We know it’s summer, the sun is shining, and the last thing on your mind is Christmas, but take it from us - now really is the time to start planning to avoid stress down the line and all the best venues being snapped up. 

If you're responsible for planning the work Christmas do, the pressure is on to plan a night that everyone will enjoy, from the CEO to the interns, and one of the most important decisions is the venue. Take a look at our top tips to make yours the best yet.

[![Night_tales](//images.ctfassets.net/91pq7vxbip7x/F6PII4idWOPF9GRPPEYWK/eca8398e1452fb76765026a9af91419c/NightTales.png)](https://feast-it.com/suppliers/night-tales?page=1&tier1=venues)

# Size
It might seem obvious but finding the right size venue is vital - too big will feel empty and soulless, too small will feel cramped and claustrophobic. Ensure your venue has the right capacity and go for a visit before you book - with any tables or chairs set out - so you can visualise your group in the space.

# Location
Next up and equally as important is location. If you’re not staying in the office, your venue should be accessible for people to arrive and leave easily and safely. 

Think about timings; when you’ll stop working and what time you want the party to start - this will dictate how far from the office the venue needs to be. Most people will likely have a few drinks, so access to public transport to get home could be key too.

[![Studio_spaces](//images.ctfassets.net/91pq7vxbip7x/7sfTcgAvAP0fxAGwfCyHWj/2daaeae5629f095e2a65a3a52c7ef4bf/Studio_Spaces.png)](https://feast-it.com/suppliers/studio-spaces?tier1=venues)

# Packages vs Dry Hire
Make sure you find out what's included at each venue. Some more traditional venues will offer packages, others may just be venue hire only. There’s no doubt that dry hire venues are the way to go if you want to save money and put your own stamp on things. 

Often with package options you can be limited too as you're tied to the venue’s food and drink options and costs. With dry hire, you have a blank canvas and can infuse the event with new flavours, formats and have more control over the price.

# Food & Drink
Speaking of food and drink, think about if you want a sit down catered meal, a buffet or canapes. Or why not get more creative and have some different street food stalls and bars? You could even have a street food truck parked outside as a real talking point! 

Whichever it is, we have hundreds of incredible [caterers](https://feast-it.com/suppliers?tier1=food&tier2[]=caterers), [street food](https://feast-it.com/suppliers?tier1=food&tier2[]=street_food), and [cocktail bars](https://feast-it.com/suppliers?tier1=drink) ready and available.  

[![Village_underground](//images.ctfassets.net/91pq7vxbip7x/5uwfeDWsyBxQjZUfMlfJkb/7113b36086ec955949af6be5e369a561/Village_Underground.png)](https://feast-it.com/suppliers/village-underground?tier1=venues)

# Atmosphere
Choosing the right venue is half the battle with creating a good atmosphere. A conference function room will offer little atmosphere compared to the dramatic vaults of somewhere like [Village Underground](https://feast-it.com/suppliers/village-underground?tier1=venues). 

Think how you can organise the room to follow the format of your event - do you need tables for food? A dance floor? You can also drum up more atmosphere by choosing something a little different, like a photo booth, mixologist or a signature cocktail. 

# Don't go it alone 
Our biggest tip of all? Don’t do it all by yourself – searching for a venue and sorting all the catering especially during the Christmas period is a strenuous task. 

We're at your service to provide you with venue options, and offer a place to find and manage all quotes for food and drink centrally in your Feast It dashboard. It’s free to use, just [fill out a quick form](https://https://feast-it.com/enquiry) and our team will get right on it!

Studio Spaces

How to make your Christmas do the best yet

What makes a great Christmas party venue?


You’re engaged! Congratulations, now what’s next?

Whether you have a luxurious 2 years or a tight 2 months, planning your big day takes time and a lot of thought, but we’re here to help! So put down your endless to-do lists, say no to your 5,000 Pinterest boards, and welcome our Ultimate Wedding Checklist with open arms...

This checklist will guide you through 20 months of planning (the average engagement length in the UK), helping you to manage your time and task list all the way up to your wedding day and beyond! 

# 20 months to go
![Huntsham Court Wedding ](//images.ctfassets.net/91pq7vxbip7x/3K3mYEq6Sn7oaUa9ylgJ3v/385decf09aefaabc61a5a06191796a11/A_S390.jpg)First things first, tell your friends and family and have an engagement party!

You should then sit down with your partner and map out your ideal wedding, work out your budget and draft your guest list so you know your approximate number of guests. 

Next, start thinking about the ideal  date, avoiding any clashes with important guests, and create a shortlist of potential wedding venues. Think about if you would like a religious ceremony, a marquee reception, and where you'd like it to be. 

