But how to pull one off without going insane? A clever trick is to outsource the food – whether that is a few perfect canapes or a full-blown meal – to expert caterers. That way, you can focus solely on your look, your chat and generally having a ball.
Johnny Roxburgh has been arranging events for the great and the good for 40 years (he even has a Royal Warrant). He is now known as the ‘party architect’ and is truly a guru.
He says: ‘Increasingly, clients are looking for healthy food which is easy to eat — and now there is a growing trend towards vegetarian and vegan food. However, no matter the type of food you are serving, it needs to be creative, look amazing and taste delicious.’
But there are literally thousands of caterers in the UK. How are you supposed to choose?
Here, we’ve truffled out the best in the land.
Rocket
Rocket was founded in 2000 by a brother-and-sister team whose dream was to become London’s top caterer. They are still creating unforgettable food for the most glorious parties at stunning locations in the capital and beyond. They are the preferred supplier for many of London’s top venues. But if you want to go easy on your wallet, it is well worth knowing about Pocket Rocket, their London-based delivery service of canapés, finger foods and light bites (from £220 for 80 canapes), which was born in lockdown and is going strong. Discover more here.
By Matilda
Matilda Carr – who founded By Matilda in 2018 – has a background in interior design and uses the countryside for inspiration in all she does. Making the most of carefully sourced seasonal produce, she turns her hand to everything from canapes and picnics to weddings and brand events. She says: ‘My food and table design reflect the natural landscape of the outside world. It’s always sumptuous, really delicious and brings a wonderful atmosphere to large gatherings or small intimate dinners.’ We don’t think food could possibly be presented more prettily than this. Discover more here.
By Word Of Mouth
Where these guys have lead, countless others have followed. They’ve been exquisitely catering – and, for that matter, running – events for over three decades. At By Word of Mouth, they are full-on pros and they are who we’d turn to in an instant to cater a once-in-a-lifetime spectacle of an event. Discover more here.
Social Pantry
Catering everything from corporate events and weddings to small private gatherings, Social Pantry burst onto the scene in 2011 and hasn’t looked back. In addition to producing exquisite food, they take care to be socially aware in all that they do. They say: ‘We’re the leader in ex-offender employment in hospitality and we try to challenge the industry norm with our culture – from a no-shouty kitchen to flexible working environments to ex-offender mentoring.’ Tatler says its clients include Rihanna, David Attenborough and Gigi Hadid. Well, if it’s good enough for them… Discover more here.
Zara’s Kitchen
While her website has a makeover, London-based caterer Zara is using Instagram as her main marketing tool. When you visit her feed, you can see why: the food photography makes you want to throw a party immediately. Showcasing her talents in splendour, this is what we call food porn. Zara, her cooking and her cheery staff will enhance your dinner, party, wedding or shoot from the very first moment. Discover more here.
Caper & Berry
Founder Tim Brennan and his band of merry caterers have been in the game since 2000. Well known throughout London and the Home Counties, they will bring friendliness and flair to the event of your dreams. They are all big foodies and take care to create inventive personalised menus with local, sustainable and seasonal produce at their heart. Discover more here.
Chilli Bees
Ellie Short set up the catering company, Chilli Bees, from her mother’s kitchen in 2008. Using bold ingredients and staggering creativity, they’ve been buzzing ever since. Their loyal clients consider them reliable, efficient and versatile – no event is too much trouble. They also made some brilliant innovations during the pandemic and now deliver, via their offshoot The Pantry, amazing canape boxes, meal kits, cocktail hampers and more. Discover more here.
By Becky Ladenburg
March 2022
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