Horseradish
Horseradish is a luxury catering company serving weddings, corporate events, and large-scale public functions across the North West of England and North Wales, operating as the in-house catering division of Chester Race Company Limited from its base at Chester Racecourse.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2009
- HeadquartersChester, United Kingdom
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Horseradish does
Horseradish is a luxury catering and event services company headquartered at Chester Racecourse in Chester, United Kingdom, founded in 2009. It operates as the in-house catering division of Chester Race Company Limited (Company Registration: 00036700), the parent entity that owns both Chester Racecourse and Bangor-on-Dee Racecourse. The company delivers full-service catering for weddings, corporate events, private celebrations, and large-scale public functions across North West England, North Wales, Cheshire, Manchester, and Liverpool. Its service portfolio spans five core offerings (Bespoke Experiences, Corporate Celebrations, Corporate Conferences, Large Scale Catering, and Weddings) supplemented by an in-house patisserie division (launched 2013), the 1539 Restaurant at Chester Racecourse, and Thyme People — an in-house staffing agency launched in 2017 that supplies trained event personnel for major UK events including Royal Ascot, Cheltenham Festival, The Open, and Henley Regatta.
The company delivers services across its primary venue (Chester Racecourse with 10+ distinct event spaces) and 11 partner venues including Liverpool Anglican Cathedral, Chester Cathedral, Manchester Monastery, St George's Hall, Knowsley Hall, Tatton Park, Liverpool Town Hall, and Burlton Manor. Pricing is custom-quoted per event based on guest count, menu selection, service requirements, and venue, with 25% deposits required per stated terms. The business uses no proprietary technology platforms; its competitive position rests on culinary expertise, venue concession agreements, brand reputation built through royal and high-profile events, and an in-house staffing capability. Customers range from corporate clients (Innospec, enterprise event organizers) to public institutions (Liverpool Cathedral, Chester Town Hall) and individual wedding clients. The company has 101-250 employees and serves 300,000+ racegoers annually across its racecourse seasons.
The go-to-market model is sales-led and event-driven, with customer acquisition through venue partnerships, direct website enquiry forms, phone outreach (01244 304 660), and reputation-driven word-of-mouth. The marketing operation is modest — a website with SEO positioning, a content blog, and an email newsletter — with no paid advertising or sophisticated demand generation infrastructure disclosed. The company is wholly owned by Chester Race Company Limited with no external investors, private equity involvement, or ownership changes disclosed.
Horseradish firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Horseradish
- Legal name
- Chester Race Company Limited
- Website
- https://horseradishcatering.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2009
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Horseradish is a luxury catering company serving weddings, corporate events, and large-scale public functions across the North West of England and North Wales, operating as the in-house catering division of Chester Race Company Limited from its base at Chester Racecourse.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Horseradish industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Event Catering Services
- NAICS
- Racetracks (711212)
- SIC
- Services-Racing, Including Track Operation (7948), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Racecourse Hospitality, Sponsorship & On-Track Experiences (MPAEADAM)
Keywords
Where Horseradish is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Chester
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Horseradish business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Event Catering Services: Full-service luxury catering for events including weddings, corporate functions, gala dinners, conferences, and private celebrations. Revenue is generated through custom catering contracts priced per event based on guest count, menu selection, service requirements, and venue. The company provides end-to-end event catering including food preparation, service staff, equipment, and event management.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Custom event catering - pricing varies by event specifications |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels5 records
Horseradish product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Horseradish is a luxury catering and events company that provides bespoke catering for weddings, corporate events, private celebrations, and large-scale public functions across North West England and North Wales. Operating as the in-house catering division of Chester Race Company Limited, the company delivers end-to-end event catering including menu design, food preparation, professional service staff, equipment provision, and event coordination across its primary Chester Racecourse venue and a network of partner venues such as Liverpool Cathedral, Knowsley Hall, Tatton Park, St George's Hall, and Manchester Monastery.
