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From £26 per guest + service or delivery

We call it The Scout’s Seasonal Spread, and it’s where the story of the New Forest meets the social heart of your event.

Born in Australia, Rooted in the New Forest

The concept of "social eating" is in our DNA. Originating in the home country of "The Hunter," Australia, the grazing station was always meant to be an innovative way to feed a crowd without the stiff formality of a three-course sit-down. It’s about movement, conversation, and the freedom to pick exactly what you want.

But when we brought the concept back to our base in the UK, we didn't want to just copy the Aussie model. We wanted to ground it in the soil beneath our feet. Today, 95% of our produce is sourced directly from the New Forest and the surrounding hills of Hampshire and Dorset. Each board is a celebration of the makers, the farmers, and the wild ingredients that define our landscape.

From £26 per guest (+ service or delivery), it’s an invitation to step away from the buffet line and into a culinary experience that people will actually talk about the next morning.

The Five Pillars of the Scout’s Spread

A Scout & Hunter spread is a carefully balanced ecosystem. We don’t just "put things out": we curate textures, acidity, and earthiness to ensure every bite tells a story.

1. The Fromage: Literary Legends from Book & Bucket

We don't do "generic." Our cheese selection is anchored by our friends at The Book and Bucket Cheese Company in Cranborne, Dorset. These aren't just cheeses; they’re characters. You might find the creamy, Brie-like Shakespeare, the crumbly Austen, or the signature sheep’s milk Hardy. Each is made in small batches, capturing the essence of the Dorset countryside. We pair them with house-made chutneys and honeycomb that tastes of the season.

2. The Charcuterie: Cured by Fire and Time

While The Scout focuses on the plants, The Hunter brings the heat. Our charcuterie selection is a nod to the premium local meats we use across our wedding catering. We source silky prosciutto, robust salamis, and smoked meats that have been treated with the respect they deserve. These are the anchors of the spread: salty, rich, and perfectly complemented by a glass of something cold and crisp.

3. The Antipasti: Foraged & Fermented

This is where "The Scout" truly shines. With 20 years of experience and a passion for foraged ingredients, our antipasti selection isn't just a bowl of olives. It’s a medley of pickled and marinated treasures: wild garlic buds, sea spinach, samphire, or sun-blushed tomatoes that have been preserved at the peak of their flavor. We look for the bright, the bold, and the zingy to cut through the richness of the meats and cheeses.

4. Artisan Breads, Dips & Infused Oils

No spread is complete without the crunch. We provide rustic, slow-fermented sourdough and artisan breads, paired with signature dips like silky hummus or a punchy tapenade. Our oils are infused in-house with herbs foraged from the local hedgerows, ensuring that even a simple dip of bread feels like a discovery.

5. Substantial Picky Pieces

We believe grazing shouldn't leave you searching for a snack an hour later. We include what we call "substantial pieces": hearty, handmade bites like seasonal frittata squares, savory tarts with herbaceous fillings, or stuffed peppers. These add weight to the spread, making it a viable alternative to a heavy evening meal or a striking accompaniment to a main celebration.

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Why "The Scout" Style Matters

In a world of mass-produced catering, the Scout's approach is intentionally slow. Being Leiths-trained means there is a foundation of technical excellence, but it’s the 20 years of retreat cooking and foraging that brings the soul.

When we design a spread for a corporate event or a relaxed family lunch, we aren't looking to create a "perfect" symmetrical photo for social media. We’re looking to create a sensory experience. We want you to smell the wild garlic, feel the crust of the bread, and taste the difference between a mass-produced cheddar and a Dorset-made Hardy.

It’s about the "highlights people still talk about." It’s the moment a guest discovers a new favorite flavor while leaning against a barn door, glass in hand, completely at ease.

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Perfect For Every Occasion

The beauty of the Scout’s Seasonal Spread is its versatility. It fits wherever people gather:

• Relaxed Wedding Breakfasts: Swap the formal sit-down for a Signature Grazing Station that encourages your guests to mingle from the moment they arrive.

• The Ultimate Airbnb Welcome: Arriving at a weekend stay in the New Forest? Let us set the scene with a spread that welcomes you to the area before you’ve even unpacked.

• Garden Parties & Celebrations: Whether it’s a milestone birthday or a casual hen party, the spread provides a center-point for the day without the need for a formal itinerary.

Let’s Create Your Experience

We don't do "off the shelf." Every spread we create is a reflection of the season and the unique vibe of your event. If you’re ready to move away from the "naff" and toward something with flavor, texture, and a genuine connection to the land, we’d love to talk.

Ready to bring the flavours of the New Forest to your table? Get in touch to start planning your bespoke Scout’s Seasonal Spread.