Imagine your ideal country house party. Now imagine splitting yourself in two, leaving one of you to relax and enjoy the wine cellar, the company and the surroundings, whilst the other scurries about ensuring everything goes to plan. Now, imagine someone who implicitly understands your vision organising every tedious last detail for you. Someone who is stupendously well-connected, with access to the finest chefs, houses, shoots, staff and entertainment.
Fairfax and Fox, founded by Edmund Cohen, is a company that does just this. With a wealth of hosting experience, and access to the finest private country houses, Edmund quit his high-flying city job and founded a service he’d want to use himself. Of course there are numerous corporate events organisers, and country hotels where every room looks the same. There are countless party planners and soulless events companies. But where Fairfax and Fox differ is in providing a totally personal service. Edmund will even invite you round for tea to discuss your ideas, and, if required, will stay on hand throughout.
The epitome of discretion, and with impeccable judgement, Edmund’s philosophy is simply to facilitate, troubleshoot behind the scenes, and never, ever, steal the host’s glory. Somewhere between a butler, party planner, logistical wizard, and very-well-connected best friend, he, like his company, is totally unique.
He can reel countless examples where catastrophe was averted with guests none the wiser. With a large party, and an even larger country house to contend with, there are always unforeseen hiccups to cast a cloud over a host’s azure sky. Inevitably something will go awry. However brilliant the house, guests frequently get lost en route, boilers with obscure parts pop their clogs, staff fall ill at the 11th hour, and essential deliveries fail to arrive. A conscientious host can never relax.
When you’re spending a hefty sum on a very grand country house, it makes sense to pay a little more to actually enjoy it. Peace of mind is priceless, as is seeing your event come together exactly as you’d envisaged. And when you’re footing the bill, it’s a shame not to be able to exhale, sit back and enjoy the festivities until the last car has trailed out of the drive. Having someone on hand to monitor, supervise and quietly steer activities, means you can, for once, enjoy your own party.
The choice of how and where to entertain is all yours; cottage or castle; birthday party or shooting weekend; ten guests or 60. Murder mystery? No problem madam. Or perhaps your guests prefer shooting or archery? Entertainments will be planned, nannies organised, drivers sourced. You bask in the glory, knowing that your own personal Jeeves will oversee the worry, surveillance and organisation.
Fairfax and Fox; fairfaxandfox.com; edmund@fairfaxandfox.com; 020 7112 8504
