When people think about film and television production, they often picture cameras, actors, studios and large production crews. What many people don’t see is the huge operational network working behind-the-scenes to keep productions running every single day.
One of the most important parts of that operation is catering.
Whether it’s a major streaming production, a television drama, a commercial shoot or a feature film, crews rely on quality food and reliable service to stay energised through long and often demanding production days.
The UK production industry continues to grow at an impressive rate. According to the British Film Institute (BFI), film and high-end television production spending reached £6.8 billion in 2025, representing a 22% increase on the previous year and highlighting the continued strength of the UK’s screen industries.*
With more productions filming across studios, cities and remote locations throughout the UK, the demands placed on catering teams have never been greater.
At Nomad Crew Catering, we’ve experienced that growth first-hand. Supporting productions across the country means constantly adapting to changing schedules, locations, crew sizes and dietary requirements, all while maintaining the quality and consistency productions expect.
Why catering plays such an important role on set
Film and television productions are unlike almost any other working environment.
Unlike restaurants, venues or corporate catering operations, production catering teams often work in constantly changing locations, with fluctuating crew numbers and schedules that can shift at a moment’s notice.
A typical production day may begin before sunrise and continue late into the evening. Catering teams are expected to provide breakfast, lunch, dinner, craft services and refreshments, while adapting to changing filming schedules and operational challenges.
Remote location catering can involve:
- Limited access to power and water
- Restricted delivery routes
- Adverse weather conditions
- Tight turnaround times
- Complex dietary requirements
- Feeding hundreds of cast and crew members every day
When productions are spending significant amounts on filming each day, even minor disruptions can have a knock-on effect across multiple departments. That’s why reliable catering operations become such an important part of the wider production ecosystem.
Why reliable food suppliers matter
For any film and TV catering company, delivering consistent quality starts long before a meal reaches a crew member’s plate.
Behind every successful service is a supply chain capable of responding to changing demands, last-minute requests and evolving dietary requirements.
The modern production environment is increasingly complex. Vegan and plant-based meals continue to grow in popularity, while productions must also accommodate allergens, religious requirements and wide range of specialist dietary requests.
For production caterers, that means having access to reliable suppliers who can source products quickly, maintain consistency and adapt to changing requirements.
Having dependable suppliers isn’t simply about stock availability. It’s about having trusted partners who understand the realities of the industry and can respond when productions inevitably change direction.
Whether we’re delivering specialist film set catering for a remote location shoot in Scotland or providing nationwide production catering services for a long-running television drama, supplier reliability directly impacts our ability to deliver the service production teams expect.
An industry built on strong partnerships
One lesson I’ve learned throughout my career is that successful catering operations are built on strong supplier relationships.
As production schedules evolve and client expectations continue to grow, flexibility becomes just as important as product quality.
As Director of Nomad Crew Catering, I’ve experienced the value of that partnership throughout some of the industry’s most challenging periods.
“Having worked with Bidfood for more than ten years throughout my career in the industry, I’ve learned a great deal from our collaborations and gained a real understanding of what it takes to find the right supplier for your business.
Film and television catering is constantly evolving, and having a supplier that can adapt alongside you makes a huge difference. Without Bidfood’s ability to respond quickly to changing demands, particularly during Covid and when managing strict allergen requirements across large productions, running a film and TV catering business would be significantly more challenging.
Their flexibility, consistency and support have helped us continue delivering the standards our clients expect, even in some of the industry’s most demanding environments.”
– Ellie Beaton, Director of Nomad Crew Catering
The challenges faced by the hospitality and catering sectors during the Covid-19 pandemic highlighted just how important resilient supply chains can be. Businesses that could adapt quickly were better positioned to continue operating while meeting changing regulations and customer expectations.
Those lessons remain highly relevant today, particularly within the fast-paced world of film and television production.
Feeding hundreds without compromising quality
Large productions can require catering teams to feed well over 100 people every day, with some serving significantly larger crews.
Maintaining quality at this scale requires:
- Accurate forecasting
- Efficient ordering systems
- Experienced catering teams
- Flexible menu planning
- Dependable supply partners
Working alongside suppliers like Bidfood allows specialist film set catering providers to maintain consistency while continuing to offer varied menus, fresh ingredients and inclusive dining options.
This support becomes especially important during long-running productions where maintaining quality day after day is essential to crew satisfaction, wellbeing and productivity.
Reducing food waste is also becoming increasingly important across the production sector. Better forecasting, efficient ordering systems and adaptable menu planning help caterers minimise waste while ensuring productions remain fully catered for.
Food trends we’re seeing on film and TV sets
On-set catering expectations have evolved significantly in recent years.
Today’s productions increasingly prioritise:
Plant-based and flexitarian catering
Demand for vegan and plant-based options continues to grow, with many crew members actively seeking lighter, healthier meals that still provide sustained energy throughout long filming days.
High-protein meals for crew performance
Production crews often work physically demanding schedules. High-protein meals that support energy, focus and recovery have become increasingly popular across television and film productions.
Globally inspired menus
As productions become more diverse, catering trends are reflecting that shift. International street-food concepts, globally inspired menus and bold flavours are becoming more common across productions filming throughout the UK.
Inclusive dietary catering
Modern productions require catering teams to accommodate a wide range of dietary requirements within the same service period. Flexibility and product availability are essential when catering for large crews with diverse needs.
By supporting production caterers with dependable logistics, efficient delivery systems and consistent product availability, Bidfood helps film and TV catering companies remain flexible in fast-moving production environments.
Looking ahead
As the UK production industry continues to grow, expectations around catering will continue to evolve.
Crews increasingly expect:
- Health-conscious menu options
- Plant-based alternatives
- Sustainable catering practices
- Inclusive dietary provision
- Reduced food waste
- High-quality ingredients regardless of location
Meeting these expectations requires collaboration across the entire supply chain.
For specialist film set catering providers, success isn’t determined solely by what’s served on the day. It’s shaped by the relationships, planning and operational support that make great catering possible in the first place.
The success of any production depends on hundreds of people working together behind the scenes.
While catering may not always be visible on screen, it plays a vital role in supporting the cast and crew responsible for bringing productions to life. Delivering that service consistently requires more than skilled catering teams, it requires strong supplier partnerships.
For Nomad Crew Catering, our long-standing relationship with Bidfood has helped us navigate industry challenges, respond to changing client demands and continue providing high-quality catering services across the UK.
The biggest takeaway from my experience is simple: exceptional film and television catering is built on collaboration. When experienced catering teams are supported by dependable suppliers, productions run more smoothly, crews are better looked after and everyone can focus on delivering their best work.
Behind every successful production is a network of trusted partners, and strong supplier relationships remain one of the most important ingredients in keeping the UK film and television industry moving.