# 18 months to go
![The Stretch Tent Co Event Marquee London](//images.ctfassets.net/91pq7vxbip7x/4EGJOImiZCEMpz8P27MBu5/e913f5e79df2194560551e7434d2303d/The_Stretch_Tent_Co_Event.jpg)Visit, love and book your dream venue. If you want a marquee wedding, [read our ultimate guide to hiring a marquee](https://feast-it.com/magazine/the-ultimate-guide-to-hiring-a-marquee). Check with your venue what's included and start researching hire companies to book anything needed for the big day like; tables, chairs, linens and dance floors.

Decide which type of cuisine you might want and start gathering ideas for colour themes and flower arrangement styles. If you fancy having a [street food truck](https://feast-it.com/suppliers?tier1=food&tier2[]=street_food "Feast It - Street Food"), we've got loads to choose from. 

# 12 months to go
![Beautiful Wedding Dress](//images.ctfassets.net/91pq7vxbip7x/3Xj43y8a7eeySsUgSYwKSa/811452c3f6f8c850df3a51b24cea6286/Wedding_dress_PEXELS.jpg)Book your wedding officiant, registrar or celebrant, depending on what type of wedding you’re planning. Around now you should also start looking to book a band or DJ for the reception, as well as enjoy tastings and order your perfect wedding cake.

Read our guide to [wedding photography styles](https://feast-it.com/magazine/photography-styles?utm_source=wedding_checklist "Guide: Photography Styles"), chat through your ideas with
photographers and videographers, then book your favourite. Have a browse of [our photographers and videographers](https://feast-it.com/suppliers?tier1=audio_visual "Feast It - Photographers & Videographers") in your area, available on your date. 

And perhaps most importantly, find the wedding outfit of your dreams!

# 8 months to go
![martin dabek photography-02](//images.ctfassets.net/91pq7vxbip7x/7aDUj3QE6dodmCyNcb2saw/617def98345f2b4abe92e15f0cf26fdc/martin_dabek_photography-02.jpeg)Start planning your stag and/or hen parties - or at least oversee the planning! Now is also a good time to book your long-awaited honeymoon.

It's also a good idea to build and launch a wedding website where you can include details like; timings of the day, additional days of celebrations, local accommodation, menu items to pre-order if needed and gift registry info. 

If needed, organise and book a hairdresser and a make up artist. Remember to arrange trials with both before the big day so you have no last minute stress!

# 6 months to go
![Feast-It-Flowers-Floribundi](//images.ctfassets.net/91pq7vxbip7x/5B3MiZFxmHOhcwaj3dUt2Z/1e6a42d1405f407d4d4b693a41ac48af/Feast-It-Floribundi-Independent-Creative-Floristry3__1_.jpg)Just half a year to go! Now's the time to organise the legalities - you need to give at least 3 months notice to your officiant.

By now you should also have ideally booked your florist - [browse our beautiful florists here](https://feast-it.com/suppliers?tier1=florists "Feast It - Florists"). Not sure what to ask? Check out our [top 10 questions to ask your florist](https://feast-it.com/magazine/10-questions-to-ask-your-wedding-florist "Top 10 questions to ask your florist"). 

Create gift registries at up to 3 national retailers and book any wedding day transport needed for yourself and your guests if needed. Book time of work for your wedding and honeymoon and ensure your passports are valid!

# 3 months to go
![Wedding Shoes](//images.ctfassets.net/91pq7vxbip7x/EmQvLXgyRnWxLcrWkN32x/fa51347edc2883735d6afc8503f2c215/marc-a-sporys-NO8Sj4dKE8k-unsplash.jpg)The final stretch! Now's the time to send out wedding invitations to your guests.

You and your partner should also choose and purchase your wedding rings, and attend any dress and/or suit final fttings. Brides, make sure you've thought about veils, shoes, jewellery, hair-pieces, or any other accessories for the day.

Meet with your officiant to iron any final details, and send your playlist to your DJ - don't forget that all important first dance song! 

# 1 month to go
![Street food ](//images.ctfassets.net/91pq7vxbip7x/4oRl5vf6UCsXy1n0t6GAI4/ab92b47493cd4d3296db24bd09718e76/wedding_trends_street_food.jpg)It's nearly your big day! Be sure to chase up guests who haven’t RSVP'd and confirm final guest numbers. You should also finalise your table plan and send to your venue and caterer. Don’t forget dietary requirements!

Check in with your venue and contact all your suppliers to ensure everything is on track. 

Now is also a good time to finalise and print any ‘day of’ stationery like; order of service, seating plan, place cards, menus and table numbers. Don't forget to also write any speeches and learn your vows!

