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Celebrating 25 years of the #bmfamily 💜💚

Yes, we are entering 25 years of the #bmfamily 💜💚! That’s a quarter-century of Christmases we’ve had the privilege of celebrating, and it’s been an incredible journey centred on #fundamentallyfood.

Humble beginnings

When we first began, during our very first Christmas, we had just one contract – with a Swedish TV company. Ian Mitchell personally cooked the festive lunch so the team could enjoy the day off. From that simple start, we have grown steadily, gathering amazing friends and unforgettable experiences – most of which, of course, revolved around food.

How things have changed

In these 25 years, things have changed significantly. Gone are the days of minimal paperwork and flying by the seat of our pants. Today, it’s all about risk assessments, allergens, and the countless other administrative tasks that come with catering in the modern world.

I’ll admit, I’m glad to be at the tail end of my career rather than just starting out, as the sheer volume of admin our team faces can be overwhelming. It’s something we must acknowledge – but it’s necessary, both from a business and regulatory perspective. That said, our team handles it all with a smile (mostly!) and professionalism, as always.

Our forever fabulous team

The key joy for me remains our forever fabulous team. Despite all the bureaucracy, they stay focused on what truly matters: providing great food and service every day – and always going that extra mile. It’s heartwarming to see the results of their efforts, both internally and externally. Their passion, pleasure, and perfect execution of amazing food and service continue to shine through.

A year of growth

This year has been one of solid growth, with its fair share of wins, losses, ups, and downs. We’ve had the privilege of catering for our wonderful clients in some beautiful new buildings, which we’ve done with immense gratitude.

The competitions the teams have entered and the awards we’ve won highlight their talent and commitment. I was especially proud to see Murray Soper, who leads all things #bm, team talent, and people, win a well-deserved Cateys Award.

Ian and I knew Murray before BM, and it’s been incredible to witness his growth and achievements. I can honestly say the highest compliment I can give him is that he embodies the same “people first” philosophy that Mr Mitchell instilled, so BM is undoubtedly in safe hands on that front. I know Ian would have been extra proud to see Murray’s success.

Our greatest achievements

Our greatest achievement, however, and our proudest moments, continue to be the growth of our team. Once again, many of our people have taken advantage of the training we offer, earning significant promotions from within.

We remain steadfast in our commitment to the #bmfamily 💜💚 way, focusing on the small gestures that help our team feel welcome and valued. It’s still essential to walk the talk and show them that they truly are our most important asset.

Admittedly, sending personal notes from me to welcome new team members seemed daunting when we won a large contract, but it was well worth the effort! I love that people often drop me a note in return to say what a lovely company we have, with genuinely kind and supportive colleagues.

Remembering Mr Mitchell

Of course, the most significant impact this year has been the loss of Mr Mitchell, my best friend. He was genuinely one of the kindest and most honourable gentlemen anyone could have met.

However, it brings great comfort to know that his impact on the #bmfamily💜💚 culture endures. His philosophy of putting people, respect, and appreciation first remains a central part of his legacy.

Community Christmas hamper

A HUGE thank you to some of our amazing suppliers that have contributed in various ways to our Community Christmas Hamper.

This year, we’re proud to bring some festive cheer to 50 families in South London by providing them with everything they need for a special Christmas dinner—turkey, veg, mince pies, chocolates, and more!

So many of our team members have come together, giving their time and energy to make this happen with no corners cut. Every single food item has been generously donated, ensuring the hampers are filled with the very best.

Christmas cheer and thanks

Christmas was always a time for fun, silly hats, and spreading cheer. So, with that in mind, I’d like to wish everyone a fabulous festive season filled with great food, friends, and joy.

Most importantly, a sincere thank you to our amazing #BMfamily💜💚 teams, customers, and clients for all that 2024 brought. We look forward with great excitement to all that 2025 will bring.

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