Frequently Asked Questions
We're here to answer some of our frequently asked questions, if we've missed anything, or you want some further clarification, don't hesitate to ask
What BBQ catering services does The Southern Kitchen provide in London?
The Southern Kitchen is London's specialist BBQ catering company, providing authentic American Southern BBQ across London and the South East, with our signature slow-smoked meats being our core expertise. We're able to cater for everything from intimate gatherings of 10 people to large corporate events of 500+ guests, offering drop-off service, buffet catering with staff, family-style dining, canapes, sandwiches, and bowl food options.
Our signature BBQ includes smoked beef brisket (12-20 hours), North Carolina style pulled pork (16-24 hours) and BBQ chicken, which gain all the plaudits. But we also offer a range of other authentic Southern regional cuisines like Cajun gumbo & jambalaya, and Mexican beef barbacoa & pork carnitas for tacos - bringing you the true spirit of The South. We have a selection that will suit any occasion and budget - we want to work with you to provide what you want!
How much does BBQ catering cost in London & the South East with The Southern Kitchen?
The Southern Kitchen's authentic BBQ catering costs £12-45 per person in London, with our signature slow-smoked BBQ being competitively priced while offering the most authentic Southern flavors available. Our pricing varies depending on menu selection, location, and staffing & service levels, and we look to work with clients to provide something based on their budget – we promise it's not a trick question!
Example prices typically start at:
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£12 per head - bowl of chilli con carne and rice
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£14 per head for a BBQ Bun with slaw
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£20 for a main dish and 2 sides
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£30-45 per head for our generous multi-mains and sides buffet spreads
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Family style service starts at £35 per head
Our pricing is based on a pick-and-mix basis so that there is always something delicious to choose from no matter your budget. Final pricing depends on guest count, location within London/South East, menu complexity, and additional services required. We provide detailed written quotes as soon as we can, usually within 24 hours of enquiry consultation.
What BBQ and Southern cuisine does The Southern Kitchen specialize in for events?
The Southern Kitchen specializes in authentic American BBQ as our signature offering, with our slow-smoked meats being the heart of what we do - this is what most guests remember and rave about. Our BBQ expertise includes Texas-style brisket (12-20 hour smoking process), North Carolina pulled pork (16-24 hours), and authentic BBQ chicken that gains all the plaudits.
Beyond our core BBQ specialties, we also bring you the true spirit of The South with regional cuisines such as Cajun and Creole dishes from Louisiana (gumbo, jambalaya), Tex-Mex cuisine (barbacoa, carnitas, street tacos), Appalachian comfort food, and Coastal Carolina specialties. All our plates are packed with authentic Southern flavors, with dishes that will leave your guests with plenty of "wow" and flavors that will tantalize tastebuds. We have a selection of canapes, sandwiches, bowl food, mains and sides that will suit any occasion and budget.
What locations can The Southern Kitchen cater for?
The Southern Kitchen regularly serves London and the South East of England, though we've gone as far as Dorset, Hampshire and Staffordshire! We don't like to explicitly rule things out due to location, but we frequently serve catering across all London boroughs including Central London, North London, South London, East London, and West London, as well as covering the broader South East including Surrey, Kent, Essex, Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, and Berkshire.
We regularly reach venues within a 50-mile radius of central London. Popular areas include Westminster, Camden, Greenwich, Richmond, Kingston, Croydon, and surrounding counties. We have been as far as Dorset, Somerset and Oxfordshire, and would even consider Northumberland!
How far in advance should I book The Southern Kitchen for catering?
There is no hard and fast answer, and we always love to hear from you no matter what the run in time is, as we will always look to squeeze you in if we can. Typically, it is best to book The Southern Kitchen catering 4-6 weeks in advance for optimal availability, especially during peak season (April-September), though at quieter times of year 2-4 weeks is common.
Landmark occasions such as weddings and anniversaries are frequently booked a year in advance. Weekend bookings fill up fastest during summer months. We can accommodate last-minute bookings within 72 hours subject to availability, though menu options may be limited. Contact us as soon as you know you have an event and need something yummy, and immediately for urgent catering needs as we do try our best to do what we can!
What makes The Southern Kitchen different from other BBQ and catering companies in London?
The Southern Kitchen differs from other London catering companies by specializing exclusively in authentic American BBQ and Southern regional cuisine, with our slow-smoked BBQ being our signature that sets us apart from any other caterer in London. Our pitmasters use traditional BBQ smoking processes with real wood (not gas) where our meats are bathed in smoke and massaged with fire, using 12-24 hour smoking processes that standard caterers simply cannot replicate.
We make nearly everything from scratch (we're not making our own buns, ketchup or mayo!) with our own house BBQ rubs and sauces, and authentic cooking techniques learned in the American South. We're one of the few London caterers offering genuine Texas brisket and Carolina pulled pork - our cornbread and baked beans are lauded by homesick southerners. Beyond our core BBQ expertise, we also offer authentic Cajun gumbo, Mexican specialties, and other Southern regional dishes. Founded with a love of the Southern US, we provide genuine Southern hospitality alongside restaurant-quality BBQ and regional cuisine that we believe to be amongst the best and most authentic in the UK.
