Food is an intrinsic part of any hospitality experience, and event catering is no different. If done well, the quality of food can be one of the most memorable components. Whether a venue serves a formal three-course meal or a modern innovation such as food stalls or fork buffets, the quality and variety of food acts as a talking point amongst attendees.   

A recent survey of 500 event planners revealed just how integral food is to the success of an event. When asked to describe their worst event experienced at any venue, a frequent response was that an event could have been excellent, but was let down by poor catering, either through lack of options for those with dietary requirements, unsatisfactory quantities or simply poor-quality food.   

Caterers and event professionals must recognise the importance of food at events and its impact on overall enjoyment. A well-thought-out menu is crucial, and refreshments should never be an afterthought in order to guarantee the success of events and the satisfaction of attendees.  

Catering at the QEII Centre is managed by our award-winning in-house team QEII Taste, which is the award-winning culinary partnership between the QEII Centre and the leading conferencing caterer, Levy UK. This partnership enables the QEII Taste team to accommodate bespoke catering solutions and requirements to best suit any and all events, balancing depth of delivery and flexibility with exceptional service and information.  Our Head Chef, Jean-Michael Viala, is happy to accommodate dietary requirements or create menus themed for your event, which can be tested through organised tastings. He and his team always strive to exceed client expectations and continue to incorporate seasonal produce and the best of British ingredients where possible. 

With 24 fully trained “allergen champions” in the QEII Taste team, event planners can rest assured that the dietary requirements of their delegates will be professionally and efficiently managed. A full range of vegetarian and vegan options are also available and developed with the same care and creativity as the remainder of the menu.  

Driving change and providing a point of difference to events are at the forefront of QEII Taste’s approach to event catering. For example, an innovative solution to avoid delegates queuing for food is their unique new hot box menu, which provides freshly prepared hot meals passed out directly to guests. The boxes themselves are fully sustainable, made from recycled materials and then recycled after use, and a portion of profits are donated to the British Paralympic Association. Such a unique catering approach will no doubt be memorable in the minds of delegates, as well as being timely and offering variety. 

For more information on catering at QEII and for enquiries regarding dietary requirements, menus, or upcoming events, contact QEII Taste: https://qeiicentre.london/services/qeii-taste/