Halal Corporate Catering in London: How to Get the Food Right?

|Eatup Catering
Halal Corporate Catering in London: How to Get the Food Right?

Why do you need to read this blog? When you’re planning a corporate event, it’s surprisingly easy to get the catering wrong. Not because you don’t know your event, but because great catering has to do far more than simply tasting good.

It needs to suit timing, the venue, the guest flow, dietary requirements and, most importantly, the way your guests will actually eat.one of the first things people remember.

And while great food is essential, the best catering is often remembered for something else, how smoothly the whole experience runs.

When everything comes together, guests simply enjoy the event, When it doesn't food is usually one of the first things people remember  

That’s why, if you're looking for halal catering in London for a corporate event, it's worth thinking beyond the menu. The right catering should taste fantastic, arrive on time, work for your space, accommodate dietary requirements and make life easier for the person organising the event.

At Eat Up, we provide halal corporate catering across London, from breakfast meetings and working lunches to client events, conferences and office celebrations. Whether you need lunch boxes, sharing platters, hot food, breakfast spreads or a beautifully styled grazing table, we'll help you choose the option that best suits your event. 

If you're not sure what would work best, simply send us the details and we’ll help you choose the right menu, service style and set up for your event.

If you’re comparing a few caterers, it's worth knowing what really makes the biggest difference on the day.

It isn't just about choosing the nicest-looking menu. It's about choosing the right food format, service style, presentation, timing and level of support for your event. 

I have written this guide to help you ask the right questions, compare your options with confidence and choose catering that genuinely fits your event, rather than simply choosing what looks good online. 

A Quick Note on Halal

If halal catering is important for your team, guests or organisation, it's always worth asking clear questions before placing your order.

At Eat up, all of our meat used in our dishes is halal and sourced from a local halal butcher I’ve personally used for over 20 years.

For me, serving halal food isn't just about certification. It's also about knowing where the meat comes from, trusting the people who supply it and having the confidence in the quality of every ingredient that goes  into the food we serve.

That attention to quality is just as important to me as ensuring every dish is halal.


First, turn the event into a catering brief

When people start planning an office event, the first question is often, “What food should we order?”

But before choosing the menu, it helps to take a step back and think about what the food actually needs to achieve.

After years of planning and delivering corporate events, I’ve found that the same menu can work brilliantly for one event and completely miss the mark for another.

That’s because every event is different.

A boardroom lunch, a training day, a team breakfast and a product launch all have different priorities. I’m thinking about how people will eat, how much time they have, how the room is set up, whether guests will be seated or moving around, and what will make the organiser’s job easier.

Once those details are clear, choosing the right catering becomes much simpler.

Choosing Catering for Breakfast Meetings

Breakfast catering is about much more than serving food first thing in the morning.

The best breakfast meetings start smoothly because the catering fits the pace of the event.

If guests are arriving with laptops, grabbing coffee and heading straight into a meeting before 9am, the food should be quick to pick up, easy to eat and require very little fuss. Breakfast pots, filled bagels, pastries, fruit and individually prepared items often work well because guests can help themselves without interrupting the flow of the meeting.

On the other hand, if you’re hosting a team breakfast, workshop or networking morning, breakfast can become part of the experience. That’s when a beautifully presented brunch table or grazing-style breakfast gives people the opportunity to relax, chat and enjoy the food before the day begins.

One simple question can help you decide which direction to take:

Is breakfast simply there to fuel the meeting, or is it part of the event itself?

The answer determines the type of catering that will work best.

If you’re planning an early office event, I’ve put together a separate guide that looks at breakfast catering in more detail, including timings, guest flow and choosing the right style for your event.

How to Plan Halal Breakfast Catering for an Early Office Event in London

Choosing Catering for Working Lunches

A working lunch isn’t really about impressing people with the food.

It’s about making the meeting run smoothly.

When people are eating while taking notes, answering emails or contributing to a discussion, the catering should make life easier, not become a distraction.

