Top Food and Beverage Catering Trends for Corporate Events in London

If you work in London or are planning a business event in the city, you will have noticed a change when it comes to workplace dining. Food used to be an afterthought for most companies – often arranged at the last minute or delegated to staff while everyone else was in meetings. 

That’s no longer the case. Businesses are starting to embrace food and drink as part of their brand. After all, what you serve says a lot about your company culture, taste and attention to detail. 

Luxury afternoon teas are being plonked on boardroom tables, while unique food-for-sharing menus are being served at networking receptions. 

London’s office catering game is getting stronger by the day. 

When it comes to the world of work, expectations have changed. Buffets have been replaced by beautiful finger foods, premium coffee and exciting menus that don’t look like everyone else’s. 

Guests and employees want food that looks (and tastes) great. And who can blame them? Eating is a sensory experience, so if you don’t care about what you serve, why should everyone else? 

This shift in attitude has led many companies to reevaluate how food can impact work environments. An afternoon tea tower or stylish finger food picnic can elevate the vibe of any occasion much better than average office catering ever could. 

London businesses are now on a mission to make meetings, trainings and client hospitality memorable. 

You may have heard of experiential dining. It’s when a restaurant takes your restaurant experience to the next level by focusing on all of your senses. 

Offering guests the best food and drink is just table stakes. Eating should be memorable. And yes, this means your monthly office meeting. 

That’s why businesses are asking for food that creates a vibe. Think stunning canapés, craft tea stations, epic salad bento boxes and anything else that’ll wow your guests. 

Fresh sushi platters, shareable lunch menus and plated canapé boxes are just a few ways companies are incorporating experiential dining into their workplace catering. 

Elevating the standard of office catering has helped companies across London create a more polished, inviting and intentional atmosphere. 

You know how some trends come and go? Well, afternoon tea is here to stay.  

Appealing to London’s fierce sense of pride, afternoon teas offer a glimpse into British culture. They’re the perfect balance of fancy and casual, which makes them ideal for work environments. 

You don’t have to look very hard to see why afternoon tea catering is so popular with businesses. Pretty afternoon teas, sandwiches to order and afternoon tea boxes are commonplace.

You’ve probably spotted the terms “finger sandwiches” and “afternoon tea sandwiches” floating around online. They’re basically the same thing.  

Businesses love ordering finger sandwiches because they’re fancy yet functional. Mini sandwiches on a sandwich stand can truly upgrade your afternoon tea. 

But what should you fill them with? Here are the most popular types of finger sandwiches for afternoon tea.

When it comes to finger sandwiches, classics like smoked salmon, cucumber, egg mayo and coronation chicken are always popular. But that doesn’t mean you should limit yourself there. 

London is a melting pot of diverse cultures, so feel free to get creative with your fillings. Afternoon teas and finger sandwiches are a great way to celebrate London’s multiculturalism. 

How many finger sandwiches do you need per person? 

As a general rule of thumb, we recommend Three finger sandwiches per person for afternoon tea. But this number can vary depending on how many guests you’re serving. 

When planning how many finger sandwiches you need, also consider what else you’ll be serving. If you’re providing hearty lunches, you may want to scale back on the sandwiches.

Afternoon tea boxes are the perfect solution for busy companies who value both form and function. These luxury boxes allow you to enjoy hassle-free catering without sacrificing style. 

Like we mentioned earlier, afternoon teas are all about balance. You want your food to wow guests but also be easy to distribute. 

Drink boxes, gourmet lunch boxes and packed lunch catering are exactly that. Afternoon tea boxes are often made up of finger sandwiches, bite-size desserts and freshly baked pastries. 

The world is your oyster when it comes to dietary preferences these days. Vegan. Gluten-free. Dairy-free. Halal. Nut-free. You name it, someone probably follows that diet. 

Catering companies have had to adapt to meet these demands. Most menus will include options for the following dietary requirements: 

The London workplace is another reason pre-packed meals are on the rise. With so many people working remotely or in hybrid teams, businesses are struggling to find ways to feel connected. 

Individual lunch boxes and self-assemble afternoon teas allow companies to give remote teams the same dining experience as their in-office counterparts. 

Lunch boxes and catering boxes are also super convenient for guests. There’s no faffing around with dishes or sharing plates. 

