Start with the event, not the menu
Before you look at menus, write down three things: how many people are coming, how long they’ll be there and what the food has to do. A team day where people break between sessions needs fast, filling food at fixed times. A summer party needs food that keeps people together and talking. A launch or open day needs something that looks good and can be eaten standing up with a drink in the other hand.
Once you know the job the food is doing, the format usually picks itself. That matters more than any single dish.
Ideas by type of event
Summer party or staff barbecue alternative
A food truck or trailer parked in the car park, garden or grounds gives the party a focal point. Guests queue, chat and choose their own tacos or burritos, and the smell of food cooking draws people outside. It suits anything from a relaxed afternoon to an evening party with music.
Team day or away day
Here the priority is timing. You need lunch served quickly so the afternoon session starts on time. A build-your-own taco bar or burrito bowls keep the line moving, and lighter options mean nobody falls asleep in the 2pm workshop.
Product launch, open day or client event
Smaller portions served through the event work better than one big meal. Tacos are naturally two or three bites, which makes them easy to eat while talking. Pair them with a drinks bar serving aguas frescas and, if the venue is licensed, margaritas or Mexican beer.
Conference or exhibition
Large numbers, short breaks and lots of dietary requirements. Ask the caterer how they’ll serve everyone within the break, and make sure options for every diet are on the main line rather than hidden at one end.
Office celebration
Hitting a target, saying goodbye to a colleague or marking a company anniversary. See our guide to office lunch catering ideas for food that works on a normal working day.
Why street food suits work events
Traditional corporate catering often means a buffet of sandwiches or a formal sit-down meal. Street food sits in between. It’s cooked in front of people, it feels like a treat rather than a meeting, and guests choose exactly what they want.
- It mixes people up. A queue at a truck is one of the few places where people from different teams end up chatting.
- It handles mixed diets well. Fillings, salsas and toppings are kept separate, so vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and dairy-free guests build a proper meal from the same line.
- It needs little from the venue. Our truck or trailer is a self-contained kitchen. We’ll ask about access, ground, power and water when you enquire.
- It’s informal without being scruffy. Good food served well suits a client event as much as a staff party.
A sample Mexican menu for a work event
Every menu is agreed with each client, but a typical work-event menu might include:
- Tacos on warm corn tortillas with fillings such as slow-cooked pork carnitas, chicken tinga or al pastor-style pork
- A vegan filling such as spiced mushrooms or black beans
- Burrito bowls for anyone who wants a fork-friendly meal
- Fresh salsas, guacamole, pickled onions, lime and coriander
- Loaded nachos to share later in the afternoon or evening
See the sample menu for more ideas, and our taco bar guide if you like the idea of guests building their own.
Plan for every diet
In any workplace you’ll have vegetarians, vegans, people avoiding gluten or dairy, and probably someone with a food allergy. The simplest approach is to collect requirements when people RSVP, then share the numbers with your caterer at least a week or two before the event.
We offer vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free (with corn tortillas) and dairy-free options, and give allergen information for every dish. We plan carefully and keep options separate, but a truck kitchen is small, so we can’t promise that any allergen is completely absent. Anyone with a severe allergy should talk to us before the event. Our guide to Mexican food and dietary needs explains more, and so does allergens at events.
Timings and service
Work events usually run to a timetable, so tell your caterer exactly when food should start and when it must finish. A few tips:
- Stagger lunch by team or floor if everyone has the same break. It shortens the queue.
- For an evening party, serve food early. People drink better on a full stomach, and a late meal can leave a gap when guests are hungry.
- If speeches are planned, put them before food or well after, not halfway through service.
- Build in set-up time. A truck needs to arrive, park and get ready before the first guest is served.
Drinks
Drinks make a work party feel like a party. Our Mexican drinks bar can serve margaritas, Mexican beer, aguas frescas such as hibiscus and horchata, and soft drinks. Serving alcohol needs the right licence, either the venue’s premises licence or a Temporary Event Notice, and we’ll check the licensing with you. Always offer good alcohol-free choices, as plenty of colleagues won’t drink at a work event. The Mexican drinks guide has ideas.
Budget and quotes
Corporate catering budgets are usually set per head. The main things that affect the price are guest numbers, how long service runs, the menu and any extras such as drinks. Our guide to Mexican catering costs quotes published prices from other caterers so you can see the market. We don’t publish our own prices because every event is different. Contact us for a quote with your date, numbers and location.
Practical checklist
- Confirm the venue allows a food truck or trailer, and where it can park
- Check access height and width, and the ground the truck will stand on
- Ask what power and water are available
- Collect dietary requirements and allergies early
- Plan somewhere covered for guests to eat if it rains (see our wet weather guide)
- In London, think about parking, loading and the ULEZ
Our truck and trailer service usually suits around 50 to 400 guests. Festivals can be bigger, and smaller parties are quoted case by case. Tell us your numbers. More on our corporate Mexican catering page.
Quick answers
How far ahead should we book?
As early as you can, especially for summer and December dates, which are the busiest times for work parties. Contact us with your date and we’ll tell you whether we’re available.
Can you serve our team in the office car park?
Often, yes, if the landlord or building manager agrees and there’s safe, level space for the truck or trailer. We’ll ask about access and ground when you enquire.
How much does corporate Mexican catering cost?
It depends on numbers, timings, menu and extras. We quote each event individually. Contact us for a quote.
Planning an event? Tell us about it and we’ll suggest a menu and send a quote for your event.