That’s why, before I recommend a menu, I think about how people will actually be eating.

Will they be sitting around a boardroom table? Moving between presentations? Picking up lunch during a short break? Or will they have time to stop and enjoy the meal together?

The answers usually shape the menu more than the number of guests.

For meetings where people are eating as they work, individually prepared lunch boxes, neatly filled wraps, sandwiches or fresh salads are often the best choice. They’re easy to serve, easy to eat and allow everyone to stay focused on the meeting rather than balancing a plate on their lap.

If guests have a little more time, sharing platters or hot food can create a more relaxed atmosphere without sacrificing practicality.

One question I always encourage clients to ask themselves is:

Are people stopping for lunch, or are they simply fitting lunch around the meeting?

That single question often makes choosing the right catering much easier.

If you’re planning an office lunch and aren’t sure whether lunch boxes, sharing platters or hot food are the best fit, I’ve written a separate guide to help you compare each option and decide what will work best for your event.

Halal Lunch Catering for London Offices: Lunch Boxes, Sharing Platters or Hot Food?

Choosing Catering for Team Lunches

A team lunch is about more than feeding people.

It’s a chance for colleagues to step away from their desks, slow down for a while and spend time together. Whether it’s celebrating a success, welcoming new starters or simply thanking the team, the food should help create that moment.

When I plan catering for a team lunch, I think less about what looks impressive and more about how people will experience it.

Will everyone be gathering around one table? Will they be helping themselves? Is this a quick lunch before everyone returns to work, or is it meant to feel like part of the event itself?

Those answers shape the menu.

Sharing platters, fresh salads, hot food and a few lighter options often work beautifully because they encourage people to relax, chat and try a little bit of everything. If the occasion suits it, finishing with something sweet can make the lunch feel complete.

One thing I always try to create is balance.

A table made up of only sandwiches may fill everyone up, but a thoughtful selection of hot dishes, fresh salads, fruit and lighter options feels far more generous and welcoming. It also helps ensure there’s something for everyone, including guests with different dietary requirements.

One question I encourage clients to ask is:

Is this lunch simply about feeding the team, or is it part of bringing everyone together?

If it’s the second, presentation, variety and the overall experience become just as important as the food itself.

Client meetings and boardroom catering

For client meetings, the food becomes part of your first impression.

Long before anyone takes the first bite, guests have already noticed whether the room feels organised, welcoming and well prepared.

That doesn’t mean every meeting needs an elaborate styled display.

In many cases, simple is exactly what’s needed.

The key is choosing catering that feels polished, practical and appropriate for the occasion.

If people are eating during the meeting, the food should never distract from the conversation. It should be easy to serve, easy to eat and neatly presented, allowing everyone to stay focused on the discussion rather than worrying about balancing plates or cleaning up spills.

When clients are arriving for a presentation, pitch or important meeting, the catering often becomes part of the welcome. A beautifully presented grazing table or thoughtfully styled buffet can help create a relaxed atmosphere and leave a lasting impression before the meeting has even begun.

Before recommending a menu, I always ask myself one question:

Is the catering simply supporting the meeting, or is it helping to shape the experience you want your guests to have?

The answer usually determines whether a polished drop-off delivery is the perfect solution or whether a more styled setup will add real value to the event.

Whatever you choose, the goal is always the same: catering that feels effortless, reflects your organisation professionally and allows the meeting to remain the main focus.

Training days and production days

Training days and production days have one thing in common.

The catering needs to keep the day moving.

Whether it’s a full-day training session, a workshop, a film crew, or a production schedule, people are often working to fixed break times, moving between rooms or working around a tightly planned agenda. The catering needs to fit around the day, not the other way around.

When I’m planning catering for this type of event, my first thought isn’t “What should we serve?”

It’s “How will people actually have time to eat?”

That question usually determines the menu.

