Found this useful?
Work backwards from the meeting, not the meal
Office catering fails on timing far more often than on food. Confirm the moment the room is free for set-up, not the moment lunch is meant to start — in most buildings those are 20 minutes apart because of the lift, the pass and the security desk.
Format by headcount
| Headcount | Format that works |
|---|---|
| 6–15 | Boardroom platters, one hot dish, cutlery included |
| 15–60 | Compact buffet on chafing units, self-service |
| 60–250 | Two buffet lines plus a dedicated vegetarian and vegan station |
Dietary cover is not optional in an office
- Assume vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and dairy-free are all present unless HR has told you otherwise.
- Ask for the allergen sheet in advance and put it beside the food, not in an email.
- Keep vegan dishes physically separated on the line with their own serving spoons.
The admin that slows bookings down
- Purchase orders and invoicing terms — agree these before the first order, not after it.
- Building access, loading bay and any contractor induction the site requires.
- Whether the caterer returns for clear-down or the office disposes of the equipment.