Afternoon tea catering doesn’t need to come in plastic containers. Sustainable dishware is fast becoming an important part of eco-friendly catering. 

Whether you’re building lunch catering options for teams that work remotely or planning a client meeting, you should think about greener alternatives to single-use plastic.

Customers and clients now expect businesses to operate sustainably. If your catering services aren’t eco-friendly, you might lose contracts to competitors that are prioritising eco-conscious food packaging. 

Consumers are increasingly likely to support brands that take a stand on protecting the planet. By using compostable materials and ethically sourced ingredients, your catering services will appeal to modern audiences. 

Questions like “how many finger sandwiches per person” could help you source the right quantities while reducing catering waste. 

If you want to facilitate conversation at your next corporate event, serve food that’s easy for guests to share. Offer beautiful platters and sharing boards instead of formal plated meals. 

Hors d’oeuvres. Sharing platters. Afternoon tea catering with a variety of sweets and savoury treats. When guests can help themselves to catering that’s displayed proudly on social media-ready tables, they’re more likely to mingle with each other. 

Canapés don’t have to be simple. Elevate your event with modern canapé menus that incorporate colourful ingredients and creative presentation. 

Think slim buttery crostini topped with fresh ricotta and seasonal berries. Delicate salmon brochettes. Or flavourful king prawn tempura.  

Clients will notice if you serve basic sandwiches and coffee. On the other hand, they’ll be impressed by creative breakfast catering and hot breakfast options. 

From fluffy scrambled eggs to sourdough toast and mini-Danish pastries, there are plenty of catering ideas that can help you serve a delicious breakfast meeting without frying eggs on-site.

Although coffee and pastry pairing is always a welcome sight (and smell), coffee culture has impacted how clients perceive catering services. Simply put, customers now expect professional grade coffee and tea at business events. 

Serve gourmet coffee and tea with exclusive pastries and breakfast pastries. Bonus points for healthy options like granola pots and fruit bowls.

In a city as multicultural as London, clients will want catering that reflects their values. Many businesses look for diversity in the food and cuisines their guests will enjoy at corporate events. 

From sushi catering to authentic Asian cuisine and Italian-inspired lunch and dinner menus, businesses can showcase their appreciation for international cuisine by incorporating worldwide flavours into their catering menus. 

Don’t be afraid to get creative with your catering. When done right, fusion food can introduce clients to new flavours while keeping them comfortable with familiar dishes. 

For example, traditional English sandwiches can be served with fun, contemporary fillings and unique presentation. You can even apply this concept to afternoon tea catering. 

Think desserts inspired by international flavours and veggies on top of sweet scones.

In major metropolitan cities like London, speed and convenience are important. That’s why luxury afternoon tea delivery services are growing in popularity. 

Instead of sacrificing quality for on-site catering preparation, businesses can opt for professionally prepared afternoon tea catering delivered straight to their offices. 

Business events aren’t always set in stone. With more teams working remotely and in hybrid conditions, businesses need catering services that are just as flexible as their scheduling is. 

Offer takeaway and delivered afternoon tea options that are suitable for small gatherings and office meetings. 

Catering for remote employees should be packaged neatly and arrive on time—whether they’re eating lunch with the team at the office or on their own from home. 

While the food you serve is important, proper presentation speaks volumes to your clients. You can have a wide variety of dietary options on your menu, but if your food doesn’t look professional, clients will be unimpressed. 

Clients should see your attention to detail in everything you provide, from box delivery timelines to intricate afternoon tea catering arrangements. 

Every client and event is different. One client may need vegan and vegetarian lunch boxes while another requires customisable dinner menus for clients with specific dietary restrictions. 

Business owners need caterers that are prepared for anything. That means having access to menus that include a variety of dietary options, price points and personalized nutrition facts.

You should also be able to trust your catering partners. Can you trust them to deliver food on time? Will they know the difference between gluten-free and gluten-conscious menus? 

As a business owner or event planner, you have enough on your plate organizing successful corporate events. Your caterer should be able to handle order details with ease.

Attention to detail can set your catering business apart from competitors. In today’s economy, catering is about more than just good food. When you work with a company that utilises sustainable materials and take into consideration variables like dietary restrictions, you’re showing clients that you care about more than profit. 

Elevated catering options like afternoon tea catering and modern finger foods help companies take their event game to the next level. Business events can be made or broken by the food and drinks you serve.