10 Questions to Ask Your Corporate Caterer

Planning a corporate event in London? Whether it’s a client lunch in Shoreditch, a team breakfast in Canary Wharf, or a company-wide gathering in the City, choosing the right caterer can make or break the experience. 

And it’s not just about the food, it’s about logistics, presentation, dietary needs, and making sure everything runs smoothly on the day.

Before you lock anything in, here are 10 smart questions to ask your corporate caterer to avoid last-minute surprises and ensure your event runs smoothly.

1. What’s included in your quote?

Not all catering quotes are created equal.

Some London caterers offer all-inclusive pricing, while others break down the costs for food, delivery, setup, service staff, and equipment hire. 

Before comparing quotes, ensure you’re comparing like for like.

Tip: Ask if VAT is included and whether any additional fees apply for central London deliveries or early morning setups.

2. Do you accommodate dietary requirements?

With diverse teams and guest lists, it’s almost guaranteed you’ll need to cater to a range of dietary needs, whether that’s vegan, gluten-free, halal, kosher, or allergies. 

A good caterer should be transparent about how they handle these and whether they prepare food in allergen-free environments.

Here at Masters Catering, we’re proud to cater to a wide range of dietary requirements, from gluten-free to vegan. We’ll help you accommodate your guests. We’ve even created a guide to catering for special diets.

Tip: Ask how dietary options are labelled and whether substitutions come at an extra cost.

3. Can we customise the menu?

Some London caterers offer set menus, while others are happy to tailor dishes to suit your event, theme, or team preferences. 

Customisation can be especially useful if you want to incorporate seasonal ingredients or reflect your company culture.

Tip: Ask how much flexibility they offer and whether there are any minimum order sizes for custom menus.

4. What is your minimum order?

Whether you’re catering for 10 people or 200, most caterers have a minimum spend or headcount requirement. 

This can vary depending on the type of food and the location of your event.

Tip: If you’re planning a smaller meeting or breakfast drop-off, ask if they offer individual meal boxes to meet the minimum. Use our template to plan your annual office catering budget.

5. What are your delivery and setup times?

London traffic can be unpredictable, especially in zones with congestion charges or limited loading access. 

Confirm what time they’ll arrive, how long setup takes, and whether they handle breakdown and cleanup too.

Tip: For early starts or events in high-security buildings, check whether they need advance site access or ID requirements.

6. How is the food delivered?

Presentation matters, especially at corporate events. Ask whether the food arrives in individual boxes, buffet platters, or hot chafing dishes. It’ll help you plan for space, setup, and serving.

Tip: For offices without kitchens, check whether the caterer provides thermal containers or equipment to keep food warm.

7. Do you provide staff for service and cleanup?

Some events may need more than just food drop-off. 

If you’re hosting a client-facing event, you might want serving staff, bartenders, or a cleanup crew. Not all caterers include this, so it’s worth checking early on.

Tip: Ask whether staff are uniformed and how many are included based on your guest count.

8. What’s your cancellation or rescheduling policy?

Plans change, especially with corporate events. Understanding your caterer’s flexibility with cancellations, postponements, or guest count changes can save you from surprise charges down the line.

Tip: Get this in writing, and confirm how far in advance final numbers need to be locked in.

9. Do you offer tastings?

If you’re planning a large or high-profile event, a tasting can give you confidence in your choices, and help avoid any surprises on the day. 

Some London caterers offer complimentary tastings for confirmed bookings, while others charge a fee.

Tip: Ask whether the tasting includes a full sample of the menu or just select items.

10. What sustainability practices do you follow?

Many London companies prioritise eco-conscious suppliers. Ask about packaging materials, food waste policies, and whether they work with local or seasonal ingredients.

Tip: If sustainability is a company value, ask if they offer reusable servingware, compostable packaging, or carbon-neutral delivery options.

Bonus Questions to Ask (If You Have Time)

If you’ve covered the essentials and want to dig a little deeper, here are a few extra questions worth asking, especially for larger or more formal events:

• Do you provide cutlery, plates, and napkins?
  Not all caterers include tableware or serving utensils, so double-check if you’ll need to provide your own.
  
• Are you familiar with our venue or building?
  In London, many office buildings and venues have specific delivery instructions, security protocols, or limited lift access.
  
• Do you offer sustainable or low-waste packaging?
  If your team values eco-friendly practices, find out if the caterer uses compostable containers, reusable trays, or has a waste-reduction plan.
  
• How far in advance should we book for busy periods?
  Dates in December, summer months, and around large events (like Wimbledon or conferences) can get booked quickly.

Book With Confidence

Booking corporate catering in London should feel easy, not stressful, but only if you ask the right questions up front. 

From understanding what’s included in your quote to checking how dietary needs are handled, a few smart questions can make the difference between a smooth event and a last-minute scramble.

Use this list to guide your next conversation with a caterer, whether that’s us, or another catering company in London.