Orchard Catering Co owes $184k after owner Christopher Holt’s bankruptcy

A wedding caterer has left would-be brides and grooms in the lurch, after his company went bankrupt. One couple found out just 24 hours before their big day.

A wedding is supposed to be the happiest day of a couple’s lives, but for one bride and groom it tuned sour just a day before their ceremony when they woke to find their caterer wouldn’t be showing up.

Chef Christopher Holt had gone bankrupt – and notified the bride and groom just over 24 hours prior with an abrupt email.

“Due to unforeseen circumstances Orchard Catering Co will no longer be able to continue its operations as a catering supplier,” it read.

“Sadly we have been made bankrupt and cannot fulfil our current obligations to our clients.”

With just over 24 hours to spare, and having already paid their $14,000 bill, they had to dig into their honeymoon fund and scramble to find a new caterer.

Bankrupt chef Christopher Holt’s Orchard Catering has left couples scrambling to find new caterers for their weddings.

Another couple received the same dreaded news just nine days out from their big day – after paying their $16,000 bill. But this time, Holt failed to mention his bankruptcy.

Orchard Catering Co was a highly recommended catering service that operated on the South Coast and Southern Highlands.

Despite apparent “red flags” like slow communication and multiple cancelled tasting events – it wasn’t until a Facebook post that questions were raised about its financial situation.

A groom who learnt of the bankruptcy filing made a post about Holt in an Australia-wide wedding page, and was quickly contacted by several couples in the same situation.

While the post was quickly deleted, word had spread, and brides and grooms-to-be began to realise why it was taking weeks at a time for Holt to return phone calls and emails.

“My jaw dropped,” one groom said. “We were a bit suss on why he wasn’t replying but we never imagined it was because he’d gone bust.”

Holt owes more than $184,000 to clients, suppliers and creditors. Picture: stock photo

Documents obtained by The Sunday Telegraph show Holt declared bankruptcy on July 3.

Despite this, he continued to take on new clients and failed to declare his financial troubles.

If a sole trader’s business name does not contain their full name, they must tell all people they do business with that they are bankrupt.

He also failed to inform many clients about his bankruptcy filing until late last month, leaving couples thousands of dollars out of pocket, and scrambling at the last minute to find replacement catering.

A creditors’ report states he owes more than $184,000 to clients, suppliers and creditors, including $85,000 to Lumi Finance, $17,000 to Toyota Finance, and upwards of $20,000 to clients.

The Sunday Telegraph has spoken to six couples who have lodged complaints with the Australian Financial Security Authority for repayment of deposits and bills.

The couples told The Telegraph they were disappointed and angered by Holt’s actions.

“It’s an incredibly disappointing thing for a person to do considering the emotion attached to the day and financial burden couples already face,” one bride said.

“We’ve felt so powerless in this whole situation and we’ve had to beg and plead for answers,” another groom said.

In response to questions posed by the Telegraph, Holt denied threatening to sue any of his clients for speaking out, and said he was sorry for any hardship he had caused.

“The current position the couples have found themselves in has never been with malicious intent from my part and I am following legal advice on how to proceed,” he said.

“All couples have my contact info and I have advised them to seek legal advice to reclaim any lost money or services. I am devoted to making this right for all parties involved.”

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Originally published as Orchard Catering Co owes $184k after owner Christopher Holt’s bankruptcy