LIFESTYLE
entertain you L
Party planner to the stars Lyndy Redding is a big name on the gourmet circuit thanks to her innovative company Absolute Taste. Here, she talks to Haute Cuisine about food, family and fame
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yndy Redding knows just about everyone. As co-founder of leading catering firm Absolute Taste, which creates contemporary, stylish food, she has catered for David and Victoria Beckham, Gordon Ramsay and his wife Tana
– Lyndy is Gordon’s business partner and is also involved with him in the Tante Marie cookery school. She also lays on racy spreads for Formula 1 aces Lewis
Hamilton and Jenson Button. “I started with the help of Ron Dennis from McLaren and with his help I think we have the passion to be the best,” Lyndy explains. “We care so much and want to approach each party in its own way and try to be as creative as possible yet keeping the focus on the food. So many places get away with mediocre food – ours is delicious.”
Here, the talented mum of one talks exclusively to
Haute Cuisine at her home in London about mixing work with motherhood and catering to an exclusive clientele – but why she’ll never be a celebrity chef. Best of all, she reveals the recipe for success for anyone wanting to turn their dinner party into a night to remember.
dinner. I am very lucky as I have travelled so much with Formula 1 and have had the chance to eat in some of the best restaurants in the world, as well as some great places on the streets in Malaysia and Singapore. I also have loads of cookery books from Australia and the States – the Aussie ones are my favourites; I think they just get something right out there. “I don’t think there is a minute in the day when I am not thinking of
creating something – even since having a baby I am now wondering about baby food. I am not only conscious of the food but the way it is presented and the general atmosphere for different parties.”
‘WE WORKED WITH THE
BECKHAMS ON THEIR WORLD CUP PARTY. THEY WERE BOTH SO LOVELY AND REALLY FRIENDLY’
Where does your love of food come from? “My mother was a fab cook who loved food and I used to help her in the kitchen, standing on a stool with one of those little plastic aprons on. We used to make quite adventurous food – brandy snap twirls filled with cream, a lemon cheesecake, which I can still remember how to make (I think my mother made up the recipe), and chocolate truffles and peppermint creams. Mostly fun recipes so we could lick the bowl.”
Where do you get your inspiration? “I am inspired every day and from all my travels. I am always coming back to my chefs with sketches and my thoughts from being out for
How have things changed for you since your son Joshua was born in June? “I haven’t had children till now as I couldn’t see how I could carry on with Absolute Taste and have a baby as well. “I now feel the business is strong enough to
cope with me having Josh – although saying that, I was emailing on my Blackberry as I was going to hospital and have been having meetings pretty much since he was born!
“Life is changing and the overriding love for him is just gorgeous
but in a way it has made me even more determined for Absolute Taste to be the most successful company as I want him to be proud.”
How hands-on do you remain with Absolute Taste, especially now that you are a mum? “I do miss not being in the kitchen and sometimes I regret this as I love cooking. But with the fun of the business now and growing it like we are, it is so exciting that my role has changed. As far as being a first-time mummy, it is nerve-racking as I am in the early stages – I think it’s going to be a juggling act as I want to be with Josh as much as I can. But obviously my first baby was Absolute Taste so I won’t be leaving this behind. I employ 300 staff now which
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