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Choosing a Caterer That Works for Your Business

The right caterer should do more than deliver food. They should make ordering straightforward, understand the people you are feeding and give you confidence that every occasion will be well looked after. This guide will help you compare the things that matter.

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Look Beyond the Menu

The food matters, but so does everything around it. Ask how the supplier will work with you day to day and importantly, how they respond when plans change.

Clear pricing. Ask for itemised costs, what is included and where additional charges may apply.

A model that fits. Occasional orders, regular programmes and events need different ways of pricing and supporting the service.

People you can reach. Find out who will know your account, answer questions and take responsibility when something changes.

Freshness and quality. Ask where the food is made, when it is prepared and how it is checked before it leaves.

Dietary confidence. Look for clear allergen processes, thoughtful choice and food that works for different dietary and cultural needs.

Responsible business. Look for current evidence across environment, people, community and governance, not just broad promises.

The right range. A supplier that can cover everyday catering, events and changing needs can make life simpler.

Capability at scale. Check the kitchens, people, fleet and systems behind the service.

Coverage that works for you. Make sure the supplier can serve every location you need to the same standard.

Procurement readiness. Ask for current accreditations, policies and reporting before the tender process begins.

Comparing Your Options

Most decisions come down to three types: aggregators, generic suppliers and direct caterers like Sands. Here is how they compare.

Criteria
Aggregator Platforms
General Suppliers
Direct Partners: Sands
Pricing transparency
Platform markups
Often hidden margins
Direct, no markup, itemised
Pricing model
Ad-hoc only
Limited, often one model
Ad-hoc, programme, package or custom build
Volume savings
None
Inconsistent
Programmes save up to 33% versus ad-hoc
Account management
None
Variable, shared support
Dedicated managers, direct contact
Continuity
Different person each time
Inconsistent
Same contact, knows your business
Food production
Third-party, variable
Often outsourced
In-house, our own facilities
Quality control
Limited, no control of production
Inconsistent
Direct, our kitchens
Dietary handling
Generic, varies by caterer
Limited
All 14 allergens at scale, Halal poultry standard, certified Halal/Kosher via partners
Sustainability
Platform-level only
Variable
Named partners (ReFood, Thames Valley Oil, Samsara), SRA 3-star, zero to landfill
Social responsibility
None
Variable
Combat Coffee, Grief Encounter, EmployAble
Service range
Single-order only
Often narrow
Workplace, events, meetings, trade, venues
Scale
Depends on caterer
Variable
12,500 meals daily, 18,500 sq ft central unit
Geographic reach
Limited to platform network
Often narrow
Founded in London, now serving clients across London and beyond
Venue catering
External, caterer markups
Often expensive
Partner venues, Sands as caterer, costs sensible
Procurement docs
Generic only
Variable, incomplete
Full pack: certifications, accreditations, ESG, modern slavery

What Sands Brings to Your Business

Food Creates More when it is right for the people, easy for the organiser and supported by a team who stays close to the detail.

Order directly, with clear pricing and no platform layer between you and the people making the food.

Regular programmes can save up to 33% compared with ad-hoc ordering, while giving you more consistency from week to week.

People, not platforms: dedicated account managers, event coordinators, support you can actually reach.

Next-day delivery with a 4pm cut-off, for when plans change.

Made Today. Sold Today. Our food is prepared in our own kitchens on the day it is sold, giving us direct control over freshness and quality.

Accredited and procurement ready SALSA, 3-star SRA Food Made Good, 5-star FSA, Red Tractor, ERUDUS, FMC, with full procurement documentation.

One supplier across it all: workplace programmes, events, meeting deliveries, trade supply, venue catering.

Sustainability with evidence: partnerships with ReFood, Thames Valley Oil and Samsara, plus three social responsibility partnerships.

Founded in London more than 50 years ago, Sands has grown with the way people work, meet and eat.

Questions Worth Asking

The deeper questions experienced buyers raise, with clear guidance on each.

What our clients say

"Excellent catering for in house lunches. Great service and easy to order from there website. Hot food is always piping hot and tasty"

Liz

Office Manager

“I have used Sands Catering for an annual reception for two years running. The team made planning from overseas easy, and everything was exactly as expected. We had many compliments about the food and the staff were very helpful and professional.”

Jen

Annual Corporate Event Client

“The food was perfect and the service excellent. Sands catered for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and other dietary requirements with everything clearly labelled. Everyone at the event was extremely impressed.”

Sabrina

Event Catering with Dietary Requirements

Trusted by leading organisations

Ready to Explore Working With Sands?

Tell us how your people work, meet and eat. We will talk through the options, explain the costs clearly and help you decide whether Sands is the right fit.

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