Herefordshire firm Epicure Events has been announced as the new caterer for the Hay Castle café when it opens to the public for the first time in its 900-year history in a few months’ time.

The company has also been awarded an exclusive contract to be charge of all events catering at the castle once its doors open.

Epicure Events brings together talented Head Chef Jonny Evans, Catering Manager Thom Williams and Business Manager Natalie Evans to create an exciting team that will deliver the very best dining and hospitality experience around, whilst supporting top local food producers and businesses from Wales and Herefordshire.

Jonny Evans has had 22 years’ experience as a professional chef and has worked at many prestigious London establishments including The Savoy and The Atlantic Bar and Grill. In Bristol, he was appointed Head Chef at the two rosette restaurant Bells Diner and then at the boutique hotel Berwick Lodge. It was at the exclusive wedding venue in Herefordshire, Dewsall Court, that he first worked with Thom Williams and where together they created menus, trained and managed staff and built a national reputation for outstanding food, drink and hospitality.

Thom Williams has been working in the hospitality industry for 20 years, including at The Feathers Hotel in Ledbury where he was appointed Assistant Manager. In 2016, he was hired by Dewsall Court as Catering Manager alongside Jonny Evans, and together they had a shared vision and built a catering team for both front of house and back, developing menus and bringing a range of new services to the venue.

Following a career in TV post-production, Natalie Evans decided on a complete change of direction and launched a street food company with Jonny, working at various national food festivals including Glastonbury. In 2018, Natalie and Jonny set up a micro distillery from an outbuilding at their home in Bredwardine and since then Natalie has been responsible for all legislation, business dealings and sales, as well as working alongside Jonny developing recipes and ideas for new products and projects.

Newly-appointed executive cirector of Hay Castle, Tom True said: “We are thrilled to be partnering with Epicure on this exciting new venture. Their passion, creativity, and pride in local producers and businesses matches up to our castle mission. Banquets at Hay Castle are for everyone, and we look forward to seeing brilliant food and smiling faces.”

The Hay Castle café, under the management of the team at Epicure Events, will provide a welcoming and comfortable resting place for guests, offering friendly and attentive table service and serving artisan coffee, breakfast, light bites and substantial lunches alongside local craft drinks and organic wines. In line with the company’s ethos on the range of food and drinks on offer, there will be changing seasonal menus, using local, ethically-sourced produce from trusted suppliers.

Over the last five years, Jonny and Thom have worked closely together offering catering for hundreds of events. The strength of their professional relationship, and understanding of what is required, means each event is delivered with uncompromising quality. From canapé champagne receptions, small intimate events and supper clubs, to larger-scale functions, they have all the skills to offer a unique hospitality experience. The newly-restored Hay Castle, with its many different and flexible indoor and outdoor spaces, will provide the perfect backdrop for a wide range of special occasions.

Head chef Jonny Evans said: “We are honoured to be working with the Hay Castle Trust in such an iconic building. We have watched the renovation works with anticipation over the years and are absolutely thrilled to be a part of the story of Hay Castle. We can’t wait to welcome visitors to the cafe and to events at the castle to enjoy the incredible setting and atmosphere. Our aim is to simply create fresh, seasonal and delicious meals using the wealth of fantastic quality suppliers that we are so fortunate to have in the surrounding area”.

Epicure Events will work closely with Hay Castle as it completes the final stages of the restoration work and prepares to re-open in a few months’ time.