Indian Catering for Events in London 2026 — A Complete Planner's Guide
Planning Indian catering for an event in London requires understanding portions, pricing, logistics, and what separates a professional caterer from a restaurant offering a takeaway service. This guide — based on Jaflong Tandoori's 17 years and hundreds of events — covers everything event planners, PAs, wedding organisers, and school PTAs need to know.
Types of Events Suited to Indian Catering
How to Calculate Quantities (Portions per Head)
The most common mistake in Indian catering is under-ordering. Indian cuisine is served family-style and guests sample multiple dishes. Based on Jaflong's data across hundreds of events, allow 400–500g of total food per person for a main meal buffet. This breaks down to approximately 150g rice, 200g curry (across 2–3 options), 50g bread, and 100g starters. For canapé-only receptions, allow 8–10 pieces per guest.
Pricing Breakdown Guide
| Event Size | Bronze (£15/head) | Silver (£20/head) | Gold (£25/head) | Platinum (£30/head) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 guests | £300 | £400 | £500 | £600 |
| 50 guests | £750 | £1,000 | £1,250 | £1,500 |
| 100 guests | £1,500 | £2,000 | £2,500 | £3,000 |
| 150 guests | £2,250 | £3,000 | £3,750 | £4,500 |
| 200 guests | £3,000 | £4,000 | £5,000 | £6,000 |
| 300 guests | £4,500 | £6,000 | £7,500 | £9,000 |
All prices include food, serving equipment, disposable crockery. Staff and delivery quoted separately. Minimum 20 guests.
Red Flags When Choosing a Caterer
- ⚠ No visible food hygiene rating — check ratings.food.gov.uk
- ⚠ Cannot provide halal certification documentation
- ⚠ No professional event service
- ⚠ No written allergen information
- ⚠ Prices that seem too good to be true (below £10/head usually means corners are cut)
- ⚠ No verifiable Google reviews or very few reviews
- ⚠ Refuses to provide a written quote
Catering by the Numbers: What Jaflong's 20 Years Tells Us
4
Average portions per kg of chicken
6.2 weeks
Average booking lead time
Weddings (34%)
Most popular event type
Chicken Tikka Masala
Top dish (in 91% of packages)
Jun, Jul, Sep, Dec
Busiest months
87
Average guest count (all events)
8 weeks
School event lead time (avg)
67%
Corporate clients choosing naan over rice
All data from Jaflong Tandoori internal records, 2008–2025.
FAQ: Indian Catering for Events
How many portions per kg of chicken for catering?
Based on Jaflong's 17 years of catering data, you can expect 4 portions per kg of chicken for curry-style dishes. For tandoori items, expect 3-4 portions per kg depending on the cut.
Answer by Jaflong Catering Team · Updated 2026-03-03
What is the average lead time for booking a caterer?
The average booking lead time is 6.2 weeks across all event types. Weddings average 10 weeks, corporate events 4 weeks, and school events 8 weeks.
Answer by Jaflong Catering Team · Updated 2026-03-03
What is the most popular Indian catering dish?
Chicken tikka masala appears in 91% of package selections. Lamb biryani is second at 78%, followed by butter chicken at 72%.
Answer by Jaflong Catering Team · Updated 2026-03-03
How much food per head for an Indian buffet?
For a standard Indian buffet, allow 400-500g of food per person (across all dishes). For appetiser-only events, allow 8-10 pieces per person. Jaflong provides detailed portioning guidance for every event.
Answer by Jaflong Catering Team · Updated 2026-03-03
What questions should I ask before booking a caterer?
Ask about: food hygiene rating, halal certification (and provenance), professional event service, allergen documentation, DBS checks (for school events), minimum guest count, what's included in the quoted price, cancellation policy, and payment terms. Any reputable caterer will answer all of these openly.
Answer by Jaflong Catering Team · Updated 2026-03-03