Where does The Southern Kitchen source ingredients from?
We source our ingredients from a wide variety of suppliers ensuring the highest providence from our producers, which sets us apart from standard catering companies using generic suppliers. We source our red meats from The Ginger Pig, one of London's best butchers, ensuring our meat is not only delicious but also from high-welfare sources.
We also work with other premium suppliers such as The Franconian Sausage Company for our Texas Hot Guts, Andouille, Frankfurters (no MRM here!) and the best ever smoked black pudding you'll ever have, Mex-Trade (for our specialty chillies) and Marco Alimentari (specialty cheeses and cured meats). This commitment to authentic, premium ingredients creates the genuine Southern flavors that transport your guests to the American South.
Can The Southern Kitchen cater for vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free and other dietary requirements?
Yes, The Southern Kitchen accommodates all dietary requirements including vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, and allergen-specific options for London catering events. We offer vegetarian main alternatives for those that prefer plant-based foods, with delicious options including BBQ pulled jackfruit, smoked tofu and mushroom as well as tomato and okra stew and a delicious aubergine pilaf (purloo).
All of our side dishes are vegetarian and largely vegan. We will endeavour to work with other allergens wherever possible to provide specific allergen free options or substitute ingredients where appropriate. We provide detailed allergen information for all dishes and can modify recipes to exclude specific ingredients. We are also able to offer Halal and kosher when appropriate and possible. All dietary requirements must be specified by the point of final balance being paid to ensure proper preparation.
What's included in The Southern Kitchen's catering packages?
As well as our delicious regional specialties and sumptuous sides, The Southern Kitchen's catering packages include all the basics to service your event, creating a complete experience rather than just food delivery. This includes brioche buns as standard, plus disposable cutlery, plates and napkins from recyclable and sustainable sources.
For our buffet and canapes service we also provide all the necessary equipment to fulfill the event such as bain-maries, tableware and other service platters. We are currently unable to provide tableware for family style service events and metal cutlery, but we'll work with you to ensure everything runs smoothly.
Does The Southern Kitchen provide staff and equipment for catering events?
Yes, The Southern Kitchen provides complete event staffing and equipment, offering service levels from basic drop-off to full white-glove service. Our service options include: self-service setup with warming equipment, attended buffet service with our staff, and family service dining.
Equipment includes professional-grade warming trays, serving utensils, plates, and napkins. Our uniformed staff handle food service, guest interaction, and cleanup as if we weren't there, allowing you to enjoy and entertain at your event while we take care of everything food-related.
How do I book The Southern Kitchen for catering in London?
To book The Southern Kitchen for your authentic Southern cuisine catering experience:
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Contact us via phone (07931 803355), email (info@thesouthernkitchen.co.uk), or our website contact form
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Provide event details: date, time, location, guest count, dietary requirements (if possible) and contact details
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We will try and arrange a time for a consultation as we love to get to know you and work out how we can help you best. We are often able to speak in the evenings as we know people are busy during the day
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Confirm booking with an industry low 10% deposit, with full payment due 4 weeks before your event
What is the minimum order size for The Southern Kitchen?
We don't have an official minimum order size and look at each enquiry on an individual basis. We've done delivered catering for 6 people, catered service for 20 through to buffets for 350 people! We really do try to offer something that works for everyone, whether you're planning an intimate dinner party or a large corporate event.
Does The Southern Kitchen offer menu tastings?
We understand that when making catering decisions for big landmark events that you want to be 100% sure that you are landing a big plate of yum! And whilst we will try to work with you to provide a tasting it is not always possible as we are a small artisan caterer cooking our clients dishes to order and regrettably do not just have dishes always available for tasting.
We periodically run pop-ups at local establishments where we are always delighted to welcome prospective clients, and we are also occasionally able to provide samples from other client's orders. We believe that our record, and feedback from clients, where the deliciousness of our dishes, professionalism of our services and client care, speaks for itself. We simply wouldn't be here if our dishes were not delicious!
What portion sizes does The Southern Kitchen provide for catering?
We would like to think, and are told, that our portion sizes are generous! Our mantra is "well-fed & fed-well". We've never run out and seen people go hungry, and welcome people to come for seconds, thirds, and there is always one or two that turn up for fourths! This generous approach to portioning is part of authentic Southern hospitality – we want your guests to leave completely satisfied.
Can The Southern Kitchen cater BBQ events year-round or just for summer?
Absolutely year-round! Here in the UK, we tend to think of BBQ as being a summer style, and perhaps more of an event involving burgers being cremated over coals with some limp looking salad leaves. But in the US, authentic BBQ is enjoyed all year round as a genuine cuisine style - and our slow-smoked meats are perfect for any season.
In fact, we think our BBQ and authentic Southern food can taste even better as warming winter food by switching out our summer salads and pairing our slow cooked brisket and pulled pork with hearty sides like Mac & Cheese, Boston Baked Beans, and our slow-cooked Jalapeño infused succotash. Our BBQ and regional cuisines are perfect for cozy corporate events, winter weddings, and indoor celebrations throughout the year