Tasting
Taste, confirm, and finalise your menu before the event
A tasting gives you the chance to confirm flavours, presentation and overall menu direction before your event day. It helps you make decisions earlier, reduce last-minute changes, and ensure the menu fits your guest profile, venue set-up and service style.
What is a tasting (and why it matters)?
A tasting is a planned session where you sample a curated selection of dishes from your proposed menu. It’s designed to help you:
- Confirm the menu direction (style, balance, flavours)
- Review presentation for your chosen service format (canapés, bowl food, plated courses, desserts)
- Decide between options quickly (e.g., lighter vs more substantial, Spanish-inspired vs Mediterranean vs selected international)
- Align portions and quantity planning with event duration
- Address dietaries and allergens properly, with time to plan alternatives
- Avoid changes and uncertainty close to the event date
In short: a tasting turns a draft idea into a confirmed plan.
When we recommend a tasting
A tasting is particularly helpful for:
Weddings and larger celebrations
Weddings often involve multiple moments (reception, dinner, desserts, late-night bites) and a wide range of guest preferences. A tasting makes the menu decisions easier and faster.
Sit-down dinners (plated service)
For plated menus, a tasting helps confirm course structure, sauces, textures and overall pacing—especially when you’re choosing between main course options.
Brand events, PR and high-visibility hospitality
When presentation and consistency are crucial, a tasting helps ensure the menu fits the tone of the event and the guest experience.
Events combining multiple cuisines
If you’re mixing menu directions (for example Spanish-inspired + Mediterranean + selected international stations), a tasting helps you find the right balance and cohesion.
Guest lists with significant dietaries and allergens
If you need multiple alternatives (vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, etc.), tastings allow us to build a menu that works for everyone without compromising quality.
Tasting formats
To keep things simple, we offer a few clear tasting approaches. The best option depends on your event style and how finalised your menu already is.
Purpose: sample the core dishes and decide efficiently.
Typically includes:
- A selection of signature canapés or starters
- One or two bowl/plated options (depending on your event format)
- A dessert or petit fours selection
- Key dietary alternatives where relevant
Best for: corporate hospitality, medium-size events, clients who want quick decisions.
Purpose: taste the menu exactly as it will be served on the day.
Examples:
- Reception format: canapés + bowl food + mini desserts
- Working lunch format: platters/bowls + dessert + optional drinks
- Plated dinner format: starter + main + dessert (plus alternatives)
Best for: weddings, brand events, sit-down dinners.
Purpose: choose the overall culinary direction before final menu selection.
Examples:
- Spanish-inspired + Mediterranean + selected international
- Mediterranean + Middle Eastern/mezze direction
- Spanish-inspired + refined Eastern European touches
Best for: clients who are still deciding the style they want.
Ours menus
Included
- A curated selection of dishes agreed in advance
- Presentation aligned with your event format (where relevant)
- A practical discussion on menu structure, quantities and service flow
- Review of dietaries and allergens with realistic alternatives
- Clear next steps to finalise the menu
Notes (to set expectations)
- A tasting is not a full event service
- Some ingredients may vary based on seasonality and availability
- We focus on confirming the menu direction and key decisions
Tastings can be arranged in a practical way depending on the event and the client:
- At an agreed location (subject to availability)
- At a suitable partner venue (where applicable)
- Delivered tasting (drop-off) for corporate clients who want to trial the food at the office before booking
If you have a preferred venue or schedule constraints, we can advise the simplest option.
- Send an enquiry with your date, guest numbers, location and event style
- We share an initial proposal (menu direction + service approach)
- If a tasting is appropriate, we recommend the most suitable tasting format
- We confirm date/time and the tasting selection
- After the tasting, we refine and finalise the menu for the event
Outcome: clear decisions, confirmed menu, and a stronger plan for delivery.
Tastings FAQ
Not always. We recommend it for weddings, plated dinners and higher-visibility events.
Usually 1–2 decision makers, depending on the event type.
Yes. We can include the most relevant dietary alternatives.
Yes. A delivered tasting (drop-off) can be arranged for corporate clients.
It depends on the format, but it’s designed to be focused and decision-driven.
Ready to book a tasting?
If you’d like to confirm your menu before your event, tell us your date, area in London, guest numbers and preferred format (canapés, working lunch, bowl food, plated dinner). We’ll recommend the right tasting approach and help you finalise the menu efficiently.