What Saffron does

Saffron Outside Catering is a UK-based outside catering company founded in 2008 and headquartered in Swadlincote, Derbyshire. The company provides bespoke catering services for weddings, corporate events, and private functions across the Midlands, serving clients in Birmingham, Nottingham, Leicester, Derby, Coventry, Tamworth, Burton on Trent, and Stoke on Trent. Saffron operates across four revenue streams: one-time event catering (weddings, private parties, corporate functions), recurring contract catering (notably a daily deli/canteen serving 350 Specsavers employees at the Nottingham HQ for four consecutive years), mobile bar hire, and exclusive venue management (The Glade at Rosliston and Crow's Nest Suite). Its product portfolio spans more than 15 menu formats including wedding breakfasts, hog roasts, BBQ buffets, afternoon tea, hot and cold buffets, champagne and canapes, and themed interactive food stations.

The company employs 11 full-time staff supplemented by approximately 35 casual employees scaled for peak events, structured into dedicated corporate and weddings/events operations divisions led by Sarah Briggs and Zoe Stokes respectively. Go-to-market combines direct-to-consumer sales for weddings via website enquiries, referrals, and venue partnerships with enterprise field sales for corporate accounts managed by a dedicated Corporate Account Manager (Nicki Bateman). Pricing is bespoke and quote-based per event, with no public rate cards. Saffron holds exclusive or recommended caterer status at approximately eight venues across the Midlands, including Warwick Castle, Elvaston Castle, Holme Pierrepont Hall, Galleries of Justice, and The Glade at Rosliston. The company won the Wedding Industry Awards' Wedding Caterer of the Year 2018 for the East Midlands region and has begun exploring adjacent categories such as Micro Markets workplace retail and Too Good to Go surplus-meal distribution.

Name

Saffron

Legal name

Saffron Outside Catering

Website

https://saffronoutsidecatering.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Saffron Outside Catering is a Midlands-based UK outside catering company founded in 2008 that provides bespoke catering and venue management for weddings, corporate events, and private functions, serving clients across Birmingham, Nottingham, Leicester, and Derby with a portfolio spanning event catering, contract catering, and mobile bar hire.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Event Catering Services

NAICS

Caterers (722320), Caterers (72232), Food Service Contractors (722310)

SIC

Retail-Eating & Drinking Places (5810)

akta.pro primary industry

Event Catering (Weddings, Social, Private Parties) (THAFAIAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Full-Service Catering (Off-Premise) (HSACAGAA), Catering Coordination & Bar Service Management (Non-restaurant) (HSACAAAH), Institutional Catering (Schools, Hospitals, Government) (THAFAIAE)

Keywords

• Outside catering services
• Wedding catering
• Corporate event catering
• Mobile bar hire
• Venue management catering

Headquarters

HQ city

Swadlincote

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Event Catering: One-time catering services for weddings, private parties, corporate events, and special occasions. Revenue generated per event with bespoke pricing based on menu selection, guest count, and service requirements.
2. Contract Catering: Ongoing catering contracts with corporate clients including deli/canteen management at client premises (e.g., Specsavers Nottingham with 350 employees). Provides recurring revenue through daily/weekly service delivery.
3. Mobile Bar Hire: Mobile bar services for events including cash bar and client bar options, cocktail bar hire, and gin bar hire. Additional revenue stream from bar service fees and drink sales.
4. Venue Management: Exclusive venue management at properties like The Glade at Rosliston, including wedding and event hosting, venue hire fees, and associated catering services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Saffron provides bespoke outside catering services for weddings, corporate events, and private functions throughout the Midlands region, using local and seasonal produce and supported by experienced event managers, banqueting chefs, and service staff. The business also operates on-site contract catering (deli and canteen management) at corporate client sites and offers mobile bar hire alongside exclusive catering at managed venues such as The Glade at Rosliston and Crow's Nest Suite.