# 1 week to go
![Reportage Photography](//images.ctfassets.net/91pq7vxbip7x/4pIyZvpglDYzl2G2VQeNs3/9bb24caa60e19d720714d1488b56879a/kris_rajski_wedding-33.jpg)Pick up your wedding outfits and get all your preening and prep done. Give your photographer and videographer ‘must have’ shot lists and wedding schedule and review the playlist with the band or DJ.

Pack for the honeymoon in advance, the week will go by in a flash and in no time you'll be on white sandy beaches sipping on a cocktail!

# 1 day to go
![Wedding Table Set](//images.ctfassets.net/91pq7vxbip7x/2epIxLRDs0ogImImMYsCos/10c9c00c00815aa331bd8a330ecb200d/Wedding_table_PEXELS.jpg)Drop of place cards, table cards, menus, favours, table plan at your venue, ensure your cake is on track to be delivered, and provide all suppliers with an emergency phone number to call on the day. 

Sort out payment for any final balances to be paid at the end of the reception. Or, rest assured that when you book with Feast It, we take care of paying suppliers once your wedding has taken place.

# Enjoy your big day!

Your wedding is our priority - we ofer free consultations with our resident wedding planners and can help you find caterers, street-food, bars, florists, photographers, marquees and more. We only work with the best-of-the-best, if we wouldn’t book them for our own wedding won’t find them on Feast It! 

[__Enquire now__](https://feast-it.com/ "Feast It - Home Page")

Street food 

Our ultimate checklist to guide you through the planning process

The Ultimate Wedding Checklist

![Home banner ](//images.ctfassets.net/91pq7vxbip7x/7vG5hSxl8tNBhpr1JiwGyK/25323ce6f16dccb8dbf7cabf9abacd78/linkedin_Logo.png)

Finding the right staff has always been an issue for the events industry. Feast It’s Community Manager, Josh, even had ten out of ten candidates not show up for a trial shift when he was running a pop up kitchen in 2016. With Brexit and the exodus of highly trained staff from the EU, lots of companies have struggled to fill vacancies.  Feast It met Lauren Barnett of Home Hospitality and Actually Good Chef jobs to discuss the challenges in today’s job market, what employees are looking for in an employer and what low cost steps you can take to attract employees. 

__Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and your background?__
I founded Home Hospitality, a small recruitment business. I am a mum of two young boys, aged 3 and 6 months. I have grown up through hospitality management for 15 years, starting as a waiter and ending up as Head of Operations for Everyman Cinemas most recently. After not seeing how I could make the family and ‘big job’ worlds meet, I decided to start up on my own and help others find a good workplace. I only work with independent, owner operated businesses, those who give a real sh*t about their teams and are changemakers and frontrunners in improving working standards for their teams.

__There's obviously a shortage of staff that want to work in hospitality currently. What are some of the creative ways in which companies are finding the right people?__ 
There are lots of exciting ways people are thinking outside of the box, such as offering free meals for potential employees, training qualifications, sabbaticals etc, but let’s be honest, it’s essentially about respect, good pay, fair and normal working hours and a positive environment, that’s what people are after.

__How important is social media in the hiring process?__ 
I would like to say it’s not vital, and it certainly does not always represent the actual working life within the business itself, often quite the opposite. BUT when it comes to hiring, it is completely essential to have a good social media presence. It will be the first thing everyone looks at when they wonder if you might be good to work for. Good food photography, a focus on the humans behind the food and very importantly, what you stand for as a business, your values.

__What are some low cost steps a small business can take to increase their chances of hiring the right person?__ 
Address the points above on your social channels, make sure you are speaking up about your benefits and perks. Offer real benefits, listen to the team and what they are after, is it a month off every year to travel? Is it discounts for their friends? Is it coaching and leadership training? Whatever it is, try to work around them, where you can. Make sure you show what it looks like to work for you on your social channels. Offer a referral scheme to your teams to get them involved in finding people.

__What trends are you seeing in the employment pool right now, and especially after lockdown?__
Speaking about teams in hospitality, many people don’t want to work atm in a long term job, they want bitesize work, bits of things, not just a job without an end date. They know they can get a bit of work here and there, so they are doing that, agency work, or temping. People also want more time with their friends and family, less time at the grind and also want less responsibility. People are not seeing the benefit of lots of pressure and responsibility anymore, when they can get paid a little bit less and leave their work at work.

