Our business began life as Big Top Catering Ltd in 2007 providing delicious hot and cold food for for corporate events, conferences, weddings, afternoon teas, family celebrations plus celebration cakes of every description working through out Greater Manchester
Big Top Parties also began in the same year providing children’s parties, mobile creche
facilities at corporate or family events and school holiday activities and clubs.
Our Purpose & Mission
Who We Are
Our Business
We were hit particularly hard by the Covid pandemic, and it felt the right time for a re evaluation of what we want to achieve going forward.
As a result, we restructured our companies, and renamed our catering business Taste and See External Catering. In essence we are continuing to provide external catering but for now we are not providing children’s parties. We can still provide children’s party
Our Ethos
At the outset our company was formed with its mission to be a company that would support and become a part of the community in which it is based.
We had both previously been directors of businesses and worked In community positions. It was and still is to do more than tick the Corporate Social Responsibility box but to become an integral part of the local community.
It was also important to us that we moved into the same area (Patricroft/Barton area of Eccles) which we did in 2006 and have been here ever since that time.
Our company is based in Eccles. It is housed in what we an Old Co-op shop and we (but mostly Dave) with professional help when needed, have converted it into working kitchens and office space. The offices are shared with other businesses with a similar ethos. At the same time, we built a community facility, storage facilities and a garden space. The entire building is known as The Castle Community Centre. From the beginning the business and community worked closely together with the business supporting the community centre.
In 2022 we achieved our goal of the community centre becoming financially viable without the need of additional financial support from our company. As we move forward, we will continue to support the community groups that operate within the centre, to provide quality youth placements work experience and apprenticeships. As we continue to grow, we will as far as we are able employ locally. We already employ a number of local staff.
What We Provide Present & Future
We offer a personal service with that extra attention to detail and excellent food. Our food is made using homemade recipes to ensure your event or celebration has the ‘wow’ factor.
We have an amazing creative team who love to provide celebration buffets hot and cold, afternoon teas, barbecues all in informal or formal settings. The choice is yours.
As our business expands it will enable us to continue to
have a wider community remit. The Castle Community Centre continues to thrive and is full to capacity. We are directors of Patricroft Community
Group CIC who manage the Castle Community Centre and with other directors are looking to extend the building and involved in restoring local green space.
Taste and See works in partnership with Patricroft Community Group CIC and The Castle Community Kitchen in local schools and housing trusts providing cookery courses in the community and in other areas of Salford where the lonely and vulnerable and come together to cook chat and make new friends. The Castle Kitchen also provides food for local community events. Both The Castle Kitchen and Taste and See Catering can provide work experience and opportunities for those needing a second chance at employment with us or with other companies.
When you use Taste and See Catering you can be sure if great food and serve, with the knowledge that by using our business you are helping to bring hope and a future to families, children and young adults.
- To serve our customers with excellence, exceeding their expectations with an emphasis on great food, quality family or team time and fun, building ongoing relationships based on integrity and trust.
- To treat our employees with dignity and respect, developing their gifts and talents recognising the team is our greatest asset.
- To respect our suppliers ensuring we recognise the importance of their role in providing our requirements to ensure we build a strong business.
- To demonstrate a culture of servant hearted leadership and an environment of trust. To ensure we provide time and space to develop a sense of community within our business.
- We recognise all people as equal and individually unique and we commit to model inclusions and compassion throughout all aspects of our business life.
- To commit to ensuring our commercial ventures support local communities where prospects are limited where we can offer time, expertise, and finance, working alongside other businesses and organisations to offer dignity and bring hope into our communities.
- Ensure our company leaves a legacy that will continue to provide employment and impact communities for generations to follow.
Our services are proud to be rated 5 on the food hygeine rating!
Food Allergies
We cater for all food intolerances preferences and allergies. When booking your event, we will need to know a week in advance any specific requirements.
Child Friendly
We can work with you to provide a child friendly menu or you can to look at our specific children’s package
Weddings
For weddings we have additional menus which you are welcome to request so you can browse further choices.
Meeting Up
We are very happy to visit you to discuss the menu and to see the venue you are using.
Included In Price
Staff set up & oversee your buffet & clear away. This includes crockery, cutlery, glasses & napkins, buffet tablecloths. Additional staff at £20.00 per hour for large events.
Delivery & Collection
No charge for delivery and collection in the Greater Manchester area. We are happy to drive further but there will be an additional delivery charge.