Private Event Catering Cornwall: What It Is and How It Works

Private event catering covers any closed, invitation-only gathering at a home, garden, estate or hired venue — typically 20 to 200 guests, hosted by an individual or family. Discretion, flexibility and a single point of contact define the work. Salt Wind Catering covers Cornwall and Devon from a Redruth base, with itemised quotes inside 24 hours.

What counts as a private event?

A private event is privately hosted by you, your family or a small group. It is invitation only, not ticketed, not advertised. Common formats include landmark birthdays, anniversaries, christenings, retirement parties, family reunions, wakes, summer garden parties and house-warmings at a new Cornish second home.

It differs from corporate catering (billed to a company, often VAT receipted, frequently supplier-vetted) and from wedding catering (which carries multi-vendor coordination, venue rules and a higher planning load). Private work is direct, personal, and usually moves faster from enquiry to confirmed booking.

Typical group sizes and formats

Small private events run 20 to 40 guests — a milestone birthday, an intimate anniversary, a celebration of life. Mid-size events at 40 to 100 guests are our most common booking: a Cornwall garden party, summer drinks, a weekend gathering at a country house. Large private events run 100 to 200 guests, where logistics, parking and venue power drive the brief.

Format follows the count. Buffet for 30+, BBQ or hog roast for 50+, giant pan for 60+. Below 30 guests, finger or fork buffet keeps cost per head sensible. Above 120, two cook stations move queues faster.

Discretion and one point of contact

Private clients want one person who picks up the phone, knows the brief, and turns up on the day. That is how we run every booking. There is no account team handover. The person who quotes you is the person on site. The team on the day knows the menu, the timings and the access route.

We don't post photos of private events without permission. Guest lists, addresses and menus stay inside the booking. House staff, security teams and estate managers we have worked with previously have a direct line for repeat bookings — no re-quoting from scratch.

What's included and what isn't

Included: cook team, all food prep and on-site cooking, cooking equipment, disposable plates, cutlery and napkins, travel within Cornwall and Devon, and clearing up our own kitchen station. Not included: front-of-house waiting staff, proper crockery, glassware, bar service or drinks packages, tableware hire. We are a cook team only. Full breakdown on the what's included guide.

Allergens and dietary requirements

Vegetarian, vegan and low-gluten options are built into every menu. Tell us the firm breakdown when you book and we plan portions accordingly. For severe nut or coeliac allergies we are honest: our kitchen handles both nuts and gluten. Trace cross-contamination cannot be ruled out and we recommend medication on hand. Allergens are available on request — FIR 2014 loose food rules apply.

How much does private event catering cost?

Cold buffet from £7.95 per head. Hot buffet from £8.50. BBQ from £8.45. hog roast from £9.15 (minimum 50 guests). Giant pan from £12.25. There is no wedding-style premium on private bookings. Full pricing breakdown in our Cornwall catering cost guide. A 30% non-refundable deposit secures the date; balance due 7 days before.

How to book

Call 01209 206255 or use the quote form on the site. We usually reply same day with an itemised quote — menu, total, travel, all on one page. We are based in Redruth and cover Cornwall and Devon.

Related reading

Pricing: how much does catering cost in Cornwall. Portions: how much food per person. Inclusions: what's included with Salt Wind Catering catering.