Herefordshire firm handed deal to run café at landmark building

Hay Castle will be opening this summer after a huge refurbishment, with Epicure Events, based in Bredwardine, the new caterer for the café in the Herefordshire border town.

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

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Spearheaded by the Hay Castle Trust, formed in 2011, the restoration has only been possible thanks to £6.6million from the National Lottery, various trusts and individual donors.

An artist's impression of Hay Castle Trust's plans for the building

Epicure Events brings together talented head chef Jonny Evans, catering manager Thom Williams and business manager Natalie Evans to create a team which will deliver the very best dining and hospitality experience around, Hay Castle said.

The group will also aim to support top local food producers and businesses from Herefordshire and Wales.

Mr Evans has had 22 years’ experience as a professional chef and has worked at many London businesses including The Savoy and The Atlantic Bar and Grill.

But it was at the exclusive Dewsall Court wedding venue, near Hereford, that he first worked with Thom Williams.

Mr Williams has been working in the hospitality industry for 20 years, including at The Feathers Hotel in Ledbury where he was appointed assistant manager.

After a career in TV post-production, Natalie Evans decided on a complete change of direction and launched a street food company with Mr Evans, working at various national food festivals including Glastonbury.

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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 Mr Evans developing recipes and ideas for new products and projects.

Newly-appointed executive director 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.”

Work has been carried out to various aspects of the castle, including the gates

The Hay Castle café, under the management of the team at Epicure Events, will serve up 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.

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,"