Get Christmas Ready & Start Planning for 2027

November is here, Christmas is fast approaching and for many independent caterers, the busiest time of the year is just around the corner. Festive menus are being finalised, Christmas bookings are filling the diary and preparations are well underway to make sure everything runs smoothly over the coming weeks.

Whether you run a street food stall, food truck, mobile catering business or specialist food and drink operation, the festive season brings plenty of opportunities to generate additional income, attract new customers and finish the year on a high.

But with Christmas preparation taking up much of your attention, it’s also worth looking beyond December and thinking about what comes next. From reviewing your menus and managing seasonal stock to identifying new events and opportunities, now is a good time to get organised for Christmas while laying the foundations for a successful 2027.

Here’s how to make the most of the festive period and start planning for the year ahead.

Get Your Christmas Menu Ready

A well-planned Christmas menu can help your business stand out during one of the busiest trading periods of the year. Whether you’re catering for corporate Christmas parties, local markets, private events or regular customers, seasonal dishes can give people another reason to choose your business.

However, creating a festive menu isn’t simply about adding a few Christmas favourites. It’s important to consider what you can realistically prepare, serve and deliver during busy periods.

Think about:

• Your offering: Which seasonal dishes complement your existing menu and appeal to your customers?
• Preparation time: Can dishes be prepared in advance to reduce pressure during service?
• Ingredient costs: Have you accounted for seasonal price changes and potential supplier availability issues?
• Service speed: Can your menu be delivered efficiently when queues are building?
• Dietary requirements: Have you considered vegetarian, vegan and other dietary options, alongside clear allergen information?
• Profit margins: Are your festive dishes priced appropriately to cover costs and deliver a worthwhile return?

It’s also worth keeping your menu focused. Offering too many seasonal specials can create additional pressure on stock, preparation, staffing and service. A smaller, well-executed festive menu may be more commercially effective.

Plan Your Christmas Stock and Suppliers

Once your menu is finalised, it’s time to think about stock levels and supplier arrangements.

The festive period can bring increased demand for certain ingredients, packaging and consumables. Leaving purchasing until the last minute can create unnecessary pressure, particularly if suppliers are experiencing their own seasonal demand.

Review your expected bookings and trading schedule to estimate how much stock you’ll need. Speak to suppliers early about availability, delivery schedules and any Christmas closure dates.

It’s also worth considering:

• Which ingredients can be purchased or prepared in advance?
• Which products have a limited shelf life?
• Do you have alternative suppliers if your usual stock isn’t available?
• Is there enough storage and refrigeration capacity?
• Are your packaging and takeaway supplies sufficient for increased demand?

Good stock management can help reduce waste, protect margins and make busy services easier to manage.

Remember to maintain appropriate food safety controls throughout preparation, storage and service, particularly when handling larger quantities of food.

Get Your Christmas Events and Bookings Organised

For many independent caterers, Christmas presents opportunities beyond their usual trading schedule.

Corporate Christmas parties, office celebrations, private events, festive markets and seasonal food festivals can all provide additional revenue during November and December.

If you’re still looking to secure festive work, consider where your offering could fit.

Some corporate clients may be looking for convenient food options for staff celebrations, while private event organisers may want something more specialist or bespoke. Seasonal markets can also provide an opportunity to introduce festive menu items to new customers.

Before accepting additional bookings, make sure you understand the practical and financial requirements.

Establish:

• The expected number of customers or guests.
• Whether food is paid for individually or covered by the organiser.
• Your required staffing levels.
• Preparation and service times.
• Pitch fees, minimum spends or guaranteed payments.
• Equipment, power and setup requirements.

It’s important not to overcommit. Additional Christmas bookings can be valuable, but only if you have the capacity to deliver them without compromising your existing services.

Prepare Your Team for the Festive Rush

A busy Christmas period can put additional pressure on staffing, particularly when you’re managing multiple bookings, longer trading hours or larger customer numbers.

Review your staffing requirements as early as possible and make sure everyone understands their responsibilities.

Consider whether you need additional temporary staff, whether existing team members can cover increased demand and whether your preparation and service processes are clear.

Good communication is particularly important when working across different locations or events.

Make sure staff are familiar with your festive menu, allergen information, food safety procedures and service expectations. Having clear processes in place can help your team work more efficiently and provide a consistent customer experience.

Keep Your Compliance Documents Up to Date

With additional bookings often comes additional administration. Event organisers may need to see evidence that your business meets their food safety, health and safety and insurance requirements before approving you to trade.

Trying to gather paperwork during an already busy Christmas period can create unnecessary stress.

Take some time to check that your documentation is up to date, including:

• Public and product liability insurance.
• Food safety and health and safety risk assessments.
• Fire safety risk assessments and relevant equipment certificates.
• Allergen information and menus.
• LPG and electrical safety documentation, where applicable.
• Evidence of your food safety management arrangements.

Requirements can vary between organisers, so always check what is needed for each booking.

NCASS members can use the Digital Food Safety System to manage food safety records and keep important compliance documents together. The app also allows you to share documents directly with event organisers, helping to make the approval process easier.

Getting everything organised now means one less thing to worry about when the festive rush begins.

Start Looking Ahead to 2027

While Christmas may be taking priority, November and December are also an ideal time to start thinking about where you want your business to be in 2027.

