West Sussex · England
Barbecue Catering in River, West Sussex
A barbecue in River, without you at the grill: we bring the barbecue, the food and the staff.
- Close and cul-de-sac parties
- Leaving parties
- Evening wedding food
BBQ catering in River
BBQ catering in River, cooked on site
Some of the best barbecues are the ones where the host gets to sit down. Our chef cooks, our staff serve and we tidy up afterwards, while you look after your guests. Popular choices include pulled pork, beef burgers and coleslaw, and we are regularly asked to cater evening wedding food and big birthday parties.
Country barbecues near River are hard to beat on a summer evening. Have a covered area for guests in wet weather, and think about lighting if it runs late. Your quote spells out what’s included: serving times, the menu, staff and anything else agreed, with no surprises on the day.
- Location
- River (GU28)
- County
- West Sussex
- On the menu
- Burgers, sausages, chicken and ribs
- Alongside
- Brisket, pulled pork, halloumi skewers and a vegan option
- Quote
- Quoted for your event
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
A closer look at the menu
Halloumi and vegetable skewers (V)
Halloumi and vegetable skewers are the vegetarian choice: grilled halloumi with vegetables.
Sausages
Grilled until golden and cooked right through, sausages are simple and satisfying.
Is a barbecue right for your event?
Next to a fixed venue menu, you pick the meats, the sides and the meat-free options yourself. What you choose to eat matters most: burgers and sausages cost less than brisket and ribs, so we list each item in the quote. Tell us your budget and we’ll suggest a menu.
Why book with us
- No surprises: everything in writing
- Sides to make it a full meal
- Barbecue and hog roast together for big events
- Halloumi skewers and a vegan option
Read our pricing or our barbecue menu ideas.
For planners, venues and organisers
If you’re organising for someone else, such as a wedding planner, an office manager or a fête committee, tell us who our contact on the day will be. We will keep you both updated.
Some venues add a fee for outside caterers, so check before you book. We will work with the venue on access and the cooking spot.
Why choose BBQ catering in River?
Food handled by a professional team
In River, we cook barbecues for all sorts of events. Popular bookings include:
- Team days and staff summer parties
- Retirement do’s
- Close and cul-de-sac parties
- 18th, 21st, 40th and 50th birthdays
Historic houses near River include Petworth House (2.4 miles east) and Cowdray House (3.1 miles west). Estates like these tend to set strict rules for caterers, so check before you book.
Questions to ask before booking
- Which meats, sides and extras are included
- How dietary needs are handled
- Whether travel is included
- A clear list of what’s included
Questions from River
Is River too small for a barbecue?
Not at all. We cater in villages and hamlets as well as towns. Let us know about access and the cooking spot.
Do you cater at venues in the South Downs National Park?
Yes, though some venues in protected landscapes have extra rules for caterers; ask your venue. We will work to whatever the site needs.
Do you cater for vegetarians?
Halloumi and vegetable skewers (V) and a vegan burger or sausage (Ve). Let us know how many to expect.
Do you cook the barbecue on site?
Yes, on site, outdoors and under cover, with our staff serving and clearing.
What does the venue need to provide?
Space and a way in, mainly: a level spot outdoors, clear of buildings, with cover over the grill. We will check anything else with you.
Is BBQ catering only for summer?
The grill cooks under cover, so it works all year. Out of season, think about lighting and shelter for guests.
Is barbecued chicken safe?
That is one of the best reasons to have it catered: separate equipment for raw and cooked food, and everything cooked through.
Do you bring plates and clear up?
We bring plates and clear up after service.
Planning a barbecue in River
River is about 12 miles east of Petersfield, in West Sussex. We cover events in River, as well as the surrounding area. We bring barbecues to 371 places across West Sussex, from the larger towns to small villages. We cater events right across the region, from River to Guildford (about 17 miles away).
Churches such as The Parish Church of St Peter rarely have room for a barbecue, but a hall or home nearby usually does. River is within about 4 miles of the South Downs National Park. Venues there may restrict open cooking, so ask about their rules first.
Wherever your event is in GU28, we can bring the barbecue to you. For events just outside River, we cover Upperton (1 mile east), Selham (2 miles south), Tillington (2 miles south-east), South Ambersham (2 miles south-west) and Hampers Green (2 miles east). Within a short drive, we also cover Bognor Regis (14 miles south), Chichester (12 miles south-west), Littlehampton (14 miles south-east), Rustington (15 miles south-east), Storrington (11 miles south-east) and Billingshurst (9 miles east).
Well-known places in the area include Lodsworth Castle (1.3 miles south) and Coultershaw Heritage Site (3 miles south-east). Green spaces nearby include Graffham Common and Blackdown.
- Local pubs include The Hollist Arms Public House (0.7 miles west)
What happens on the day
The barbecue cooks under cover, so a shower will not stop it, though your guests will want shelter if it rains. A summer barbecue in River stays light until about 9:20pm at midsummer, so an evening barbecue can run late in daylight. By late September, sunset is nearer 7:05pm.
- You tell us the date, the address, rough numbers and when you’d like to eat.
- You get a check on the date and the spot, and a quote.
- On the day, we set up on the agreed spot and get the grill hot.
- We cook and serve when you are ready to eat.
- We clear the serving area and pack away.
How to prepare
- Confirm your menu choices in good time
- Think about shelter for your guests
- Pick a spot where smoke blows away from guests
Ask for a quote
Every quote lists the menu, the serving time, staff and plates, so you can compare caterers fairly. Send us your details through our quote form.
Read more
Looking after everyone
A little planning helps everyone eat safely. Here are a few tips:
- Let us know roughly how many children are coming
- Ask about allergens in glazes and sauces
- Request gluten-free rolls
- Halal is not offered, so arrange it separately if needed
After service, our staff clear up, leaving the spot tidy.
Gluten-free rolls are available on request.
Nearby places to River
More for events in River
Where the barbecue can go in River
Most outdoor spaces can work with a little planning. Here’s what helps:
- Parking near the grill
- Access through a gate or passage wide enough for our kit
- The venue’s agreement for an outside caterer
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we will advise.
From the grill
- Pulled pork
- Jacket potatoes
- Beef burgers
- Salads
- Chicken skewers
- Beef brisket
- Coleslaw
- New potatoes
- Halloumi skewers (V)
- Sausages
- Vegan burger or sausage (Ve)
- BBQ ribs
What affects the price in River
A few things make the biggest difference to the price:
- Distance from us
- Whether you want china
- Site access
- How many people are eating
The price depends on numbers, the menu and how long we serve, along with distance and how easy the site is. Every booking is different, which is why each one gets its own quote.
Details that help
To check availability and the cooking area, we’ll need:
- Anything the venue has asked for
- Dietary requirements
- Roughly how many people
- Your date and serving time
Busy weekends book up early, so ask early for summer Saturdays and December. Send us your date for a quote: fill in our quote form.
- Our chef at the grill, so you don’t have to be
- Six barbecue meats to choose from
- Meat-free choices cooked separately
- Staff to serve at the agreed time, then clear away