If everyone is breaking at different times, individually prepared lunch boxes can be the simplest solution. They’re quick to hand out, easy to keep organised and allow people to eat without delaying the schedule.

If everyone stops together, sharing platters or hot food can work just as well, particularly for longer training days where guests need something a little more substantial to keep their energy up.

Whatever the format, reliability matters just as much as the menu itself.

Food should arrive on time, be simple to serve and help the organiser stay focused on the event instead of managing lunch.

One question I always encourage organisers to ask is:

Will everyone be eating together, or does the catering need to fit around the flow of the day?

The answer will usually tell you whether lunch boxes, sharing platters or hot food will work best.

Brand launches, networking events and office celebrations

For these kinds of events, the food isn’t simply there to feed people.

It’s part of the experience.

When I’m catering for a brand launch, networking event or office celebration, I’m thinking about much more than the menu. I’m thinking about how people will move around the room, where conversations will happen and how the catering can become part of the atmosphere rather than interrupt it.

People will often be standing, chatting, meeting new people and returning to the food throughout the event. The catering should feel inviting, easy to access and enjoyable to eat without guests needing to stop what they’re doing.

This is where beautifully styled grazing tables, elegant sharing displays and thoughtfully presented platters can really come into their own.

When the presentation is right, the food becomes a natural gathering point. It encourages conversation, adds to the look of the room and helps create the kind of event people remember long after it’s finished.

One question I always encourage organisers to ask is:

Is the food simply there to feed guests, or is it part of the experience you’re creating?

If it’s part of the experience, presentation, layout and guest flow become just as important as the menu itself.

That doesn’t always mean choosing the biggest or most elaborate display. The best catering is the option that complements the event, works naturally within the space and allows guests to enjoy themselves without thinking about the logistics.

If you’re planning a networking event, brand launch or office celebration, I’ve written a separate guide on choosing between  flat lay grazing table, styled catering, buffet and canape options.

Now choose the food format that’s most suitable for your event

Once you’ve decided what role the catering needs to play, the next step is choosing the right food format.

This is where many organisers focus on what looks nicest, but the better question is:

How do you actually need people to eat?

The right format depends on your schedule, your venue, your guests and how the event will run. When those things match the food, the whole event feels easier to organise and more enjoyable for everyone attending.

Here are the food formats I recommend most often and when each one works best.

Individual lunch boxes

Lunch boxes are often the best choice when every guest needs their own meal and the day needs to run smoothly.

Rather than everyone gathering around a shared table, each person has a complete meal that’s ready to enjoy whenever the schedule allows. That makes lunch boxes particularly useful for busy office environments where people may be arriving at different times, moving between meeting rooms or eating at their desks.

The biggest advantage isn’t just convenience, it’s consistency.

Everyone receives the same high-quality meal, dietary requirements are clearly labelled, portion sizes are managed, and food can be handed out quickly without creating queues or disrupting the day.

At Eat Up, we’ve designed our lunch boxes to feel far more generous than a typical boxed lunch. Instead of something that feels rushed or uninspiring, each box is freshly prepared, beautifully presented and balanced to keep guests satisfied throughout the afternoon.

Some of our most popular choices include our Salmon & Mango Salad, Tuscan Pesto Chicken Salad, and Roasted Chicken Lunch Box, alongside vegetarian and vegan options, giving organisers plenty of choice while keeping ordering simple.

Lunch boxes are ideal when:

  • Guests will be eating individually.

  • People are working through lunch or eating at their desks.

  • Training sessions or meetings have scheduled breaks.

  • Dietary requirements need to be clearly organised.

  • You want quick, efficient distribution with minimal disruption.

If lunch boxes sound like the right fit for your event, browse our full collection here.

Sharing platters

Sharing platters are the perfect choice when you want food to bring people together. They encourage guests to gather around the table, help themselves and enjoy a more relaxed way of eating. Rather than serving one person at a time, platters create a shared experience that naturally encourages conversation.

