Tasting Plates Ltd.

What Tasting Plates Ltd. does

Tasting Plates Ltd. is a privately held, London-based catering and events company founded in approximately 1998 by Martin and Sara Saxon and now led by their son Joe Saxon alongside partner Toby Hellard Timm. The company operates as a single integrated service business rather than a technology platform, combining food preparation, event management, equipment and furniture hire, bar service, and on-the-day execution under one operational model. Its core offering is full-service wedding catering for events typically ranging 50-250 guests, complemented by corporate event catering (up to 350 guests, including cocktail receptions, formal dinners, buffets, and breakfast summits) and private event catering (birthdays, anniversaries, family gatherings). The company's website, client testimonials, and partner-venue programme are the primary commercial surface area.

The business is primarily direct-to-consumer, reaching customers through website enquiries, email correspondence, word-of-mouth referrals, and a preferred-partner programme with 10 specialist London venues that recommend Tasting Plates to their own event enquiries. Pricing is bespoke and quotation-based, determined by guest count, menu selection, service requirements, and event complexity, with a staged payment structure (10% deposit or £1,000 minimum, 40% at three months before event, balance due five weeks before event). Customer segments are spread across individual couples, enterprise clients (e.g., ANZ Bank, B The Agency, Salon Smart/Creative Head), and nonprofit organisations (e.g., Stop The Traffik, Glass Door, British Exploring Society), with no single customer reportedly dominating revenue.

The company maintains a headcount of 11-50 employees, is bootstrapped with no external funding, and holds no patents, certifications, or publicly disclosed financial data. Its competitive positioning rests on decades of accumulated reputation, a curated network of venue referrals, and a sustainability-emphasised supply chain (Rushton's Greengrocers, Thorogood, Annabel's Deliciously British, City Harvest). There is no AI, software, or proprietary technology component; the offering is purely a service delivered by people and supported by standardised operational processes.

Name

Tasting Plates Ltd.

Legal name

Tasting Plates Ltd.

Website

https://tastingplates.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1998

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Tasting Plates Ltd. is a London-based, independent catering and full-service event management company serving weddings, corporate clients, and private celebrations across Greater London, with a 25-year heritage and preferred-partner relationships with 10 specialist venues.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Event Catering Services

NAICS

Caterers (722320), Caterers (72232)

SIC

Retail-Eating & Drinking Places (5810)

akta.pro primary industry

Wedding & Social Event Catering (THAHAKAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Wedding & Reception Catering (HSACAGAD), Beverage Services (Bar Catering, Mixology, Beverage Programs) (THAHAKAJ)

Keywords

• Wedding catering services
• Corporate event catering
• Private event catering
• Full-service event management
• London catering company

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Wedding Catering and Event Services: Full-service catering for weddings typically ranging 50-250 guests. Includes food preparation, service, event management, equipment hire, and bar services. Revenue generated through project-based quotations with staged payments.
2. Corporate Event Catering: Catering for corporate events including cocktail receptions, formal dinners, buffets, and office functions. Handles events up to 350 guests. Billed via quotation based on guest count and menu selections.
3. Private Events Catering: Personal event catering for birthdays, anniversaries, and celebrations. Includes food preparation, tableware, furniture hire, drinks arrangements, and professional service.
4. Equipment and Furniture Hire: Arranges and provides furniture, tableware, and equipment hire on behalf of clients as part of full-service event management.
5. Bar and Drinks Service: Provides bar services, arranges and serves drinks for events. Part of comprehensive event offering.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Tasting Plates provides full-service catering and event management for weddings, corporate functions, and private celebrations across London. The offering covers menu consultation and customisation, food preparation and service, drinks recommendations and bar service, equipment and furniture hire coordination, and complete on-the-day event management including setup and breakdown. Pricing is delivered through bespoke quotations tailored to each event's guest count, menu, and service requirements.

