Catering FAQs

Placing Orders

What is the cut-off time to place a breakfast order and for a lunch order?

Breakfast: 10 am the working day before (for Monday, this would be 10 am Friday)
Lunch: 1 pm the working day before (for Monday, this would be 1 pm Friday)

However, some menu items require 48 hours' notice, so it's a good idea to check that out in advance.

What is the cut-off time for cancellations/amendments and how can I do this?

The cut-off time for any cancellations or amendments is the same as above and needs to be done via your online account. Once you are logged in, please click on the ‘Manage Existing Orders’ tab on the left-hand side where you will be able to view orders you have placed and make any amendments/cancellations.

Can I place/cancel an order over the phone or email?

All orders need to be placed/cancelled online but if you have any queries, please feel free to reach out by email or give us a call at 0161 850 1100 and we'd be happy to assist.

Do you provide plates/cutlery/napkins?

We provide paper plates and napkins as standard with every order. Given that our food primarily consists of finger-food options which usually do not require cutlery, we only include cutlery when items such as Pasta Pots or Salads are ordered.

What are the two main types of catering?

At South, our two main types of catering are office/business buffets for meetings or colleague lunches, which we provide every day to our clients in and around Greater Manchester, and special event catering when businesses really want to dazzle their clients and employees. We offer a wide range of catering options from buffet-style sandwich platters and savoury and sweet treats to more sophisticated menu items such as deli platters, cheese boards, afternoon teas, and canapés. We have something to suit every style and budget.

How much food will I need to order for my guests?

We understand that it can be difficult to predict how hungry guests will be on the day of the event. Our sandwich platters provide one full sandwich (4 quarters) per person. However, some guests might also want savouries, desserts, or crisps to make their lunch more satisfying. Our website shows how many items per person each option provides as a guide and our support staff are available via Live Chat, phone, or email to provide further assistance and recommendations.

Prices, Charges, and Fees

Are there any additional charges I should be aware of such as delivery fees or service charges?

We provide free delivery to most locations in Manchester and its surrounding areas. However, there may be a minimum order spend requirement for deliveries outside our free delivery timeslot (10:30 am - 1 pm) to certain locations. When placing your order, you will need to enter the delivery address, date, and preferred delivery time. After selecting a delivery time, you will receive a message indicating whether there is a minimum spend requirement for your chosen time slot.

What is the minimum order requirement/spend?

We have a minimum order requirement of 4 people and a minimum spend of £20.

How can we make payment?

All first orders need to be paid for by card or by BACS. Just keep in mind that if you choose to make a BACS payment, this needs to be selected at least 48 hours before the cut-off and payment needs to be received at least 24 hours before your order is due. If you're planning to order catering on a regular basis, you can apply for a credit account and make payments via invoice. Please reach out to our team for further details regarding our Credit Application Form.

Catering Delivery

My order is normally here by now where is the driver?

Our drivers strive to deliver your order before your selected delivery time, so we kindly ask that you please allow up to this time before reaching out to us. Please note that delivery times may vary from day to day due to routing logistics, so on some days you may notice your order is delivered earlier than others. However, rest assured we are committed to making every effort to ensure your order arrives before your chosen time.

How much is delivery?

We offer free delivery to most locations in Manchester and its surrounding areas. However, for deliveries outside of our free delivery timeslot (10:30 am-1 pm), there may be a minimum order spend to certain locations. When creating your order, you'll be prompted to provide the delivery address, date, and preferred delivery time. Once you've selected a delivery time, you'll see a message underneath indicating whether there is a minimum spend requirement for your chosen time slot.

Where do you deliver to/why does my postcode not work?

As we're based in Manchester, we primarily deliver to Manchester and the surrounding areas such as Warrington, Bolton, Altrincham, Stretford, etc. For a full list of the areas covered please click here. When entering your address, please ensure your postcode contains a space in between, e.g. M17 1FP, otherwise our website may have trouble recognizing it.

I need my order for an event at 6 pm. What's the latest you can deliver?

The latest delivery time slot we have available is 2:30-3.30 pm, but the food will be delivered in cool bags that will keep the food cool and fresh for up to 4 hours. Additionally, if you have any refrigerating facilities on site you could transport the food to, this will help with the longevity. Please also keep the platter lids on until the last minute before eating for maximum freshness!

