Pancake Day in the Office (London Edition): Fun Ideas, Menus & Catering Tips for 2025

TL;DR

Pancake Day (Shrove Tuesday) is one of the most enjoyable and easy office celebrations of the year. From live pancake stations and topping bars to individually packed crêpes for hybrid teams, London companies are using food to bring people together. This guide shares the best Pancake Day catering ideas, menus, timelines, and planning tips to help you host a smooth and memorable celebration at work.

What Is Pancake Day And Why Celebrate It at Work?

Pancake Day, or Shrove Tuesday, is the traditional feast day before Lent. In today’s London workplace, it has become a light-hearted moment to boost morale in the middle of winter.

Companies love celebrating Pancake Day because it offers:
• An interactive food experience
• A ritual that fits every dietary need
• A simple midweek treat to increase office attendance
• A feel-good event that works for hybrid teams

With the right setup, Pancake Day can energise your team and create a warm, shared moment during February.

Best Pancake Day Office Catering Ideas (London Edition)

1. Live Pancake Station (Most Popular)

A chef comes onsite to make fresh pancakes or crêpes to order — a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

Why it works:
• It’s interactive and fun
• The aroma brings people together
• Great for photos and internal comms
• Creates a lively office atmosphere

Topping suggestions: Nutella, maple syrup, lemon & sugar, berries, cream, banana, biscoff, spinach & cheese, smoked salmon & sour cream.

Best for: Town halls, morning kick-offs, team socials, or office celebrations of 30–200 people.

2. Sweet & Savory Pancake Buffet

A versatile option for larger teams that want variety without the logistics of a live chef.

Typical buffet setup:
• Fresh pancake stacks
• Sweet and savoury toppings
• Hot trays with options like veggie fillings or cheese
• Vegan and gluten-free pancake alternatives

Best for: All-hands meetings, hybrid-friendly mornings, or shared office kitchens. Pair this with a full Corporate Catering London setup if you want additional items such as fruit platters or snacks.

3. Individual Pancake Boxes (Hybrid-Friendly)

For hybrid offices, individually packaged crêpe boxes are convenient and low-effort.

Popular combinations:
• Lemon & sugar
• Nutella & banana
• Berry compote
• Vegan oat pancakes
• Savory pancake wraps

Best for: Meeting rooms, training days, workshops, or hybrid Tuesdays and Thursdays.
You can order these via the Office Lunch London flow.

4. Pancake & Coffee Pop-Up Bar

Elevate the experience with a barista station alongside your pancakes.

Popular drinks:
Flat whites, matcha, chai, hot chocolate, or iced coffees (yes — even in February).

Best for: Morning events, wellness initiatives, or employee appreciation days.
You can combine this easily with Pop-Up Catering.

How to Plan Pancake Day Catering for Your London Office

2–3 weeks before:

• Choose format (buffet, live station, boxes)
• Confirm dietary requirements
• Book your delivery slot early
• Reserve office space or breakout areas

1 week before:

• Finalize menu and toppings
• Send invites or Slack announcements
• Order simple décor (pastel banners, flowers, fun signs)

Event day:

• Clear space and prep tables
• Label allergens
• Set up a toppings bar
• Take photos for internal sharing
• Add a short note explaining Pancake Day’s meaning

Dietary Tips for Pancake Day

To make your celebration inclusive for all employees:
• Offer vegan pancakes
• Include gluten-free buckwheat crêpes
• Provide nut-free topping choices
• Add savoury alternatives
• Clearly label allergens (gluten, dairy, nuts, soy)

These options work perfectly when ordered through the Employee Meal Programmes setup if you’d like to integrate them into recurring weekly lunches.

Why Use a Workplace Catering Platform?

Using a modern platform simplifies planning for HR, office managers, and hybrid teams:

• Pre-order for hybrid staff
• Filter by dietary needs (vegan, GF, halal)
• Individually labelled meals for easy distribution
• One consolidated delivery
• Less food waste
• One invoice instead of five different suppliers
• Optional Sustainable Catering partners for eco-friendly events

You can also bundle Pancake Day with Pantry Supplies if you want to add snacks, fruit, or drinks.