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 So you're thinking of becoming a caterer!

Catering is a very challenging and demanding job, one that requires you to be good in both many and varied ways.
You need to aim to be, a good cook, a good communicator, a good sales person, but most of all a good business person and never forget that is what you are first and foremost – a business person.

If you can’t see yourself in these roles then maybe you should think again about catering as your next career move.
However, if you like the idea of being your own boss, living in a world where every day is different, and where you really can be in charge of your own destiny, then I can truly recommend catering to you in it's many and varied forms.

We have written a series of introductory guides, follow the links below and see which best suits your life style and ambition.

 
 
Mobile Catering Trailer
One of the most versatile of all the options. Its relatively low cost and if it doesn't work in one place you can simply move to another or alternatively you can try your hand at some of the thousands of outdoor events across the country...

 
 Fish & Chips
The fish & chip shop trade has evolved over the last 20 yrs in the UK and we have all heard that chicken Tikka Masala has now overtaken fish and chips as Britain’s most popular dish, nevertheless we rarely see fish and chip shops closing permanently...

 
Motorised Catering Unit
A more expensive option than a trailer based business but a great option if maneuverability is an important factor, not always the best option for shows, but there are exceptions as the picture to the left shows ..

 
 Sandwich Bar / Cafe
Walk down any street in almost any town, and you will see one of them, from the humble hole in the wall operation you might find right through to the multinational chains such as Subway, O’Brian’s or several others

 
Marquee / Market Stall
One of the lowest cost startup options available to a would be caterer, but very restricted when it comes to where you can trade. Many caterers that start this way move on to more rigid trading types for pure conveniance

 
Restaurant
The harsh reality of staring and running a restaurant is that over 80% of them fail to reach their 5th birthday, meaning that one in five restaurant owners lose their investment, but if that doesnt put you off there are ways of making it work

 
Hog Roast / BBQ
Everyone loves a BBQ! Is that true? well maybe not everyone, but most do. It entices people to eat due to the spectacle and the smell and the hog roast business is an extension of that principle.
The big advantage of a hog roast is that BBQ business is essentially a portable business

 
Home Working - Buffets / Sandwich Delivery
Home based catering business’s have become very popular in the last few years due to the low set up costs. They have also become more readily accepted by environmental heath officers. This type of catering is generally referred to as ‘Outside catering’, There a few things you might like to think about

 
Baked Potatoes
Baked potatoes are one of fast food's recent success stories, despite wide-spread belief a few years ago that they may not be popular  enough and might even damage the sale of other fast food products, primarily fish and chips, burgers and other mobile catering favourites

 
Takeaway
Takeaway food busines's are many and varied. Your first decision may be the types of food you are going to sell, it could be sandwiches, pizza, fried chicken, kebabs,  Chinese, Indian or any other type of food you can dream up

 
Coffee Round
If you were thinking of opening a coffee shop but either don’t want or can’t afford the set up costs then a good alternative could be a mobile coffee business.
The essence of this business model is a vehicle fitted with a coffee machine

 
Cheffing Service
A personal chef is one who, instead of working in a professional kitchen for a restaurant, works for individuals, usually in their homes. They shop for the food, prepare and then cook using the clients power and facilities

 
Mobile bar
Not for those without alcohol license experience but it can be a very good extension for those with existing licensed premises and can be done on many levels from a plank resting on beer kegs to bars capable of serving thousands of people an hour


 
Public House / Wine Bar
Probably the least of all my options would be a landlord of licensed premises, you only have to look at the number of pubs closing to realise that this is not a growth sector at the moment

 
Ice Cream Van
In the 1950’s there were about 20,000 ice cream van operators in Britain – Now there are less than a quarter of that number. The problem isn't just the reliance on seasonal and sunny trade, but the swamping of the ice-cream market by the supermarkets

 
Work Opportunities
03/Jul/2013South East
Henley Royal Regatta

We are looking for...
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20/Jul/2013South West
Bristol urban beach

Ice cream available...
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10/Aug/2013London
Chingford Big Weekender

BEER TENT & PIM...
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13/Jul/2013Wales
Wedding

We have recently been let down ...
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13/Jul/2013London
engagement party

the event is from 1600...
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15/Sep/2013London
Celebrating out Community

