International Women's Day Office Catering London: Celebrating with Food

International Women's Day falls on 8 March each year. This post covers the history and purpose of the day, the food traditions associated with its celebrations, and the practical considerations for London workplaces planning a lunch or event around it.

What International Women's Day marks and why

International Women's Day has roots in the early twentieth century labour movement. Women textile workers in New York staged protests in 1908 calling for shorter working hours, better pay, and voting rights. The first official International Women's Day was observed in 1911 across several European countries, and the United Nations adopted it formally in 1977. The day now serves as both a celebration of social, economic, and political achievements by women and a call to action on persistent inequalities.

The theme changes each year, set by the UN. Organisations and companies mark it variously — with panels, speaker events, mentoring sessions, published commitments, and team gatherings. The day sits on the civic calendar in more than a dozen countries as a public holiday, making it one of the genuinely global observances the City of London workforce reflects.

Food traditions and hospitality around IWD

International Women's Day does not carry a set culinary tradition in the way that religious festivals do. What has emerged organically in corporate settings is a preference for shared, social food — lunches, breakfasts, or afternoon events where eating together is a backdrop to the day's programme rather than the main event. This informality suits the occasion well, since the emphasis is on participation and conversation rather than ceremony.

In many countries where IWD is a public holiday, the day has its own local food customs — flowers, chocolates, and shared meals feature prominently in Eastern European traditions, for example. In a London workplace context, the food choices tend to reflect the organisation's day-to-day catering values: quality, variety, and the absence of exclusions that make some colleagues feel like afterthoughts.

Dietary inclusivity as a values signal

International Women's Day events are often visible beyond the immediate team — attended by clients, senior leadership, external speakers, and guests. The food at these events is noticed. An office that invests in an inclusive catering spread — one that covers halal requirements, gluten-free needs, and allergen safety without separate ordering — signals something about the organisation's culture that words alone cannot convey.

The City of London workforce includes colleagues observing a wide range of dietary requirements for religious, medical, and personal reasons. A meaningful IWD celebration is one where every person in the room can eat the shared food without needing to flag a special requirement. Independently certified halal provision and full allergen labelling are the structural baselines that make this possible.

Planning an IWD office lunch or event in London

International Women's Day consistently falls on 8 March. For City offices, this usually means a Monday-to-Friday working day, though it can occasionally fall on a weekend. The day sits in early Q1, when City calendars are still relatively clear — which makes it a reliable event anchor for organisations that plan their cultural calendar in advance.

Practically, IWD events in corporate settings tend to involve groups of between 20 and 100 people, often with a speaker or panel component. Food that works alongside a programme — individually portioned rather than buffet-style, so that eating does not disrupt the flow of the event — suits this format better than large shared platters. Booking a few weeks in advance is advisable, as quality caterers working the City core receive several IWD enquiries for the same date. Vanda's Kitchen operates from Carter Lane EC4V 5EA and delivers across central London, with a minimum order of £150 and free delivery on orders over £600.

For International Women's Day catering across London — independently halal-certified, 100% nut-free and fully allergen-labelled — browse our catering shop or WhatsApp the kitchen.

Frequently asked questions

When did International Women's Day begin?

International Women's Day has its origins in early twentieth century labour movement protests. The first official observance was held in 1911 across several European countries, and the United Nations formally adopted 8 March as International Women's Day in 1977. It is now observed in countries worldwide, with public holiday status in more than a dozen nations.

Is International Women's Day a public holiday in the UK?

No. International Women's Day on 8 March is a widely observed civic day in the UK but is not a public holiday. It falls on a working day in most years, which is why corporate events and office lunches have become the dominant format for marking it in London.

Are there particular foods associated with International Women's Day celebrations?

There is no single culinary tradition attached to IWD globally. In some Eastern European countries where it is a public holiday, flowers, chocolates, and family meals are customary. In corporate settings, the emphasis tends to be on shared, social food that everyone in a diverse team can eat together, with inclusivity being the guiding principle rather than a specific cuisine or dish.

What format works best for an IWD office lunch with a speaker?

Individually portioned food tends to work better than a buffet when there is a programme running alongside eating. Guests can hold a plate or box without needing to queue, and the food does not compete for attention with speakers. A set collection time before the event begins keeps disruption minimal.

How far in advance should a City office book catering for 8 March?

Several quality caterers in the City core receive IWD enquiries for the same date, so booking two to four weeks in advance is sensible. For larger events of 50 or more covers, more lead time allows for menu planning and logistics confirmation.