Dive into a truly alien world where luminous creatures glow in the dark and where giants slumber… We’re not talking about the latest sci – fi to hit the silver screen; welcome to our oceans.
Deep Blue
Today we want to hone in on our oceans being much more than just a body of water: they’re home to all marine life, complex currents which affect the climate and not to mention their inspirational sheer beauty.
If thestudio has had the pleasure of welcoming you, there’s no doubt you’ll have noticed our love of quotes! Here’s one of our ocean themed favourites (tweet us @studiovenues if you know which room/venue it can be found):
“Man cannot discover new oceans unless he has the courage to lose sight of the shore.” Andre Gide
Gentle giant…
A little bit of trivia to impress your guests… the great Pacific is our largest ocean and has a Latin name which means “peaceful sea”!
Oxymoron…
Did you know our oceans help to produce oxygen? It’s True! Little, tiny plants called Phytoplankton are thought to contribute a mind blowing 50-85% of the air we breathe!
Covering over 70% of the Earth’s surface and making up to 78% of our own bodies, water’s importance in creating and sustaining life is undeniable. Apart from being a vital component to life in general, we wouldn’t be able to have half as much fun without our seemingly infinite amount of H2o… Imagine a life time without water parks, balloons and fights! Or never getting to watch the sun dip below the blue horizon. Pretty dull right?
Plastic pollution…
There’s no time to beat around the bush, though we love our oceans, the plastic we produce and dispose of is having a detrimental effect on our irreplaceable oceans. But all is not lost, if we change to create a better future. For this reason, thestudio is dedicated to reducing the amount of plastic used within our venues. In the 21st century we’re blessed with a multitude of options! Let’s raise a glass and celebrate World Oceans Day… paper straw anyone?
We’ve all experienced it. Gone to a disappointing BBQ where there were no welcome drinks, blackened burgers easily mistaken for coal and baps soggier than the British weather…
Thankfully we’re here to make sure, come rain or shine, that your BBQ’s are the best on the block! Be warned, intoxicated passers-by might want an invite!
Rock your grill with our top 5 sure-fire ways to organise and host the best BBQ ever…
1. Imagine being welcomed into a party where there was a fancy drinks station covering options from water to punch and another table filled with mouth-watering dips, crisps, crackers and only the best crudities… sounds dreamy. Having a drinks and nibbles station is the way to go in making a great first impression. Plus, it helps ease the pressure off having to slave away on the barbie straight away.
2. Sleep on it! Create out of this world flavours by marinating your fan favourite meats and veggies then leaving them to soak in the night before = winner.(As long as you don’t burn them of course!). Tease and tantalise your guests taste buds with adventurous spice blends. We’ve got a few in our cookbook, have you had a thumb through yet?
3. Finishing touches… compliment fiery, sweet and smoky barbecue flavours with sensationally seasoned salads and side dishes. These can be prepared in advance and assembled at the last minute to give you the ultimate title of being The Host with the Most!
4. Have the element of surprise by wowing your guests with sweet treats. Ever tried flame grilled pineapple kebabs? Delicious! How about a hot banana Sunday? The possibilities are endless…
5. Mood maker… set the feel of your event and say no to awkward silences by playing fun background music, it’s a brilliant ice breaker. Remember atmosphere is everything!
Bonus tip from our Grill Master Richard Holden:
“Use the lid and master the art of grilling vs. roasting on your barbecue. Closing the lid will surround your food with heat and cook it quicker than on an open grill. Start foods over the heat to achieve those gorgeous caramelisation marks before moving to an area of roasting heat to cook through thoroughly. I always use a digital thermometer to check my food is safely cooked before serving to guests and my golden rule is “75 – Stayin’ Alive!” The core of your food should be 75c in order that it’s safe to eat.”
Now you’re on the road to becoming a barbecue master! Interested in having an expert Richard Holden show you a thing or two? Feel free to ask our team or click here…
Happy hosting from thestudio, you’ll most likely catch us basking on our roof terraces!
It’s heating up at thestudio this May as we’ve got some exciting news to share! Our cookbook BALANCE has arrived in all of our venues and is rammed with over 60 healthy recipes!
The book fits perfectly with our food philosophy, an affordable but beautiful book that has been created in response to the amount times we have heard “lunch was delicious” can you ask the chef for the recipe!
But here’s a few things you might not have known about our little book of BALANCE …
Not for profit…
That’s right, this little number is a not for profit book! All the proceeds go directly to supporting the Nutrition & Diet Resource UK a not for profit organisation for patient centred care working in the public and private sector. It really is all about the food and promoting healthy balanced diets!
