A perfect lakeside setting makes for an unforgettable Henley Room wedding

There’s something so inspiring about a wedding with a magical location, a wonderful guest list of family and friends and an absolutely delicious menu. It’s what makes an event extraordinary and what reminds our entire team here at Kiss the Cook Catering why we love doing what we do.

That was the case for this Autumn’s wedding of Melissa Beamish and William Borgo. The happy couple chose one of our favourite venues in Toronto—The Henley Room at the Argonaut Rowing Club—for their nuptials. They couldn’t have made a better choice. While the space plays host to recreational paddlers and world-class Olympians alike during the day (think names such as Marnie McBean and Brian Price) at night it lets its hair down to double as an incredible event space. The Lake Ontario sunsets and beachside setting are truly unique. That it’s also located in the heart of the city adds a bit of extra flare to an already spectacular setting.

Another aspect of the Henley Room we love: their incredible service experience. Event coordinator Robin Banwell and her team do a wonderful job bringing clients’ visions to life with careful planning, meticulous organization and perfect execution on their big day.

Whether you want to host a cocktail reception for 220 people (their maximum capacity), a plated dinner for 180, or welcome 160 of your best friends and beloved family members for a sit-down meal including fun and interactive features like a few of Kiss the Cook’s signature food stations—all including a spacious dance floor!—Robin and her team are ready and eager to make it happen.

Because they don’t cater in-house, the Henley Room is comfortable working with outside caterers such as ours. That allows clients to develop a distinct culinary vision for every event we cater in the space, offering greater flexibility and room for unbridled creativity. Oh, and since we’ve been the venues preferred caterer for so many successful years, we’re not subject to the landmark fee, leaving more budget to spend on amazing food and drinks. And did we mention The Henley Room has one of the best-stocked bars of any event in the city? That would include 15 to 20 different beers (including craft brews and ciders), a curated selection of wines and top-shelf spirits featuring mouth-watering selections such as 15-year-old Glenlivet and Macallan Amber for scotch enthusiasts, fine bourbons and premium gin, tequila and vodka. Their four signature cocktails—the Negroni, Swedish 52, Paloma and Dark and Stormy—are not to be missed.

Now, back to the wedding. Melissa and William were in lockstep on the type of experience they wanted to create—casual, but with touches of formality and tradition that spoke to their unique style and aesthetic preferences. Most of all, they wanted to throw a party that everyone would enjoy and remember.

That meant including an Italian-inspired menu that would leave their guests completely satisfied, yet craving more—way more! We assured them that last wish wouldn’t be a problem to fulfill. Leaving wedding guests wanting to kiss the cook is our specialty, after all.

This menu was particularly special for our team to help imagine because the groom is a relative of the Borgo family of Quality Cheese fame. You might remember our feature on their incredible company last year. Quality Cheese is a long-time supplier to Kiss the Cook and we enjoy a wonderful relationship with their team and the Borgo family.

To have the opportunity to incorporate their award-winning cheeses throughout this menu was a real pleasure.

This included a gourmet cheese station with hand pulled mozzarella, and a first course Caprese salad with heirloom tomatoes and buffalo mozzarella—so good!

For a second course we prepared a duo of chicken supreme and beef tenderloin with red wine demi glace, herb roasted potatoes and grilled vegetables. We finished the dinner with a Granny smith apple crumble ricotta cheesecake using Quality Cheese’s award winning, world-famous ricotta.

In the end, Melissa, William and their guests raved about the food and gushed about the picturesque backdrop. Having ideal weather to tie the knot was the perfect gift on a truly special day. What more can you ask for when enjoying the most important day of your life with the people you love?

To book your Kiss the Cook catered wedding at The Henley Room, contact us now!