__What's the best cheap eat in town?__ 
Sonora Tacos, Pockets, Dumpling Shack and La Chingada.


Actually Good Chef Jobs 

Lauren Barnett 

Feast It sat down with Lauren Barnett of Home Hospitality to discuss how to hire the right staff in today's market

How to Hire the Right Staff 

We know, we know - it's only June - why are we harping on about Christmas already?? Well, when it comes to planning a festive celebration to remember, you can never be too prepared! Believe it or not, we see Christmas bookings start to roll in thick and fast during the summer months so if you want your pick of the bunch of our suppliers, you might want to move fast! 

We've come up with five ways to celebrate Christmas with your team, from small gestures in the office to a blow-out party. 

![Sparklers & champagne](//images.ctfassets.net/91pq7vxbip7x/3WLbLx3wTJ6iHZ1A2WgnnC/a6feb8d040ad64609a97930d7e6f24b6/AdobeStock_298856453.jpeg)

# Mulled wine & mince pies for all 
What better way to kick off the festive season than to have one of our gorgeous food trucks visit your office with mulled wine and mince pies for your team! Able to park up and serve outside, or provide an indoor setup, it's the perfect way to say thank you to your team and get everyone in the festive spirit! [Let us know](https://feast-it.com/enquiry) what you're looking for and our team will connect you with the perfect supplier. 

# A cocktail class 
Treat your team to a cocktail class to learn how to make some festive classics. Our talented mixologists will bring everything your team needs to take part in the workshop, including non-alcoholic alternatives if required - a brilliantly fun activitiy to spread some festive cheer, and one the Feast It team has enjoyed in the past for our own Christmas celebrations! 

# The classic Christmas party (with a twist!)
Forget a cold buffet of sandwiches and meats and room temperature wine, Feast It is here to set a whole new standard of Christmas party! Freshly prepared street food served by our passionate and talented suppliers, and cocktails, wine and beer served with flair from fun mobile bars. Make sure it's a night to relive for years to come with one of our event photographers to capture all the fun! [Tell us about](https://feast-it.com/enquiry) your Christmas do and we'll find the right suppliers for the job! 

# Gifting 
Treat your team from afar with one of our hampers or gifts. Handcrafted and expertly curated corporate gifts with branding and personalisation choices for every business-to-business need. Simply get in touch with our Senior Partnerships Manager, Lisa at l.mifsud@feast-it.com and she'll send over some brilliant options for you! 

# Celebrate virtually 
If your team are spread across the country, making getting together difficult....no problem! Why not celebrate together virtually with one of our classes or experiences? Our suppliers lead incredible wine and cheese tasting sessions, with all ingredients sent to each team member beforehand, or maybe an evening of drag bingo is more your style? Bring your team together to [kick off the festive season online](https://feast-it.com/suppliers?tier1=virtual)!

Feast It is here to do all of the legwork for you - our team will connect you with the perfect suppliers for any company event. Just [let us know](https://feast-it.com/enquiry) what you're looking for and our team will take care of the rest! 

Sparklers & champagne

Check out Feast It's top 5 ways to kick off the festive season this year - with something to suit every budget! 

Top 5 ways for your company to celebrate the festive season

Fancy a vintage prosecco van at your woodland wedding? How about disco on wheels with music and incredible cocktails to boot? Deep and moreish hot chocolate served at your sweet sixteenth? Or fresh, nutritious juices for your corporate team building day? The sound of one of our showstopping pop up bars pulling up to the curb and knocking the socks off your next event is only a simple booking away.

![BubbleBros 1](//images.ctfassets.net/91pq7vxbip7x/bNMic1lZ3ypsYWmY6MypY/bee8e820b5f7abe491bd8dff7437f507/BubbleBros_1.png)

The question our events experts get asked most often is ‘how much do mobile bars cost?’ Wonder no more thirsty friends, we have your answers right here alongside some other questions you might have been pondering over! 

Want to cut the chat and get straight down with the trumpets, a tequila sunrise in hand? No worries, [you can browse 25 of our favourite mobile bar suppliers here](https://feast-it.com/magazine/best-looking-pop-up-bars). 

![DSC 8413](//images.ctfassets.net/91pq7vxbip7x/1kFhTmW6nOHevsyG1WlI3K/ffe18f6f56959f7e4c36bff57dfd4f51/DSC_8413.jpg)

## How much does a mobile bar cost?
Depending on how many guests you have coming to your event and the type of drinks you want served, the cost can vary a lot. As a guideline though, alcoholic tipples of the wine, beer and spirit variety will usually cost between £5-£10 per drink. Cocktails are more likely to fall around the £8-£12 per drink mark, and drinks packages can range from £15-30 per person, depending on the type and number of drinks. Hot drinks, like coffee and hot chocolate, cost approximately £2.50-£3 per item, and soft drinks, like juices and smoothies, cost roughly £3-£4, bargain!

