What Catering Should You Provide for a Corporate Event? A Complete Guide for London Businesses
What Catering Should You Provide for a Corporate Event? A Complete Guide for London Businesses
Planning a corporate event involves countless decisions, but one of the most important is often overlooked until the last minute: what food should you serve?
The catering you choose can influence how guests interact, how long they stay, and even how they remember the event afterwards. Whether you're organising a board meeting, networking reception, team celebration, training day or summer party, the right catering helps create a more enjoyable and productive experience for everyone involved.
At Salters Events, we're often asked, "What type of catering is best for our event?" The answer depends on the purpose of the event, the venue, the timings and, of course, your guests.
This guide will help you choose the most appropriate catering style for your next corporate event.
Start With the Purpose of the Event
Before looking at menus, it's worth considering what you want your event to achieve.
Ask yourself:
Are guests expected to network?
Will they be seated or moving around?
Is food the main attraction or a supporting element?
How long will the event last?
Are there presentations, workshops or speakers?
The answers will help determine which catering style works best.
Best Catering for Meetings and Boardroom Lunches
When guests need to remain focused and productive, simplicity is often best.
Large buffets or complicated meals can disrupt the flow of a meeting and encourage lengthy breaks. Instead, consider options that are easy to eat and require minimal interruption.
Popular choices include:
Deli-style lunch platters
Boardroom lunch boxes
Light fork buffets
Fresh salads and seasonal sides
These options work particularly well for:
Board meetings
Client presentations
Strategy sessions
Training workshops
Team meetings
The goal is to keep guests satisfied without distracting from the purpose of the day.
Best Catering for Networking Events
Networking events require a very different approach.
Guests need to be able to eat, drink and hold conversations without balancing a plate on their lap or searching for a seat.
This is where lighter, more mobile catering styles come into their own.
Canapés
Canapés are one of the most effective options for networking receptions.
Small, bite-sized dishes can be enjoyed while standing and encourage guests to continue moving around the room.
Bowl Food
Bowl food offers a more substantial alternative while maintaining a relaxed atmosphere.
Guests receive individual portions of carefully prepared dishes, eliminating the need for buffet queues or formal seating plans.
Grazing Tables
Grazing tables create an immediate visual impact and encourage informal interaction between guests.
They're particularly effective for creative industries, product launches and social events where guests are free to come and go throughout the evening.
Ideal for:
Networking receptions
Product launches
Awards evenings
Client entertainment
Industry events
Best Catering for Team Celebrations
When the objective is to reward, thank or celebrate your team, guests typically expect something more substantial.
This is where sharing-style catering and larger buffet options often work best.
Fork Buffets
Fork buffets offer a relaxed dining experience without the formality of a plated meal.
Guests can choose dishes that appeal to them while still enjoying a complete meal.
BBQ Catering
Summer team events and company celebrations are perfectly suited to BBQ catering.
A well-executed BBQ creates a social atmosphere while offering plenty of choice for guests.
Sharing Menus
Sharing-style menus encourage conversation and create a more communal dining experience.
They're particularly effective for smaller teams and leadership gatherings.
Suitable for:
Summer parties
Company anniversaries
Staff appreciation events
Team celebrations
End-of-year gatherings
Best Catering for Training Days and Conferences
Long training days require careful planning.
Guests need regular refreshments to remain engaged and focused throughout the day.
A typical conference catering schedule might include:
Breakfast
Fresh pastries
Fruit
Yoghurt pots
Tea and coffee
Mid-Morning Refreshments
Fruit platters
Homemade cakes
Healthy snacks
Lunch
Deli platters
Afternoon Break
Tea and coffee
Biscuits
Sweet treats
Providing food at appropriate intervals helps maintain energy levels and can improve overall engagement throughout the event.
Best Catering for Summer Corporate Events
Summer brings unique opportunities for corporate hospitality.
Outdoor events often benefit from more relaxed menus that reflect the season.
Popular options include:
Picnic Boxes
Perfect for parks, outdoor team-building days and informal staff events.
BBQ Menus
An excellent choice for larger groups and summer celebrations.
Afternoon Tea
Ideal for client entertaining, garden parties and company milestone events.
Seasonal menus often feel more memorable because they complement the environment and atmosphere of the event.
Common Corporate Catering Mistakes
After catering hundreds of corporate events across London, we've noticed a few recurring mistakes.
Choosing Style Over Practicality
A menu might look impressive on paper, but if guests struggle to eat it while networking, it can create frustration rather than enjoyment.
Underestimating Dietary Requirements
Dietary requirements are now a normal part of event planning rather than an exception.
Always ensure vegetarian, vegan and allergy-friendly options are considered from the outset.
Not Considering the Venue
Some venues have limited kitchen facilities, restricted access or strict supplier requirements.
Understanding these details early can prevent complications later.
Leaving Catering Until the Last Minute
The best caterers and venues often become fully booked weeks or months in advance, particularly during busy periods.
Early planning generally provides more flexibility and choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
For daytime events, sandwich lunches and fork buffets remain among the most popular choices. For evening events, canapés and bowl food are often preferred.
-
Costs vary depending on the style of catering, guest numbers, staffing requirements and venue logistics. Simple drop-off catering will typically cost less than a fully serviced event with chefs and front-of-house staff.
Our blog, How much does corporate catering cost in London can help clarify details
-
Neither is inherently better. The right choice depends on your event. Drop-off catering works well for meetings and office lunches, while serviced catering is often better suited to networking events, celebrations and hospitality-focused occasions.
Our blog Drop off catering vs Serviced can help you decide.
-
For smaller corporate events, several weeks' notice is usually sufficient. Larger events, particularly during summer and Christmas periods, often benefit from booking several months in advance.
-
Most caterers will require:
Event date
Venue location
Estimated guest numbers
Event timings
Preferred menu style
Any known dietary requirements
The more information you can provide, the more accurate your quotation is likely to be.
Our blog How to get an accurate catering quote will help you
Choosing the Right Catering for Your Event
The best corporate catering isn't necessarily the most expensive or elaborate option. It's the option that supports the purpose of your event and creates the right experience for your guests.
Whether you're organising a board meeting, networking reception, summer party or conference, matching the catering style to the event objectives can make a significant difference to the overall success of the day.
If you're unsure which option is right for your event, speaking with an experienced caterer early in the planning process can help you avoid common mistakes and ensure your guests are well looked after.