Food Preparation
Covered festival catering structures can provide practical working space for preparation, equipment and catering teams.
Festival Catering Marquee Hire
Practical catering structures for food preparation and service
Temporary catering spaces need to work efficiently for food preparation, service, equipment, staff movement and access throughout the event.
We can help plan covered catering areas around the job they need to do, whether that means a back-of-house preparation space, a service point or a larger temporary kitchen area.
Festival Catering Areas
Plan the space around preparation, service and workflow
Service Areas
Catering spaces can be positioned around service points so staff can move food efficiently between preparation areas and public-facing counters.
Temporary Kitchens
Larger structures can create temporary kitchen areas where multiple pieces of festival catering equipment need to be accommodated.
Back-of-House Catering
Operational catering areas can sit behind VIP hospitality, bars or dining spaces while remaining separated from main guest routes.
Choosing a Catering Marquee
Start with the equipment and workflow, then size the structure
Catering spaces are often dictated by what needs to happen inside them. Preparation tables, cooking equipment, storage, refrigeration, wash areas and staff circulation can all affect the amount of covered space required.
Smaller operational areas may suit pop-up marquees or gazebos, while larger catering operations may require a broader structure and a more carefully planned internal layout.
Our festival marquee types guide can help you compare the available structure styles.
Back-of-House Catering
Give catering teams enough room to work properly
A good catering structure should provide enough working space for staff to prepare, organise and move food without unnecessary congestion.
The internal layout can be planned around tables, equipment and service routes so the covered area supports the operation rather than simply enclosing it.
If specialist equipment is required, see our festival catering equipment service.
Planning the Catering Space
Four practical areas to consider
Preparation
Allow enough room for preparation tables, equipment and the number of catering staff working inside.
Storage
Consider how ingredients, stock, equipment and consumables will be stored during the event.
Service Routes
Plan how food and staff will move between preparation areas, service counters and nearby hospitality spaces.
Equipment Space
The structure should allow suitable room around catering equipment and practical working areas.
Catering Equipment & Flooring
Coordinate the structure with the equipment inside it
Temporary catering areas often need more than just cover. Flooring, lighting and specialist catering equipment can all influence how the structure should be configured.
Our festival catering equipment, festival flooring and festival lighting can be considered alongside the marquee itself.
Catering Within the Festival Site
Position catering around access, service and nearby guest areas
Catering structures need suitable access for staff, deliveries and equipment while also making sense in relation to the areas they serve.
Where catering supports VIP hospitality areas or festival bars, the different structures can be planned together so service routes and guest areas work efficiently.
For larger event builds, our festival marquee hire service can coordinate multiple covered spaces across the same site.
Planning Festival Catering Hire
What we need to know
- 01Festival location
- 02Event dates
- 03Catering purpose
- 04Equipment required
- 05Access & service routes
- 06Installation schedule
Frequently Asked Questions
Festival catering marquee FAQs
What can festival catering marquees be used for?
They can be used for food preparation, temporary kitchens, service areas, back-of-house catering and other operational food-service requirements.
Can you provide structures for large catering operations?
Yes. The structure can be planned around the amount of equipment, staff, preparation space and service workflow required.
Can catering equipment be supplied with the marquee?
Yes. Depending on the project, catering equipment can be coordinated alongside the structure.
Can flooring be supplied for catering areas?
Yes. Flooring can be considered depending on the structure, site conditions and operational requirements.
Can lighting be included in the catering structure?
Yes. Practical lighting can be coordinated with the marquee and other equipment required for the space.
Can catering structures be positioned behind VIP areas or bars?
Yes. Back-of-house catering can be planned in relation to hospitality, bars and service points so staff movement and service routes work efficiently.
How do you decide what size catering marquee is needed?
The size depends on preparation space, equipment, storage, staff numbers, service routes and the overall workflow required inside the structure.
Can multiple catering structures be installed at one festival?
Yes. Several catering areas can be coordinated across the festival site if different food-service operations need separate covered spaces.
Do you deliver and install festival catering structures?
Yes. Delivery, professional installation and collection can be coordinated as part of the hire.
What information do you need for a catering structure quotation?
Send us the event location, dates, intended use, number of catering staff, equipment requirements, approximate working area and any access restrictions.
Festival Catering Marquee Hire
Planning a temporary catering area?
Tell us what the catering team needs to do inside the structure, what equipment will be used and where the space will sit on the festival site.