Caterers London
London is one of the top culinary destinations in the world. With cuisine from all corners of the globe represented across its dining scene, it's no surprise that London also boasts some of the most talented and creative caterers around.
Whether you're planning a corporate event, wedding, birthday party or any other special occasion that calls for excellent food and drink, there's sure to be caterers in London up for the job. Here's an in-depth guide on finding the best catering services the city has to offer.
Overview of the Catering Scene in London
Catering in London is a highly competitive industry, with hundreds of companies vying for business. Offerings range from Michelin star-level fine dining to more casual, food truck-style options. Here's a quick overview of the catering landscape:
- Large event caterers - These companies specialize in big corporate events, galas, conferences and weddings with guest counts in the hundreds or thousands. They have large staffs, extensive menus and polished presentation.
- Boutique caterers - Focus on quality over quantity, with artisanal, often locally-sourced ingredients. Tend to serve more intimate gatherings and upscale private events. Known for highly customized menus.
- Ethnic caterers - Offer specialized cuisines like Indian, Chinese, Italian, Mexican and more. Popular for adding unique, authentic flavors to weddings and corporate events.
- Food truck caterers - Casual, mobile caterers bringing trendy street food fare like burgers, tacos, BBQ and more to parties and celebrations.
- Restaurant caterers - Many top London restaurants offer catering services leveraging their own chefs and cuisine styles for events.
How to Choose the Right Caterer in London
With so many options, how do you pick the perfect catering company in London for your event? Here are the most important factors to keep in mind:
Type of Event
The type of gathering you're hosting should guide your caterer selection. Small, informal gatherings will do better with a food truck or restaurant caterer providing simple, delicious dishes. Big weddings and corporate events need an experienced large event caterer who can handle volume with ease.
Cuisine
Consider the style of food you want served. London has stellar options for nearly any cuisine you can imagine. Opting for a caterer specializing in the type of food you want (e.g. Indian, Mexican, BBQ) is ideal.
Budget
Be clear and upfront about your catering budget from the start. Pricing varies widely between basic food truck caterers and high-end event caterers with gourmet menus.
Reviews and Recommendations
Solicit opinions from friends, read online reviews and ask venues for their caterer recommendations. This can help surface reliable companies known for great service and excellent food.
Taste Testing
Don't sign any contracts until you sample potential caterers' food! Many will provide small tastings to give you a sense of their menus and skill. Taste tests also show a caterer's style and presentation.
10 Top Caterers in London
The number of catering companies operating in London is staggering. To help you get started with your search, here are 10 of the city's top rated and most sought-after caterers across a range of styles and specialties:
1. Rhubarb Food Design
- High-end boutique caterer
- Innovative, visually exciting cuisine with ingredients like duck, scallops, halibut and short ribs
- Handle events from 10 to 1000 guests
- Full service, sit down dinners starting at £120/person
2. Fun Food Events
- Casual BBQ, grill and smoker caterer
- Specialize in American style fare like burgers, ribs, tacos, mac and cheese
- Served buffet style or food stations
- Ideal for big informal gatherings and celebrations
- Packages from £17.50/person
3. Party Ingredients
- Diverse global menu featuring French, Italian, Indian, Japanese and more
- Customizable a la carte catering menus
- Known for hors d'oeuvres, bowl foods, flatbreads and fusion dishes
- Prices from £15/person
4. Green Gourmet
- Top vegetarian and vegan caterer
- Focus on fresh, seasonal ingredients from local farms
- Cuisine spans Mediterranean, Indian, Mexican and more
- Suitable for formal or casual events
- Starts at £20/person
5. Byzanthine Catering
- Specialized Greek caterer
- Authentic sharing-style mezze menus
- Dishes like lamb kleftiko, grilled halloumi, spanakopita and more
- Full service, delivered or client pick-up
- Starts around £25/person
6. Delitelicious BBQ
- Casual American BBQ caterer
- Offer smoked brisket, ribs, pulled pork, chicken and sides
- Fun, hands-on option for informal gatherings
- Prices from £15/person
7. Hot Box Pizza
- Gourmet pizzas cooked in imported Italian ovens
- Customizable toppings and crusts
- Also offer salads, antipasti and dessert
- Perfect for parties, birthdays or corporate lunches
- Starts at £12/person
8. Food Art Catering
- Sophisticated event caterer
- Elegant, contemporary menus with dishes like halibut, lamb, risotto and chocolate tart
- Handle corporate events, galas, weddings
- Full service sit down dinners from £100/person
9. Burrito Box
- Mexican street food catering
- Serve up fajitas, tacos, burritos, quesadillas, guacamole, etc.