Do you offer delivery services for office lunches or events in Manchester?

We cover most of Greater Manchester for the delivery of breakfast and lunch. We will deliver straight to your office or venue and will leave the food on-site in cool bags in plenty of time for you to lay out and present the food to your guests.

Your Online Account

How can I add a colleague to the company's account?

You can add a colleague to your company account by logging into your own account and clicking on 'Add a Colleague' on the left-hand side. You will be asked for the colleague's full name, email address, and telephone number. A request then gets sent to us for acceptance and the login details will be sent to your colleague shortly after. Once they've logged in, they will then have the same privileges as you and be able to place orders on the company account. Please note online accounts have to belong to individuals, so we’re unable to accept names such as ‘Accounts’ or ‘Manchester Reception’.

A guest has dropped out/RSVP’d late and I need to amend my order. How can I do this?

All amendments can be made via your online login. Simply select the ‘Your Account’ option on our homepage and ‘Manage Existing Orders’ from the left-hand menu. This will allow you to select the order you need to amend and make your required adjustments. Please be aware of the cut-off times for amendments which are before 10 am the working day before delivery for breakfast and before 1 PM the working day before for lunch.

Menus and Food

What fillings will be on my sandwich platter?

Our sandwich fillings rotate on a daily basis to ensure variety each day. Most of our sandwich platters offer customization options including requests to exclude seafood or adjust the ratio of meat-based to vegetarian-based fillings. Additionally, if you have specific dietary preferences or requirements, you can order a Custom Sandwich Platter. Just let us know your specifications such as "No butter" or "Please include tuna options" in the notes section and we'll tailor it to your needs.

I have a guest with a nut allergy/other allergy, how can you accommodate this?

We currently offer a range of options without nuts including a No Nut Ingredient sandwich platter, savoury platter, dessert platter, and an individual meal. For any other allergies or specific dietary needs, you would need to order a Custom Individual Sandwich, Salad, or Meal and indicate your requirements in the notes. While we can customize your sandwich, salad, or meal to exclude specific ingredients, all of our food is prepared in the same environment where these ingredients may be present so we can't 100% guarantee no cross-contamination. For this reason, we don't recommend this for those with severe allergies but it may be best to just double-check with your guest to ensure their safety. We apologize for any inconvenience, we just want to be completely transparent about the ingredients and potential allergens in our products as we take allergies very seriously.

What is special event catering?

This is the food and drinks packages we offer for Corporate events. When planning special event catering, it's important to consider the impact you want to have on your guests, which often influences the menu choices. At South, we offer a wide range of catering options from buffet-style sandwich platters, savoury and sweet treats to more sophisticated menu items such as deli platters, cheese boards, afternoon teas, and canapés. We have something to suit every style and budget and an experienced support team on hand to offer guidance and recommendations.

Do you offer customisable menus for corporate clients? / Do you offer customisable catering packages for business events in Manchester?

Our menus cater to all your needs. We offer set menu options that include a variety of choices for your convenience as well as platters that allow you to customise your menu. Additionally, our dedicated Customer Support team is available to create custom menus upon request.

Can you provide a sample menu for corporate luncheons or dinners?

This is something we would be more than happy to review. Please call our dedicated Customer Support Team on 0161 850 1100 to discuss this further.

Do you provide catering services for large-scale conferences or seminars?

At South, we have over 600 of these events under our belt. Please do reach out to our experienced support team at orders@southcatering.co.uk or our office number 0161 850 1100 to discuss your event specifics and we will create a customised quote and menu that will wow your guests.

Are there options for breakfast catering for early morning meetings?

We provide an extensive breakfast menu to cater to all your needs and we can deliver as early as 7:15 AM. Remember to add your choice of juice, tea, & coffee to complete your breakfast experience.

Are there any options for last-minute or rush orders for business catering?

As we order our ingredients fresh for each day, there is a cut-off for lunch orders of 1 PM the working day before the delivery. However, we will always do our best to accommodate your needs, so if you do miss this cut-off time please do reach out to our support team on 0161 850 1100 as early as possible and they will review options and work their magic. Please note that same-day orders will need to be placed before 9:30 AM.