They’re particularly effective when guests have enough time to pause, chat and enjoy the food together instead of eating quickly between meetings or at their desks.

The real value of sharing platters isn’t simply the variety of food on offer. It’s the atmosphere they create. A beautifully presented selection helps the event feel more generous, welcoming and considered, while giving guests the freedom to choose what they’d like to eat.

At Eat Up Catering, our sharing platters are prepared fresh on the day and can include a selection of sandwiches, wraps, Bagels, seasonal fruit, pastries, mezze, crudités and sweet treats. Every menu is tailored to suit your event, dietary requirements and the time of day.

Sharing platters are ideal when:

  • Guests will be eating together.

  • You want to create a relaxed, sociable atmosphere.

  • Variety is important.

  • Guests have time to help themselves comfortably.

  • The food should encourage conversation rather than simply provide a meal.

Before deciding, ask yourself one simple question:

Do you want the food to bring people together around the table, or do you need something quicker and more structured?

If creating a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere is just as important as serving a delicious meal, sharing platters is often the perfect choice.

Hot food

Hot food is the right choice when you want the meal to become an important part of the event, rather than simply something to eat between meetings. A freshly prepared hot meal naturally encourages people to slow down, take a proper break and enjoy something more substantial. It creates a stronger sense of hospitality and often leaves guests feeling genuinely looked after.

Hot food works particularly well for longer events, training days, conferences, production days, office celebrations and occasions where guests need something filling to keep them energised throughout the day.

One of the biggest advantages of hot food is the atmosphere it creates. There’s something about a freshly prepared meal that naturally encourages people to slow down. It turns lunch into a proper break rather than something people rush through before the next meeting.

Of course, choosing hot food also means thinking about the practical side of the event. Will everyone be eating together? Is there enough space to serve the food comfortably? Does it need to stay hot? Would having staff on-site make the service run more smoothly?

At Eat Up Catering, every hot dish is freshly prepared using quality ingredients and bold flavours inspired by Asian, Caribbean and Mediterranean cooking. From slow-cooked chicken curry and beautifully cooked salmon to comforting vegetable curries, fragrant rice dishes and carefully prepared seasonal accompaniments, everything is designed to feel fresh, vibrant and satisfying. The aim is simple: to serve restaurant-quality food that’s practical for corporate events and genuinely enjoyable to eat.

Hot food is ideal when:

  • Guests will be sitting down for a proper meal.

  • The event lasts several hours or all day.

  • You want something more substantial and satisfying.

  • Comfort and hospitality are just as important as convenience.

  • The schedule allows everyone to eat together.

Before deciding, ask yourself one simple question:

Does your event need a meal that simply keeps everyone going, or one that gives guests the opportunity to properly pause, relax and recharge?

When the meal becomes part of the experience rather than simply a break in the schedule, hot food is often the right choice

Salads & sides

Salads should never be treated as the sad little corner of the table.

When they’re done well, they do far more than fill space. A great salad brings colour, freshness and balance to the menu, helping the whole spread feel more thoughtful and complete.

They’re often what brings everything together. A vibrant salad can lighten a hearty hot meal, complement a sharing platter or add variety to a buffet, giving guests something fresh alongside richer dishes.

They’re also one of the easiest ways to cater for different dietary requirements without making anyone feel like an afterthought. Whether guests are vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free or simply looking for something lighter, a well-planned selection of salads means everyone has something they’ll genuinely enjoy.

At Eat Up Catering, salads are never added just because we feel we should have one. They’re designed to be dishes in their own right, made with fresh ingredients, bold flavours and plenty of texture. They should be just as exciting as everything else on the table.

Some of our favourites include our colourful Ruby Garden Salad, Tuscan Pesto Pasta Salad, seasonal grain salads and freshly prepared seasonal sides, each designed to complement the rest of the menu rather than compete with it.

Salads and sides are ideal when:

  • You want to add freshness and balance to the menu.

  • You’re serving hot food and want lighter accompaniments.

