Portfolio Events Originated from ‘Sue Baker Catering’ set up by Sue Wood (nee Baker) in about 1984, Sue was a fantastic cook and so the first request for ‘a hand with a dinner party’ quickly snowballed. Sue ran the business as a sole trader working around family life and all that that involves.
In 2004, Sue’s daughter Billie proposed that they team up and start to expand Portfolio Events. Billie came from an event management background working in London with clients such as Warner Brothers, the BBC and EA Games but was keen to return to the countryside and so the Portfolio partnership began in earnest. Things began to happen quickly with a move to Lamport Manor, and the commercial kitchen being completed in 2005. The purchase of the trailer fridge and van meant that PE could really start to motor (quite literally!).
Charlotte Stokes joined in 2007 to strengthen the team, with a fabulous hospitality and event management background, Charlotte brought much to the party and is now a Director at Portfolio.
In early 2009 we again expanded our kitchen and now have a production office and tasting room in the same courtyard. We cater for Dinner parties for 12 through to parties for 2500.
Portfolio Events is very much a family run business. Billie Passchier is the Managing Director very ably supported Charlotte Stokes as the Operations Director (not family but feels like it!). Sue Wood (nee Baker) is still a Director of the business and tends to work about two days a week.
We have a fantastic, dedicated full time team including Martin Brown - Head Chef and Karl Seidler- second chef.
We then work with lots of part time chefs and waiting staff that we’ve employed for years including Billie’s 3 brothers and sisters – who are all chefs!
Charlotte Stokes, One of our lovely waiters, and Billie Passchier
