About | Dorset Fine Dining

About Dorset Fine Dining

Dorset Fine Dining is owned and operated by professional chef, Nick Holt.

“My passion and experience in cooking has developed over the last 20 years. I am very fortunate to work in Dorset with its abundance of high quality produce and I try to find small individual producers who can provide me with quality, seasonal ingredients. Whilst this is important to me, I also allow myself the freedom to explore further afield and discover excellence from beyond the locality.

I had a wonderful start to my career, being trained in classical French cuisine under the first British Chef to gain a Michelin Star with the Roux brothers at Le Poulbot in London. Using those classical methods as a basis, I think I have been able to carve my own niche, which I now endeavour to express in my work through Dorset Fine Dining.

I firmly believe, the food should always speak for itself and never try to over complicate my dishes with too many flavours and elements.”

Achievements & Training

Trained at Thanet Technical College on a 3 year Advanced Catering Diploma
Attended catering college in Rheims, France called Neufchâtel
Worked at the Hilton Hotel, Park Lane, London
Achieved 3 AA Rosettes at Wallets Court Hotel, Kent in 1998 with owner Chris Oakley – Masterchef and first British Head Chef under the Roux brothers to achieve a Michelin Star
Worked in banqueting at the Selsdon Park Hotel, Croydon 2 AA Rosettes
Worked at Grayshott Hotel Spa, Surrey
Achieved 2 AA Rosettes at The Grange at Oborne, Dorset in 2009
Made assorted terrines for Capreolus Fine Foods who sold them to Selfridges and the National Gallery in London as well as other prestigious establishments in and around London
Outside catering for Gideon Hitchin Catering
Sole caterer for Symondsbury Estates near Bridport, providing private catering for guests who book the private houses
Founded Dorset Fine Dining – offering bespoke catering for any event from weddings, corporate events to dinner parties

Our Suppliers

I like to work closely with local producers, here are a few of my foodie friends!

A David Vegetables

Wincanton Fruit and veg

Premier Fish

Barclay Butchers of Wincanton

Story Pig for Tamworth

Sausages, bacon and pork

Hunts Foodservice

Dry food/frozen

BoMo Roast for coffee

Coffee

Capreolus Fine Foods

Cured meats, pastrami and much more

Mercato Italiano

Italian meats and cheeses

La Chasse Hunter Gatherers

Bespoke foods and much more

Bruton Dairy

Milk, cream etc

Terms & Conditions of all business
for 2024/2025

The Company’s (Dorset Fine Dining Ltd) supply of catering services to other persons or firms. The contract will be between the Company and the Customer (referred to as ‘Customer’, ‘you’, ‘your’). These Terms and Conditions do not affect your statutory rights.

Prices & Services

All prices listed are exclusive of VAT, except where stated.
If the rate of VAT increases, Dorset Fine Dining reserve the right to increase the total cost of the event by the amount specified by the government, on events already booked.
Prices include crockery, cutlery, glassware and professional uniformed waiting staff where stated on your catering package.
Table cloths and linen napkins are the clients responsibility however can be sourced at an additional charge.

Guest numbers

If the number of guests attending exceeds the numbers originally booked, and we are able to cater for them, we will charge, at the prevailing rate, for the greater number.
If the number of guests is less than originally booked please inform us as soon as possible
14 days in advance Final numbers of guests must be notified to us in writing no later than 14 days prior to the event. After this time if the numbers increase by up to 10 this can normally be accommodated, but this is not guaranteed and allowances cannot be made if the numbers drop.

Travel

For a function at an external venue travel charges may apply.

Gratuities

Gratuities are at your discretion.

Whilst every effort will be made to ensure the accuracy of quotations, prices quoted only become binding once agreed in your catering package and once the Terms and Conditions come into force. It is the price quoted in your ‘catering package’ which must be paid in full, however, the Company reserves the right to charge more for the food to be provided and / or for labour in the event that the cost of such items increases between the time of conclusion of the contract and the time of the event. In this case the price increase will only be the amount of additional cost directly incurred by the Company and any price change will be notified to you in writing as soon as possible, and in any case, prior to the event.

