Blazing a Trail: How Modern Caterers Have Redefined the Industry

In the last 10 to 15 years, a new wave of caterers has emerged, challenging the status quo and transforming the events catering landscape. From street food innovators to bespoke high-end event caterers, these companies came in blazing, shaking up the industry with bold ideas, creativity, and a relentless drive to exceed client expectations. The London Kitchen , Boulevard Events , KERB Events , and Jimmy Garcia Catering have all become household names in the events world, not just because of the quality of their food, but because of their ability to innovate, adapt, and stay ahead of the curve.

The London Kitchen: Creativity Meets Client-Centric Service

When The London Kitchen entered the catering scene, they redefined what bespoke catering could look like. Rather than offering a one-size-fits-all solution, they focused on creating tailored experiences, ensuring that every event felt unique and personal to the client. This ability to adapt and offer a bespoke approach quickly set them apart from more traditional caterers.

What made The London Kitchen led by Damian Clarkson so unique from the beginning was their client-first mentality—they went beyond just delivering food to ensuring that every element of the catering experience enhanced the event itself. From accommodating last-minute changes to offering a level of personalisation rarely seen in large-scale catering, The London Kitchen quickly earned a reputation for delivering exceptional service, alongside creative, beautifully presented dishes. Over the years, they’ve continued to evolve, expanding their menu offerings while maintaining that same personal touch that made them stand out initially.

Boulevard Events: A Legacy of Innovation

Despite being a second-generation family business, Boulevard Events did not rely solely on tradition. Instead, they entered the events industry with a vision to blend traditional catering values with modern culinary innovation. In the early years, their ability to bring new ideas to classic catering services helped them stand out. They understood that it wasn’t enough to provide high-quality food—Boulevard Events aimed to create sustainable catering solutions long before sustainability became a buzzword in the industry.

Their continued focus on sustainable practices—from sourcing ingredients locally to minimising waste—was ahead of its time and aligned perfectly with the rising demand for eco-conscious events. Today, Boulevard Events led by Daniel Maher is known not just for their family values and high-quality service, but for staying on top of industry trends and continuing to innovate while keeping their core principles intact.

Kerb: From Street Food to Corporate Giants

When Kerb burst onto the scene, street food was still a relatively niche offering within the corporate events world. However, their approach—bringing high-quality, diverse street food to larger-scale events—was revolutionary. They turned the idea of corporate catering on its head, showing that food trucks and street food-style experiences could offer just as much, if not more, quality and excitement as traditional caterers.

What made Kerb led by Simon Mitchell unique was their ability to capture the essence of authentic street food while scaling it to suit large events and corporate settings. Their commitment to diversity—offering a wide variety of cuisines from around the world—made them stand out at a time when many caterers were sticking to safe, traditional menus. By blending the casual appeal of street food with the professionalism of event catering, Kerb has continuously stayed ahead of the curve, growing from a small collection of street vendors to one of the most innovative catering companies in the UK.

Jimmy Garcia: Pop-Up Innovation at its Finest

Known as the “Pop-Up King,” Jimmy Garcia didn’t just offer food; he created experiences. Starting with small pop-up restaurants and events, Jimmy built his brand around the idea of immersive dining, where the food is as much a part of the event as the setting and entertainment. His early pop-ups challenged the norms of traditional catering, bringing guests into creative spaces and serving them inventive dishes that went beyond the expected.

What made Jimmy Garcia unique from the start was his ability to make each event feel like a one-of-a-kind experience. Whether it was through seasonal pop-ups, immersive dining events, or bespoke catering services, his approach has always been about creating moments. He transformed how people think about dining at events, turning meals into interactive, sensory-driven experiences. This willingness to take risks and constantly experiment has kept him at the forefront of the industry, even as pop-up dining became more mainstream.

Redefining the Catering Industry

These companies—The London Kitchen, Boulevard Events, Kerb, and Jimmy Garcia—all started with bold visions and quickly redefined what was possible in the catering industry. What connects them is their willingness to innovate and challenge the traditional structures of catering, creating experiences that resonate with modern clients and event-goers.

Rather than resting on their laurels, each of these companies has continued to evolve, pushing boundaries and staying ahead of trends. Their ability to adapt to changing demands—whether it’s sustainability, client personalisation, or immersive experiences—has kept them at the top of the industry. These once underdogs have proven that innovation, creativity, and a commitment to excellence can not only redefine a business but an entire industry.

By breaking the mould and going beyond the plate, these caterers have made their mark, and in doing so, they’ve shown the events world that catering can be just as much about the experience as the food itself.