Call the caterers
No party is complete without fabulous food. Be it a hog roast, barbecue, canapés or bowl food, these are the nest tastemakers in the UK
The Admirable Crichton
Known for the outré nature of its parties, The Admirable Crichton is the perfect choice if you’re planning to host a real blow-out event. With a 36-year heritage, plus a Royal Warrant, this is an outfit that’s used to throwing big-scale soirées. Ingredients are ethically sourced and seasonal where possible and come from UK farms and seas. admirable-crichton.co.uk
Travel Details
BEST FOR: DIY DESSERTS
GUESTS: 2-10,000
PRICES FROM: £40PP
All In Hand
For an event that requires a relaxed, cold cut-led buffet at a good price, you’ll find no better. Choose from roast sirloin of beef, poached salmon with prawns and a gamut of globetrotting salads. allinhandcatering.co.uk
Travel Details
BEST FOR: BUFFETS
GUESTS: 20-200
PRICES FROM: £9PP
Ampersand Events
The guys at Ampersand create a new menu for each season, focusing on in-vogue, in-season ingredients. We love the sound of roast guinea fowl, confit leg, served with clementine, fondant potato and creamed savoy cabbage. ampersandevents.co.uk
Travel Details
BEST FOR: SEASONAL COOKING
GUESTS: 30-3,000
PRICES FROM: £45PP
The BBQ King
One of the best-value options
on our list, The BBQ King is
based in the South East and
brings tasty grills to your
garden. The wild boar roast
with mushroom stuffing is
excellent, and the surf and turf
selection with king prawn and
tuna steak will please all the
party. thebbqking.co.uk
Travel Details
BEST FOR: BARBECUES
GUESTS: 10-80
PRICES FROM: £16PP
Bubble Food
The molecular gastronomists of the UK catering scene. Bubble’s modernist canapés are popular for film premieres, although it’s equally well equipped for home events that require an element of theatre. The smoked salad niçoise is exquisite. bubblefood.com
Travel Details
BEST FOR: MOLECULAR PARTY FOOD
GUESTS: 10-2,500
PRICES FROM: £1,000
By Word of Mouth
Established nearly 40 years ago, BWOM caters for international events as well as celebratory dinners. Its signature dishes of Keen’s Cheddar soufflé with orange chutney and toasted brioche, and Serrano-wrapped monkfish are standout. bywordofmouth.co.uk
Travel Details
BEST FOR: SUNNY
SUMMER PARTIES
GUESTS: 50-1000
PRICES FROM: £POA
Cellar Society
As well as providing beautiful bars, Cellar Society’s food is some of the best in Europe. It’s not cheap and all the events it caters are bespoke, but quality is superb, as clients such as Tom Ford, Rolex and Rolls-Royce attest. cellarsociety.com
Travel Details
BEST FOR: GLAMOUR
GUESTS: 6-2,000
PRICES FROM: £POA
Chopping Block
Owned by a group of brothers
who grew up on their family
farm in Warwickshire, good
animal husbandry and
responsible practice are at
the heart of the company. Use
them for some of the best
roast dinners in the UK.
choppingblock.co.uk
Travel Details
BEST FOR: ROASTS
GUESTS: 10-1,000
PRICES FROM: £43PP
Eden Caterers
As a one-stop shop for
year-round food, Eden does
it all. From equipment hire
and staffing to sourcing the
best seasonal produce and
offering ideas for menus and
events, you’re in safe hands.
edencaterers.london
Travel Details
BEST FOR: ALL-ROUND EVENT CATERING
GUESTS: 10-1,000
PRICES FROM: £15PP
Game & Flames
Specialising in some of the UK’s finest rare-breed meat and game, G&F will create the ultimate barbecue or outdoor event. Pit-roast lamb, braised rabbit, game burgers and wild-boar goulash cooked over a custom-built fire pit are among its most popular dishes. gameandflames.com
Travel Details
BEST FOR: WHOLE
PIT-ROAST LAMB
GUESTS: 5-50
PRICES FROM: £15PP
Payne & Gunter
Dating all the way back to 1786, P&G has a long and illustrious history that includes catering the infamously debauched Brit Awards afterparty for over a decade. High-end ingredients (such as scallops or Wagyu beef ) are respectfully treated. payneandgunter.co.uk
Travel Details
BEST FOR: BIG PARTIES
GUESTS: 50-4,500
PRICES FROM: £1,000
Sausage & Pear
Dorset born and bred, and ready to make use of the tremendous produce from the region, these guys major in hearty meals for dinner parties and events of under 100. Its fine pies are stocked in Harrods and Fortnum & Mason. sausageandpear.co.uk
Travel Details
BEST FOR: PIES
GUESTS: 10-100
PRICES FROM: £10PP
Spinning Porkies
If nothing but a hog roast will do for your party, Spinning Porkies won’t let you down. It uses British free-range pigs and flavoured with lemon and salt, garlic and herb or cider. To keep costs down, you can hire the hog-roast machine for £195 extra and DIY. spinningporkies.com
Travel Details
BEST FOR: HOG ROASTS
GUESTS: 25-200
PRICES FROM: £350
Spook
Specialising in weddings, but equally geared up for parties, Spook is modern to the core, from the pared-back food presentation to the seasonal ingredients. Butterflied leg of lamb with pomegranate is absolutely delicious, as is the aged venison tartare. spookcooking.com
Travel Details
BEST FOR: WEDDINGS
GUESTS: 70-400
PRICES FROM: £1,500
Tonic
All Tonic’s chefs have worked in top kitchens, so bring real professional flair to your party. Its menus are also well travelled. We’re fans of Seville orange and salted duck skin, and the zesty crab starter. tonicfood.co.uk
Travel Details
BEST FOR: MICHELIN-
GRADE PARTY FOOD
GUESTS: 8-4,000
PRICES FROM: £45PP
Top Hat
This company’s attention to detail is second to none. Specialising in canapé and bowl-food parties, everything it creates is visually bold and stimulating – and tasty. Go for braised pigs’ trotters with aged balsamic and parmesan. tophatcatering.co.uk
Travel Details
BEST FOR: INTIMATE
DINNERS
GUESTS: 10-500
PRICES FROM: £55PP
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