Hot or Cold Office Lunches: Which Type of Catering Is Best for Your Event?
Choosing between hot and cold office lunches usually comes down to four things: the type of event, the time available, the venue and the experience you want to create.
Cold food is often best for working lunches, meetings and events where speed and flexibility matter. Hot office lunches are better suited to longer events, team occasions and lunches where the food is intended to feel more substantial.
At Platter Up, we offer both hot and cold office catering across London. From stunningly presented platters and styled lunch tables to bowl food and fully staffed hot lunch tables, we can help you choose an option that fits your event, number of guests and workplace.
When are hot office lunches the best choice?
Hot food works particularly well when lunch is a main part of the occasion rather than a short break between meetings.
It may be the right choice for:
- Full-day conferences and training sessions
- Team away days
- Company celebrations
- Client lunches
- Large corporate events
- Autumn and winter office gatherings
A hot meal can make an event feel more generous and carefully planned. It also encourages guests to step away from their desks, take a proper break and spend time together.
Our Pop-Up Hot Lunch Tables include a selection of hot and cold food presented as a styled buffet. Our team manages the setup, heating equipment, service and clearance, reducing the amount of work required from the organiser.
The benefits of cold office catering
Cold office lunches are practical, adaptable and easy to serve in most workplaces.
They work especially well for:
- Boardroom meetings
- Working lunches
- Workshops
- Internal presentations
- Recruitment days
- Informal team lunches
Because no heating equipment is required, cold food can usually be set up quickly in a meeting room, communal area or shared workspace. Guests can help themselves when it suits the schedule, making it easier to keep the event running on time.
At Platter Up, our cold catering includes sandwiches, canapes, wraps, sliders, salads, savoury platters, fruit, sweet treats and grazing-style food. These options can be delivered ready to serve or arranged as a styled lunch table with seasonal flowers, foliage and raised serving stands.
Which option works best for a working lunch?
For most working lunches, cold catering is the more convenient option.
Sandwich platters, salads, wraps and bite-sized savoury food are easy to serve and eat without creating a long interruption. They are also practical when guests are using laptops, taking notes or continuing a discussion over lunch.
Hot food can still work for a working lunch, particularly during a full-day session. A warm meal creates a clear break in the timetable and can help guests feel refreshed before the afternoon begins.
Bowl food offers a useful middle ground. Individual hot and cold dishes can be served in manageable portions, making them suitable for networking events, presentations and relaxed corporate gatherings.
Meanwhile, our hampers are wonderful for sharing food in one of London’s beautiful parks.
Consider the venue and your schedule
Before ordering office lunches from a catering company, think about how the food will work within the space.
Ask the following:
- Is there enough room for a buffet table?
- Can the venue accommodate heating equipment?
- Will guests be sitting or standing?
- How much time is available for lunch?
- Does the food need to be ready as soon as guests arrive?
- Will someone be available to manage the setup and clear away?
Cold platters generally need less space and preparation. Hot food requires more coordination around delivery, temperature and serving time.
The number of guests is also important. A lunch for ten people may only require a few well-chosen platters, while office catering for a larger group may benefit from a styled table, multiple serving points or staffed service.
Catering for dietary requirements
Hot and cold menus can both include vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free choices.
The best approach is to collect dietary requirements before placing the order. This gives the caterer time to recommend suitable options and create a balanced menu for the whole group.
At Platter Up, we offer a variety of dietary-friendly dishes, including dedicated free-from platters. We can help you select food that works for different preferences and requirements when these are shared with us in advance.
All 14 regulated allergens are handled in our kitchen. Although we take reasonable precautions, we cannot guarantee that any product will be completely free from traces of allergens. Clients should therefore tell us about allergies and dietary requirements when ordering.
Clear food labels and a varied menu can make the lunch feel more inclusive and help guests choose with confidence.
Presentation matters
The way office catering is presented can change the feel of an event.
A simple platter delivery may be ideal for an informal team meeting. A styled lunch table can create a stronger impression for a client event, company milestone or important workplace occasion.
Our Platter Up lunch tables can include raised stands, flowers and foliage, creating a polished display without requiring a formal dining setup. For hot lunches, our team can also remain on site to manage the food and service.
If you need help making the right choice, simply contact our friendly team today.