Celebrating o...
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27/Jun/2013South West
Trade Morning Builders Merchants

GP Uni...
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06/Jul/2013Wales
Agricultural Show

Carvery Unit (Pork /B...
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20/Jul/2013London
Birthday Party

It's a birthday party. A...
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15/Aug/2013North East
Tribfest festival

Festival type food un...
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22/Jun/2013Midlands (East)
Cycle Live

Looking for a quality vegeta...
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19/Jul/2013Midlands (East)
Bike Fest/LRO/Car & Air Show

Various ou...
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26/Jul/2013London
ISLINGTON SUMMER FAIR JULY 26-28

ISLING...
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30/Sep/2013Midlands (East)
Independent Street - Leamington Spa

Wit...
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28/Jun/2013Midlands (East)
Billing Biker Bash

Northampton 28th / 2...
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30/Oct/2013Midlands (West)
Birmingham Beer & Cider Festival

Pizza ...
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18/Aug/2013Midlands (East)
Rugby Music Festival

1 Donut trailer re...
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23/Jun/2013Midlands (East)
Gun Dog Charity Day

Tea & Coffee, Soft ...
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21/Jul/2013North East
Family Chill Out Afternoon

Looking for ...
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07/Jul/2013South East
Rushmoor Mallards Summer Games

80-100 a...
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13/Jul/2013London
School Mini Festival

Overnight camping ...
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06/Jul/2013Wales
Agricultural Show

Carvery Unit (Pork /B...
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27/Jul/2013South West
Dog Show

Mobile Food van required- hot ...
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29/Jun/2013London
London Pride

Annual event with 40,000 t...
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12/Jul/2013Wales
Laser Show

Laser Show in Trevor 1500 -...
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07/Sep/2013East Anglia
Peterborough Arts Festival

Food type: S...
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01/Jul/2013South East
Coolings Green & Pleasant

We are lookin...
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26/Jul/2013Midlands (West)
Paintfest

Looking for a quality caterer...
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24/Jun/2013London
Broadgate City of London Food Festival

...
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03/Aug/2013Midlands (West)
birthday party 1st

from 2-6 100 people...
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14/Jul/2013London
MUNCH Launch Party

We are starting a ne...
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06/Jul/2013Midlands (East)
Polesworth Carnival

Donut trader requir...
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13/Jul/2013Midlands (East)
s wales

five specialsed units but no ...
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29/Jun/2013South West
Bovington Tank Museum, Tank Fest

I'm lo...
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01/Aug/2013Midlands (West)
Birmingham Street Food Venue

We are cur...
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16/Aug/2013London
The Crystal Palace Garden Party

Crystal...
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01/Oct/2013Midlands (East)
Catering service and management of on-site restaur...
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18/Aug/2013Midlands (East)
Rugby Music Festival

1 GP Unit, 1 Donut...
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06/Jul/2013Midlands (West)
Polesworth Carnival

Polesworth Carnival...
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06/Jul/2013Midlands (West)
Polesworth Carnival

GP Unit, Burgers, c...
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17/Jul/2013
War and Peace

TWO SPECIALISED UNITS NEE...
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05/Jul/2013London
SL6 Street Food Friday

The first Friday...
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20/Jul/2013Midlands (West)
leaving party

fish and chips for around...
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29/Jun/2013South East
STREET PARTY

STREET PARTY FOR DEVELOPME...
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26/Jul/2013North West
Cloudspotting Festival

Max 500 adults p...
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20/Jul/2013London
Summer Fete

We are putting on an inform...
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03/Aug/2013London
Wedding

I am looking for a street food ...
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08/Sep/2013Midlands (East)
tri for life triathlon at Woburn Abbey

...
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23/Jun/2013Midlands (East)
RUNDAY at Luton Hoo Hotel & Spa

Running...
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10/Aug/2013Midlands (West)
Circo Loco at the Rainbow Arena

NCASS:w...
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03/Aug/2013Wales
2013 National Eisteddfod of Wales

Jacke...
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11/Jul/2013Midlands (West)
GRC Centenary Event

Speciality coffees,...
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29/Jun/2013Midlands (West)
Sports event

20 000 people Jacket Pot...
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07/Jul/2013South West
Gold Hill Fair, Shaftesbury

Hog roast o...
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07/Sep/2013London
Croxfest 2013

