Craft catering keeps film and TV crews fuelled between meals. Here’s what craft services actually involves, and why getting it right matters more than most productions realise.
Ask anyone who’s spent time on a film set what they look forward to between setups, and nine times out of ten it isn’t the next shot. It’s the craft table.
Craft catering, sometimes referred to as craft services, is one of those elements that quietly holds a production together. Our craft catering services for film and TV productions are designed to support crews throughout the day. It isn’t the main meal. It’s everything in between. The snacks, the hot drinks, the fruit, the energy bars, the biscuits at 11pm when the shoot has run three hours over.
Done well, it barely gets noticed. Done badly, you hear about it.
Craft services, or craft catering as it’s more commonly known in the UK, refers to the continuous supply of food and drink available to cast and crew throughout the shooting day, separate from the main meal breaks.
It typically includes:
• Hot drinks such as tea, coffee, and hot chocolate available throughout the day
• Cold drinks, juices, and water
• Fresh fruit and snacks
• Sandwiches, wraps, and light bites
• Sweet and savoury options for longer shooting days
• Dietary alternatives including vegan, gluten-free, and allergen-aware options
The craft table is a constant. It’s there before the first shot and it’s still there when the last one wraps. For many crew members, especially those who can’t always step away for a full meal break, it’s what keeps them going.
There’s a tendency to treat craft catering as an afterthought, something added once the main catering is arranged. That’s a mistake.
Crew morale is directly tied to how well they’re looked after on set. Long days, early starts, and unpredictable schedules all take a toll. A well-stocked craft table shows that the production is organised and values its crew. A poorly managed one sends the opposite message.
From our experience, the craft table is often one of the first things people notice when they arrive on set. It sets the tone for the day.
Good craft catering isn’t just about quantity. It’s about consistency, variety, and understanding the demands of the production.
A drama series with a 5am call time requires something very different to a one-day commercial. A sports outside broadcast has a completely different rhythm to a studio shoot. Craft catering needs to adapt accordingly.
At Rhubarb Rhubarb Catering, we approach craft services with the same level of attention as our main meals. That includes:
• Continuous restocking throughout the day
• A balance of fresh options alongside packaged items
• Planning around dietary requirements in advance
• Maintaining a clean, organised, and well-presented setup
It’s not complicated, but it does require consistency.
We’re based 15 minutes from Pinewood Studios, which places us in a strong position to support productions across London and the South East. Alongside this, we provide location catering across the UK, from long-running drama series to commercials and outside broadcast productions.
Whether you need full production catering with craft services included, or a standalone craft catering setup to support an existing team, we can build a solution around your schedule.
There’s often some confusion around terminology, particularly for productions used to US systems.
In the UK, craft catering refers to the continuous snack and drinks service available throughout the day. Production catering refers to the main hot meals such as breakfast, lunch, and any evening or wrap meals.
Most productions require both. The strongest setups come from having one team manage everything, ensuring timings, logistics, and service standards are aligned.
That’s how we operate. One team, one point of contact, fully coordinated.
If you’re looking for reliable craft catering, shoot catering, or full production catering anywhere in the UK, get in touch.
We’re used to working across a range of production types and can build a setup that fits your schedule, your crew, and your location.
The earlier the conversation happens, the smoother the delivery on the day.
