belly, lemon and rosemary chicken supreme or spiced lentil and apricot nut roast are served with all the trimmings, while there are a range of options for those preferring something different to a Sunday roast.
Another area Trio’s excel at are their grazing boards, which remain incredibly popular. “We love doing interesting foods and take inspiration from around the world to create menus to suit each client, that has extended into our very popular grazing boards,” explains Natalie. “Grazing boards are a feast for the eyes and they are the perfect way to make a statement. We plan and design them for each customer, and they are one of our most popular wedding breakfast choices as well as being perfect for parties. We love to hear the ‘wows’ from people as they first see them!”
On these boards, you can expect to find local cheeses, local antipasti meats, terrines and pâté, tartlets, breads, crackers, antipasti, fresh and dried fruits, and a Trio’s twist on the classics, such as chicken and chorizo Scotch eggs and bacon and cheese sausage rolls.
“We love doing weddings and being based at St Peter’s Hall has given us a beautiful space to host weddings in,” says Natalie. “We have a stunning upstairs private dining room, complete with ecclesiastical windows, and even a small chapel where people can be blessed.
“While the Hall is big enough for most events, we can offer a large outdoor marquee. Whether you would like a large wedding or a more intimate one, we offer a personal, bespoke service to ensure your special day runs smoothly. We offer sample menus to inspire the couple-to-be, including a festival style wedding with wood-fire pizza, paella, and amazing street food to a buffet/picnic menu that can be as elaborate as you wish. We even offer a barbeque menu, as well as a traditional wedding breakfast. Weddings should be all about your favourite things, so offering this variety of menus gives couples much more choice.”
Trio’s at St Peter’s doesn’t just host and cater for weddings; the space is also available for conferences, business meetings and even team building days. Natalie explains: “Over the past 10 years, we have enjoyed catering for everything from dinner parties to shooting lunches, corporate events to wakes, and even just a girls’ night in. We have honed our expertise to create flavours we love and that celebrate the produce of the region, all while providing a first-class, relaxed service that leaves our customers happy. Whether it is a huge wedding or a more intimate gathering, we pride ourselves on creating a personalised service for each individual event and doing all we can to ensure it runs smoothly.”
One of the most popular items Trio’s offers is their Horse Box Bar, a lovingly restored mobile vintage horsebox bar named Trio’s Tipples. “This is the perfect addition to give any wedding or event the extra ‘wow’ factor,” laughs Natalie. “It is always a great hit!”
Trio’s is now taking bookings for Christmas, offering two courses for £27.95 and three for £35.95, including chocolate truffles and coffee. “If you haven’t yet sorted your Christmas party or annual get together with friends, get in touch soon as the diary is filling fast!” says Natalie. “We are also offering a Christmas hamper with all you need for your Christmas dinner – all you need to do is cook it!” For full details, visit the nourish winter gift guide.
With a number of events coming up (see below), Natalie’s thoughts are already turning to 2023. “We have enjoyed spending the last year settling into St Peter’s Hall,” she says. “Now we are ready to share this special space with our guests. We really do offer something unique in a place that will truly create lasting memories.”
- Trio’s at St Peter’s is open in December Thursday to Sunday 11am -4pm and Friday & Saturday 6 pm – 11pm. Find out more at trioscatering.co.uk
- Events
24 November – wreath making workshop – 7-9pm
26 November – Christmas wine tasting – 12-1pm
3 December – Christmas wine tasting – 12-1pm and 6-7pm
8 December – wreath making workshop – 7-9pm
10 December – Christmas wine tasting – 12-1pm and 6-7pm