Product overview
Horseradish is a luxury catering and events company that operates as the in-house catering division of Chester Race Company. The company's product portfolio consists of five core catering services (Bespoke Experiences, Corporate Celebrations, Corporate Conferences, Large Scale Catering, and Weddings) supplemented by an in-house restaurant (1539), staffing agency (Thyme People), and patisserie division. The company provides catering across its primary venue, Chester Racecourse (featuring 10+ distinct event spaces including 1539 Restaurant, The Pavilion, The Long Room, Leverhulme Stand, and others), as well as 11 partner venues throughout the North West including cathedrals, racecourses, private estates, town halls, and heritage sites. The offering combines catering services with venue management and event coordination.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Weddings
- Corporate Conferences
- Corporate Celebrations
- Large Scale Catering
- Bespoke Experiences
- 1539 Restaurant
- Thyme People
- In-house Patisserie Division
- Chester Racecourse Venue Hire
Companies that use Horseradish
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Horseradish technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Horseradish partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
14 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.
- Thyme PeoplecoreIn-house staffing agency launched in 2017 providing trained event staff for events across the UK including Royal Ascot, Cheltenham Festival, The Open, Henley Regatta, and Chester Zoo. Ensures consistent quality staffing for Horseradish events.
- Liverpool Anglican CathedralmajorHorseradish became the preferred caterer at Liverpool Anglican Cathedral in 2015, catering for events with over 700 guests. The cathedral is one of the UK's most iconic venues, hosting up to 1,000 guests for seated dinners.
- Chester Town HallmajorAppointed as full facility manager of Chester Town Hall in 2013. Hosted significant events including a royal lunch for Her Majesty the Queen and The Duchess of Sussex at Chester Town Hall for the opening of Storyhouse in 2018.
- Knowsley HallmajorHorseradish secured a major contract in 2010 to deliver 30,000 covers for Christmas parties at Knowsley Hall and Tatton Park. Knowsley Hall is a pillar of Merseyside history dating back to 1495, welcoming royalty and distinguished guests.
- Chester Race Company LimitedcoreChester Race Company Limited (Company Registration: 00036700) is the parent company of Horseradish Catering. Horseradish operates as the in-house catering division of Chester Race Company, which owns and operates Chester Racecourse and Bangor-on-Dee Racecourse. The company was founded in 2009 as the racecourse's in-house catering operation and has since expanded to serve partner venues across the North West.
- Tatton ParkmajorHorseradish is a catering partner at Tatton Park, delivering hospitality throughout the RHS Tatton Park Flower Show (thousands of guests enjoying fresh, locally sourced lunches and afternoon teas) and private events. The estate offers 1,000 acres of Cheshire parkland with historic grandeur and modern flexibility.
- Manchester MonasterymajorHorseradish is The Monastery's trusted catering partner for all weddings and major events, delivering culinary excellence within this Grade II* listed heritage site built by E W Pugin. The venue's Great Nave can seat up to 350 guests.
- St George's HallmajorTrusted catering partner at St George's Hall, one of the most iconic event spaces in the North West. The Grade I listed venue features the Great Hall with barrel-vaulted ceiling, stained glass windows, and one of Europe's finest mosaic floors.
- Bangor-on-Dee RacecoursecoreAs part of Chester Race Company, Horseradish provides catering at Bangor-on-Dee Racecourse. Set in 150 acres of open countryside, it is one of the most flexible outdoor venues in the North West for trade shows, summer parties, corporate away days, and private celebrations.
- Liverpool Metropolitan CathedralmajorCatering partner at Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral. The crypt and Lutyens-designed spaces offer high ceilings, flexible room configurations, and built-in production capabilities for receptions, dinners, and performances accommodating 50 to 500 people.
- Chester CathedralmajorCatering partner at Chester Cathedral. The Nave can host up to 850 guests theatre-style or 504 for dinner rounds. The venue is described as 'a venue to leave a lasting impression' with stunning architecture and grand spaces.
