HOW TO HIRE · EVENTS & ENTERTAINMENT · CHECKED OCTOBER 2026
How to hire a BBQ caterer in Ireland
The checks, the questions and the paperwork.
A bbq catering in Ireland costs €15–€45 per head, typically around €25. Here is how to check that in a minute, what to ask before you book, and what you must be handed when the job is done.
- Search and compare — no account needed
- Nearest to you first
- One score from Google, Trustpilot and Locufy reviews
THE 60-SECOND VERSION
Hiring a BBQ caterer in five steps
- Are you a trader, and can I see that in writing?No register covers BBQ caterer work, so trader status is what your consumer rights hang on — customisation Options — catering services frequently allow for customisation of menus to accommodate dietary restrictions or preferences, such as vegetarian or gluten-free options.
- How does menu selections change the price?It is part of every quote for this kind of work. — ask before the quote rather than after.
- How does number of guests change the price?The total is what the quote is built from. — ask before the quote rather than after.
- How does duration of the event change the price?Time spent setting up and clearing away is part of the booking. — ask before the quote rather than after.
- What is not included?BBQ catering services usually do not cover items such as event permits, decorations, or cleanup after the event — get the exclusions named in the quote, because a BBQ caterer job is priced on what was agreed and not on what was assumed.
BEFORE YOU BOOK
Check before you book
No register applies
NO REGISTER APPLIES TO DJS, BANDS, MARQUEE HIRERS OR ENTERTAINERS. What exists instead is insurance that venues demand and music licensing that the VENUE normally holds through IMRO and PPI, not the performer.
Look for the trader badge and the ID-checked badge on the Locufy profile — both are checked by us, not claimed by the provider.
What to check instead
Public liability insurance at the level YOUR VENUE requires — ask the venue first, then the supplier, because the venue sets the number; For anything with a structure or a ride, the inspection or test certificate; A written contract with the date, the hours, the set-up time and the overtime rate; What happens if they are ill — a named arrangement, not reassurance; Whether they have played your venue before, and what the power and access are like; PAT testing on their equipment, which many venues ask to see.
Ask for each of these before you agree a price, and get the answers in the same message as the quote.
Insurance
Expect public liability, and employer's liability if they bring crew. From a company, ask for the insurer, the limit and the VAT number, and ask who actually attends: the team that turns up may be employed, subcontracted or both, and only one of those is supervised by the firm you are paying.
Ask to see the current certificate of insurance — the insurer's name, the limit and the date it runs to.
Trader or private seller
Under the Consumer Rights Act 2022 a trader must tell you they are a trader, and your consumer rights — work carried out with reasonable skill and care, and a cooling-off period on a contract agreed in your home or online — apply to traders and not to private sellers. On Locufy the trader status is shown on the profile.
Look for the trader badge on the Locufy profile, and ask anyone else for it in writing before you agree a price.
VAT
VAT at 23%, the standard rate Revenue publishes for this service. Ask whether the price you were given includes it. A trader under the €42,500 registration threshold does not charge it; one over it must, and must show it separately.
Ask whether the figure you were given includes it, and for the VAT number if they are registered — Revenue publishes the rate for this service. revenue.ie →
A good answer: No register covers BBQ caterer work, so trader status is what your consumer rights hang on — customisation Options — catering services frequently allow for customisation of menus to accommodate dietary restrictions or preferences, such as vegetarian or gluten-free options.
A good answer: It is part of every quote for this kind of work. — ask before the quote rather than after.
A good answer: The total is what the quote is built from. — ask before the quote rather than after.
A good answer: Time spent setting up and clearing away is part of the booking. — ask before the quote rather than after.
A good answer: BBQ catering services usually do not cover items such as event permits, decorations, or cleanup after the event — get the exclusions named in the quote, because a BBQ caterer job is priced on what was agreed and not on what was assumed.
A good answer: Expect public liability, and employer's liability if they bring crew — staffing Services — professional BBQ caterers often include staff to set up, cook, and serve during the event.
