The key question for corporate tea and coffee catering is not simply how many people are attending. It is how many need a drink at the same time. A thirty-minute conference break has a different setup from an all-day office hospitality station.
Choose the right catering format
Delivered hot drinks. Discuss insulated service or an agreed delivery arrangement for smaller meetings where staffed service is not required.
Self-service tea and coffee station. Plan the serving surface, drinks, water, milk alternatives, cups, condiments and replenishment responsibilities.
Attended refreshments. For busy or multi-room events, discuss staff to replenish and manage the serving area during agreed breaks.
Barista-style service. If guests require espresso-based drinks made to order, request a separate barista and equipment specification; it should not be assumed within basic tea and coffee catering.
How to brief the service properly
Calculate the peak, not only the total
Provide attendee numbers, number of rooms and each break start time. Two rooms finishing together can create queues even at a modest event.
Confirm the venue facilities
Ask what needs mains power, water, preparation space and loading access. Confirm whether cups, equipment, collection and waste removal are included in the quotation.
Plan inclusivity and food pairing
State dairy-free preferences, decaffeinated drinks and any tea requirements. If pastries or snacks are needed, align food service with the drinks plan and confirm ingredients and allergens.
Illustrative London catering brief
For 120 delegates and two 15-minute breaks, specify whether all guests leave the auditorium simultaneously, where the refreshment tables can sit, and whether a second station or attended replenishment is needed. This is a planning example, not a pre-set package.
Examples illustrate the information needed to quote; they are not fixed menus, confirmed availability, prices or past-client case studies.
What affects the full catering price?
Equipment, cups, staffing, transport, replenishment periods and espresso versus batch-brewed service can alter costs more than the tea or coffee itself. Request one written scope covering all of them.
Common questions before booking
Can you cover several breakout rooms?
Include the room layout and timing in the enquiry so separate stations or staggered service can be considered, subject to the venue and quote.
Is a mobile coffee bar included?
No automatic inclusion should be assumed. A barista service requires its own equipment, staffing, access and power plan.
Get a catering quote matched to your brief
Send your London postcode, approximate number of guests, date or frequency, preferred serving time and any access or dietary requirements. We will review the requirements and respond with next steps; no package or price is confirmed until it is agreed in writing.
Request a tailored catering quote