![BeetleJuice-12](//images.ctfassets.net/91pq7vxbip7x/4yigfGzjIZjbCXmn8YwUPe/48547e8bf686d9533e6c95b168c7ff9a/BeetleJuice-12.jpg)

For a better idea of what to expect, why not [learn more about mobile bars](https://feast-it.com/event/mobile-bars) to tell us more about your event, and our suppliers will be in touch with quotes.

## What exactly does a mobile bar booking include?

Our drinks suppliers will bring everything they need to your event venue! If there’s anything particular that you want, like personalised prosecco glasses, you might have to provide them yourself. Just chat to the supplier on our event catering platform and they’ll let you know what’s what before the big day arrives.

![christabels](//images.ctfassets.net/91pq7vxbip7x/ipArV0QfxkN6EUubSLaMN/2b0235d16856103f271326472937c6de/christabels.jpg)

## Do Feast It mobile bars serve alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks?
<br/>

Don’t sweat it - we’ve got a bit of everything to whet your appetite. Asides from bubbles, cocktails and gin galore, our suppliers serve a plethora of party-friendly and corporate-ready bevs. You can put that Becks Blue in the bin, we’ve got plenty of mocktail and soft drinks available for your guests! 

![11696830 10155812136150182 239286746 n](//images.ctfassets.net/91pq7vxbip7x/4i6PHBGAsn2ojFEkYLUEhw/1689cfdd1fa71e2e9b911be80197045b/11696830_10155812136150182_239286746_n.jpg)

## I’m thirsty for more, I wish I could see a video showing exactly what it’s like to have a Feast It mobile bar at my event…

Your wish has been granted - let us quench your intrigue with the latest video in our Supplier Series which showcases the incredible Beetle Juice Cocktail Bar in action!

[![Beetle Juice YouTube](//images.ctfassets.net/91pq7vxbip7x/5JqjHzBCXEgXf9RO7KnzTX/e495e3a2a353a42ab997a7de7d1b8580/Untitled_design__1_.jpg)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_4mD8EZiwo "Beetle Juice")

Beetle Juice brings the party to the people! These guys are absolute experts in creating a bespoke environment where you and your guests won't have to worry about the drinks or even the entertainment. They've a whole load of amazing 1970s VW Vans that have been converted into bars that would be an awesome addition to any event. They tailor-make the cocktails for your party and will come fully stocked with background bar music, staff, premium disposables, and a fully stocked bar with fruit, garnish and ice - what more could you want? Want to see more about Beetle Juice? [Look at a sample menu, images and more here](https://feast-it.com/vendors/beetle-juice-events)!

## Find your perfect mobile bar!

Now you know the ropes, why don't you check out our selection of [25 amazing mobile bars?](https://feast-it.com/magazine/best-looking-pop-up-bars) - browse away! Or you can learn more about [hiring a mobile bar](https://feast-it.com/event/mobile-bars) for your wedding, private party, birthday celebration or corporate event. Alternatively, you can [make an enquiry](https://feast-it.com/enquiry?tier1=) and get your event planning started today!

How much does a mobile bar cost?

We take a look into how much you may expect to pay to hire a mobile bar for your event, we break down costs, and what your booking may include. Learn more

How Much Does A Mobile Bar Cost? 

Welcome to Feast It’s do-it-all supplier guide. Our goal is to have thriving suppliers, and to do that, Feast It needs to be making you £££ over the year. We understand that there’s a lot going on with Feast It, and you’re all very busy slinging burgers, taking photos and arranging flowers. So to save you time, Feast It has compiled our key insights and tips into one handy page. 

## Customer Demand 

Did you know that we spend about £1350 on marketing each Feast It supplier? That’s about 250 pints, to put it into perspective. The result of all that SEO, Google Ads and social media work on your behalf means that there’s lots and lots of customers wanting to use your services, and as shown by the green bars below, there’s more demand in 2022 than ever before! 

![Demand graph ](//images.ctfassets.net/91pq7vxbip7x/7FAMutmX8VFEJZ9iksQ3bj/720b2a2f8042587c3e46568cadcb3c4b/Screenshot_2022-06-08_at_16.10.27.png)

## When is peak demand?

No surprises here, our peak months for customer demand is May - September. 

![Seasonal Demand ](//images.ctfassets.net/91pq7vxbip7x/g5mInivd01PAjsZig16RB/7b9c8b57da5c42554e43785ae7498cde/Screenshot_2022-06-07_at_16.45.03.png)

## Getting relevant events 

We’ve listened to your feedback on making your matched results as relevant as possible. We know our algorithm isn’t perfect, but by using filters in your dashboard you can get a juicy list of events to apply to at your leisure. Budgets too low for you? Try adjusting the budget filter.

