Marquee and long tables on the lawn beside a thatched house, private estate, The Admirable Crichton
Caterers · London, United Kingdom

The Admirable Crichton

The Admirable Crichton, known as The AC, is a London catering, events and design company that opened in 1981.

Start planning togetherRuth Lawton-OwenRuth Lawton-OwenManaging Director
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Ruth Lawton-Owen and The Admirable Crichton

The Admirable Crichton, known as The AC, is a London events, catering and design company that opened in 1981. It plans and caters weddings, parties, corporate dinners and receptions, from intimate gatherings to large-scale celebrations. Ruth Lawton-Owen is Managing Director and Gilly Law is Weddings and Events Manager.

Many couples plan the day themselves and use The AC for catering, service and the table scape. Others ask for full planning support, and the team is equally happy to work alongside the couple's own wedding planner. The AC can also help find venues, florists, bands, photographers, marquees, glamping tents, cakes and transport.

A head chef and development chef lead the kitchen, with many of the chefs trained in London restaurants. Menus are modern British with influences from across the globe, change each season and can be built around a couple's favourite dishes. The range runs from canapes, bowl food and food bars to plated dinners, with vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options always offered.

The AC works across London's palaces, galleries, museums, livery halls and private homes, and has worked with a long list of venues including the British Museum, Royal Hospital Chelsea, Middle Temple Hall, Kew Gardens, Lancaster House, the National Gallery and Syon House. Its own waiting and bar staff run each event, and the company is a London Living Wage accredited employer.

Maia by The AC, a sister brand, offers authentic regional Asian catering for engagement, mehndi and wedding celebrations in London and across Europe. The company holds ISO 14001, is a UN Global Compact signatory and uses zero waste canapes and seasonal, largely UK-sourced produce.

At a glance
Since
1981
Based in
London
Destinations served
London
How they work

From the first message to the day itself

  1. 01Enquiry

    Couples request a quote through the website or by contacting the office, giving the date, the venue or ideas for one, and the guest numbers.

  2. 02Venue and concept

    The team recommends venues across London and beyond, and develops a concept for the day, from table styling to entertainment, or works to the couple's own plan.

  3. 03Menu and tasting

    The chefs create a seasonal or bespoke menu, and couples attend a food tasting before confirming their choices.

  4. 04Planning

    An event manager coordinates suppliers, linens, glassware, cutlery, china, cocktails and wine, working with the couple's planner where there is one.

  5. 05The wedding day

    The AC's own chefs, waiting staff and bar team deliver the event, with the operations team managing the logistics on site.

The Admirable Crichton

Gallery

27 photographs
Marquee and long tables on the lawn beside a thatched house, private estate, The Admirable Crichton+27View Gallery Round tables set with flowers beneath the glass roof of a historic conservatory, The Admirable Crichton

Images courtesy of The Admirable Crichton

Reviews

What couples say

0 reviews
Testimonial, not ratedWedding

Review

We can’t thank you enough for everything on Friday. The day surpassed our expectations and everything went seamlessly. The venue looked beautiful, and everything was thought of. Thank you also for helping to put us at ease, especially for me before the aisle walk. Please also thank the other members of the team, everyone seemed so happy and the service was excellent.

B & A, Westminster Boating BaseThe Admirable Crichton website
More reviews
Testimonial, not ratedWedding

Review

Working with the AC was very easy, the team went above and beyond to make our special day as fantastic as possible. There were so many things to decide and they were very good at giving us the freedom to have exactly what we wanted while also giving us an experienced helping hand when needed. The food tasting we had was incredibly impressive and made our day seem even more exciting and real and the small details we asked for were accommodated without fuss.

M & E, Royal Hospital ChelseaThe Admirable Crichton website
Testimonial, not ratedWedding

Review

In short, the Admirable Crichton are excellent. The food is outstanding, Ruth and her team are brilliant, and overall they made our wedding day not only a day that my wife and I will remember for a long time but based on the feedback from our guests, a day they will remember for a long time as well.

A & H, Middle TempleThe Admirable Crichton website
Where they work

Based in London, serving London

5 Camberwell Trading Estate, 117-119 Denmark Road, London SE5 9LB, United Kingdom

  • Their base
  • Venues nearby
What they do

Services and fees

Wedding catering

  • Canapes, including zero waste options
  • Bowl food
  • Plated dinners and puddings
  • Food bars, from bao to tacos and sliders
  • Bespoke and seasonal menus
  • Vegetarian, vegan and gluten free menus
  • Maia by The AC regional Asian catering

Service and drinks

  • Own waiting and bar staff
  • Bespoke cocktails
  • Wine selection
  • Linens, glassware, cutlery and china

Design and planning

  • Table scapes and styling
  • Themed and immersive event design
  • Full planning support
  • Collaboration with the couple's own planner
  • Sourcing of florists, bands, DJs, photographers and marquees

Celebrations

  • Weddings
  • Engagement and mehndi parties
  • Parties and receptions
  • Corporate dinners
Fees

Fees on request

They quote for each wedding, from your date, guest numbers and plans.

Ask for a proposal
Questions couples ask

Before you write to them

Does The Admirable Crichton plan weddings as well as cater them?

Yes. Many couples plan the day themselves and use The AC for catering, service and the table scape, while others take up full planning support. The team also works with a couple's chosen wedding planner.

Where is The Admirable Crichton based?

The company is based in Camberwell, south London, and works at venues across the capital and beyond, including museums, galleries, livery halls, historic houses and private homes.

What styles of food are offered?

Menus are modern British with international influences and change each season. The range covers canapes, bowl food, food bars and plated dinners, with vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options, and the chefs will create bespoke dishes.

Can the menu be tailored to our wedding?

Yes. The chefs create bespoke menus around a couple's favourite foods and suggest touches that reflect their personalities.

Is there a food tasting?

Yes. Couples have a food tasting as part of planning their menu.

Can The AC cater South Asian weddings?

Yes. Maia by The AC provides authentic regional Asian catering for engagements, mehndi and wedding celebrations in London and across Europe.

What does it cost?

Prices are quoted for each event. Couples can request a quote through the website.

Which venues has The AC worked at?

Its venue list includes the British Museum, Royal Hospital Chelsea, Middle Temple Hall, Kew Gardens, Lancaster House, the National Gallery, Syon House, Eltham Palace, Cutty Sark and Westminster Abbey.

Check your date

Is your date free with The Admirable Crichton?

Your message goes straight to Ruth, with your date, guests and the kind of wedding you have in mind.

I would love…

Official website

Please mention 5 Star Wedding Directory when contacting The Admirable Crichton.

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