Product overview

Tasting Plates Ltd. is an independent catering and events company offering a unified service model rather than a modular platform. The core offering centers on wedding catering and event services, complemented by private events (birthdays, anniversaries) and corporate events (receptions, formal dinners, buffets). These services are delivered through a single integrated approach combining food preparation, event management, equipment hire, and venue coordination. The company also provides sample menus featuring Italian-inspired cuisine and maintains partnerships with specialist London venues for client referrals.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Wedding Catering & Event Services Full-service wedding catering and event management for receptions typically ranging 50-250 guests. Includes menu advice, drinks recommendations, schedule coordination, furniture and equipment hire, freshly-sourced food preparation, dietary accommodations, and on-the-day event management including setup and breakdown.
• Corporate Events Catering
• Private Events Catering

Named customers8 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

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• The Amadeus LondoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPreferred partner venue for weddings and events located at W9, London. The venue recommends Tasting Plates to their event enquiries.
• The Art PavilioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPreferred partner venue for weddings and events located at London E3. Recommended catering partner for venue hire enquiries.
• Brunel MuseumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPreferred partner venue for weddings and events at London SE16. Recommends Tasting Plates to Brunel Museum event hirers.
• Priory HallcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPreferred partner venue for weddings located at London NW6. Recommends Tasting Plates to Priory Hall event enquiries.
• Refettorio FelixcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPreferred partner venue for events at London SW5. Recommends Tasting Plates to venue hire enquiries.
• Trinity HousecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPreferred partner venue for events at London EC3N. Recommends Tasting Plates as preferred caterer.
• St. Mary's MarylebonecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPreferred partner venue for weddings at London W1H. Recommends Tasting Plates to wedding enquiries.
• St. Pauls HammersmithcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPreferred partner venue for events at London W4. Recommends Tasting Plates as preferred catering partner.
• Round ChapelcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPreferred partner venue for events at London E5. Recommends Tasting Plates to venue hire customers.
• Trinity Buoy WharfcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPreferred partner venue for events at London E14. Recommends Tasting Plates as preferred caterer.
• Rushton's GreengrocerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey sustainable supplier highlighted for reducing food miles through British grower network, using 100% compostable packaging, and partnering with City Harvest for surplus food donations. Eco-conscious supplier aligned with Tasting Plates sustainability ethos.
• ThorogoodminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFeatured supplier of British produce with sustainability focus, supplying seasonal ingredients for Tasting Plates menus.
• Annabel's Deliciously BritishminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFeatured supplier of British produce including strawberries and cherries, using eco-friendly packaging. Aligns with Tasting Plates commitment to local, sustainable sourcing.
• City Harvest LondonminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFood donation partner working with Rushton's to redirect surplus food to those in need. Supports Tasting Plates sustainability and waste reduction commitments.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Direct peers

• Lettice Events: London caterer focused on weddings, private parties and corporate hospitality with end-to-end event management; comparable in full-service model and customer segments to Tasting Plates.
• Payne & Gunton: Independent London caterer offering wedding, corporate and private event catering with bespoke menus; similar premium positioning and full-service delivery model.
• Rocket Food: London-based event caterer offering full-service catering for weddings, corporate and private events with a strong design-led brand; directly comparable in target market and offering.
• Smart Group: London-based full-service catering and event management company offering weddings, corporate and private events; directly comparable service breadth and target customer to Tasting Plates.
• Absolute Taste: UK event catering and party planning company serving private and corporate clients with bespoke menus and event production; comparable full-service caterer with similar scale.
• Zafferano Catering: Independent London caterer specializing in weddings, corporate events and private parties with bespoke menus; closest direct competitor in service model and London geography.
• By Word of Mouth: London event catering company covering weddings, corporate and private parties with in-house event design; comparable full-service catering and event management offering.
• Create Food and Party Design: London-based event caterer delivering weddings, corporate events and private parties with creative menu design; directly comparable customer base and offering to Tasting Plates.

Broad incumbents

• Rhubarb Food Design: Large UK hospitality group with catering, events and venue operations; broader portfolio than Tasting Plates but operates in the same premium London event catering space with overlapping corporate and private clientele.
• Searcys: Established UK hospitality and event catering brand with owned venues and large-scale event capabilities; broader incumbent operating in the same premium London events market as Tasting Plates.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/tasting-plates

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 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 Tasting Plates Ltd.