All food which is not consumed within two hours at room temperature should be disposed of. Any person subsequently consuming food, or taking food home for consumption, does so at their own risk. Dorset Fine Dining Ltd cannot accept responsibility for food consumed otherwise than at the location at which the food is supplied, or after the initial two hour period.

Food Allergies & Intolerances

Please note that all of our food contains allergenic ingredients. Special diets for food allergies will be catered for only if they have been arranged prior to your event and confirmed in writing.

Clients Personal Belongings

Dorset Fine Dining is not responsible for the safe keeping of ‘clients’ valuables, personal belongings and gifts and we recommend that all personal items are taken home with you at the end of your event.

Dorset Fine Dining cannot be held responsible for any damage caused to ‘clients’ wedding cakes.

Equipment

Any equipment lost or damaged by you or any guest will be charged at the full replacement cost. Additional charges may apply for the hiring on site kitchens and specialist equipment and, if so these will be stated in your catering package.

Labour

The Company reserves the right to charge (including for any applicable increased or overtime rates) more for staffing costs should any function run on longer than initially planned or detailed in the catering package through no fault of the Company or the caterers.

Corkage

Corkage for wine & champagne etc will be specified in your catering package. If charged this will cover the chilling and serving.

Insurance

It is strongly recommended that clients arrange adequate Event & Cancellation Insurance to protect against cancellation, costs, damage, public liability.

The Company shall not be liable for events beyond its control or for indirect or consequential loss or damage, and the Company’s maximum liability shall not exceed the price paid for the Services and the Customer shall indemnify the Company in respect of any loss or damage to the Company or its property that is caused by the Customer.

Bad weather

Dorset Fine Dining Ltd cannot be held responsible in any way for any unsuitable weather conditions that may arise. The normal cancellation fee will be applicable in these situations.

Unless agreed otherwise in writing the only services that the Company agrees to provide to you are the services specified in your quotation.

Our contract with you for the provision of services will be concluded when you complete the booking form and your non-refundable, non-transferable deposit in cleared funds to our bank account.

Cleaning

If the venue is not up to the hygiene standards fit for our staff to work in and produce food from, we reserve the right to charge £30 for every 20 minutes spent cleaning and getting the venue up to a workable standard, this will be billed to the client.

Wedding Bookings

All deposits are non-refundable and non-transferable. Please return the booking form with your deposit of £500 (inc VAT) as detailed below.

The final balance is due no later than 2 weeks before the wedding unless other agreements have been made.

Corporate & Private Bookings

All deposits are non-refundable and non-transferable. Please return the booking form and appropriate deposit as outlined below.

Cancellation Charges

The following cancellation charges will be applied, which reflect the costs and expenses we may incur on your behalf as the function date nears and the reduced time available to us to obtain any alternative bookings:

The Deposit paid is non-refundable regardless of the length of time prior to the event you decide to cancel.

Cancellation between twelve months and six months prior to the event

you will owe us 50% of the total contract package price. Cancellation between six months and three months prior to the event
you will owe us 75% of the total contract package price.

Cancellation between three months and the event date – you will owe us 100% of the total contract package price.
All cancellations must be confirmed in writing. Only once written cancellation is received will the cancellation become effective.

Dorset Fine Dining Ltd reserves the right to cancel any function or event for any of the following reasons:
a) If the client or Dorset Fine Dining Ltd becomes insolvent or enters into liquidation or receivership.
b) If the event may prejudice the reputation or cause damage to Dorset Fine Dining Ltd.
In any of these situations Dorset Fine Dining Ltd will refund any payments made in advance, but will have no further liability to the client.

Payments

Payment can be made by cash, payment cards or BACS transfer.

Bank transfers can be made to:

Dorset Fine Dining – TSB Acc: 00022942 Sort Code: 77-68-13
(please put your name and event date as a reference)

Debit/Credit cards payments are accepted over the phone (credit card payments are subject to a charge of 2.6% of the total amount).

Please complete the booking form with your deposit. On receipt of your booking form and deposit we will send you confirmation.

Contact

Please feel free to contact us for further information:

Mobile: 07525 667687
Email: eat@dorsetfinedining.co.uk
Website: www.dorsetfinedining.co.uk

Dorset Fine Dining Ltd
Registered number: 09017405
VAT number: 231 9877 81