A Taste of Mexico: Bespoke Corporate Catering for a Frida Kahlo Exhibition
Marking the opening of the much-anticipated Frida Kahlo exhibition at one of London’s leading modern art galleries, this bespoke culinary experience was inspired by the flavours and iconography of Mexico - and designed to bring the spirit of Frida Kahlo to life. From vibrant flavours and signature cocktails to an interactive Avocado Station, the menu became part of the evening itself - creating moments of discovery, connection and celebration for guests.
The Brief
Set against the backdrop of one of London’s most iconic modern art galleries, the brief was to create a memorable corporate event to celebrate the opening of a major Frida Kahlo exhibition for a high-profile global financial client.
The client wanted the evening to feel distinctive, sophisticated and rooted in the spirit of Mexico, with inspiration drawn from Día de los Muertos and Frida Kahlo's Mexican heritage. Our role was to translate that creative direction into a cohesive food, drink and hospitality experience that felt at home within a world-class gallery setting.
For a global brand hosting an important client and guest event, every detail needed to feel considered - from the menu and cocktails to the interactive elements and service.
The Approach
Months of planning and collaboration went into bringing the vision to life. Our events and culinary teams worked closely with the client to develop a bespoke catering concept that balanced vibrant Mexican influences with the refinement and attention to detail expected of a luxury corporate event.
Rather than simply recreating traditional Mexican dishes, we used the brief as a creative starting point, taking inspiration from Mexican ingredients, flavours, colours and cultural references and translating them into a contemporary event menu. The experience was designed to work seamlessly within the gallery environment, with a combination of elegant canapés, bowl food, signature cocktails and our ‘infamous’ interactive Avocado Station creating different moments throughout the evening.
The result was a catering experience that felt immersive without overwhelming the setting - carefully planned, beautifully executed and tailored specifically to the client's event.
The Experience
The finished event brought the Mexico-inspired vision to life, creating a vibrant and memorable experience for guests while maintaining the polished service and attention to detail expected at a high-end corporate event.
From the first canapé through to the signature margaritas, interactive Avocado Station and late-evening sweet treats, Mexican influences were woven consistently throughout the experience. The food and drinks complemented the Frida Kahlo exhibition, giving guests another way to connect with the theme of the evening.
The Result
For our team, the success was not simply about delivering great food. It was about creating a complete hospitality experience that felt considered from every angle - culturally inspired, visually engaging and seamlessly delivered within a prestigious London venue.
The Menu
Canapés
Chorizo lollipop, chipotle mayonnaise
‘Camarones’ prawn toastie, mango cream, red pepper sauce
Beef tartare, blue corn tortilla, cotija cheese
Pickled rainbow beetroot taco, feta, black olive crumb (vg, gf)
Bowl Food
Wild seabass ceviche, mango, corn and avocado salsa, lime zest
Pulled chicken quesadilla
Mexican frijoles, cilantro, cotija cheese, crispy onions (vg)
Avocado Station
Smashed avocado with a range of accompaniments:
Yellow and blue corn tortillas
Beetroot sour cream (vg)
Chillies
Coriander
Crumbled feta
Lime
Pomegranate
Pulled pork
Ras el hanout
Spicy chorizo
Tajín
Tomato salsa
TRA house chilli oil
Premium tequila - Silver or Reposado Patrón (optional)
Dessert canapés
Churros, spiced cinnamon sugar, Aztec chocolate sauce
‘Spicy Margarita Cup’ - lime cream, picante and margarita curd, oat biscuit crumble, lime preserve
Vanilla cake pops inspired by Mexican iconography:
Sugar skull
Cactus
Mexican hat
Heart
Maracas
Frida
Drinks
Spicy Marg Mini
El Rayo Tequila | Agave | Lime | Chilli
Peach & Clementine Marg Mini
El Rayo Tequila | Peach Liqueur | Clementine Juice | Lime | Agave
Also served: wines, soft drinks and chilled lager.
The feedback from the client reflected the impact of the evening:
“The Mexico inspired evening came to life and the vision became a reality. Can’t thank you all enough for the months of work and planning leading up to last night. The theming, food and service was amazing, and you should all be so proud!
The feedback has been fantastic, and clients had a wonderful evening. Please pass on to the rest of the team and to Sam (Exec Chef)……you are a wonderful bunch of avocados!
Hopefully the first of many events with us.”
- Client remains anonymous due to NDA
"This was such an exciting brief for our team because it gave us the opportunity to take inspiration from Frida Kahlo and Mexican culture and translate it into a complete guest experience. There was a lot of detail and planning behind the scenes to make sure every element felt connected, from the food and cocktails to the interactive Avocado Station. Seeing it all come together on the night and hearing such fantastic feedback from the client made all those months of preparation incredibly worthwhile.”
– Lucy Robinson, Head of Events, The Ripe Avocado