Product overview

Saffron Outside Catering operates as a catering services provider offering a comprehensive portfolio of food and beverage products organized around outside/event catering. The core offering consists of bespoke catering services for weddings, corporate events, and private functions throughout the Midlands. The product portfolio includes wedding catering (wedding breakfasts, evening buffets, hog roasts), corporate catering (daily canteen services, lunch deliveries, event catering), and event catering (mobile bar hire, buffets, BBQ, hog roast, afternoon tea, champagne and canapes). The company also manages exclusive venue partnerships including The Glade at Rosliston and the Crow's Nest Suite, offering catering management at recommended venues throughout the region. Additional offerings include breakfast catering, kids menus, desserts, beverages and bar services, and various buffet formats (hot, cold, banquet packages).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Outside Catering Services Bespoke outside catering services for weddings, corporate events, and private functions throughout the Midlands region, providing custom menus, food preparation, event coordination and service delivery at client-specified venues.
• Wedding Catering Full wedding catering services including wedding breakfasts, evening buffets, hog roasts, canapes, beverage service and bespoke menu options for wedding ceremonies and receptions at Midlands venues.
• Corporate Catering Corporate event catering including staff training days, product launches, conferences, Christmas parties, client entertainment, and daily office canteen/delivery services at client premises.
• On-Site Contract Catering (Deli/Canteen Management) Managed on-site deli and canteen services at corporate client premises with daily menu planning, food preparation, and service delivery (e.g., Specsavers Nottingham HQ serving 350 employees).
• Mobile Bar Hire Mobile bar services for festivals, weddings, corporate events, and private parties with options for cash bar, client bar, cocktail bar, and gin bar hire.
• Hog Roast Catering Hog roast catering packages including chef, equipment, and quality disposables for outdoor events and weddings.
• BBQ Buffet Catering Premium BBQ buffet packages with chef, equipment, and quality disposables featuring various main course and salad options for outdoor events.
• Classic Hot Buffet Hot buffet catering with a wide range of hot food options suitable for corporate and private events.
• Classic Cold Buffet Cold buffet catering options suitable for corporate and private events with a wide range of cold food selections.
• Afternoon Tea Catering Traditional style afternoon tea service featuring finger sandwiches, homemade scones with clotted cream and preserves, and dainty homemade cakes with white china tea service.
• Corporate Lunches Daily corporate lunch catering including buffet options, deli menus, and grab bags for business events and office staff.
• The Glade at Rosliston (Exclusive Venue Catering) Exclusive wedding venue set in Rosliston Forestry Centre featuring a licensed wooden gazebo for ceremonies and a 250-capacity luxurious marquee, fully managed by Saffron.
• Crow's Nest Suite at The Waterfront (Exclusive Venue Catering) Exclusive wedding venue at the Waterfront with stunning Marina views, licensed for civil weddings with private bar, balcony, and dancefloor.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% satisfaction score achieved for 4 consecutive months on monthly performance reviews at corporate account
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Too Good to GominorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Partnership signed to combat food waste through the Too Good to Go app. First trial at Digbeth Artisan Deli location offering surplus food at reduced prices for collection. Too Good to Go operates in 14 countries with 2.5M+ registered UK users and has saved 32M+ meals globally.
• Warwick CastlecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Recently formed partnership to provide catering services at this historic and prestigious venue. Collaboration has begun on corporate events including quotes for a 700-cover medieval banquet. Team sourcing traditional medieval service equipment including wooden boards and stoneware crockery.
• The Glade at Rosliston Forestry CentrecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2017Fully managed exclusive venue with hand-carved woodland gazebo licensed for ceremonies and 250-capacity luxurious marquee. Managed by dedicated Wedding Venue Manager Kim.
• Elvaston CastlecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Won competitive tender process to become exclusive caterer at this historic 16th century Gothic Revival castle. Created complete marketing materials, website, logo, and processes within 4 weeks. Site includes Secret Garden licensed for ceremonies and English Garden for marquee events.
• Holme Pierrepont HallcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2016Approved caterer at this Tudor Manor House wedding venue. Site offers 30 acres of parkland, Long Gallery seating up to 120, gardens, and marquee options in addition to indoor medieval-style room.
• SpecsaverscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015Long-term contract catering partnership since 2015 (entering 4th year in 2019). Provides daily deli/canteen service to 350 employees at Specsavers Nottingham HQ. Expanded to include breakfast/brunch options and extended opening hours following 2018 refurbishment. Achieved consistent 100% monthly performance review scores.
• Galleries of JusticecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNearly 3-year relationship providing catering for Sheriffs Banquets, Murder Mystery evenings, private parties, corporate events, and weddings at this historic Nottingham courthouse and gaol venue.
• Crow's Nest Suite at The WaterfrontcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExclusive caterer at this unique waterfront venue with stunning marina views, private bar, balcony, and dancefloor. Licensed for civil weddings.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Absolute Taste: UK-based outside catering company serving corporate events, weddings, and private parties with bespoke menus. Direct competitive overlap with Saffron across off-premise event catering and venue partnerships.
• Cookbook Catering: Bespoke catering for weddings, corporate and private events across the UK. Comparable in product offering, customer segments and bespoke event model to Saffron's outside catering business.
• Payne & Gunter: London-based event and wedding caterer serving weddings, corporate events and private parties with bespoke menus. Directly comparable in offering, though London-centric versus Saffron's Midlands focus.
• Galloping Gourmet UK: Premium outside catering company serving weddings, corporate events and private functions across the UK. Directly comparable in bespoke event catering model and premium positioning.
• Lettice Events: London-based outside catering and events company specialising in weddings, private events and brand activations. Operates from a similar bespoke, premium positioning with exclusive venue partnerships.
• The Social Pantry: London-based catering company delivering event catering, workplace meals and private dining. Comparable across the event catering and corporate contract catering segments Saffron serves.
• Tapenade Catering: UK outside catering firm for weddings, corporate events and private parties with a focus on regional service areas. Direct business model overlap with Saffron's bespoke event offering.

Broad incumbents

• Baxter Storey: One of the largest UK contract caterers serving workplace, hospitality and event catering. Broad incumbent whose workplace contract catering competes with Saffron's Specsavers-style offering.
• CH&CO Catering: Major UK contract and event caterer serving corporate workplaces, venues and events. Competes with Saffron for corporate contract catering and larger scale event work.
• Elior UK: Large international contract foodservice provider with significant UK presence across corporate, education and event catering. Represents a larger-scale competitor for institutional and corporate contracts.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/saffronevents
• Facebookfacebook.com/saffronoutsidecatering

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Saffron