  • You’re catering for a range of dietary requirements.

  • You want the table to feel generous, colourful and varied.

  • Guests will be helping themselves throughout the event.

Before deciding, ask yourself one simple question:

Does your menu already feel balanced, or would it benefit from something lighter, fresher and full of colour?

Sometimes it’s the salads and sides that turn a good meal into one that guests remember.

Breakfast & Brunch

Breakfast and brunch are often the first impression your event makes.

Whether you’re welcoming clients, bringing a team together or starting a conference, the food helps set the tone for the rest of the day.

The first question isn’t simply what should we serve? How will the morning actually run?

If guests are arriving just before a meeting, breakfast needs to be quick to pick up, easy to eat and ready from the moment people walk through the door. Everything should feel effortless so the morning starts smoothly.

On the other hand, if you’re planning a team breakfast, client event or a more relaxed morning gathering, there’s an opportunity to make breakfast feel like part of the experience. A beautifully styled brunch table encourages people to slow down, chat and enjoy the start of the day together before work begins.

At Eat Up Catering, our breakfast and brunch menus are designed with both practicality and presentation in mind. From individually prepared breakfast pots and bagels to beautifully styled brunch tables, every menu is created to feel fresh, generous and welcoming while remaining easy for guests to enjoy.

Delivery is just as important as the food itself. Breakfast needs to arrive with enough time for everything to be set out before guests arrive, giving the organiser one less thing to think about on what is often a busy morning.

Breakfast and brunch are ideal when:

  • You’re welcoming guests at the start of the day.

  • You want to create a relaxed and positive atmosphere.

  • The event begins with networking or informal conversations.

  • You want breakfast to become part of the experience rather than simply something to eat.

  • A beautifully presented brunch table would help bring people together.

Before deciding, ask yourself one simple question:

Do you want breakfast to simply get people through the morning, or do you want it to help create the right atmosphere from the moment your guests arrive?

When the morning starts well, the rest of the event often follows.

Then choose the service style

Once you’ve decided what to serve, the next question is how you’d like it delivered and presented.

Some events simply need delicious food delivered ready to enjoy. Others need styling, serving equipment or a full set-up that becomes part of the event itself.

There isn’t one option that’s better than another. The right choice depends on your venue, your schedule and the experience you want your guests to have.

Classic drop-off catering

Sometimes, keeping things simple is exactly the right decision.

Classic drop-off catering is perfect when you want beautifully prepared food delivered ready to serve, without the need for an on-site set-up.

It’s a popular choice for office lunches, internal meetings, training days, production crews and busy workplaces where time is limited but quality still matters.

At Eat Up Catering, even our drop-off orders are carefully packed and thoughtfully presented. I want the food to arrive looking just as inviting as it did when it left the kitchen, so you don’t have to spend valuable time rearranging platters or making everything look presentable before your guests arrive.

If your priority is great food with minimal fuss, classic drop-off catering is often all you need.

Styled table setup

Sometimes the food deserves to make an impression before anyone has even taken a bite.

Styled catering transforms your food into part of the event. Using serving boards, ceramic bowls, risers, serving utensils and carefully chosen styling pieces, the table becomes something guests naturally gather around.

It’s ideal for client events, office celebrations, networking events, product launches and team gatherings where presentation helps create the atmosphere.

There’s a little more planning involved, as we’ll need access before guests arrive to style everything properly and arrange collection afterwards, but the result is a polished, welcoming display that immediately elevates the space.

One of my favourite parts of what I do is styling these tables. I love creating displays that feel generous, relaxed and effortless, something guests remember long after the event has finished.

Flat Grazing table

A flat grazing table isn’t simply somewhere guests collect food.

It’s often the centrepiece of the room.

Beautifully arranged directly across the table, it encourages guests to gather, chat and help themselves throughout the event. It naturally becomes part of the atmosphere rather than something hidden away in the corner.