![Filters for Preferred Cuisine ](//images.ctfassets.net/91pq7vxbip7x/plPjAXZwk8Mj6Hqxa7nzU/46c9de731081c1cc35e6886dad24c3ca/Screenshot_2022-06-07_at_16.48.44.png)

Seeing too many events that don’t match what you’re offering? For food & drink suppliers, apply the preferred cuisine filter - this will show you events where the customer has specifically said yours is their favourite cuisine. Also, make sure your tags are super specific to your business - we recommend having 3-5 tags. 

Manage your tags by clicking __Manage your Account__ and then __edit Your Business. __

![tags ](//images.ctfassets.net/91pq7vxbip7x/5Oul3vgTVgABEP7uK0OEfK/cc3ccc9bb06450c13224fb2aa9939e47/Screenshot_2022-06-07_at_16.52.01.png)

For photographers, filter by styles. Florists, by tags.

![photography ](//images.ctfassets.net/91pq7vxbip7x/6E1DipHTcmvl9FyPjZmgVH/671ccd7a025065e30ed840660cf95b6a/Screenshot_2022-06-07_at_16.55.23.png)

![florists ](//images.ctfassets.net/91pq7vxbip7x/1ecVKIuUECJWqpEjmx9ll1/7fe7034df7d0eb13074728d188ccb66f/Screenshot_2022-06-07_at_16.56.40.png)

## Quoting 

How often you quote and how your quote looks is an essential part of winning business on Feast It. __Quote 25 times a month__ and you’re __5 times more likely to get a booking__. Quote 100 times a month, and you’re practically guaranteed a booking. 

![Quotes ](//images.ctfassets.net/91pq7vxbip7x/76VbjHhZniCcVJReFAe3up/863c1ec661a854a54ba69ebb28f1cd45/Screenshot_2022-06-07_at_16.59.44.png)

## Messaging

Customers like to meet the person behind the business so take a minute to fire off a quick message after you’ve submitted a quote to add a personal touch. Not only is this a great way to sell yourself and your services, but it dramatically increases your chance of landing a booking. 

![Screenshot 2022-06-07 at 17.01.15](//images.ctfassets.net/91pq7vxbip7x/3r1gLmfO5ijgVHThhWaxHq/26f3030480a8247ce40e4e09d34781ef/Screenshot_2022-06-07_at_17.01.15.png)

## How do I improve my booking rate?

Our research has shown that our top suppliers all have a few things in common:

1. The photos of their services, set up and products are top notch. To take advantage of our discounted photography offer, email j.ebsworth@feast-it.com

2. They have over 10 reviews. You can add external reviews [here](https://feastit.freshdesk.com/support/solutions/articles/64000159285-how-to-add-reviews-from-external-customers#:~:text=our%20review%20form%2C-,here,-.). 

3. They respond to 100% of messages from customers. 

4. They show off who they’ve worked with in the past, and brag about any award wins on their profile.

5. They quote a minimum of 25 times a month. 

## Any other Questions? 

There’s lots of helpful information in our extended [FAQs](https://feastit.freshdesk.com/support/home). Still can’t find what you’re looking for? Email Feast It’s Community Manager, Josh with any questions - he’ll be happy to help --> j.ebsworth@feast-it.com


Best practice - post

Welcome to Feast It’s do it all supplier guide.

A Supplier's Guide to Feast It 

With hybrid or remote working the new post-pandemic normal , companies are having to make a conscious effort to have their team all under one roof, rather than it being the daily norm. Social events are the perfect way to create team cameraderie, form bonds and maintain a close company culture. Not to mention, regular socials are considered a major perk for employees and are a great differentiator when attracting new talent. So, how do you keep those social events fresh? We've got some ideas below! 

![Cheers](//images.ctfassets.net/91pq7vxbip7x/3NxEdoD9PnW7oMaQOyjZeR/4a9adac4a579950677d75d613f070792/Feast_It_Mustafa_small.jpg)

# The most important meal of the day 
Treat your team to an in-office breakfast of champions. A great way to entice people to the office and kick off a day of workshops or collaborative work in style. Whether your comapny are more of a [bacon butty](https://feast-it.com/suppliers/the-brunch-box), [indulgent waffles](https://feast-it.com/suppliers/utter-waffle?name=waffle&tier1=food) or [acai bowl](https://feast-it.com/suppliers/acai-girls)crowd - we can do it all. 

