Dorset caterers
for love life and happinessFamily-run Dorset caterers for weddings, parties, private dining and events. Based in Swanage, Crab Apple Catering creates generous, freshly prepared food with friendly, reliable service across Dorset.
About Crab Apple Catering
Crab Apple Catering is a family-run catering business based in Swanage, Dorset. Matt, Julia and Jordan Tillman have been specialising in wedding and event catering for over a decade, combining years of industry experience with a lifelong passion for generous, home-cooked food.
Tasty food should not only be high quality but served in good quantity. Our catering services and menus can be easily fine-tuned to suit your specific needs.
Matt Tillman
A variety of catering services
From wedding breakfasts and birthday BBQs to private dining, hog roasts, cakes, mobile bars and Airstream catering, we provide flexible catering services for celebrations and events across Dorset.
wedding catering
Your wedding food should be impressive and taste amazing. We provide you with as much support as you need for your wedding catering.
party catering
Mouth-watering food for celebrating any occasion. Our party catering service is highly flexible, no party is too big, too small, or too unusual!
Airstream Catering Trailer
Our Airstream catering trailer can be hired for weddings, parties, festivals and outdoor events. With flexible menu options, it’s a fun and memorable way to serve great food.
Private Dining
Enjoy restaurant-quality food in your holiday home, lodge or private accommodation. We cook, serve and clear away, so you can relax and enjoy a special meal with your guests.
Wedding & Celebration Cakes
Beautiful handmade cakes for weddings, birthdays and special occasions. Whether you want something classic, colourful or personal, we can create a cake to suit your celebration.
bbq catering
Whether it’s for a wedding, birthday party, or just because who doesn’t love a BBQ? We specialise in creating tasty gourmet BBQs in buffet format or delivered directly to your table on rustic sharing boards.
Hog Roast Catering
Our Dorset hog roast catering is ideal for weddings, parties and outdoor celebrations. Generous, relaxed and full of flavour, it’s a brilliant way to feed your guests.
Bar Hire & Service
Our Horsebox Bar or The Freestanding Bar can be ‘self-stocked’ by you or fully stocked with a vast variety of drinks by ourselves. Either way, we provide you with experienced and friendly bar staff.
Event Staffing
Almost as important as the mouth-watering food itself are the staff serving and the catering logistics. Our friendly and experienced, professional staff are perfect for any event, party, wedding, festival, funeral, etc.
Which Catering Service Is Right for You?
Planning a wedding? Our wedding catering includes support with menus, service and the flow of food throughout the day. Hosting a birthday, anniversary or family gathering? Our party catering, BBQ catering and hog roast options are ideal for relaxed celebrations. For smaller groups, our private dining service brings a private chef experience to your home, holiday cottage or lodge.
Dorset Caterers Menus
Our Dorset catering menus can be adapted around your event, guest numbers, setting and dietary requirements. Whether you’re planning a wedding breakfast, BBQ, canapé reception, private dining evening or relaxed party, we can help shape a menu that works for you.
gourmet bbq examples
- Piri Piri Chicken
- BBQ Scotch Eggs
- Cherry Smoked Pork Belly
- Whole Tandoori Dorset Trout
- Lemon and Chilli Prawn Skewers
- House Marinated Chicken Schwarma
- Butchers Sausages
- BBQ Jackfruit
- Beetroot Carpaccio
- Vegetable Kebab Skewers
- Sticky Sausages
- Beef and Horseradish Yorkshire Puddings
- Mini Quiches
- Garlic Mushroom Tarts
- Salmon Pate Crackers
- Smoked Salmon Blinis
- Mini Steak and Ale Pies
- Garlic and Lime Chilli Prawn Skewers
- Tomato and Basil Meatballs
- Bacon and Eggs
- Falafel Balls
- Tomato and Olive Skewers
event menu examples
- House Marinated Beef Brisket
- BBQ Pulled Pork
- Korean BBQ Beef Bavette
- Garlic and Rosemary Roasted Lamb Leg
- Whole Beer Can Chicken
- BBQ Chicken Schwarma
- BBQ Side of Salmon
- Marinated Spatchcock Chicken
- Various Flavoured Sliders
- Harissa Butternut Squash
- Vegan Moussaka
Catering Questions, Answered
What types of events do Crab Apple Catering cater for?
