frequently asked questions

Ideas Box provides exceptional catering services throughout the UK for a wide variety of events, including exhibitions, conferences, corporate events, private parties, and product launches. We are recognised as a top corporate event caterer and are preferred suppliers for industry leaders Compass and Eventist. We are accredited at several of London’s leading events spaces: Excel London, Tobacco Docks, The Brewery and Kew Gardens to name a few.

Booking with Ideas Box is designed to be smooth and efficient. We take the stress out of event planning.

Once you have browsed our website, e-brochure or social media profiles – to see what we offer you can simply;

• Make an enquiry through our website contact form or give us a call on 020 7801 9188 – tells us as much information about the event as you can – location, date, timings…
• We will either give you a phone call or get back to you via email with a quote asap – from that you can expect an outline our daily costs and description of what this includes.
• Hopefully you will see the benefits of working with us and if so, we’ll agree to proceed. We will then send you a booking form and an invoice. Please be aware that we do request payment be made in full before the event date.

Ideas Box sets itself apart through a blend of premium offerings and a wealth of experience. We use highly quality produce, locally sourced where possible, guaranteeing the freshest and tastiest meals. Our investment in state-of-the-art equipment ensures reliability and an elegant set up. With a team of friendly and experienced staff, we bring over 20 years experience in catering for corporate events and private functions alike. Whether it’s an exclusive corporate event in London or a luxury private party, our attention to detail and passion for great service are unparalleled.

Each coffee cart hire from Ideas Box can comfortably serve up to 120 guests per hour with our skilled baristas and high-quality machines. Since we have five stands and tricycles available, we can accommodate even the largest events. Whether you’re hosting a small gathering or a massive corporate catering event in London, Ideas Box has the capacity to ensure all your guests are served efficiently, with no compromise on quality.

Yes, Ideas Box is fully equipped to operate our mobile coffee bar hire or trike at outdoor events. All we require is a reliable power source and access to water. For events during inclement weather, coverage such as a marquee may be necessary to protect both the equipment and the guests. Our flexible service allows for seamless integration into a variety of event spaces, whether indoors or outdoors, perfect for festivals, outdoor conferences, or even weddings.

The mobile coffee bar offers a full range of coffee drinks, including flat whites, cappuccinos, lattes, cortados, and espressos. We also provide decaffeinated options, as well as specialty teas like Earl Grey and peppermint. If your guests prefer something sweet, they can enjoy a luxury hot chocolate topped with whipped cream and marshmallows. With a wide array of options available, we can tailor the drinks menu to fit the preferences of your guests, making your event stand out.

When you hire a coffee cart from Ideas Box, you get a complete package designed to serve up to 250 hot beverages, including artisan barista coffees, luxury hot chocolates, and specialty teas. A selection of milk options such as oat, full-fat, and skimmed milk is available, as well as Monin syrups like caramel and hazelnut for added flavour. The package also includes two fully uniformed baristas to operate the stand, ensuring a seamless service throughout your event. Mobile coffee hire also comes with delivery and collection within 100 miles of London, making it a flexible solution for both local and larger-scale events.

We understand that each corporate event has its unique theme. Our food and drink carts can be fully customised with your branding, colours and logos to fit the aesthetic of your event. Our good friends at Fresh Graphics take the stress out of the customisation process. We have worked with this amazing team for decades across thousands of events. They expertly print your designs onto thin vinyl which then gets carefully wrapped around your catering trike of choice. Our trikes make an excellent canvas for branding. They add that extra ‘wow’ factor to the event and help your brand stand out, they are sure to make a lasting impression on your guests.

Where possible, we will do our best to accommodate requests for branded packaging. We regularly source branded coffee cups and ice cream pots for activations. We understand the importance of reinforcing your brand presence. Lead times do fluctuate the year in accordance with supply and demand, so we advise early booking to ensure we meet your timeline and event requirements.

Branding on catering stands typically require 3-4 weeks, depending on the level of customisation. We strongly advice early booking to avoid disappointment.

We have a range of over 40 completely unique food and beverage options; from Spanish to Japanese cuisine, we have you covered. If you have a specific request that we do not currently offer, please don’t hesitate to ask. We are more than happy to accommodate unique requests; our catering stands can be tailored to serve different food types. We are always investing in new equipment and looking for fresh ideas.

The vast majority of our catering stands and tricycles can operate off two 13amp electrical sockets.

Yes! In most cases, we can provide several catering stands offering the same products to ensure efficient service at large events. In this way we can minimise wait times and ensure all guests enjoy the same high-quality experience. We are used to serving large numbers at conferences and award ceremonies and we have experience of serving thousands of guests in the space of one evening. We have several ‘multi-purpose’ tricycles that can be adapted to serve different products. We also have duplicates of most of our catering equipment, specifically for events where we are required to serve from more than one trike.

Yes – we can. While our services are primarily London-based, we do cater to events across the UK. For events outside of London, additional travel costs may apply, but be assured we will always deliver the same premium service anywhere.

At Ideas Box, we understand that embracing sustainability on the strategic and operational levels can help us realise greater long-term business value. Minimising our carbon footprint isn’t just a commitment, it’s a lifestyle choice that we weave into every aspect of our operations.

• We proudly use Vegware; plates, cups, and cutlery that are derived from sugar cane and which are fully biodegradable. Opting for compostable event supplies, while generally a more expensive option, ensures that we are doing our bit to adopt a more sustainable approach.
• We’ve partnered with Yu Energy to power our business with 100% renewable energy through their Green Plan. Backed by OFGEM administrated REGO scheme, we can repost zero carbon emissions on our energy usage and a positive commitment to sustainability. All our office lights are energy efficient LED bulbs.
• We Source Locally – delivering a quality catering experience means sourcing the finest ingredients. Supporting local businesses is at the heart of our sustainability efforts, our seafood is sourced from the fish stall on Northcote Road (Clapham – less than a mile away), our meat products come from local butchers in Wimbledon, fresh fruit and veg are selected directly from our excellent local market – which happens to be the New Covent Garden Market – less than 2 miles away! Our ice cream is source from Oddono’s Gelateria in Wimbledon, and we even collect our croissants, on foot, from our local bakery Jack and Beyond on Battersea High Street.
• Recycling – we have recycling bins for cardboard and food waste, collected by Veolia. Our excess cooking oil is collected and recycled. We actively reduce food waste by donating excess produce to local charities such as the Vauxhall City Farm.
• We operate a ULEZ Compliant Vehicle Fleet.

We uphold strict hygiene and safety standards. Our team is fully trained and certified, and all food is prepared following best practices for food safety. Regular audits ensure our high standards are consistently met, ensuring your guests enjoy safe, high-quality meals. We have a 5* Hygiene Rating from Wandsworth Council.

Yes, Ideas Box is well-versed in accommodating various dietary requirements, including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options. As a leading corporate catering company in London, we understand the importance of offering diverse menu options for all guests and can customize menus to meet specific dietary needs. We just ask for advanced warning please! With all our products there is a risk of cross contamination.

Yes, if there are specific dishes or drinks that you would like at your event, Ideas Box is happy to work with you to create a custom menu that aligns with your vision. Our team is experienced in adapting their offerings for a wide range of events, ensuring that your corporate catering is unique and tailored to your preferences.