Catering Services in Cumbria

Our catering is designed around the occasion rather than a fixed package. We can cater for everything from birthdays, anniversaries and family celebrations to funerals and wakes, private parties, business gatherings, community events and larger functions.

The food and style of service can then be shaped around your guest numbers, venue and the atmosphere you want to create. That could mean a relaxed buffet or sharing menu, beautifully presented canapés, a sit-down meal or something created specifically for your event.

If you’re holding an event at a community venue or another location that isn’t normally used for events, it’s also worth checking whether any permissions are required. The UK Government’s guidance on temporary events explains when a Temporary Event Notice may be needed for certain licensable activities in England and Wales.

Yes. Townhouse Catering is about bringing the food and hospitality to you, so we can discuss catering at homes, workplaces, event spaces, community venues and other suitable locations.

When you enquire, tell us where you’re planning to hold the occasion, approximately how many people will be attending and the type of catering you have in mind. We can then discuss what will work for the space and what practical arrangements need to be considered.

If you’re still looking for a venue, that doesn’t need to stop you getting in touch. An approximate location and guest number is enough to start the conversation.

For events involving the sale of alcohol, entertainment or late-night refreshments at an unlicensed venue, additional permissions can sometimes be required. You can check the official alcohol and event licensing guidance on GOV.UK while planning your occasion.

Dietary requirements should be discussed as part of planning your menu. When you send your enquiry, let us know about any vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free or other dietary requirements within your group, and make us aware of any known food allergies.

If a guest has an allergy, please give us as much information as possible rather than simply requesting a general dietary alternative. Food allergies and food intolerances are different, and the NHS food allergy guidance provides useful information for anyone who needs to understand the distinction. 

UK food businesses are required to provide information about specified allergens in the food they provide and to manage allergens appropriately during preparation. You can read more in the Food Standards Agency’s allergen guidance.

We recommend getting in touch as soon as you have a date in mind, particularly for larger celebrations and popular dates. More notice gives us more time to discuss your menu, guest numbers, venue and service requirements.

However, you don’t need to have every detail confirmed before making an enquiry. If your date is flexible, your guest list is still changing or you haven’t chosen the final menu, tell us what you know so far and we can start from there.

For events that may require a Temporary Event Notice, timing is particularly important. GOV.UK states that a standard TEN must be submitted at least 10 clear working days before the event, although planning earlier is sensible.

Start with your expected guest numbers and the type of occasion you’re organising. The right amount and style of food can vary considerably between a short business gathering, an afternoon celebration and an event where catering forms a major part of the day.

It also helps to think about when people will be eating, how long the event will last and whether the food is intended to be a full meal or part of a wider occasion. We can use those details to discuss an appropriate catering style rather than expecting you to work everything out beforehand.

For buffet-style catering in particular, food safety is about more than simply providing enough food. The Food Standards Agency’s catering guidance covers safe preparation, serving and temperature control, including guidance for hot-held food.

You don’t need to arrive with a finished menu. To start with, the most useful details are your occasion, preferred date, approximate guest numbers, location, catering style, dietary requirements and an idea of your budget.

From there, we can understand what you’re trying to create and discuss an approach that suits the occasion. If you already have menu ideas, timings or venue information, include those too. If you don’t, that’s absolutely fine — helping shape those details is part of the planning process.

For events where alcohol will be sold or certain other licensable activities will take place, you should also establish whether the venue already has the necessary permissions. GOV.UK provides a useful overview of licensing requirements for events in England and Wales.