A 30th birthday is a milestone event that should be celebrated in a way that will have both you and your guests reminiscing on the day until your next big birthday! Jacob’s celebration on 31st January was definitely one of those birthdays. As friends and family gathered at Harefield Church in Harlow, the focus was simple: good company, relaxed vibes, and food that people would still be talking about for birthday’s to come.
Whilst the guest of honour and his friends and family were busy getting ready and adding the final touches to the evening, we were hard at work preparing the feast, filling the venue with an irresistible aroma ready for when the guests arrived. With 60 guests arriving for a serve time of 7pm, the brief was clear. This needed to feel like a party, not a sitdown dinner with plenty of choice, informal service, and food that suited everyone in the room. That’s where Hog Roast Harlow came in, bringing along a menu that was built for mingling, second helpings, and multiple returns to the serving table.
The centrepiece of the serving station was, of course, our whole roasted hog, slow roasted on site with crispy crackling, sweet apple sauce and traditional stuffing. There was also a selection of bread rolls and wraps so guests could load up their plate even further, with gluten free options on request so everyone could share the feast 
without worrying about dietary requirements. There were also a range of fresh sides to keep things balanced such as, mozzarella and tomato salad, mixed salad and crunchy coleslaw. They added colour to the table and gave guests lighter options without taking away from the comfort food feel of the night. Then came the carbs which are always a crowd favourite, which included freshly made traditional chips, served hot and crisp, plus a full spread of sauces, salt, and vinegar. We always make sure vegetarian and vegan guests aren’t treated as an afterthought. The vegan pulled jackfruit, slow cooked in a hickory BBQ sauce and served in a bun with crunchy slaw.
With catering managers Julian and Kirsty overseeing the event, everything ran on time, without chaos. The informal style of service suited the birthday atmosphere perfectly, guests could eat when they liked, wander back for more, and keep conversations flowing without interruption.
Hog Roast Harlow were proud to be a part of an event that turned a winter birthday into a big celebration. In a month that can be intense, January birthdays can often be lost in the post festive haze, so we wanted to make sure that Jacob experienced the important birthday he deserved. The evening was full of laughter, conversation and most importantly, tasty food which meant Jacob could celebrate in the best way possible, surrounded by his favourite people without the stress of planning and hosting.