# Hire a venue and go big! 
For a summer or Christmas party, go big and hire out an entire venue. If you do dry hire, you can bring along your own Feast It [mobile bars](https://feast-it.com/suppliers?tier1=drink&tier2[]=mobile_bar) and [caterers](https://feast-it.com/suppliers?tier1=food) to get the party going. Don't forget a [photographer or videographer](https://feast-it.com/suppliers?tier1=audio_visual) to capture the evening - quite apart from the fun of looking back on the memories, it all makes for great content when recruiting new talent! 

# Food trucks galore
What better way to get your team together than a mouthwatering lunch served from street food trucks from around the world. Often able to park up and serve right outside your office, they're the perfect perk to bring a team together. 

# Masterclass it up! 
An in-person cocktail masterclass, donut decorating workshop or cookalong led by a renowned chef - all great ways to engage your team and learn a thing or two along the way! Nothing like a bit of competition to spice up a social so why not offer a prize for the winners!? 


Cheers

Getting the team together is more important than ever - check out some fresh ideas to treat your colleagues! 

Ideas for an epic company social! 

Feast it is proud to announce an official partnership with [Sellar](https://app.sellar.io/signup), a direct trading platform for the craft drinks industry featuring many of the nation’s top craft brewers. Sellar is an incredibly powerful tool for any mobile drinks supplier that wants to expand their craft beer & cocktail offering, as well as staying up to date with delicious seasonals. Feast It sat down with Sellar Co-Founder Julian Bourne to see what we should be drinking, summer trends for 2022 and where the drinks industry is heading. 

We'll be celebrating our partnership with Sellar by doing an exclusive tour and tasting session at [Mondo Brewery](https://mondobeer.com/) on the 8th of June. Please get in touch with Josh, our community manager if you would like to attend at j.ebsworth@feast-it.com. Not only that, but Feast It suppliers get £50 off any orders with Mondo Brewery worth over £250! Get in touch with Josh if you'd like to redeem the offer. 

![Sellar](//images.ctfassets.net/91pq7vxbip7x/4nj2lRCZJ5K1U0y1Ht2Iz1/b280dbdaa6d472fd15e14dd164c49a35/SellarHero4__1_.jpg)

__Can you tell us a little bit about your background and why you started Sellar?__ 

To cut a long story short, Matt, James and I started Sellar after a conversation with our friends over at Good Things Brewing. They described the way they were selling their beer to trade (pubs, bars, restaurants, bottle shops etc) as completely archaic and knew there was a better way. They wanted us to build that. 

After speaking to a load of craft drinks brands, plus a load of time in pubs and bars (hard work right!?) to understand their pain points it was clear a lot of people were suffering unnecessarily. Good Things were right. There was clearly a better way. So we started Sellar. 

__What do you think is going to take the beer world by storm this summer? What are people wanting to drink?__

I don't think I could say as one of the most exciting aspects of the space is the variety and choice. People are into such different styles and flavours. Even the same person can even crave variety - I've know some fanatics who never want to enjoy the same beer twice as it's a missed opportunity to try something new. 

The good news is that craft beer scene caters for exactly that. Typically our partners will have a range of core products which they've refined to perfection. Then also have a range of seasonal or one-off specials where they can be a little more experimental and whacky.

I have to use Sellar's[ New Releases feed](https://www.loom.com/share/5f133d964721486d8d4ad26801012ab1) to keep up on the hundreds of new products getting added to the our partners' trade stores every week. 

Last summer I was enjoying Brew York's Lemon Sherbetz, a Lemon Sherbet Sour that I even had served once as a slushy. 

__I'm really excited about our event on the 8th of June at Mondo brewery. How did you guys start working together?__ 

Me too. We were introduced to Brad, Mondo's Head of Sales, in the very early days at Sellar. Brad immediately resonated with what we were building for the industry. He wanted his team to be spending less time on manually processing orders and more time actually talking to and building relationships customers. The rest is history. We like working closely with all of our drinks partners so we can incorporate all of their cool ideas into the platform (and the free beer). 

__What's next for Sellar?__

Big question. We exist to make trade sales simple. We have a huge job on our hands to modernise the antiquated B2B side of the £80bn UK drinks industry. 

But how do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time. That's what we continue to do with our community helping to guide the way. 

__What should I be drinking at this exact moment?__

Probably a coffee - it's still early morning. If you really need something stronger, you could try one of our Espresso Martinis...
![Espresso Martini](//images.ctfassets.net/91pq7vxbip7x/X8mJpoeGD6j9WdTq3JG6W/b2010eb79506c5c9036bbc33f69ea3e9/Espresso_Martinin.jpeg)

Sign up with [Sellar](https://app.sellar.io/signup) today and get £50 off any Mondo Brewery order worth over £250! 