Flat grazing tables work particularly well for networking events, brand launches, office celebrations and corporate socials where people are arriving throughout the event and moving around rather than sitting down for a formal meal.

That said, they aren’t always the right choice.

If your event has tight schedules, fixed lunch breaks or guests need individual portions quickly, another catering style may work better.

That’s why I always begin with the event itself rather than recommending the same thing every time.

How will your guests be eating?

How long will the food need to stay out?

What experience do you want people to leave with?

Those answers usually tell us whether a flat grazing table is the right fit.

Halal Food Catering for Corporate Events: Drop-Off, Styled Table or Grazing Table?

Plan dietary requirements before choosing the final menu

This is one of the first things I ask when someone enquires.

Knowing your guests’ dietary requirements from the beginning makes it much easier to recommend a menu that works for everyone, rather than trying to make changes at the last minute.

Whether you’re catering for a corporate lunch, client meeting or office celebration, it’s common to have a mixture of requirements. These might include halal meals, vegetarian or vegan options, gluten-free requests or food allergies.

The clearer the information you can provide, the easier it is to create a menu that feels considered rather than like an afterthought.

For example:

  • 24 guests in total

  • 17 standard halal meals

  • 4 vegetarian meals

  • 2 vegan meals

  • 1 gluten-free meal

That gives me everything I need to recommend the most suitable catering style.

For smaller numbers of dietary requirements, I can often prepare separate platters or clearly identified individual portions alongside the main order. Where there are more dietary meals or stricter requirements, individual boxed meals may be the better option to help keep everything organised.

At Eat Up Catering, every event is slightly different. Rather than offering a one-size-fits-all solution, I’ll recommend the approach that best suits your guest numbers, menu and dietary requirements.

Before choosing your menu, ask yourself one simple question:

Do you know exactly how many guests have dietary requirements, or are you still guessing?

Having that information before you order almost always leads to a smoother event.

  One thing that’s particularly important is understanding the difference between a dietary preference and a food allergy. If anyone in your group has a serious allergy, please let me know before placing your order so we can discuss the safest options for your event. You can also find further information about allergens and the 14 allergens covered by UK food law in the Food Standards Agency’s allergen guidance.

How much food should you order? No, it does not depend on the number of people alone.  

It would be lovely if there was a simple formula.

Ten people? Order this.

Thirty people? Order that.

Unfortunately, catering is rarely that straightforward.

Twenty people at a client breakfast will eat very differently from twenty people at an all-day training session. Likewise, forty guests at a networking event won’t eat the same amount as forty people sitting down together for lunch.

That’s why I don’t just ask how many guests you’re expecting. I ask about the event itself.

Before deciding how much food to order, I usually ask:

  • How many guests are attending?

  • What time of day is the event?

  • Is the catering replacing a full meal or simply providing refreshments?

  • How long will the event last?

  • Will everyone be eating together, or dropping in throughout the day?

  • Will guests be seated or standing?

  • Are you looking for individual portions, sharing platters or a styled grazing table?

  • Will drinks, desserts or snacks also be available?

  • Are there any dietary requirements to consider?

The answers to those questions make a huge difference to how much food is needed.

For example, a breakfast meeting might only need pastries, fruit and good coffee, while an afternoon training session may call for a much more substantial lunch to keep everyone going.

A networking event often benefits from variety and food that guests can return to throughout the event, whereas a team lunch usually needs enough for everyone to enjoy a proper meal together.

At Eat Up Catering, many of our sharing platters are designed to serve around 12 people, while our styled grazing tables and brunch tables are created for larger gatherings, typically starting from 30 guests. But these are simply helpful starting points rather than fixed rules.

The most important question isn’t “How many people are coming?”

It’s:

What role does the food need to play during your event?

Once we understand that, recommending the right quantity becomes much easier.

Match the presentation to the occasion

One thing I always say to clients is this:

The food doesn’t have to be extravagant to make a great impression. It simply needs to feel right for the event.