Now in it's 3rd year, thi...
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13/Jul/2013London
Leyton Big Weekender

NCASS.Work Opp. Le...
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29/Jun/2013London
Armed Forces & Sports Festival

NCASS. W...
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21/Jun/2013South East
Ashford Food & Drink Festival

NCASS: Wo...
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17/Aug/2013North East
Wakefield Seaside In The City

Attendanc...
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29/Jun/2013Midlands (East)
Railway Challenge student competition

B...
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23/Aug/2013North West
Manchester Pride

With approximately 40,...
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29/Jun/2013Midlands (West)
Squadron family's day, RAF brize norton

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31/Aug/2013London
Birthday Party

Approx 100 people - Indi...
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21/Sep/2013Midlands (East)
Transport festival

i need a Donut trail...
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29/Jun/2013Midlands (East)
festival

i am looking for 1 veggie trai...
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10/Aug/2013London
Holi Ceremony

2 x beverage trailers 2 ...
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29/Aug/2013South East
Worship Festival

2500-3000 attendees F...
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06/Jul/2013South East
The Smallholders Show

Gate 8000 show i...
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29/Jun/2013South East
Fun run

with 1900 registered runners pl...
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15/Nov/2013South East
SOUTHAMPTON CHRISTMAS MARKET

We already...
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26/Jul/2013North East
Sunderland International Airshow 2013

F...
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31/Aug/2013South East
Reading Pride

I am looking for desert o...
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22/Jun/2013London
The Friends of Kensal Green Cemetery Open Day
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03/Aug/2013Midlands (West)
community festival

Around 500 in attend...
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07/Sep/2013South West
Beer Festival

We have a beer festival a...
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22/Jun/2013London
PMLS Summer Fair

The Lower School is ho...
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31/May/2014South West
Wedding

We are looking to cater for app...
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06/Jul/2013Midlands (West)
Crafty Farmers Street Food Market

Annua...
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17/Aug/2013East Anglia
1940's week end

baguette trailer requir...
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28/Jun/2013London
Corporate Summer Party

800-1000 people ...
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05/Jul/2014Wales
Wedding

We are looking for a Fish & Chi...
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18/Jul/2013South East
Southsea Food & Drink Festival 2013

The...
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22/Jun/2013Midlands (East)
St Anns Armed Forces Day Event

we are l...
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14/Dec/2013Midlands (East)
Winter wonderland

Family fun week 5,000...
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01/Sep/2013East Anglia
Steeet Food Festival

Looking for all ty...
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02/Aug/2013London
Live Craft Fair

live craft festivals th...
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26/Jul/2013South West
Live Craft Fair

live craft festivals th...
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19/Jul/2013Midlands (East)
Live Craft Fair

i have 4 live craft fes...
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31/Aug/2013South East
Party

We're looking for: - a food van ...
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01/Sep/2013Wales
Christening

Hello, we'd like a hog roa...
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22/Jun/2013Midlands (East)
4x4 Offroad Competition

35 teams compet...
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29/Sep/2013London
Freshers Week

We are looking to give st...
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13/Jul/2013Midlands (East)
Military Ball

Crew Caterer to provide f...
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02/Aug/2013South East
Cowes Week 2013

High End Food Vendors w...
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14/Jul/2013North East
Pontefract Liquorice Festival

Pontefrac...
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17/Aug/2013Wales
bedwellty agri show

multi-purpose / car...
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18/Jul/2013South East
Southsea Food & Drink Festival 2013

Ann...
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23/Aug/2013South East
New Frontiers - Ashburnham 2013

This is...
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17/Jul/2013South East
War and Peace show

We are looking for a...
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13/Jul/2013Wales
Wales National Airshow

please see websi...
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07/Jul/2013East Anglia
Newmarket Charity Horse Show

Looking fo...
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26/Jul/2013Midlands (West)
PAINTFEST 2013 - outdoor paintball festival
<...
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07/Jul/2013South West
Olly Murs Concert

NCASS:7/7/13.exeter. ...
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10/Aug/2013Wales
chepstow show

do-nut unit sweet unit re...
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20/Jul/2013North West
Brazilica Festival 2013

Brazilica Festi...
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24/Jul/2013Wales
All Wales Boat Show