Daily dine…
If you’ve attended, are going to attend or actually are at thestudio this very moment, chances are you’ll be lunching on one of the recipes from “Balance”! With over 60 fresh, exciting and inspired dishes that have all appeared on our menus at some point, you won’t be short of combinations to choose from. Aside from an undeniably delicious afternoon break, it’s serves as the perfect time to show guests what thestudio’s made of!
Swapsies…
Things are better when everyone can enjoy them, that’s why on a lot of our recipes, whether it’s for ethical or health reasons, we’ve highlighted ingredients within the recipes that can swapped to suit your dietary needs. Balance has a section dedicated to adapting to special diets from veganism to gluten free… we’ve got a dish for you!
Hats off to the chef…
Compliments were driving force behind the whole idea, each location chef has been involved in the creation of the book, thestudio thought it would be great to give something back to the guests who love their food, offering up the opportunity to impress their friends and family with some tasty dishes. All of this whilst contributing to the bigger picture.
Nutrition is the key …
All the recipes have been analysed by Nutritics software, so you can be assured (if you can stick to just one portion!) of the energy, fat, carbohydrate, protein and salt content in each dish.
We’d love to hear about your favourite foodie experience at our venues, tweet @studiovenues your favourite dishes and remember, if you’d like to find out more, we’re just a fork call away…
We’ve got two things on our agenda today… singing along to Pharrell Williams’ Happy and reminiscing about some of the best moments in studio history as it’s International Day of Happiness!
Do you celebrate?
They say it’s important to celebrate the little victories and of course the big ones. But do you find time to congratulate yourself when you achieve your goals or do you straight away delve into a new set of goals to achieve? We understand wins can get overlooked and often forgotten… Feel inspired today and reminisce!
thestudio’s top 10 happiest moments so far…
1. 2nd first… It’s normal to sound off starting with one, thestudio with all its quirks started with two! Way back when, we were only able to offer events space on our 2nd floor. Creating some ruckus, bull dosing into the first floor, we were able to increase our meeting room spaces and offer you a brand-new floor to experience!
2. Cowley Manor will always have firm place in studio’s history, aside from being the location of the first group away day, it’s here thestudio ethos was born! Through team building activities, we defined the kind of company we were and how we would make decisions… Customer first it is 😀
3. Baby steps… wise Confucius once said – “It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.” Experience teaches us one thing, that we only ever truly fail when we give up trying. It was a momentous time when thestudio blew out its 3rd birthday candles… apparently this is the bench mark that an astounding 75% of new companies fail to make!
4. The Directors’ trip jet setting off to the beautiful Eindhoven in the Netherlands. Keen advocates of “if you want a new idea change the view”. And a follow up trip to Iceland sharing an elongated hot pool under a starlit sky, a perfect setting for the Northern lights and for sharing and planning big dreams.
5. Winning the pinnacle of awards “Best Independent UK venue in 2017” what an accolade, ticking every box in our company vision, where we strive for our customers to say “why would be go anywhere else!”
6. thestudio first ever profitable year independently in 2009, it felt like a massive feat!
7. There’s no feeling that quite compared to opening our 2nd venue in Manchester’s glorious Northern Quarter.
8. “Come with me, And you’ll be, In a world of, Pure imagination” Did you get the Golden Ticket? That’s right, one of our happiest memories was when we held the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory themed party. With a cluster of family, friends and special guests, it was the first time Nigel (thestudio’s co-founder) showed them what we did. To say the least, they were blown away and to top it off, it was a brilliant party night with new, past and current studio team members.
9. In 2016 the team ticked one off the bucket list… expanding into another country! Opening thestudioglasgow was an amazing achievement and added another member to our family. We’re feeling more like a seasoned business with 4 venues now.
10. A happy team is a productive team! Undoubtedly some of our happiest times are when we’re whisked away to a team weekend. Usually full of fun activities and packed full of friendly competition, they’re a great chance to catch up with each other.
Remember, remember…
Remember all your achievements and good times today, after all, it’s International Day of Happiness! Wishing you a lot more memorable days and achievements to come.
Let’s dust off those bag pipes and grab our kilts, tonight’s party has almost started, honouring the poetic prose of national bard: Rabbie Burns!
Viewed as a legendary writer, Rabbie Burns is best known for pioneering romanticism in Scottish literature. Is there ever a better way to reminisce and honour the life, works and birthday of national treasure than having a big ol’ supper? We agree, there isn’t! Find masses of Scottish folk coming together and tucking into traditional delectables like Haggis, Neeps and Tatties!
Curious about Scottish cuisine? Check out these fabulous recipes! Psst… thestudio cookbook is here!