I love creating beautifully styled tables, but I’d never recommend one just because it looks impressive.

The best presentation is the one that supports the purpose of the event.

Sometimes, simple is exactly what’s needed.

For working lunches, training days and regular office catering, neatly presented platters or individually packed meals are often the most practical option. They’re quick to serve, easy to organise and keep the day running smoothly.

Sometimes, presentations help create the atmosphere.

For client meetings, boardroom lunches and office celebrations, a little extra styling can make the food feel more welcoming without becoming the centre of attention. Beautiful serving boards, ceramic bowls and thoughtful presentation help create a polished, professional impression.

And sometimes, the food becomes part of the experience.

For brand launches, networking events and larger celebrations, presentation can become one of the highlights of the event itself. Styled displays, grazing tables and carefully chosen serving pieces encourage guests to gather, chat and enjoy the occasion together.

The important thing isn’t choosing the most elaborate option.

It’s choosing the presentation that feels right for your guests, your venue and the experience you’re trying to create.

I’ve found that clients are often surprised by how much difference the right presentation can make. Sometimes that’s a beautifully styled grazing table. Other times, it’s simply forty perfectly prepared lunch boxes arriving exactly when they’re needed. Both can be the right choice.

Delivery and venue details matter more than you think

This might not be the most exciting part of planning your event, but it’s often the difference between a smooth delivery and a stressful one.

A venue address alone isn’t always enough. Every office building and event space is different, so having a few extra details beforehand helps everything run smoothly from the moment we arrive.

Before your delivery, I’ll usually ask things like:

  • Which entrance should we use?

  • Is there a loading bay or nearby parking?

  • Do we need to check in with reception?

  • Which floor is the event on?

  • Is there lift access?

  • Are there any security or access requirements?

  • Who should we contact when we arrive?

  • Where would you like the food to be set up?

A quick message such as,

“Please use the loading bay, ask for Sarah at reception and take the service lift to the fourth floor,”

is far more helpful than simply saying,

“Reception will know where to send you.”

For styled catering and flat grazing tables, a little more planning is usually needed. Knowing the table size, room layout, access times and collection arrangements allows me to arrive fully prepared and create the setup exactly as planned.

The more information I have before the day, the smoother everything tends to be, leaving you free to enjoy your event instead of worrying about the logistics.

NOTE: Eat Up Catering delivers across West, Inner and Central London, with surrounding areas available by request. If you’re unsure whether your venue falls within our delivery area, just get in touch. I’ll always do my best to accommodate your event where possible.

When should you book your catering?

One of the questions I’m asked most often is, “How much notice do you need?”

For most standard catering orders, I ask for at least 48 hours’ notice, subject to availability. The earlier you get in touch, the more choices you’ll usually have.

For larger events, I always recommend booking as early as possible. It gives us time to plan the menu properly, organise any dietary requirements, schedule staff if needed and make sure every detail is ready for the day.

It’s especially worth booking early if:

  • You’re catering for a larger group.

  • There are multiple dietary requirements.

  • You’d like a styled table setup or grazing table.

  • You’re booking breakfast, brunch or lunch for an office event.

  • You require serving staff.

  • You’d like a bespoke menu.

  • Your venue has restricted access or specific delivery instructions.

  • Your event is during a particularly busy period, such as Christmas or summer.

A larger event isn’t simply more food.

It usually means more preparation, more equipment, more coordination with the venue and more planning behind the scenes to make sure everything runs smoothly on the day.

The more notice I have, the more time I have to focus on the details that make your event feel effortless.

If you’re working to a short deadline, it’s still worth getting in touch. I’ll always do my best to accommodate your event where possible.

Should you order online or get in touch?

I’ve designed my website so that most orders can be placed online quickly and easily.

Whether you’re ordering breakfast for a meeting, lunch boxes for the office, hot food for a team lunch, a grazing table, a styled setup or serving staff, you can browse the menus, choose what you need and place your order online whenever it’s convenient.