A good answer: A written scope and a price before the BBQ caterer starts, and an itemised invoice after — equipment Rental — many BBQ catering services provide essential equipment, including grills, utensils, and serving dishes.
Getting the quote right
- Menu selections — it is part of every quote for this kind of work.
- Number of guests — the total is what the quote is built from.
- Duration of the event — time spent setting up and clearing away is part of the booking.
- Quality of ingredients used — the grade you choose changes the bill more than the labour does.
- In writing before anyone starts — a message on Locufy counts
- What is NOT included, named
- Who actually attends, and whether they are employed or subcontracted
- The VAT number, and whether it checks out on the Revenue register
Walk away if
- They will not talk about it: menu selections — it is part of every quote for this kind of work
- They will not talk about it: number of guests — the total is what the quote is built from
- They will not talk about it: duration of the event — time spent setting up and clearing away is part of the booking
- A price for the BBQ caterer before anyone has asked the size, the access or the condition of what they are working on
- Cash only, or a large deposit before anything at all has started
- No written quote, or one that moves once the BBQ caterer has begun
What a BBQ caterer costs: €15–€45 per head
The figures are for the job, per head, and a quote for your own is the only number that binds anyone. Event bbq catering and Mobile bbq catering each carry their own band. BBQ Catering price guide →
Guide prices compiled by the Locufy team from published Irish and UK provider price lists and 2026/27 cost guides. Updated 2026.
KNOW WHAT TO LOOK FOR? NOW FIND ONE
BBQ caterers near you, with the badges that matter shown
ID checked, trader status and one score from every review — on the card, before you message anyone. Nearest first. No account needed to look.
Or post the job free and let them come to you.
- Look firstMenu selections — it is part of every quote for this kind of work — that is what the BBQ caterer is judging on the first visit, and a price given without it is a guess.
- Agree what is being doneNumber of guests — the total is what the quote is built from — put in writing before anyone starts, because it is the document you both read back at the end.
- The work itselfDuration of the event — time spent setting up and clearing away is part of the booking — and anything found on the day that was not in that is priced before it is started.
- Check it togetherQuality of ingredients used — the grade you choose changes the bill more than the labour does — walked against the written scope rather than against the feeling of it, while the BBQ caterer is still there.
- What you are handedThe itemised invoice and any guarantee on the workmanship and the parts, travel distance — city rates reflect what it costs to work there.
- Menu Options
- BBQ catering typically offers a variety of menu options, including grilled meats like burgers, sausages, and chicken skewers.
- Equipment Rental
- Many BBQ catering services provide essential equipment, including grills, utensils, and serving dishes.
- Staffing Services
- Professional BBQ caterers often include staff to set up, cook, and serve during the event.
- customisation Options
- Catering services frequently allow for customisation of menus to accommodate dietary restrictions or preferences, such as vegetarian or gluten-free options.
- Event BBQ Catering
- Full-service BBQ catering for events, including menu planning, cooking, and serving.
- Mobile BBQ Catering
- Catering that involves a mobile BBQ setup, allowing for flexibility in location.
AFTER
When the job is done
Hiring a BBQ caterer: questions people ask
The cost of BBQ catering can vary based on menu selections, the number of guests, and the duration of the event. Additional elements like equipment rental and staffing will also contribute to the overall price.
The duration of a BBQ catering event can depend on the number of guests and the complexity of the menu. Generally, a BBQ event can last anywhere from 2 to 6 hours, including setup and serving time.
While BBQ catering can be handled by general catering professionals, specific qualifications may be necessary for regulated tasks such as gas or electrical work. It's advisable to check the caterer's credentials if these services are required.
Same-day BBQ catering can be challenging due to the need for preparation and staffing. However, some caterers may offer emergency services, but availability will vary based on demand and resources.
Many BBQ catering companies offer package deals that include additional services, such as bartending or dessert catering. Booking multiple services can often result in cost savings and a more streamlined event.
BBQ catering services usually do not cover items such as event permits, decorations, or cleanup after the event. It's important to clarify with your caterer what is included in the service agreement.
MORE GUIDES