Sellar

Feast it is proud to announce an official partnership with Sellar, a direct trading platform for the craft drinks industry featuring many of the nation’s top craft brewers.

Feast It partners with Sellar


When our Community Manager, Josh,  joined Feast It last month, the first thing he wanted to do was align Feast It with organisations that share our values, and that can bring huge benefits to our community of small businesses. Kelly’s Cause was first on Josh’s list, as he’s  seen firsthand the immense benefit that they’ve brought to established businesses such as JKS through their Mental Health First Aid courses. 

In Josh’s own words, “Many moons ago I used to run my own small food business, and my right hand man used to suffer from panic attacks during busy lunch rushes. I had little to no idea of how to deal with the situation, and looking back I wished I had the sort of training that Kelly’s Cause provides. I’m proud to announce we’ve reached an agreement with Kelly’s to provide discounted courses for any Feast It Supplier, to make sure they’ve got the support and education they need to make their businesses thrive. I interviewed Kelly’s Cause founder Tobie-Anna Durk about where the industry is heading, and to get a few tips for owner and employee wellbeing.” 

Feast It suppliers receive 20% off any Kelly's Cause courses - get in touch if you'd like to know more about how to claim this perk. 

![MHFA training](//images.ctfassets.net/91pq7vxbip7x/4L5XnfwFvTip8EtR9oOZpN/8cb98bf2ee7b992af5f9b428b80154a9/MHFA_training_3.png)

## Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and Kelly's Cause?

I founded Kelly’s Cause in 2019 in honour of my dear friend and fellow chef Kelly. After training together at Le Cordon Bleu London we both went off to work in different restaurants across London before Kelly very sadly took her own life at just 23. In the weeks before her suicide she had said to me that she’d realised working in a professional kitchen wasn’t for her as it was having a very negative effect on her mental health, and I remember thinking at that time it was sad we were losing talented chefs because they weren’t being supported. Obviously this increased ten fold after her suicide and I wanted to do something to not only create change within the industry but to make her legacy a positive one. While still working full time as the Head Chef at Kricket Brixton, I started working on launching Kelly’s Cause, the first hospitality specific provider of Mental Health First Aid training. The aim of Kelly’s Cause is to create a mentally healthy hospitality industry for everyone and to achieve this through Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training, awareness, and events.

## A lot of our Feast It Suppliers are small businesses who started out as a one or two person operation, but are at that stage where they're taking on employees, potentially for the first time ever. What's your number one piece of advice for someone taking on employees for the first time?

Communication truly is key! Never assume what your employees need or want to be their best at work, instead ask them what you can do to support them. Also as an owner or manager one of the most powerful things you can do is be vulnerable with those on your team. Sharing your own tough times, or being open about your mental health can be so beneficial.

## Where do you see the hospitality & events industry heading in terms of employment practices & employee welfare?

I think businesses are seeing more and more in recent times that the only way to have a successful business is to have staff welfare as their number one priority. With the current recruitment crisis and staff shortages the power is with the employees and people know that if they are not being treated well they can go and find another job where they will be (I for one think this is an excellent thing to have happened!) Our trainings have increased tenfold between this year and last and one of the main reasons for that is employers realising they have to prioritise staff welfare above all else. The businesses that treat their staff poorly simply will not survive in the current situation.

## I used to run my own street food business and totally burnt out in my fourth year. What are some early warning signs of owner burnout and what steps can be taken to avoid ending up like Josh circa 2017?

Early signs for myself are when I start losing interest in a job that I used to feel excitement and passion for and my productivity declines - when a role that I know I am passionate about and talented at leaves me feeling ineffective and useless. Intervening when those feeling start to tickle, either by taking some time off, changing up shifts, or adjusting the things you're responsible for make it less likely that you'll dip into hardcore burnout territory. Early intervention is really key. Also, seek out folks in the industry that have walked a similar path to you. We all experience burnout and someone might have a hack/intervention that will really allow you to take care of yourself.

## What's next for Kelly's Cause?

Lots more training and working with businesses on a more long term basis. We recently held an International Women’s Day event which was a huge success. After the last two years having 50 women together in a room sharing their stories was a very powerful experience and we hope to run many more events in 2022 and beyond.

## Best cheap eat in town?
Kin & Deum Thai in London Bridge, happens to be owned by a friend of mine but the food is absolutely incredible. The Thai Spiced Rice salad is an absolute dream. 

You can find out more, check out their free resources and listen to their amazing podcast, Beyond The Pass, [here](https://kellyscause.com).


MHFA Training 2

We’re delighted to announce Feast It’s partnership with Kelly’s Cause; a charity that specialises in mental health in the hospitality industry.