Catering for Suffolk

Business Details

24 Years

experience

Bespoke Catering Services for Weddings & Events in Suffolk

Catering for Suffolk was founded in 2002 by William and Sarah Barthorpe, combining over three decades of culinary expertise with a passion for seasonal, locally sourced ingredients. Our journey began with formal training at Conran's Butlers Wharf chef school, followed by extensive global culinary exploration across India, Thailand, and Australia. We specialise in bespoke wedding and event catering across Suffolk and South Norfolk, offering menus inspired by Middle Eastern, Indian, Thai, and Mediterranean cuisines. Our approach prioritises fresh, free-range meat from trusted suppliers, Suffolk-caught seafood, and produce from our own herb garden. With a dedicated team of 25 experienced staff, we ensure every event receives personal attention, dietary requirements are meticulously accommodated, and service remains consistently exceptional.

Recognised for our innovative use of charcoal barbecues and whole-joint roasting techniques, we deliver interactive dining experiences that have earned 23 five-star Google reviews. Our commitment to quality has been unwavering since our rebranding in 2015, maintaining full transparency about ingredient sourcing while avoiding processed alternatives. We operate with a maximum of one wedding per week to guarantee the presence of our founding chefs at every event.

Services

Wedding Catering Party Catering Vegetarian Menus Indian Catering Middle Eastern Food Thai Cuisine Charcoal Barbecues Plant-Based Options Mediterranean Feasts Event Food Hire

Details

Year established: 2002

Highlights and features

23 five-star Google reviews highlighting exceptional food quality
Menus tailored to dietary requirements with allergen transparency
Direct ingredient sourcing from trusted local producers
Charcoal barbecue and whole-joint roasting expertise
Founders present at every event with 1:1 client consultation

What people say

Spectacular food Impeccable service Best wedding food Dairy-free delights Flawless execution

Website

Update Listing

Services

Wedding Catering

Specialist wedding catering across Suffolk and Norfolk with a focus on seasonal, locally sourced ingredients. We create bespoke menus through personal consultations, accommodating all dietary requirements while maintaining exceptional presentation and taste. Our service includes on-site preparation using charcoal barbecues and whole-joint roasting techniques for interactive dining experiences.

Vegetarian Menus

Innovative vegetarian and vegan dishes inspired by global culinary traditions. Our menus feature fresh produce from local suppliers and our own herb garden, with special attention to creating satisfying meat-free alternatives that impress even carnivorous guests through creative flavour combinations and presentation.

Middle Eastern Food

Authentic Middle Eastern catering influenced by Ottolenghi and Claudia Roden's traditional recipes. We specialise in smoked dishes, spice blends, and sharing platters featuring house-made flatbreads, hummus, and slow-cooked stews, all prepared using techniques refined during our culinary travels in the region.

Indian Catering

Traditional Indian catering incorporating regional specialities developed through extensive research and culinary training. Our service includes authentic spice blends, tandoor cooking, and regional specialities like imam bayildi and black dhal, all adapted to suit modern event requirements while maintaining authenticity.

Charcoal Barbecues

Interactive charcoal barbecue service featuring whole-joint roasting and wood-fired cooking. We bring specialist equipment to your venue, preparing meats and vegetables over open flames for dramatic presentation and enhanced flavour, combining traditional techniques with modern food safety standards.

People

William Barthorpe

Head Chef

Conran-trained chef with 25+ years culinary experience across India, Thailand, and Australia. Specialises in global cuisine adaptation and open-fire cooking techniques. Leads menu development with focus on seasonal ingredients and authentic flavour profiles.

Sarah Barthorpe

Event Director

Front-of-house expert trained at Conran's Butlers Wharf. Manages client relations and event logistics with 15+ years experience in high-end event coordination. Ensures seamless service delivery and dietary requirement management for events up to 180 guests.

Questions

What areas do you cater to?

We primarily serve Suffolk and South Norfolk, with capability to cater events up to 180 guests across diverse venues including private gardens, barns, and marquee locations.

Can you accommodate dietary restrictions?

Yes, we specialise in creating menus that accommodate all dietary requirements, including detailed allergen information provided in advance for guest safety and peace of mind.

What cooking methods do you use?

We employ various techniques including charcoal barbecues, whole-joint roasting, and wood-fired cooking, alongside traditional kitchen preparation methods to create diverse flavour profiles.

How many events do you cater weekly?

We limit ourselves to one wedding per week to ensure personal attendance by our founding chefs at every event, maintaining consistent quality and service standards.

Do you provide event equipment?

Yes, we supply all necessary catering equipment including mobile kitchens, tableware, and serving utensils to ensure complete service delivery at any venue type.

Reviews (6)

Write a Review

Kate Welby

Nov 14, 2019 Report

There are not enough words to describe how brilliant the food and service was from Catering for Suffolk. We wanted to have a middle eastern meal that was able to cater for all dietary requirements and they did not disappoint. All of our guests said it was the best wedding food they have ever had, including all of our family from Syria who have very high standards when it comes to hummus and falafel. The falafel in particular was so fresh and without doubt it was the best falafel we have ever had. We had some table decorations but in the end we really didn't need any as the food was so vibrant

Emily Hayward

Nov 03, 2019 Report

We knew we wanted quality as food is such an integral part of the whole wedding day. We were not disappointed and loved how creative and passionate William was about his food. Catering for Suffolk are a great family team and made the whole process of deciding on the food, tasting and the delivery of the day - a weight off our minds. The food was amazing, as I knew it would be, and guest continue to comment on the food still. Not only that, but I felt from the start so grateful to have guidance and experience when making decisions and the professionalism and warmth of all your staff on the day.

E. T.

Sep 17, 2019 Report

William and Sarah catered for our wedding and we could not recommend them highly enough. They were very organised, thought of everything (taking a lot of stress out of our hands), and organised a fabulous trial for us in advance of the day. We had lots of menu ideas and they were able to take all of these and turn them into the perfect meal. The food was exquisite and the service seamless. Our venue was delighted that they had left the kitchen in such a spotless state. Brilliant company, lovely people, great value-for-money, highly recommended.

Piotr K.

Aug 28, 2019 Report

We had William and Sarah and their team from Catering for Suffolk provide all the food and service at our wedding. From start to finish their level of professionalism, attention to detail and passion for food was absolutely second to none. We could not recommend them enough. If you are looking for a caterer for your event then look no further.
William was open to all our ideas and his experience and abilities in cooking many various cuisines is unparalleled. He had taken care of all arrangements necessary, from cutlery to refrigerator everything was on time and double checked. If you are

Matt

Aug 17, 2019 Report

Catering for Suffolk provided the food for our wedding this weekend just gone and I dont think I will be able to do justice to the food and service William, Sarah and the team provided. The food was absolutely fantastic and we had amazing feedback from our guests on the day and since about the food. William is very creative and despite being provided only rough idea by ourselves as to what we wanted, he created a mouth watering menu. The food really was so tasty and we both thought it was all very reasonably priced especially when considering the quality. All of the staff assisting on the

Sue Selleck

May 11, 2019 Report

Catering for Suffolk provided the food for my daughters wedding at the end of June 2019 . Wow, we were not disappointed , the food was totally amazing and delicious and I am not exaggerating. I have lost count of how many guests said it was the best wedding food they have ever had. We couldnt have asked for more from them. All staff were friendly, professional and so efficient. Thank you, you deserve 10 stars not 5. Use this company you will not be disappointed, they are the best.