Event organisers often begin planning well in advance, and popular markets, festivals and corporate opportunities can have early application windows.

Getting ahead now could put you in a stronger position to secure the events that best suit your business.

Corporate Events: Building Reliable Revenue

Corporate events can provide valuable opportunities throughout the year, from office catering and conferences to product launches, company celebrations and private functions.

Think about whether you could develop your existing offering to appeal to corporate customers. A simplified lunchtime menu, bespoke catering package or specialist food offering could open up additional opportunities.

Make sure you have professional photographs, a clear menu, transparent pricing and details of your setup ready to share with potential organisers.

NCASS members can explore Add to Event, which connects catering businesses with people organising corporate events, weddings, private parties and other occasions.

Markets: Building a Regular Customer Base

Farmers’ markets, town-centre markets, street food gatherings and specialist food markets can help businesses develop a regular presence and attract new customers.

Start researching the markets you’d like to attend in 2027. Consider their location, audience, existing food traders, trading hours and pitch fees.

It’s also worth reviewing your current market performance. Which locations delivered the best sales? Where did you attract the most repeat customers? Are there opportunities to introduce new menu items or adapt your offering?

Building relationships with market organisers can also help you access future opportunities.

Food Halls: Exploring Year-Round Opportunities

Food halls and shared food spaces can offer another route to growth, particularly for businesses looking to reach new customers without committing to permanent premises.

Opportunities can include guest trading slots, short-term residencies, regular weekly sessions or longer-term arrangements.

Before committing, understand the venue’s operating model, commission structure, equipment requirements, opening hours and expected customer numbers.

Consider whether your existing menu would work in the environment or whether it would need adapting.

Festivals: Get Your Applications in Early

For many mobile caterers, festivals remain one of the biggest opportunities of the year. From music festivals and food festivals to agricultural shows and large outdoor events, the right bookings can generate significant turnover and introduce your business to thousands of potential customers.

However, competition for popular events can be fierce, and application windows often open well before the event itself. If you’re hoping to secure the best opportunities for summer 2027, now is the time to start researching your options and preparing your applications.

A strong application starts with understanding the event. Look at its audience, location, previous food traders, expected attendance and overall style. Consider whether your menu is a good match and whether you can serve customers quickly enough during busy periods.

Your application should make it easy for organisers to see what makes your business suitable. Include clear photographs of your food and setup, a concise menu, details of your equipment and power requirements, and information about your trading experience. If you’ve worked at similar events, examples of previous bookings can help demonstrate your ability to deliver.

It’s also worth preparing your compliance documentation in advance. Organisers commonly request evidence of insurance, risk assessments, food safety arrangements, allergen information and relevant equipment safety checks. Having these documents ready can make the application process quicker and help you respond promptly when opportunities arise.

Save Money with NCASS Member Benefits

Christmas can be an expensive time for catering businesses. From stocking up on ingredients and ordering takeaway packaging to investing in new equipment and preparing for a busy year ahead, costs can quickly add up.

Through our network of industry partners, NCASS members can access exclusive discounts, cashback offers and special deals across packaging, catering equipment, wholesale supplies, fuel, insurance and business services.

Whether you’re preparing for the Christmas rush or getting your business ready for 2027, these savings can make a real difference to your bottom line.

Here are just a few partnerships worth taking advantage of:

Purple Planet Packaging – Save 10% on packaging

From takeaway containers and cups to carrier bags, food boxes and custom-printed packaging, Purple Planet Packaging helps you get the packaging your business needs while keeping costs down. NCASS members receive 10% off every order, free UK mainland delivery on orders over £100, plus free artwork design and setup on custom-printed packaging.

Nisbets – Save on catering equipment

Planning to upgrade your kitchen, replace equipment or invest in new essentials for 2027? Through the NCASS partnership, members can access up to 12.5% off orders, up to 6% cashback and a welcome voucher offering 25% off (up to £50), subject to membership tier and scheme terms.

Booker – Save on your wholesale shopping

With food, drink and everyday essentials to stock up on, the festive period can put additional pressure on purchasing budgets. NCASS members can benefit from £100–£200 in Booker vouchers, depending on membership package, and up to 4% cashback on eligible spending.

Calor – Save on LPG

For mobile caterers and businesses relying on LPG to power their equipment, fuel costs are another important consideration. NCASS members can earn up to 6% cashback on eligible Calor purchases.

TimeCatch – Two months free

As your bookings increase in 2027, keeping track of staff rotas, shifts and working hours becomes increasingly important. TimeCatch helps simplify workforce management, and NCASS members can access their first two months free.

These are just some of the savings available through NCASS partnerships, with additional offers covering training, insurance, payments, business services and more.

The important thing is to make sure you’re actually using them. If you’re already buying packaging, equipment, wholesale supplies or fuel from these providers, check whether you’re missing out on discounts or cashback simply because you haven’t registered for the relevant NCASS member offer.

Make your membership go further this Christmas and into 2027

Before placing your next order or investing in new equipment, take a look at the exclusive offers available to NCASS members. A little time spent exploring your membership benefits could help reduce your costs, protect your margins and leave you with more money to reinvest in your business.

Explore the NCASS member benefits and partnerships to find out more.