- Authentic flavors and spices
- Ideal for corporate events, informal parties, weddings
- Around £15/person
10. Bombay Kitchen
- Top rated Indian caterer
- Extensive menus of regional Indian curries, biryanis, naan, samosa and more
- Vegetarian and halal options available
- Fun addition to weddings and corporate events
- Starts at £12/person
Questions to Ask When Vetting Caterers
Once you've identified potential London caterers for your event, you'll want to thoroughly vet them. Here are key questions to ask:
- What is the price per person, and what does that include? (food, service staff, equipment, etc.)
- Are thereminimum guest counts or fees?
- Do you accommodate special diets and allergies?
- Can you provide sample menus?
- Do you handle alcohol service?
- When are final headcounts due? What are cancellation policies?
- What type of presentation will the food have? (tray passed, buffet, stations, etc.)
- Can you provide references from past clients?
- Do you have liability insurance and the proper permits?
- How will you keep food at proper temperatures throughout the event?
Thoroughly exploring these concernswill help ensure you find the very best caterer in London for your occasion.
Planning a Catered Event in the City
Once you book your ideal London caterer, you'll want to nail down all the key event planning details. Here's a checklist of catering-related tasks:
- Come up with a preliminary guestlist to determine how much food you'll need.
- Discuss the menu and any custom requests with your caterer.
- Confirm serving style like buffet, tray passing, food stations, etc.
- Decide on rental needs for tables, linens, plates, cutlery and other supplies. Many caterers can provide or source rentals.
- Book additional staff like servers, bartenders and security if needed.
- Review event order timeline from guest arrival through meal service, speeches, dances, etc.
- Set the floor plan for guest tables, food and beverage stations, bars, stages, dance floor, etc.
- Confirm date for final headcount and menu selections.
- Make a timeline of payment installments due to the caterer.
- Give caterer arrival and set-up times for the event venue.
- Provide vendor meals for any photographers, bands, etc. working your event.
Taking the time to think through these detailsresults in well-fed guests and smooth catering service!
Why Hire Professional Caterers in London?
Trying to DIY event catering for dozens or hundreds of guests is challenging even for experienced home cooks. Here are key reasons it pays to hire a pro caterer:
Creativity and Variety
The city's top caterers craft incredible bespoke menus you likely couldn't duplicate at home. They specialize in turning out inventive dishes guests won't find anywhere else.
High Volume Cooking
A quality caterer has equipment and staff used to churning out large volumes of food consistently and quickly. Avoid scrambling to feed hungry masses on your own.
Presentation and Service
From abundant grazing tables to elegant plated dinners, caterers create stunning food presentations accompanied by polished service few can match.
Logistics and Rentals
Caterers have systems for transporting and keeping food safe until serving time. Many also provide tables, chairs, linens, serving pieces, etc.
Peace of Mind
Enjoy your event knowing an experienced team has the food and service details covered, so you can relax and have fun.
Experience and Acumen
Seasoned caterers can draw on their expertise to make your event a success. They handle challenges smoothly and have great vendor relationships.
When hosting any celebration or corporate function in London, always partner with seasoned catering pros. They have the skills, experience and resources to deliver showstopping food presentations and exquisite service sure to wow your guests.
With the city's abundant catering talent offering cuisine from around the globe, it's easy to find an excellent match for your event and budget. Use this guide to navigate the catering options and find a stellar caterer that will make your London event extraordinary.
