AN historic Cheshire venue has appointed a catering and events management team with a national reputation for quality.

Arley Hall and Gardens, near Knutsford, will be working with award-winning Heritage Portfolio to provide quality events within the hall itself and the recently renovated Olympia conference suite.

Heritage Portfolio, part of the Centerplate group, are assembling a friendly and professional local team headed by food and beverage manager John Cunningham.

Granted the royal warrant of appointment for catering services to Her Majesty the Queen, the Edinburgh-based company provide acclaimed catering for many prestigious venues throughout Scotland and the new British Airways i360 in Brighton.

Steve Hamilton, general manager of Arley Hall and Gardens, said: “Heritage Portfolio bring something very special with their superb food and creative event concepts. We are looking forward to working with them and taking our business to a new level.”

Arley is set in acres of beautiful Cheshire countryside and is known for its award-winning gardens including a double herbaceous border – believed to be the first of its kind in the country.

Heritage Portfolio will be managing event bookings and design for weddings, corporate events, private dinners and receptions at Arley Hall, a cherished family home which has been in the ownership of Lord Ashbrook’s family for more than 550 years.

They are also creating a bespoke café, which will open soon and serve exquisite fare to garden visitors.

Former Scottish Chef of the Year Brian Canale is the executive development chef for Heritage Portfolio who heads up a multi award-winning team.

They live by their philosophy of honest cooking, where the quality meats and locally-sourced ingredients speak for themselves.

Pioneering in his vision for the Heritage Portfolio menus, Canale creates exciting dishes that use the latest techniques and interesting ingredients to ensure an unforgettable dining experience.

He will be part of the team who will create the unique menus for Arley Hall, with an emphasis on using not only top quality local ingredients but also those grown on the estate itself.

“We will be building a local team with the flexibility that such a unique and special venue needs, whilst maintaining the quality and traditions that we are proud of,” said Brian.

“The team ethos of Heritage Portfolio is ‘open, honest and proud’ and we enjoy ensuring our menus are trend setting, unparalleled and innovative and that our event designers forge the way in creating unforgettable events at a number of significant venues throughout Britain.”