Lucy Gemmell founded “rhubarb” in 1996 and since then she has been the driving force behind the evolution of arguably the UK’s best catering company.

From the very outset (when she was simply catering for private dinner parties from her mother’s kitchen), Lucy’s aim for “rhubarb” was to be ‘deliciously different’. She was determined to create a new type of catering company, one that was able to provide breathtaking style as well as food and service excellence.

Over the years Lucy has always employed people that believe in the same principles, and that work to the same exacting standards, thereby ensuring that together the “rhubarb” team have continually delivered the most superb events to each and every client. Lucy personally approached Clive Beharrell to become Chairman of the business, employed Helen Bowey in “rhubarb’s” very early days, and was also instrumental in PB Jacobse’ appointment as MD.

Lucy has always believed that anything is possible - catering for a wedding in a remote forest, flying a team of the chefs to deepest Africa, and conjuring ice bars laden with the finest seafood on a French beach. Her devotion to achieving all these things, without making them seem like even the slightest challenge, has allowed “rhubarb” to enjoy a reputation for unutterably glamorous party perfection.

But Lucy’s true talent lies in creativity – in thinking of amazing new ways of serving food and drink, in finding beautiful new ingredients and incredible new suppliers, in identifying and defining new drinking and dining concepts, and in simply dreaming up the most fantastic ideas. In her current role therefore as “rhubarb’s” Creative Director, she is perfectly placed to continue to drive “rhubarb’s” world renowned reputation – on a day to day basis she is responsible for making sure every “rhubarb” venture, whatever it may be, is conceived and delivered with creativity at it’s core, whether it’s a take-away sandwich box or a crystal champagne tray.

Lucy has also been instrumental in taking “rhubarb” in new directions – most recently with the Royal Albert Hall catering contract, and notably with her consultancy work at the Rugby World Cup and Olympics. There is no doubt that Lucy has singlehandedly succeeded in taking the “rhubarb” product to the biggest sponsors of all the very best sporting events worldwide, and she will of course be crucial to the events industry as a whole when we embark on London 2012 (which will be her 7th Olympic event). Lucy has also ensured the “rhubarb” retail concept is perfectly placed for success at each of the “rhubarb” restaurants, playing a huge part in everything from menu creation to choice of uniform and silverware.

Lucy’s contacts are second to none, from the best florists to the most celebrated chefs, from restaurateurs to royal families, and every hospitality industry contact in between. She has brought the most high profile events onto “rhubarb’s” books – from Elton John’s White Tie and Tiara Ball to the Ark Charity Gala (and her hands on role with these kinds of events has meant she ensures “rhubarb” keeps them year after year too). Her clients’ love her for her ability to listen to their needs, to create a vision for their event that they had never even dreamt of, and then finding the people to deliver that vision, exceeding every expectation along the way.