How we create a new menu at thestudio

At thestudio, food is never just something served between sessions.
It is part of the welcome, part of the conversation, and part of the experience
we create for every guest.

With World Food Day on 16 October, we wanted to share a little
more about what goes into creating a new menu, from the first spark of an idea
to the finished dish arriving at the table.

It starts with the people in the room

Every menu begins with a simple question:

what do our guests need from us?

We welcome a huge variety of people through our doors, from early-morning
meeting groups to all-day conferences, celebrations and events. That means
our food needs to be flexible, generous and genuinely enjoyable, whether
someone needs a quick coffee and breakfast, a relaxed lunch, or something
a little more special to end the day.

We think about the rhythm of an event too. Food should help people feel
looked after and re-energised, without getting in the way of the day.

Life at thestudio

Having worked at thestudio for five years, I can honestly say there is
always something new and fun to do. No two days are the same, which is
one of the things I enjoy most about working here.

Outside of work, I enjoy going to the football, going to the gym and
swimming. It is great to bring that same energy back into the busy,
varied days we have at thestudio.

Looking for inspiration

Once we have a clear sense of what we want a menu to achieve, we begin
exploring ideas. Inspiration can come from seasonal ingredients, current
food trends, classic favourites, conversations with our guests, or simply
a dish our team is excited to share.

We want our menus to feel familiar enough to be comforting, while still
offering something interesting and memorable. It is about finding that
balance: food that people genuinely want to eat, made with care and personality.

Taste test and refine

This is where the fun really begins.

Our team tests dishes, tastes combinations and makes small changes until
everything feels right. We look at flavour, presentation, portion size
and how each dish works as part of the wider menu.

We also consider the practical details that make a real difference to
guests: dietary requirements, choice, accessibility and consistency.
A great menu should make it easy for everyone to find something they can enjoy.

Food everyone can enjoy

We are pleased to cater for special dietary requirements. Our chefs
create a Chef’s Choice menu that works across a range of
dietary needs, while keeping the food delicious and enjoyable.

We also offer gluten-free and vegan options every day,
so everyone feels included and no one misses out on delicious food.

Fancy a closer look at what’s cooking?

Explore our studio food menus
.

Favourite dishes and memorable events

One of my favourite and most memorable events is our

Christmas carvery
.
Everyone is happy, the food is flowing and there is always a lovely
Christmas atmosphere in the room.

“A few of my favourite dishes are the butter chicken, which is
absolutely phenomenal, and the buffalo cauliflower.
People simply cannot get enough of it.”

Martyn Anderson, Group Chef

More than a meal

For us, food is an important part of bringing people together.
It gives people a reason to pause, connect and enjoy the moment,
whether they are colleagues meeting for the first time or friends
celebrating something special.

That is why we put so much thought into every menu we create.
We want every plate to feel welcoming, thoughtful and delicious.

This World Food Day, we are celebrating the people, ideas and ingredients
behind the food we serve, and the role it plays in making every event
at thestudio feel that little bit more special.