Yorkshire-based corporate hospitality experts Saunts has been chosen as the exclusive partner for Hull Minster events after winning the prestigious tender.
Hull Minster is one of the city’s premier event spaces hosting everything from weddings and corporate events through to award dinners and private bookings.
Saunts – run by Lesley Mercer with husband Jonathan – is based in Pocklington and serves a host of corporate and private clients across the region.
Lesley started the business 14 years ago after moving from London back to her native Yorkshire with her young family. Her reputation quickly spread, and she soon had to expand from her kitchen table set-up to larger facilities to cope with demand.
Saunts now works from its own bespoke kitchen and menu development suite in Allerthorpe Business Park, employing up to 50 people during peak periods. Lesley works alongside her head chef Kevin Wright, a former chef at The Star at Harome, as well as Middlethorpe Hall in York and Seaham Hall, which gained a Michelin star whilst he was there.
Said Lesley: “We are obviously delighted to have won the corporate hospitality contract for Hull Minster – and what a venue to work in!
“The range of events they hold will really challenge the team, but we can’t wait to get started and play our part in making every wedding, party or awards night something really special.”
Saunts was invited to bid for the corporate hospitality contract by the Minster after Lesley and her team catered for over 200 artists and guests at the prestigious Turner Prize event which was held at the 700-year-old Minster last year.
“The Turner Prize evening was a real show stopper for us,” added Lesley. “The event space, the ambience and the food were all showcased as the best that Hull had to offer; it proved to be a hugely successful night for all concerned and it set the corporate hospitality bar very high in the city.”
Hull Minster has been relaunched as a multi-purpose venue as a result of a £4.5m development project which has included the remodelling of the Nave to create an open and flexible space for worship as well as to host cultural, artistic, community and corporate events. The magnificent Minster can now host a wide range of hospitality events, including grand banquets seating more than 300.
James Symonds, Events Coordinator at Hull Minster, said: “We look forward to a very successful partnership with an excellent local business. Saunts’ commitment to the highest quality standards matches our aspiration for the Minster to offer an exceptional experience in amazing surroundings to all our visitors and guests.”
