Outdoor and mobile catering
Catering at outdoor events
Catering at outdoor events can be high risk. Before you plan your event, contact your local Environmental Health Service.
They can advise you on food hygiene and licensing requirements to help you operate safely and legally.
You may also need to register as a food business with your local authority. You can download and print a copy of our Food Premises Registration Form below.
Food safety at outdoor events
If you are preparing and serving food to large numbers of people, you should:
- keep raw food and ready-to-eat food separate during delivery, storage, preparation and service
- use separate equipment for ready-to-eat food, such as meat slicers and food mixers, and do not use this equipment for raw food
- make sure all staff maintain good personal hygiene and wash their hands regularly
- cook food thoroughly until it reaches at least 75°C at its centre
- check and record food temperatures during delivery, storage, cooking and serving
- keep food preparation areas and equipment clean
- use approved cleaning products and, where possible, disposable cleaning cloths
The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) has produced guidance on catering at outdoor events.
Read this guidance before planning your event to help make sure you meet food safety requirements.
You may need to apply for a licence for your event - see the Licensing and Filming and Special Events sections.