If you’d like some advice before ordering, I’m always happy to help.

You may want to get in touch if:

  • You’re not sure which menu would suit your event.

  • You’d like to combine different menus.

  • You need help working out quantities.

  • You have several dietary requirements and would like recommendations.

  • You’re planning something bespoke that isn’t shown on the website.

  • You have questions about your venue, delivery or setup.

You don’t need to have everything worked out before contacting me.

If you’re ready to order, you can do that online. If you’d like some guidance first, just get in touch and I’ll help you choose the right catering for your event.

If you do decide to enquire, it helps to include:

  • Event date

  • Venue

  • Approximate guest numbers

  • Type of event

  • Preferred serving time

  • Dietary requirements

  • Any venue access information

  • Anything else you’d like me to know

The more information you can share, the easier it is for me to recommend the right catering for your event.

Final thought

Choosing catering isn’t just about finding food that looks good. It’s about choosing food that works for your event.

The right menu depends on your guests, the atmosphere you want to create, the way the food will be served and all the little details that help the day run smoothly.

Sometimes that’s a beautifully styled grazing table that becomes the centrepiece of the room.

Sometimes it’s individual lunch boxes that keep a busy meeting running on schedule.

Sometimes it’s a generous buffet that brings everyone together over lunch.

There isn’t one “perfect” style of catering. The best choice is the one that suits your event, your guests and the experience you want them to have.

If you’ve found exactly what you’re looking for, you can browse the menus and order online whenever you’re ready.

And if you’d like a little guidance before deciding, I’d be delighted to help you choose the right catering for your event.

Ready to order? Browse Our Menus

FAQs

Is all of Eat Up Catering’s meat halal?

Yes. All meat used in our dishes is halal and sourced from trusted halal suppliers.

Do you offer vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options?

Yes. We offer a wide range of vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free dishes across our menus.

If you’re catering for guests with dietary requirements, we’ll help you choose the most suitable options.

Can you cater for guests with food allergies?

Yes, but it’s important that allergies are discussed before placing your order.

We prepare food in a kitchen where allergens are present, so while we take great care, we cannot guarantee an allergen-free environment. If you have any concerns, please get in touch before ordering.

Can event staff be provided?

Yes. Event staff can be added to your online order.

If you’re unsure how many staff you’ll need, I’m always happy to advise.

How much notice do I need to give?

For most standard orders, I ask for at least 48 hours’ notice, subject to availability.

For larger events, styled setups or bespoke catering, I recommend booking as early as possible to give us plenty of time to plan everything properly.

Can you create a bespoke menu?

Yes.

If you can’t find exactly what you’re looking for online, just get in touch. I’d be happy to discuss a bespoke menu tailored to your event.

Can you cater for smaller office orders?

Yes.

Many of our platters, lunch boxes and menu items are perfect for smaller office meetings and team lunches. Some of our larger styled packages and grazing tables have minimum guest numbers, which are shown on the relevant product pages.

Which areas of London do you deliver to?

We deliver across West, Inner and Central London, with surrounding areas available on request.

If you’re unsure whether your venue falls within our delivery area, just get in touch and I’ll do my best to help.

How long does a styled setup take?

This depends on the size and style of your event.

Smaller setups can usually be completed quite quickly, while larger grazing tables and styled displays naturally take longer. I’ll always discuss setup times with you during the planning process

Should I order online or make an enquiry?

If you’ve found what you’re looking for, ordering online is the quickest and easiest option.

If you’d like some advice, need help choosing the right menu or are planning something more bespoke, you’re always welcome to get in touch before ordering.

Do you deliver and set everything up?

Yes.

Most orders are delivered ready to enjoy, and many of our products can also be ordered with a styled setup. The level of setup depends on the type of catering you’ve chosen, and this will always be clear when you order.

 

Ready to order?

Your next event, beautifully fed.

Use the journal for ideas, then browse the menu or send an enquiry when you are ready to plan your order.