BBQ Hire in London

Between £18 and £45 per person. A solid standard menu — burgers, sausages, chicken, two sides — comes in at £20 to £28 per head. Premium menus with slow-smoked meats, artisan buns, and multiple sides run £30 to £45. Most caterers need a minimum of 30 to 40 guests or a minimum spend of £500 to £800.

Food hygiene certification and public liability insurance are non-negotiable. Beyond that, ask where they source their meat — free-range and organic really does make a difference with BBQ. Check reviews for consistency across big groups (it is easy to cook great food for 10 people, much harder for 80). A good caterer provides the full equipment setup, manages waste, and leaves your venue spotless. Ask for photos of their grill setup to make sure it fits your space.

London parks generally ban disposable BBQs and open flames, but professional caterers using self-contained gas or charcoal units on stands are often fine — you just need to arrange it with the council or park authority first. Private gardens are usually no problem, though check with your landlord if you are renting. Some managed estates have rules about smoke and noise that are worth knowing about before the day.

Plan for 2 to 3 hours before service for most BBQ setups. Low-and-slow operations — the ones doing brisket and pulled pork — might need 6 to 10 hours of cook time, so they either arrive very early or pre-cook off-site. Pin down setup and breakdown times with your caterer and make sure your venue allows the access window they need.

They should, and the good ones do. Halloumi skewers, grilled vegetable platters, corn on the cob, vegan burgers, jackfruit pulled 'pork', and plant-based sausages are all standard offerings from decent London caterers. Let them know your dietary breakdown when booking so they can plan properly and keep vegan items separate on the grill.