Cooks & Partners
Cooks & Partners is a London-based bespoke catering company founded in 1999, serving corporate events, weddings, and venue partnerships (museums, galleries, parks) across London and the Home Counties via three streams: bespoke events, contract catering at six fixed-site cafés, and weddings.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1999
- HeadquartersLondon, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Cooks & Partners does
Cooks & Partners is a London-based bespoke catering company founded in 1999 by Simon Goggin, formerly an Executive Chef at a major London caterer and before that at Leith's Group. The company delivers high-end event catering for corporate clients, private individuals (weddings and celebrations), and cultural/institutional venue partners across London and the Home Counties. Service offerings include menu consultation and design, event management and styling, delivery, and venue sourcing, executed from a central production unit in Fulham (Baghley Lane, SW6) and supported by a long-tenured in-house kitchen team. The company operates with no proprietary technology platform, differentiating instead on culinary expertise, sustainable sourcing from small artisan producers, EFSIS-accredited UK-reared meat, and an institutional client roster that includes Marks & Spencer, Prada, Venice Simplon Orient Express, and various UK Government departments.
The business operates three revenue streams. Bespoke Events Catering is quote-based and professional services in nature, covering drinks receptions, gala dinners, private dinners, conferences, board meetings, weddings, and private parties at prestigious London venues such as The Shard, Royal Hospital Chelsea, Mall Galleries, Wellington Arch, Kenwood House, and Harrow School. Contract Catering (managed services) comprises six fixed-site cafés: Café North Lodge (Brompton Cemetery, under Royal Parks), The Postal Museum Café (Mount Pleasant, £900k 3-year contract from May 2024), Boston Manor House Café, Cooks Kitchen Park Café (Wimbledon Park — flagship of the Cooks Kitchen sub-brand launched May 2024), and Courtroom Café at St Albans Museum + Gallery (from August 2025). Wedding Catering provides full-service catering including menu and table design alongside curated venue recommendations. Pricing is bespoke and quote-driven across all streams; new business is won through direct sales outreach, formal tenders, venue partnership pipelines, and referrals from long-term clients. The company is privately held, founder-controlled, and headquartered at Unit 21 The Talina Centre, Bagleys Lane, London SW6 2BW.
Cooks & Partners firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Cooks & Partners
- Legal name
- Cooks & Partners Limited
- Website
- https://cooksandpartners.co.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1999
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Cooks & Partners is a London-based bespoke catering company founded in 1999, serving corporate events, weddings, and venue partnerships (museums, galleries, parks) across London and the Home Counties via three streams: bespoke events, contract catering at six fixed-site cafés, and weddings.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Cooks & Partners industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Catering Services
- NAICS
- Caterers (722320), Food Service Contractors (72231), Full-Service Restaurants (722511)
- SIC
- Retail-Eating Places (5812)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Event Catering (Weddings, Social, Private Parties) (THAFAIAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Wedding & Social Event Catering (THAHAKAE), Venue & Banquet Hall Catering (THAFAIAC), Catering Coordination & Bar Service Management (Non-restaurant) (HSACAAAH)
Keywords
Where Cooks & Partners is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- London
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices6 records
Markets served
Cooks & Partners business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Bespoke Events Catering: Cooks & Partners provides bespoke catering for events including drinks receptions, gala dinners, private dinners, conferences, board meetings, weddings, and private parties at various London venues.
- Contract Catering: The company operates fixed-site café and contract catering arrangements at multiple London venues, including Café North Lodge, The Postal Museum Cafe, Courtroom Cafe, Cooks Kitchen Park Cafe, and Boston Manor House Cafe. Revenue is generated through multi-year contracts such as the three-year £900,000 contract with The Postal Museum.
- Wedding Catering: Full-service wedding catering including menu design, table design, and venue sourcing for private celebrations.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Bespoke events catering - quote-based pricing |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
Cooks & Partners product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Cooks & Partners provides bespoke event catering for corporate and private occasions, including drinks receptions, gala dinners, private dinners, conferences, board meetings, weddings, and private parties, alongside multi-year contract catering at fixed-site cafés and venues across London. Services span menu design, event management and styling, delivery, and full venue-sourced dining using seasonal, artisan, and locally produced ingredients. The company also operates the Cooks Kitchen café/coffee chain sub-brand, with flagship location at Wimbledon Park.
