circa events: our story

CIRCA EVENTS: EVENT EXPERTS

A word from our Director, Marc Bolger

Circa launched in the year 2000, bringing to Lewes the concept of Asian Fusion Dining. We were soon listed in the Michelin Guide and reviewed in The Times & The Observer. Another restaurant, Circa Fish soon followed, then we took over the restaurant at Pelham House, Lewes. In 2008, we decided to expand the events side of the business. We opened here, in a former milking parlour on Bevendean Farm with a small office, then we built a kitchen and slowly progressed adding on more buildings and storage. In our 20th year of business, we’re lucky enough to include some gorgeous venues in our portfolio and work with some of the best suppliers in the South East.

Our team has grown to include talented Event Managers and Chefs who make it all come together for our clients. Each has their own talents and contribute to what we do here at Circa, using their experience, passion for food and events in their work. We’re still here on the farm, all these years later a little bigger but still holding true to our values from the restaurant days – our passion for good, locally sourced food, served with flair & creativity is and always will be, the driving force behind us all at Circa.

MEET the management TEAM

Marc Bolger

Director

With over 30 years in the catering business, including Head Chef roles at St. Martins Hotel and Havana Restaurant, Marc spent a year travelling Asia and Australia before opening Circa in 2000 as a pan-Asian fusion restaurant in the heart of Sussex. 

The restaurant went from strength to strength winning various awards and gaining national press coverage, leading to the opening of two more award-winning restaurants; Circa Fish and Circa Brasserie. Now we exclusively manage three event venues, have a deli in the heart of Woodingdean, a kiosk in Stanmer Park, are the in house catering team at two Golf Clubs in East Sussex and travel all over Sussex to many venues. 

 Marc is the heart and soul of Circa. 
His passion for fantastic food and the best produce is reflected in all our menus; his travels inspire many of our dishes and his many years in the Brighton Food scene makes him a very recognisable figure and total foodie know it all.

All of us at Circa adore Marc. He is considerate,
supportive and generous and CREATIVE.
He inspires everything we do at Circa HQ. 

 

OLIVIA SMITH

EVENTs Manager

Liv has been delivering well run and expertly planned events for many years, from wonderful weddings to successful corporate events in a variety of venues. It is her eighth season running the events at Circa. Her enthusiasm and meticulous attention to detail will give you the confidence to plan the event you’ve dreamt of. She is creative, detail orientated and above all loves working with people. Her organisational skills, sense of calm and ability to think quickly on her feet make her a huge asset to any event. Having worked on a wide range of projects from large conferences to private parties, she brings with her a wealth of experience and will work with you closely to provide advice, guidance and a friendly face on the big day.

Liv also manages our social media accounts, make sure you follow us for all the backstage photos and videos of our events!

Liv has a son, Jude with her partner Jason (also a chef!) who was born in 2021. She loves mooching around Brighton on wet winter days, eating out, going to gigs and taking Jude for fun days out in Sussex.

SEAN PALEIT-REILLY

ASSISTANT Event Manager

Sean begin working for Circa in 2017 as a member of our waiting team and worked for us alongside studying for his Business & Economics Degree at Sussex University. Once he’d completed his studies he joined us at Circa HQ and has become a truly valued member of the management team!

Sean is great under pressure and loves the buzz of an event.  He’s handy behind the scenes but thrives front of house too; he’s a really important part of making your event happen from ensuring the right cutlery makes it onto the table to shaking up a cocktail or two behind the bar. 

Sean loves living in Brighton and making the most of the restaurants and nightlife it has to offer. He enjoys a city-break and has travelled to many places in Europe sampling foodie delights along the way.  He’s also an avid Arsenal fan, you’ll find him in the pub on Sundays after an event enjoying a roast and a pint (with his feet up!).

 

 

Sara Hewitt

Office & Event Manager

Sara joined the team in June 2021 and has been part of the Circa family ever since. Sara has had a passion for events since she studied for her degree in International Event Management and completed a 6 month placement at a wedding venue. Her love for managing events was ignited when she worked on three Great Escape Festivals running her own venue.

Sara says she loves the ‘can do’ attitude at Circa as it ties in with her ethos that what the client hopes for the client should get – and she feels fortunate to work alongside colleagues who always strive to make every event perfect. Sara brings exceptional organisational and problem-solving skills to Circa and her personal skills with all our clients are second to none.

 When not busy planning couples’ dream days Sara loves spending time with her husband, Matt and their 3yr old daughter, Eliza and is also a big fan of a murder mystery, cross stitch, swimming, and live music.

Nicky Adams

Circa Deli & Circa in the park Manager

Nicky has managed our sites at both Circa Deli in Woodingdean and Circa in the Park at Stanmer Park for the past couple of years.
She’s worked for Circa since 2018 when we took on the catering at East Brighton Golf Club and Nicky was the manager – she has also joined us on Events around Sussex, so she has experience in all areas of the Circa Family! 
A lovely friendly face, Nicky loves interacting with customers and makes a very mean coffee (much appreciated by all the team when out on events). Nicky looks after her team at the park and deli, orders all the delicious goodies in the counter and organises all the activities we run from the park. 

When she’s not at work, you’ll find Nicky in the garden or on the beach! She loves going to watch her son Tyler perform gigs with his band whenever she can.

 

Beverley Kirzynowski

Manager @ East Brighton golf course

Bev has worked at East Brighton Golf Club since 2009 and has lived in Brighton for over 40 years so, what she doesn’t know about the local area is probably not worth knowing!

Bev says she finds her job very enjoyable and loves engaging with the members and club visitors, and finds it rewarding to be able to make their experience at EBGC a happy one, whether it be for a round of golf or a wedding or private event.

When not working, Bev loves to spend time with her daughters and twin granddaughters, Eloise and Georgia, and cannot wait to get back to New Zealand to see her other granddaughters Mila and Lily. When the sun is shining and Bev has a day off, you are most likely to find her on Brighton beach.

What our clients say about us

START PLANNING your event

Like what you’ve seen? We’d be delighted to be part of your event. Get in touch with us now to find out more, ask questions, book a meeting or viewing and get plans underway!