The Merlins story
Humble beginnings
Merlins was founded in Wareham, North Dorset by Chef Dave J Brown, who previously worked as a Catering Manager. From the beginning, we focused on catering for parties, weddings, and corporate events in various locations. Dave's training and experience in the catering and hospitality industry gave him the skills and knowledge to create the successful company we have today.
In the early days, we were busy making a strong first impression by offering delicious, attractive food served with a smile. We have continued to prioritise these values using high-quality local ingredients, including free-range and organic options whenever possible. Our commitment to excellent food and service has remained unchanged since the company's inception.
From strength to strength
Merlins has earned a reputation for consistently delivering high-quality cuisine and has become a preferred caterer for venues throughout Dorset and Hampshire. In 2009, we became the sole and exclusive caterer for Parley Manor, a position we have held to this day. We have also gained popularity among other wedding and event venues.
We prioritise maintaining our reputation and ensuring that our clients receive the best possible service, which is why we occasionally have to turn down new clients when we already have confirmed bookings in place. By choosing us for your event, you can trust that you are working with a busy and highly sought-after caterer.
Our heart at the center of every dish
At Merlins we believe in using only ethical and locally sourced ingredients. We prioritise sustainability and reducing our food miles by sourcing ingredients as locally as possible. Our free-range meat comes from a local butcher in Wimborne, one of only a handful of butchers accredited by the Devon Red Breeders society who works with farmers who are members of the Countryside Stewardship and promote wildlife, hedgerows, and wildflowers.
Our free-range "happy pigs" hail from Sturminster Newton and our grass-fed lambs are raised in Canford Magna without antibiotics or growth promoters, and we believe you will be able to taste the difference. We also use local, free-range eggs and select only the finest local cheeses for our stylish cheeseboard offerings.
We are proud to use Fair Trade coffee, Dorset tea, and Fair Trade chocolates after our guests have enjoyed our flavourful and creative cuisine. We have been working with Infinity Foods, a leading wholesale distributor of organic and natural foods, for years.