We know we say it a lot, but we genuinely mean it every time: being invited to be part of people’s celebrations is one of the best parts of this job. And some invitations we still have to pinch ourselves to believe.
When RAF Leeming got in touch about catering their Junior Ranks Summer Function, Hog Roast Northallerton was absolutely in. No hesitation, no deliberating – just an immediate yes and a sense of excitement that buzzed through our team right up to the big day.
Because here’s something you might not know about the RAF: they take their summer parties as seriously as they take everything else. Every year, the junior ranks event is properly planned, properly themed and properly attended – and this year was no different. The theme was Hawaiian, the event went by the brilliant name of Hono Lee Lee and the base was transformed with props, fun decorations and a blow-up surfboard that, from what we could see, tested a fair few people’s balance and their confidence in equal measure.
250 guests turned up to this event in their summer finest. Hawaiian shirts were everywhere, floral leis hung around every neck and the atmosphere was electric with the kind of energy that builds when a group of people who work hard together finally get the chance to let their hair down properly. And having Hog Roast Northallerton behind the grill just made everything better.
Hog Roast Northallerton had spent the afternoon making sure that by the time the guests were ready to dig in, we were ready too. We’d prepared enough handmade British beef burgers and pulled pork rolls to feed a small army – which is fitting – with guests free to keep things simple or load up with fried onions and melting cheese for something a bit more indulgent. Our full range of sauces was out on the table too, because giving people the freedom to customise is something we’ll never stop doing.
Plates were filled, surfboard challenges were attempted and a brilliant afternoon unfolded in exactly the way a summer function should.
RAF Leeming, it was an honour and an absolute blast. Hog Roast Northallerton would be back in a heartbeat – just say the word.