13 Cool Caterers To Have On Your Radar

Chilli Bees, Wimbledon

BEST FOR: Intimate dinners

Chilli Bees prides itself on the kind of boutique catering that’s designed down to the very last detail. Tailored entirely to your vision, it can help you design everything from the food to the drink, be it for an al fresco garden party or cosy sit-down affair anywhere in the capital. Founder Ellie Short often focuses on simple ingredients full of flavour, as well as impeccable customer service to eliminate the stress from organising and planning your event. In response to the pandemic, last year Chilli Bees also launched The Pantry – delicious comfort food delivered to your door each weekend.

Visit ChilliBeesCatering.co.uk

Dinner Ladies, Putney

BEST FOR: Global flavours

A London-based food and events company dedicated to seasonal, sustainable food and unforgettable flavours, Dinner Ladies have been supplying globally inspired food to their clients for years. Tailor-making menus for unforgettable dining experiences and intimate and memorable evenings, they can orchestrate large scale events from beginning to end – including providing the professional staff, hire ware, venues and table design. Also known for its diversely cultured and fun supper clubs, Dinner Ladies are the people to call on if you’re looking for something a little different.

Visit DinnerLadiesLtd.com

Doggart & Squash, Herne Hill

BEST FOR: A sustainable ethos

Clare and Sarah – the duo behind Herne Hill caterer Doggart & Squash – know that every event needs great food and a rock-solid plan. Whether it’s designing the menu or styling your event, they can cater weddings, a corporate canapé party or simple office deliveries. Sustainability is also at the forefront of every decision the team makes – from how the kitchens run to ways to reduce waste and give back to the local community. Most of the company’s dishes are made using ingredients that are British grown, responsibly sourced and organic and local.

Visit DoggartAndSquash.com

Grape & Fig, Essex

BEST FOR: Something casual 

We might have labelled Grape & Fig as a good pick for more casual affairs, but its at-home grazing boxes and platters are far from it. Whether you just want to dial up a Friday night or go all out with one of its grazing tables to feed friends in the garden at the weekend, the team promises to take all the fuss out of at-home entertaining. Even if you’re not planning a proper event, check out the weekly ‘Cheese & Bloom Bundle’, which comes with fruit, charcuterie and flowers, all of which is hand-delivered to your door every Friday. Genius.

Visit GrapeAndFig.com

The Hill Food Company, Harlesden 

BEST FOR: The wow factor

One of London’s best-kept secrets, The Hill Food Company is all about honest and elegant food. Run by Georgia Dougherty and Arabella Grubb, the two combine their respective foodie knowledge and event expertise to deliver the kind of service few are able to rival. No one event ever looks the same, whether it’s an intimate dinner, product or brand launch, press day, wedding, milestone celebration or themed party, with the chefs regularly using seasonal ingredients to create innovative and exciting menus. Be it sharing boards brimming with bold and colourful flavours, canapés to match your brand or theme, or a more traditional three-course supper, there’s an option to suit everyone – not to mention a carefully curated wine list and cocktail menu, too.

Visit TheHillFoodCompany.com

Rhubarb Hospitality, Southfields

BEST FOR: Fine dining 

Rhurbarb’s professional team of Michelin-trained chefs are on hand to create original menus for each of your events – no matter how large or ornate – with no two occasions bound to be the same. Inspired by seasonal ingredients, its menus take all the current food trends into consideration, to ensure the team comes up with food you and your guests really want to eat. Able to operate and deliver across a broad spectrum of venues and event sizes, Rhurbarb is also led by an experience management team who can help you take your event from concept development down to the very last detail. 

Visit RHCHospitality.com

Rocket Food, Battersea

BEST FOR: Luxury experiences

Established in 2000 by brother-and-sister duo Michael Symonds and Caroline Hall, Rocket is now largely considered the top luxury caterer of choice, thanks to a reputation built on delicious food, creativity and outstanding service – just ask Formula 1, which uses them to looks after all its hospitality. A love of locally sourced produce has been intrinsic to the brand since the start, with its current motivation based on sustainability. Ensuring its catering is as green as possible, without compromising on quality, Rockets works with some of the industry’s top local suppliers to develop seasonal menus and cut down on waste. 

Visit RocketFood.com

Social Pantry, Battersea

BEST FOR: Catering with a conscious

Founded by Alex Head in 2011, Social Pantry is one of London’s go-to caterers, but its passion for great food doesn’t just extend to their glamourous clientele – which includes the likes of Gigi Hadid, Hillary Clinton and David Attenborough. Its equally conscientious approach to employment is what put them on our radar, with an aim to recruit ex-offenders looking to build a career once they leave prison. At last count, ex-offenders made up 10% of Social Pantry’s workforce.

Visit SocialPantry.co.uk

Spook London, Southwark

BEST FOR: A modern feel

A modern hospitality and luxury catering company, Spook prides itself on curating memorable and authentic events through food and drink, alongside some of the world’s most compelling locations and brands. Its approach is one largely informed by the seasons and what the team is currently enjoying when it comes to eating and cooking. A dedication to the cultivation of crops, nature, wildness, farming and sustainability also goes hand in hand with what it does, while its seasonal playlists will help you get into the party mood long before your event takes place. 

Visit SpookLondon.com

Wild By Tart, Belgravia

BEST FOR: Stylish food

One of our favourite London neighbourhood restaurants and deli operators, Wild By Tart, is currently accepting catering requests on a case-by-case basis. Able to provide seasonal breakfasts, lunch and dinner boxes – all of which are beautifully presented, wrapped up and delivered to your door – founders Lucy and Jemima are known for their delicious and always interesting food. Big on flavours and seasonal ingredients, everything is sustainably sourced where possible. Similarly, the duo only looks to work with suppliers who share the same sustainability or craftsmanship principles as them. 

Visit WildByTart.com

Zara’s Kitchen, Battersea

BEST FOR: The personal touch

Regular readers will know how much we love Zara’s Kitchen – not only for her enviable Instagram feed full of colourful, delicious-looking food, but also her simple cooking philosophy, which is based around eating seasonally and making the most of natural flavours. The woman at the helm, Zara White, and her team are able to cater any kind of event – from small gatherings to epic celebrations, with a range of canapés, bowls and platters on offer. 

Visit ZarasKitchen.co.uk