Tyneside food business still going strong after fifteen years
Established in 1998, Epicurus Events has grown from a start-up business operating out of domestic premises with just one member of staff, to owning its own premises of 8500sq.ft and now employs 12 permanent staff and another 100 casual staff throughout the year.
The company currently provides a daily catering service, of mouth watering quality food to customers throughout the region, from its North Tyneside premises. In addition Epicurus Events offer a range of services includes all types of catering as well as it’s own event management team and a wide range of event and party equipment available for hire. They also offer a licensed mobile or event bar service and are able to hire out their well trained event staff.
Started by Managing Director Chris Reay when he was just 26 years old, he has invested over half-a-million pounds in his business over the past fifteen years.
“Our first ten years saw significant growth and I’m pleased to say that even in the current economic climate we have been able to sustain the growth that had been achieved,” said managing director, Chris Reay. “Now that we have reached 15 we are looking to again grow our business over the next few years.
“We have managed to survive the past few years of uncertainty that the economy has provided, and I am very proud that we are still here. Our aim is to ensure we provide our customers with the best quality food possible, sourced locally whenever possible, and make their event or occasion a one to remember.
“It has been tough economic times and we are experiencing ever increasing competition in some areas of our business from supermarkets. But we are focussed on concentrating on our core areas of business as well as always looking out for new opportunities such as our hog roasts. And to celebrate our 15th birthday we’ll be at Street Spice @ Life this week serving our take on Brazilian Street food.”
A keen supporter of local produce, Epicurus Events is a member of Taste North East as Chris Reay is passionate about food from this region. One of his priorities is to provide top quality restaurant food to the outside catering market. Local suppliers include: Swallow Fish, Seahouses; Carroll's Heritage Potatoes, Borders; Rothbury Family Butcher; Nicholsons Butcher, Whitley Bay; Northumberland Cheese Co - Blagdon; Doddington Dairy - Wooler; and Donkins Bakery, Ashington.
Morris Adamson, owner Rothbury Butchers: “I am proud to be a supplier to a good local firm that is passionate about local produce. We have a great working relationship with Chris who often discusses his new menu’s with us and we talk him through our new products. A big congratulations to Epicurus. We have worked with them for over two years and are looking forward to working with them for many more.”
"Epicurus have a great enthusiasm for their work and always strive to achieve the best for their customers.," said Lucy Carroll of Carrolls Heritage Potatoes. " We have first hand knowledge of this because we have been proud to supply them for at least 10 years and recently they provided first class catering for a family event."
Much more than just a catering company, Epicurus Events is fairly unique in the region as it provides a one-stop shop of Event Services including event organisation & management, event equipment hire, and of course the catering. All their services are managed in-house by Chris's team and his dedicated Event Manager, Katie Willis who has worked for Epicurus for over 10 years.
Katie, now aged 25, started at the company aged just 14 on work experience and has never left. After spending time learning all elements of the business, Katie has settled into her role as Event Manager, heading up the Event Management team and is now responsible for the organising, planning and execution of all events.
“Sometimes I can’t believe I have been here over 10 years, but I have and its a great place to work, said Katie WIllis, event manager. “I have been able to learn about all aspects of the business and really enjoy making someones event a really special occasion for them whether its a wedding or a corporate function.
“There is definitely still a demand for a quality and innovative event business in the region. It has been a lot of hard work but helping the Epicurus Events to celebrate 15 years in business has made it all worthwhile."
This regional business has seen a steady growth in all of its 15 years, and Chris and his team will cater for over 4000 events this year, double that of five years ago. Events range from corporate lunches to business awards, catering contracts and bespoke wedding packages, at some of the most prestigious venues in the region.
When not in the kitchen, Chris, father to two young boys James (6) and Oscar (4), can also be found volunteering as a scout leader and is also on call as a volunteer with the RNLI in Tynemouth.
Epicurus comes from the name of the Greek philosopher who believed pleasure derived from good food should be the main goal in life. This philosophy is being kept well and truly alive today in Epicurus Events. To find out more go to epicurus.co.uk.
