Rocket Private Views 2024: Royal Academy of Arts

The Rocket Private View series made another stunning return with an unforgettable night of art, drinks, and culinary delights at the The Royal Academy of Arts. Throughout the evening, guests indulged in a private viewing of Michael Craig-Martin’s retrospective while enjoying a variety of canapés, small plates, and exceptional drinks.

The Concept

Drawing inspiration from Michael Craig-Martin’s signature style, the event celebrated the artist’s creative vision and Rocket’s passion for hosting spectacular parties. Event Concept brought Craig-Martin’s bold use of colour and characteristic graphic depictions of everyday objects to life with immersive food stalls and vibrant bar installations. These interactive elements mirrored Craig-Martin’s distinctive aesthetic, combining precise linework with bright contrasting hues.

The attention to detail extended to the waiting staff’s uniforms, who wore tailored black ensembles paired with ties in colours that echoed the exhibition’s palette. The gallery was transformed into a kaleidoscope of lively decor: vivid floral arrangements in fuschia, blue, and purple, offset by dark teal furniture from Velvet Living. Dim lighting and DJ Ollie’s upbeat tunes created a lively, sophisticated atmosphere for guests to mingle and enjoy the evening.

The Food

The night began with Rocket’s award-winning canapés including whisky-cured ChalkStream trout, chicken liver parfait bon bons, and zesty kimchi croquettes. Guests were treated to two bountiful food stalls — one featuring a show-stopping Señorío Ibérico de Bellota jamón leg from Brindisa, hand-carved on the spot by Rocket’s chefs, alongside small plates of vibrant salads crafted from “wonky” WasteKnot British produce and herbs from an on-site wild herb garden. Spotlighting sustainable, locally sourced seafood is another food stall with standout dishes like a Portland Shellfish Dorset crab salad with salsify, trompette mushrooms, and apple, and a creamy spiced Flying Fish Cornish monkfish curry.

The Drinks

In collaboration with Drinks Fusion, the cocktail menu was as creative as it was enticing. Guests delighted in bespoke cocktails including lingonberry cosmos, grapefruit and rhubarb palomas, along with a ‘wild forest’ negroni using pickled wild bilberries. Gusbourne’s English sparkling wine also flowed freely throughout the night.

Guests were given an exclusive preview of Rocket’s upcoming Low & No alcohol menu, including non-alcoholic spicy margaritas and old fashioned as well as low ABV negronis. The cocktails featured pioneering craft British brands Kahol, Quarter Proof, and Botivo.

The Sweet Finale

As the evening wound down, guests were greeted with a roaming dessert trolley offering mini espresso martinis and servings of non-alcoholic old fashioned. A bright array of handcrafted éclairs – mango & passion fruit, salted caramel, dark chocolate, raspberry, and lemon meringue – provided a perfect parting touch to an extraordinary night.

A Stunning Celebration With Thanks to Our Partners

From the inspired art and immersive design to the delectable food and inventive cocktails, the Rocket Private View series certainly returned with a bang. The evening would not have been possible without our brilliant partners – the The Royal Academy of Arts, Event Concept, Gusbourne, Drinks Fusion, Velvet Living, Jone Hire and DJ Ollie.

For more information about any of these fantastic venues or suppliers, please contact parties@rocketfood.com.