Product overview
Cooks & Partners is a London-based bespoke catering company founded in 1999, offering a portfolio of catering services including bespoke events catering, wedding catering, and fixed-site cafe operations. The company operates several cafe locations under the Cooks Kitchen sub-brand (including the flagship Cooks Kitchen Park Cafe at Wimbledon Park) and manages contract catering sites such as Cafe North Lodge (Brompton Cemetery), The Postal Museum Cafe, and Courtroom Cafe at St Albans Museum + Gallery. Their core offering centers on customized, ingredient-focused catering using seasonal and locally sourced produce, complemented by event management, delivery, and styling services.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Cooks Kitchen: Café and coffee chain brand launched in May 2024, starting with Cooks Kitchen Park Café at Wimbledon Park. A flagship café concept within the Cooks & Partners family offering all-day menus including freshly baked goods, hot breakfast and brunch options, barista-crafted coffees, cold drinks, and children's menu.
Products and services
- Bespoke Events Catering Customised catering service for corporate events, gala dinners, private dinners, conferences, board meetings, and private parties, using seasonal and locally sourced ingredients at prestigious London venues.
- Wedding Catering Full-service wedding catering including menu design, table design, and partnerships with curated wedding venues across London.
- Contract Catering / Fixed Sites On-site catering operations at fixed venues including cafés, restaurants, and conference facilities across London, with multi-year exclusive contracts.
- Cooks Kitchen Café Brand Cooks & Partners' own café and coffee chain brand offering all-day menus with freshly baked goods, breakfast and brunch options, barista-crafted coffees, cold drinks, and children's menu.
- Cooks Kitchen Park Café at Wimbledon Park Flagship café location of the Cooks Kitchen brand at Wimbledon Park offering all-day dining including breakfast, brunch, barista coffees, and ice cream for eat-in or takeaway.
- Café North Lodge (Brompton Cemetery) Grade II listed café in Brompton Cemetery operated by Cooks & Partners under exclusive Royal Parks partnership, serving daily changing menus with locally sourced produce.
- The Postal Museum Café Exclusive daytime and café operation at The Postal Museum at Mount Pleasant, central London, serving seasonal menus with sustainable, locally sourced ingredients.
- Courtroom Café at St Albans Museum + Gallery Exclusive event catering and café operation at St Albans Museum + Gallery, offering barista-made coffee, pastries, and locally sourced hot and cold lunch options with seating in the historic Courtroom.
- Boston Manor House Café Fixed-site café operated by Cooks & Partners within Boston Manor Park in London as part of the company's contract catering portfolio.
- Delivery Service Catering delivery service for events and corporate clients, bringing bespoke menus to external venues from the central production unit.
- Event Management and Styling Comprehensive event management and styling services for bespoke events, including venue sourcing, event design, menu consultations, and table design.
Quantifiable outcome
- The Postal Museum contract was awarded at just under £900,000 over three years following a formal tender process, demonstrating the company's ability to win competitive contract competitions.
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Cooks & Partners
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Cooks & Partners technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Cooks & Partners partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- The Boathouse LondonminorCooks & Partners has entered a new partnership with The Boathouse London, a boutique events venue offering unique experiences on the Thames in Paddington and Canary Wharf. Cooks & Partners provides catering for events hosted on the floating venue, including canapés, seated meals, and cocktail receptions.
- St Albans Museum + GallerycoreCooks & Partners was appointed as the exclusive event catering and café supplier for St Albans Museum + Gallery starting August 2025. The Courtroom Café sits within the Welcome area offering internal and external dining with seating in the historic Courtroom.
- Enable Venues (Battersea Pump House Gallery)coreCooks & Partners works closely with Enable Venues at their Battersea Park venues including the Pump House Gallery, The Bandstand, and The Bowling Green & Pavilion. The Pump House Gallery is licensed for weddings and civil ceremonies.
- Harrow SchoolminorCooks & Partners is featured as the preferred catering provider for events at Harrow School venues. The company has catered numerous events including bespoke weddings and the IBSC conference with catering across multiple spaces including the Speech Room, Vaughan Library, and War Memorial Room.
- National Army MuseumminorCooks & Partners joined the preferred supplier list at the National Army Museum in Chelsea. The museum offers a range of event spaces from the Boardroom to the Atrium under a suspended Lynx helicopter.
- Westminster CouncilminorCooks & Partners has a working partnership with Westminster Council to recruit, train, and nurture staff with learning disabilities as part of their corporate social responsibility programme.
- Lumiere LondonminorCooks & Partners partners with Lumiere London, a collection of six unique venues centrally located in Southbank/Waterloo, Hyde Park Corner/Victoria, Shoreditch/Liverpool Street and Old Street. Lumiere London Underwood won Bronze at the London Venue & Catering Awards 2021 for Most Unusual or Unique Venue.
- The Postal MuseumcoreCooks & Partners was appointed as the exclusive daytime and café supplier for The Postal Museum following a formal tender process. The three-year contract, worth just under £900,000, commenced 14 May 2024. The company also holds an accredited catering supplier agreement for external events at the museum. The café sits within the Welcome Space of the museum offering an ever-changing seasonal menu using sustainable, locally sourced ingredients.
