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About Food Comes First
Our businesses are run by myself and my husband Richard. I have 25 years in catering both as a chef and in management and Richard has a background in business management and consulting.
We have a vegetarian beach cafe in St Leonard’s called The Bathing Hut Cafe as well as our outside catering business We also do fine dining vegan pop ups at a pub called The Prince Albert in Hastings.
We have a strong emphasis on freshly prepared food with an innovative edge. We specialise in vegetarian and vegan food; any meat or fish we cook is strictly from sustainable and ethical sources.
For our dinner parties and private dining we draw influences from the Middle East and the Mediterranean but we also enjoy creating Modern British Food menus and these menus tend to use local producers and seasonal food when we can.
Weddings are individually tailored to your needs and are very diverse. From bbqs to fork buffets, afternoon teas and canapés. In the last year we have done a Swedish Wedding and this year we have a Spanish wedding and a vegan wedding.
We are keen gardeners and foragers and use our own produce to make cordials, chutneys and liqueurs from seasonal garden and hedgerow finds.
We are really happy to discuss any menus; however quirky! We have a friendly and inclusive approach to our clients and have developed much of our business through word of mouth. We look forward to hearing from you.
Typical Clients
Private Dining. Vegetarian and Vegan Catering. Wedding and parties. Music Festivals. Beach Paella’s. Barbecues. Canapés.
Our clients range from local clients wanting simple buffets, private catering for friends and families, events for the music industry and weddings and parties across the south east.
Reviews
Excellent service, delicious food.
Everyone at the party commented on how good the food was, that says it all! It was an absolute pleasure to meet Helen, we discussed the menu and ideas over the phone and everything went according to plan. Both Helen and her partner worked so quietly and tirelessly in our kitchen and then brought through the most delicious food all wonderfully displayed too. The kitchen was left tidy, there was very little wasted and they were both so kind and sweet with my children, especially autistic Henry who wanted to be with them in the kitchen quite a bit! Thank you Helen.

Wonderful!
Everything was as expected and the food was fresh and tasty. Loved the way the sandwiches are cover with a slight damp j cloth to keep cool and fresh.
Delivery was prompt and efficient.
Thank you.
Genuine, easy to work with, serious and reliable
Helen and her husband were a godsend: they really made my mother's 80th the success I had so hoped it would be. Their communication beforehand and during the event made everything run very smoothly, and their generosity and professionalism mean I cannot hesitate to recommend them and would consider working with them again at another event. Thank you so much!

Wonderful food and great service
Helen and her husband served up a really delicious dinner to our guests with minimal fuss. They arrived promptly and quietly got on with everything. The food was served on time and with attention to our guests' needs.
We would just like to thank them for giving a really high quality service on all fronts. Thank you!

Great food and service!
First time doing such things...and with a brand new kitchen, was a little nervous of it! ... but all was great... very personable service, and excellent food. Would definitely recommend.

Food really does come First!
My event was a Sunday lunchtime drinks party. Helen was the first to reply to my post on Add to Event and from the outset she was both professional and efficient. Pre-party communications were excellent and included discussions on the eats and the cost. She and her family arrived punctually on the day and everything went so smoothly from start to finish. I don't think I have ever given a party where I have had so little work to do. The food, small bite sized eats, were delicious and originally. Presentation and service were of the highest order. My guests were all full of praise. Thank you Helen and her team come with the highest recommendation. If you have a catering need please choose this brilliant family team.
Would most definitely use them again!
The variety of food which was provided by Food Comes First was not only splendid, but also great value for money. It was enjoyed by all and we are already hoping to use them for another of our Parish event, and I will definitely be recommending them to other parishioners and friends.
Thank you so much for making our celebration so special!

delicious food and friendly hosts
This was a short-notice booking, just about 10 days ahead of the event. Helen had great suggestions for a menu that would suit my events and guests with dietary requirements, and was happy to tweak details up to the last minute. She was extra helpful too when we arrived at the venue and found that it didn't have a big enough table - Helen found extra tables for us. The food was absolutely delicious, prepared with very little fuss and kitchen left tidy. Helen and Richard helped with serving too, and were remarkably patient with an increasingly boistrous crowd. In short, everything was great and I wouldn't hesitate recommending Food Comes First.

Great variety and quality
Faultless communication from day one and arrived exactly as planned. The variety and quality of food that was offered by Food Comes First was regularly complimented by people who attended our event.

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