- Liverpool Town HallmajorTrusted catering partner at Liverpool Town Hall, a Georgian landmark in the heart of the city. The Main Ballroom accommodates up to 210 guests with chandeliers and marble columns. Venues include Small Ballroom, Council Chamber, and Dining Room.
- Burlton ManorminorBreathtaking wedding venue in Shropshire countryside combining rustic country charm with timeless elegance. Horseradish provides bespoke catering for up to 150 guests with exclusive venue access.
- Stock Farm BarnminorLocated on the Tatton Estate in Cheshire, Stock Farm Barn creates experiences for up to 280 guests with main barn, Stables Barn, garden, and courtyard spaces reserved exclusively for events.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves9 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Horseradish competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Searcys: Heritage UK event and venue caterer with strong racecourse pedigree (including Royal Ascot). Competes in the same luxury event catering and on-course hospitality category across iconic British venues.
- Absolute Taste: Premium UK event caterer focused on private celebrations, weddings, and corporate hospitality. Comparable bespoke menu design and high-touch service delivery for affluent clients.
- CH&CO: Premium UK contract and event caterer (formerly part of WSH), serving corporate, cultural, and heritage venues. Directly comparable premium event-catering proposition with shared venue-based service model.
- Jockey Club Catering: The in-house catering arm of The Jockey Club, operating at premier UK racecourses including Cheltenham, Aintree, and Epsom. Most directly comparable peer because both are venue-anchored luxury caterers embedded inside UK racecourse operators.
- Payne & Gunter: Heritage London-based event caterer specialising in high-profile weddings, corporate events, and society functions. Overlaps in luxury bespoke menus and prestige-venue execution.
- Blue Strawberry: UK luxury event and wedding caterer offering bespoke menus across heritage and marquee venues. Closely comparable in wedding/private-event proposition and venue-agnostic service model.
Broad incumbents
- Compass Group: The world's largest contract caterer, operating across sports, leisure, and event venues globally. Broad incumbent with overlapping premium and large-venue event capabilities but vastly broader portfolio.
- Sodexo (Prestige Venues & Events): Global contract caterer with a dedicated premium venues and events unit serving iconic locations including racecourses and sporting venues. Provides overlapping on-course hospitality services at larger scale.
Regional players
- Bovingdons Catering: Midlands-based luxury event caterer focused on weddings and high-end private events. Comparable bespoke wedding catering proposition but operating in a different UK region (Midlands vs North West).
Emerging players
- Smart Group: UK events and hospitality group offering catering, event production, and venue management. Comparable integrated event-services model though at smaller scale and different venue mix.
Market position
Strengths1 record
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Horseradish social profiles
Digital presenceHorseradish financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Horseradish leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Horseradish funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Horseradish M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Horseradish
What does Horseradish do?
Horseradish is a luxury catering and events company that provides bespoke catering for weddings, corporate events, private celebrations, and large-scale public functions across North West England and North Wales. Operating as the in-house catering division of Chester Race Company Limited, the company delivers end-to-end event catering including menu design, food preparation, professional service staff, equipment provision, and event coordination across its primary Chester Racecourse venue and a network of partner venues such as Liverpool Cathedral, Knowsley Hall, Tatton Park, St George's Hall, and Manchester Monastery.
Is Horseradish a public or private company?
Horseradish is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Horseradish founded?
Horseradish was founded in 2009. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Horseradish based?
Horseradish is headquartered in Chester, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Horseradish make money?
One revenue line is on record: event Catering Services.
Who are Horseradish's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Searcys, Absolute Taste, CH&CO, Jockey Club Catering, Payne & Gunter and Blue Strawberry. Broad incumbents are Compass Group and Sodexo (Prestige Venues & Events). Bovingdons Catering is listed as a regional player. Smart Group is listed as an emerging player.
Does Horseradish have an API?
No public API is recorded for Horseradish.
What industry is Horseradish in?
Horseradish's product category is Event Catering Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAEADAM, Racecourse Hospitality, Sponsorship & On-Track Experiences. Its NAICS code is 711212 and its SIC code is 7948.