Justine Wood: Food Made With Care, Cooked From the Heart
Justine Wood has been feeding couples at Millbrook Estate for seven years — and her self-taught, home-cooked style is one of those things that's genuinely hard to describe until you've experienced it. Here's why we love having her as part of the Millbrook family.
From the Heart of the Kitchen to the Heart of Your Day
Based in: North Devon | Style: Home-cooked, heartfelt, beautifully simple | Email: hi@justine-wood.co.uk | Tel: 07730 889275
There are caterers who feed people, and then there are caterers who make people feel something. Justine Wood is firmly in the second camp. With seven years at Millbrook under her belt — she joined the team in late 2019 — she has become one of those rare suppliers who feels woven into the very fabric of this place. As one of Millbrook's wedding coordinators as well as one of the talented chefs behind the food here.
Her food style is self-taught, home-cooked and quietly confident. Simple, yes — but simple done with real care and real flavour. The kind of food that feels like someone who loves you made it.
Food That Feels Like Something Special
Ask Justine to describe her cooking and she'll tell you it's relaxed and approachable — but that doesn't mean it isn't special. It means the opposite, actually. She creates dishes that feel effortless to eat and joyful to share, without any of the stiffness that can sometimes creep into occasion food.
An afternoon tea with Justine might take you from delicate finger sandwiches and home-baked sweet treats through to generous cheese and meat platters — or any combination in between, depending on what feels right for you. She has set menus that couples can mix and match freely, but she's equally happy to go entirely off-piste and build something bespoke from scratch. There's no pressure to fit into a predetermined box here.
For arrivals, canapés, grazing boards and beautifully assembled hampers are all on offer. And in the summer months, the summer house provides the perfect backdrop for a long, unhurried grazing board spread that sets exactly the right tone for a relaxed and intimate celebration.
"I have set menus that people can mix and match, but I'm also more than happy to create something off menu to fit perfectly for the couple."
Rooted in North Devon
Justine is passionate about the food that surrounds her in this corner of Devon, and it shows on the plate. She works with the brilliant local butchers nearby whenever she can, and loves weaving North Devon produce into her menus — ingredients that are fresh, seasonal and full of the flavour that only comes from knowing exactly where something came from.
She caters fully for all dietary requirements and has a dedicated vegan menu available on her website, so every guest at the table is as well looked after as the next.
Intimate Elopements: Your Day, Your Way
For couples eloping at Millbrook, Justine offers something genuinely rare in the world of wedding catering: complete and utter freedom. When it's just the two of you, the usual rules don't apply — and Justine wouldn't have it any other way.
Want a beautiful private dinner? Done. Fancy a long grazing afternoon in the summer house? Perfect. Or, as she'll cheerfully tell you, if you've always dreamed of having a really excellent burger as your wedding meal — she will make you the best burger you've ever had, and she'll do it with her whole heart.
"As catering for an intimate elopement is just the two of you, you can have anything you like. Even if you fancy a burger for your wedding meal!"
What She Loves Most About Millbrook
Seven years is a long time, and Justine will be the first to tell you that every year she falls a little more in love with what Millbrook is and what it means to the couples who choose it. The intimacy of the venue means she genuinely gets to talk to people — not just serve them. She hears the story of how they met, what this day means to them, what they've dreamed of.
And occasionally — on those extra special occasions — a couple will come back for their anniversary and she'll get to be part of their story all over again.
"I love the unique and personal feel of Millbrook. You really get a chance to talk to all the lovely couples, and it's a privilege to be a part of their special day. I sometimes get to see them again for their anniversary — that really is a unique honour."
A Little Bit About Justine
Her love of cooking didn't come from a professional kitchen or a cookery school — it came from her mum. Justine learned to cook at her mother's side, absorbing not just recipes but a whole way of thinking about food: generous, unpretentious, made with love. Her late mum's original recipes are still very much part of her repertoire today, and cooking them feels like keeping something precious alive.
She'll tell you her favourite thing to cook is puddings. Her favourite meal is a really good steak — though she's equally at home with vibrant, fresh vegetarian dishes. And after a long stretch of cooking? Her go-to comfort is the simplest thing imaginable: marmite on toast. Childhood in a single bite — and, as it turns out, her children's favourite too.
When she's not in the kitchen, Justine is — by her own admission — a bit of a whirlwind. Days off are a rare species. But when they do appear, you'll find her dancing, out on long walks, and generally making the most of every minute. It's the same energy she brings to every event she caters: full tilt, full heart.
Why We Recommend Justine to Our Couples
Justine brings something to Millbrook that no brief or menu can fully capture: she genuinely cares. She cares about the food, about the produce, about the couples she feeds — and about making every elopement feel as personal and as nourishing as it should be. Whether you're planning a classic afternoon tea, a relaxed grazing spread in the summer house, or something entirely your own, she will make it wonderful.
For couples planning an intimate elopement or a small wedding at Millbrook, having Justine look after your food means one less thing to worry about — and one very delicious reason to look forward to the day.
If you're putting together your dream team for your Devon elopement, our full list of trusted wedding suppliers is a wonderful place to start. To get in touch with Justine or find out more about her menus, email hi@justine-wood.co.uk or call 07730 889275. And if you'd like to start planning your day at Millbrook, we'd love to hear from you — say hello here.