Kilted at the alter…
Recently our wonderful Zoe (who you’d have been welcomed by in our Glasgow venue) tied the knot…
“The first time we went to an evening wedding, I knew I wanted to get married at Brig o’ Doon House Hotel in Ayrshire (associated with Robert Burns). It’s just a stunning venue with gorgeous grounds.
My Grandad was the ‘founder’ of the Burns Club in Stranraer. Burns has been a big part of our family and when we were younger, we would have days out visiting different places related to him. Having our wedding at Brig o Doon was special as I felt my Grandad was part of it (sadly he is no longer here).”
A toast to remember…
Traditionally or unconventionally, however you chose to spend it, thestudio wishes you all a fun filled Burns night.
Guess what we got up to last Thursday?
If you answered with handing out one of those novelty sized cheques, then call yourself Mystic Meg as you’re 100% right!
Charity Cheque…
thestudio loves to work with and support the local communities in the cities we call home, it gives us that Friday feeling every day of the week.
Have you heard of Wood Street Mission? They’re an amazing children’s charity which helps and supports local families in Manchester & Salford. At their core, they believe all children should live a poverty free life, encouraging them to value education and offering practical guidance so families can raise themselves out of poverty.
If you “teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.”
The fisherman needs the basics before he can start to provide for himself… And that’s what Wood Street Mission supply, the necessities!
If you’ve booked thestudio’s funky, retro space The Classroom, you’ve directly helped to support local Mancunians! For every confirmed event in Classroom, thestudio makes a £10.00 contribution to Wood Street Mission!
Our Commercial Director, Julian Kettleborough, was happy to present Wood Street Mission with £1,210.
We look forward in continuing our work with Wood Street Mission and a huge thank you to our clients, you help make this possible!
In our fast paced world it’s good to slow down and place importance on that fabled ‘me’ time. Undoubtedly it’s why apps such as Headspace are such a hit! It can be difficult to set aside time to gather ourselves, so let’s draw inspiration from nature… the mascot for being seamlessly chilled, today we celebrate International Sloth Day!
Did you know…
One of our team members has travelled to the land of these strange but endearing creatures? Check out what she had to say about her experience:
“Eye opening. That would be the best way I could describe my trip. I’ve never travelled solo let alone with a group of strangers! So whilst putting my people skills to the ultimate test, I thought it would be a bright idea to challenge my fears and take part in Indiana Jones type activities like waterfall rappelling, rainforest trekking, white water rafting and riding an ATV though jungle rivers. Yes I survived!
For me, travel is the door to learning more about yourself but you can only go through it if you’re open to new experiences and stepping out of the cosy comfort zone.
Not many people can say they’ve had the pleasure of meeting a sloth in the wild, but thankfully I can. So I knew we just had to celebrate International Sloth Day! (Jyoti even has a mouse mat proclaiming ‘my patronus is a sloth’!)
Costa Rican life is very serene, they constantly pursue efforts which enrich the lives of every living being there. They live by a saying called “Pura Vida” which means pure life, to live a full life, simply put “It is a perspective to life that evokes a spirit that is carefree, laid back and optimistic.”
Just like the sloth, the people there take time to slow down and appreciate their surroundings. Costa Rica doesn’t even have an army… so you can imagine how peaceful of a people they are!”
One two toed step…
We at thestudio promote a healthy work life balance and encourage the team to take on new experiences. We’re strong believers that a change of scene can do you the world of good. So today, celebrate International Sloth Day and take a breather!
You are what you eat…
Not our usual breakfast we must admit but today’s a special day! Creating timeless masterpieces that transport you to magical worlds full of wonder and awe, today we’re celebrating the works of a truly iconic author: Happy Roald Dahl Day!
“Never do anything by halves if you want to get away with it. Be outrageous. Go the whole hog. Make sure everything you do is so completely crazy it’s unbelievable…” Matilda – Roald Dahl
The Golden Ticket…
Here @thestudio, we’re a sucker for everything inspirational. You’ll only have to visit our venues to be welcomed with a myriad of encouraging quotes. From Rene Descartes to David Bowie… our inspiration net is cast far and wide! We’re looking for our golden ticket, tweet @thestudio with your favourite Roald Dahl quote and be in with a chance of it being put up in one of our venues!
First impressions…
We usually think of the first impressions being the most important but here @thestudio we count on making a lasting impression! With that in mind, check out which Dahl works have touched our team:
Gillian: BFG. Really appealed to a child’s imagination and sense of humour with whizz popping and snozzcumbers. To this day I still call humans human beans….