Where are you based?
Do you offer wedding catering in Dorset?
Can you cater for dietary requirements?
Do you provide catering staff?
Recommendations For Dorset Caterers
I ordered a 8” Victoria sponge decorated. It exceeded expectations. I find it really hard ordering from catering companies due to nut allergies and crab apple were really helpful and understanding. They ensured I was safe and ran me through all their allergy procedures. The cake was amazing and the portion size was incredibly generous. They may all their jams themselves and it was great.
sophie Stanley
September 2, 2026We couldn't have been happier with Crab Apple for our wedding catering. From the very beginning, the communication was excellent, making the whole planning process smooth and stress-free. The food on the day was absolutely delicious, with generous portions that all of our guests commented on. We've had so many people tell us how amazing the food was, which we completely agree with! Crab Apple also provided our bar service and served our welcome drinks, and everything ran seamlessly. The team were professional, friendly and kept everything running smoothly, allowing us to relax and enjoy our day. We honestly couldn't fault a thing and would highly recommend Crab Apple to anyone looking for outstanding wedding catering. Thank you for helping make our wedding day so special!
Jessica Smith
July 30, 2026We booked Crab Apple to cater our summer 2026 wedding and they were absolutely brilliant from start to finish. We first met them at their restaurant in Swanage about a year before the wedding and tried some of the seasonal dishes they had available. We were blown away by the quality of the food and the ease of the whole process. We served the chicken schwarma and bbq pork belly as well as a selection of canapés and sides that everyone agreed were really excellent - especially the steak on a stick canapés! They also provided the bar with some great on tap beer and a charcuterie board with local produce later in the evening. Five stars is well deserved
Sian Morris
July 2, 2026Chose Crab Apple Catering to provide food for a funeral tea recently. The food they provided was exceptional with plenty of vegan options too. It was presented in a lovely way, and many people told me how impressed they were with it. They catered for 120 people but there was more than enough food for everyone. Totally hassle free in the delivery and subsequent clearing up. Thank you
chris bond
December 1, 2025Crab Apple catered our wedding in bridport in June and we could not have been happier with the service. We reached out after being left really disappointed with the recommended suppliers from our venue and were permitted to use Crab Apple who made everything a breeze. They served our welcome drinks, provided the canapés, a 2 course meal with wedding cake as dessert and then toasties in the evening which went down a treat. The whole team were such a pleasure to deal with, the waiting team were equally as lovely. After such a poor experience elsewhere, they were a breath of fresh air and genuinely felt like they were there to make our lives easier. Their pricing was also very competitive. I would use them again without any hesitation. Thank you Matt, Jordan, Julia and the whole team for making our day so special.
Tash
September 19, 2025Jordan and the team were amazing for our wedding in June 25! The food was lovely, and the service/organisation was very efficient/seamless, everything went according to plan and things just happened without really noticing. Being able to have the same caterers for the sit down meal and then the evening hog roast was a big bonus too. They can cater for dietary requirements outside of your menu choices and have great options of rood choices. Would definitely recommend booking Jordan and the team!
Brad Hammonds
June 27, 2025Jordan and the team were amazing for our wedding in June 25! The food was lovely, and the service/organisation was very efficient/seamless, everything went according to plan and things just happened without really noticing. Being able to have the same caterers for the sit down meal and then the evening hog roast was a big bonus too. They can cater for dietary requirements outside of your menu choices and have great options of rood choices. Would definitely recommend booking Jordan and the team!
Brad Hammonds
June 26, 2025Thank you so much to Jordan and the team! Crab Apple catered for our wedding and wow, the food was next level! The whole process from initial enquiry to food tasting and selecting our final choices. Crab Apple were just amazing! The canapés and buffet spoke for themselves on the day! Thank you, we will be sure to recommend you to friends and family!!
Charlotte Campbell
March 31, 2025Thank you so much to Jordan and the team! Crab Apple catered for our wedding and wow, the food was next level! The whole process from initial enquiry to food tasting and selecting our final choices. Crab Apple were just amazing! The canapés and buffet spoke for themselves on the day! Thank you, we will be sure to recommend you to friends and family!!
Charlotte Campbell
March 28, 2025
Let’s Work Together!
As Dorset caterers we pride ourselves on the best, personal customer service, getting to know and exceeding your exact catering requirements.