All Wales Boat Show...
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31/Aug/2013South East
Reading Pride

Food must be high quality...
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06/Jul/2013Midlands (West)
Birmingham Mela

No asian food but all o...
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22/Aug/2013East Anglia
Clacton Air Show

2013 celebrates 22 yea...
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08/Aug/2013South East
BOOMTOWN FESTIVAL

CRAZY ARTS AND MUSIC ...
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11/Aug/2013Wales
Steam Rally

Now in its 33rd year with o...
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13/Jul/2013East Anglia
Village Green Arts and Culture Festival

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30/Nov/2013Midlands (West)
Christmas Party

Looking for a caterer t...
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08/Aug/2013South West
The Bristol International Balloon Fiesta

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26/Jul/2013South West
Bristol Harbour Festival

We have a tend...
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14/Sep/2013London
Wedding

120 people. Need hot food of so...
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24/Jul/2013Wales
All Wales Boat Show

All Wales Boat Show...
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23/Jun/2013London
The Buttercup Walk

Hi, We are hostin...
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11/Aug/2013Midlands (West)
Far Forest Countryside Show

The Far For...
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06/Aug/2013London
EID STREET FOOD FESTIVAL

Vegetarian, gl...
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25/Aug/2013East Anglia
Golf Pro-Celebrity - Am Event

Sunday Go...
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14/Jul/2013North East
Pontefract Liquorice Festival

*caterers...
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10/Jul/2013Scotland
Scottish Open 2013

Scottish Open 2013 ...
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14/Sep/2013Wales
wedding

Hi We are looking for a uniqu...
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20/Jul/2013South East
etc Taste Of The World Food Festival

EM...
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20/Jul/2013South East
etc Taste Of The World Food Festival

EM...
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13/Sep/2013East Anglia
Festival / Red Rooster

3k attendance, f...
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12/Jul/2013Wales
Bridgend County Show

Bridgend county sh...
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13/Jul/2013East Anglia
Over Village Carnival

From midday until...
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20/Jul/2013Midlands (West)
South Staffs Hot Rod Retro Custom Show

...
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17/Aug/2013North West
Memorial Shoot

Require a catering van f...
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20/Jul/2013North West
Brazilica 2013

Huge free city centre ev...
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05/Jul/2013Midlands (East)
Walk in the Park

A ticket only music ev...
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19/Jul/2013London
The IWA National Waterways Festival

The...
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15/Aug/2013South West
National Feast of Lanterns

Units requir...
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13/Jul/2013Midlands (East)
Outdoor Multi-activity Challenge

The ev...
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13/Jun/2014Midlands (East)
Wedding

50s style wedding and my fiance...
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24/Aug/2013South East
Walk Ten - Denbies Wine Estate

Marie Cu...
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10/Aug/2013South East
Walk Ten - Beaulieu

Marie Curie Cancer ...
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14/Jun/2014East Anglia
Wedding

I am looking for 3 different ty...
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24/Aug/2013East Anglia
Summer Party

We are looking for good qu...
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03/Aug/2013East Anglia
Birthday party

Hope to have 50 guests, ...
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10/Aug/2013South East
Faversham Charity Car & Bike Show

do no...
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11/Jul/2013Midlands (East)
Americana International 33

American lif...
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23/Jun/2013South West
Race for Life- Wadebridge

I am looking ...
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14/Jul/2013South West
Race for Life- Truro

I am looking to fi...
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07/Jul/2013South West
Race for Life- Barnstaple

I am looking ...
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14/Jul/2013South West
Race for Life- Salisbury

I am looking t...
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30/Jun/2013Wales
Race for Life- Cwmbran

I am looking to ...
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19/Jul/2013Midlands (East)
Penn Festival

family friendly music fes...
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03/Aug/2013Wales
Denbighshire and District National Eisteddfod 2013...
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23/Jun/2013South West
Gillingham & Shaftesbury Motoring Pageant
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23/Aug/2013Midlands (East)
Wedding IceCream

I am looking for a Ice...
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09/Aug/2013South East
series 2 landrover international rally

...
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07/Sep/2013Midlands (West)
country fair

attendance 17,000 we requ...
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For Sale
Bespoke/Unique Coffee Catering Trailer Sale - Coffee Cup Shaped
10,000 ONO
 View All  


 
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