- Royal ParkscoreThe partnership with Royal Parks for the exclusive operation of Café North Lodge in Brompton Cemetery has been extended for a further five years after a highly successful initial four-year tenure. The Grade II listed café offers a daily changing menu with locally sourced produce.
- Mall GalleriescoreCooks & Partners was appointed as the exclusive event caterer for all events and exhibitions at Mall Galleries on London's iconic Mall. The partnership includes management of the Mall Galleries Café. In 2024, Cooks & Partners was selected once again as one of Mall Galleries' elite preferred catering providers. The venue spans over 450 sqm with three interlinked gallery spaces.
- Boston Manor House (Venue Partner)coreCooks & Partners operates Boston Manor House Café as one of its fixed-site café locations in London parks. This is part of the company's portfolio of contract catering sites.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Cooks & Partners competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Rocket Food: London-based bespoke caterer delivering high-end food for private parties, weddings and corporate events. Comparable in service model (bespoke event catering with culinary-led differentiation) and premium London target market.
- rhubarb (Food by rhubarb): London hospitality group offering bespoke event catering, in-venue restaurants and exclusive venue partnerships. Comparable to Cooks & Partners in combining contract/venue-based catering with bespoke events and a premium brand positioning.
- By Word of Mouth: London event caterer offering bespoke menus for corporate events, weddings and private parties at prestigious venues. Directly comparable in bespoke events service, premium ingredient positioning and venue-partnership-led GTM.
- Mustard Catering: London-based bespoke events caterer for weddings, private parties and corporate clients at venues across the capital. Comparable in bespoke events focus, London venue model and premium client segments.
- Absolute Taste: London-based bespoke event caterer serving corporate, private and wedding clients at premium venues. Highly comparable to Cooks & Partners in service mix (bespoke events + weddings), premium positioning and London-centric venue-partnership model.
- Lusso Events: UK events caterer specialising in weddings, private parties and corporate hospitality with a focus on premium venues. Comparable in target customer (private + corporate events at high-end venues) and bespoke service model.
- Zafferano Catering: Long-established London bespoke caterer specialising in weddings, corporate events and private parties across iconic venues. Directly comparable to Cooks & Partners in target market, premium positioning, and venue-exclusive operating model.
Broad incumbents
- Compass Group UK & Ireland: Largest UK contract foodservice operator with deep penetration across museums, parks, corporate sites and events. Directly competes on contract catering tenders and offers significant scale advantages versus boutique operators like Cooks & Partners.
- Sodexo UK: Global contract catering and facilities management major with significant UK venue and event catering presence. Competes with Cooks & Partners on contract catering tenders (e.g. museums, parks) and brings much greater scale and pricing power.
- CH&CO (formerly Leith's): Major UK hospitality and contract caterer with a heritage premium events brand (Leith's). Comparable venue-partnership and bespoke events capability, but at materially greater scale; founder Simon Goggin's background includes time at Leith's.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Cooks & Partners social profiles
Digital presenceCooks & Partners financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Cooks & Partners leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles9 records
Cooks & Partners funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Cooks & Partners M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Cooks & Partners
What does Cooks & Partners do?
Cooks & Partners provides bespoke event catering for corporate and private occasions, including drinks receptions, gala dinners, private dinners, conferences, board meetings, weddings, and private parties, alongside multi-year contract catering at fixed-site cafés and venues across London. Services span menu design, event management and styling, delivery, and full venue-sourced dining using seasonal, artisan, and locally produced ingredients. The company also operates the Cooks Kitchen café/coffee chain sub-brand, with flagship location at Wimbledon Park.
Is Cooks & Partners a public or private company?
Cooks & Partners is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Cooks & Partners founded?
Cooks & Partners was founded in 1999. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Cooks & Partners based?
Cooks & Partners is headquartered in London, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Cooks & Partners make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Bespoke Events Catering is the primary driver. The others are contract Catering and wedding Catering.
Who are Cooks & Partners's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Rocket Food, rhubarb (Food by rhubarb), By Word of Mouth, Mustard Catering, Absolute Taste, Lusso Events and Zafferano Catering. Broad incumbents are Compass Group UK & Ireland, Sodexo UK and CH&CO (formerly Leith's).
Does Cooks & Partners have an API?
No public API is recorded for Cooks & Partners.
What industry is Cooks & Partners in?
Cooks & Partners's product category is Catering Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAFAIAB, Event Catering (Weddings, Social, Private Parties), with a secondary code of THAHAKAE, Wedding & Social Event Catering. Its NAICS code is 722320 and its SIC code is 5812.