Julian: My all-time favourite is Danny The Champion of The World – I read it at the age of 7 and I can still remember being up until the early hours of the morning trying to finish it. He lives with his dad in a gypsy caravan and his dad makes a living by repairing cars and poaching pheasants. My favourite bit is when he has to rescue his Dad from capture by driving their Austin 7 to a wood where his Dad has been trapped by his leg (his Dad has broken his leg) I would have loved to have been able to drive at the age of 7…
Nigel: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. It is so Studio and I dream of giving it away to a small child one day who can manage the cash flow better than me…
Dawn: I love James and the Giant Peach. My favourite teacher read it to us as a class when I was little, his writing really made me feel as though I was there with James. We have just started to read it to my little boy at bedtime.
Tracey: It’s funny, sad and seeing all those kids triumph over the horrid Miss Trunchbull always makes me smile and it goes to show if you put your mind to it you can achieve anything and it’s ok to be different!
Prabjot: My fav is The Witches.
Because the witches live amongst us… I could be a witch, you could be a witch, anyone could be a witch!
To all our studio goers remember, “those who don’t believe in magic will never find it”.
Guest blog: Kirsty Rafe: Year 10 at King Edwards VI Lichfield.
When I entered thestudio on the first day of my work experience, I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect. I’d arrived early, half nervous, half excited to see what goes on behind the scenes. I’d always thought that a job wasn’t something you could fully enjoy, that it was just something everyone just had to do. Not at thestudio. Although when you take first glance at the doors in, it appears small, instantly you are grabbed by the bright colours and glass doors that allow you to see into the world of thestudio.
Tour
When inside the doors, I was shown around the unique building. Although I’d been inside thestudio doors before, my eyes kept being caught by little quirky details I hadn’t seen before. It instantly put a smile on my face as I struggled to find my favourite part. Everything catches your eye; from the rooms that are labelled with motivational words, to the engaging colours scattered about, and the table football on the second floor. Even the early birds that were waiting to go in couldn’t have been bored for a second.
Reception
After experiencing it myself, I’m convinced that anyone who walks through those front doors, no matter how nervous or unsure they may be, could be put at ease by the welcoming smile on Pedro’s face at the front desk. Admittedly I didn’t answer any calls on the first day, because I was so interested in seeing how the staff react to different situations on the phone. I was in awe at how naturally they could deal with any situation that was given to them, and could answer anything the customer was enquiring about. Now I was determined to be part of this brilliant team.
On the second day, I was on reception again, up on the second floor with Sharon. With this new determination had to be involved with the calls, I finally built up the confidence to do it. I’d been welcomed so well into thestudio that I began to feel like part of the team. All day I dealt with lost guests trying to find their rooms, and answered any questions asked. I learnt a lot of skills, behind the desk, and customer skills.
Mission control/Sales
This is by-far the busiest job area I’d experienced. I admire the sales team because they handle all the enquiries for the Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester, and Glasgow venues. Constant calls and emails came into the office, and were dealt with asap.
I was taken through financial processes in thestudio, and learnt how, instead of pressuring payments from clients, they are flexible with customer payments. I was also taken through all the little clever parts on their website, by Mandy, that the everyday customer might overlook. thestudio website is very useful as it even shows you the route from nearby train stations to the venues. One of the team went out with a camera and filmed the whole route-such a good idea!
Other bits I got involved with
On one of the days I got a little bit involved with the operations team. I’d seen them throughout the week rushing around, and organising things. They cleared away used items from the customers, and provided them with anything they needed. I was impressed how quiet and quick they were at moving things around while people were in their rooms; you wouldn’t even notice they were there. I learnt how to multi task as they were all being asked to do 101 things at once- catering for different rooms and different amounts of clients.
Throughout my week at thestudio I’ve learnt that people can really enjoy their job. Also, that to have the kind of success they have, there is a lot of teamwork, and determination involved. I have really admired the team at thestudio, and hope I can one day be in a successful job like theirs.
I would like to say thank you to everyone at thestudio for welcoming me into their own unique world of business, and giving me a fun week too!
Find out why we’re bouncing off the walls…
In 2015, we welcomed a new addition to thestudio family in Leeds. Perched on the 8th floor on Riverside West, overlooking both city and country views, thestudioleeds offers a bright, quirky alternative events venue. A place to soak in the Yorkshire views and escape from the norm. We’ve got some brilliant news we’d love to share with you!
Bigger is better…
Remember, remember this September. Imagine that your favourite cake just got a whole new layer, with the same deliciousness as the others! Well, that’s exactly what’s happening to thestudioleeds. We’re happy to announce the introduction of a whole new floor. With a mixture of spaces perfect for small to medium events, they’ll be ready to Rock ‘n’ Roll by this September!
Venues under the hammer…
If we’ve been lucky enough to have you as guests at any of our venues, you might have noticed that we’re really into food. That’s why thestudiobirmingham’s kitchen is getting a revamp! So we can create and make even more delicious dishes for you and your guests.
Look forward to welcoming you!
