For wakes held at City of London churches near St Paul's Cathedral, sandwich platters, cold buffets and afternoon tea catering can be delivered the same day from Vanda's Kitchen on Carter Lane — a five-minute walk from the cathedral and within direct delivery distance of every Square Mile parish hall.
The City of London is unusually church-dense. Within a one-mile radius of St Paul's there are more than a dozen working parish churches, each with its own hall used for events including funerals and wakes. For families organising a wake at one of these venues, having a catering kitchen physically located in the same parish — at 42-44 Carter Lane, EC4V 5EA — removes most of the logistical complications that come with same-day or next-day catering.
Which parish halls we deliver to
The major working churches within walking distance of our kitchen include:
St Paul's Cathedral itself — for the very rare wakes held in cathedral spaces, or more commonly at venues nearby. Our kitchen is approximately five minutes on foot from the cathedral steps.
St Andrew-by-the-Wardrobe on St Andrew's Hill, EC4V 5DE — directly opposite our kitchen. We've previously catered events at this church and the parish team know us well. Wake catering deliveries here can be set up within 15 minutes of an order leaving our kitchen.
St Bride's Fleet Street — the journalists' church, just north of Fleet Street. The crypt and parish hall are both used for wakes, and we deliver here regularly for related events.
St Bartholomew the Great in Smithfield — the oldest surviving church in London, with an active parish hall used for wakes and receptions following services. Our delivery time from Carter Lane is typically 15-20 minutes.
St Mary-le-Bow on Cheapside — the Bow Bells church, with its crypt and refectory used for events. Approximately 10 minutes from our kitchen.
St Mary Moorfields in EC2 — the City's main Catholic parish, with an active wake catering tradition. Our delivery covers the full EC1 and EC2 corridor including Moorfields.
Holy Sepulchre London on Holborn Viaduct, the National Musicians' Church, with regular memorial services and associated wakes.
St Lawrence Jewry next to Guildhall — the City of London Corporation's official church.
For wakes at any of these venues, or at parish halls slightly further afield (Spitalfields, Aldgate, the Inns of Court), our coverage is consistent and our delivery is reliable.
What City of London wakes typically order
The most common wake catering formats for City churches are:
Sandwich platters with sides. A traditional and cost-effective option for 20 to 100 guests. A mix of sandwich fillings, plus crisps, fruit, and small savoury bites. Easy to set out, easy for guests to eat standing up, and accessible enough not to add to the cost of an already expensive week. Available directly from our shop.
Cold buffet with hot drinks. A more substantial option with quiches, salads, savoury tarts, charcuterie, fresh bread, and tea and coffee service. Suits a longer wake or a larger group. Quote-led — message us with the venue, date, and approximate numbers.
Afternoon tea service. Finger sandwiches, scones with jam and cream, small cakes and savoury pastries. Sits well with the tone of a wake when the family wants something gentle rather than a full buffet. Particularly suits wakes following morning funeral services where guests have already eaten lunch.
All three formats arrive ready to set out, with disposable plates and napkins included. Reusable platters are collected the following day at no extra cost.
Why City wakes need allergen-aware catering
City of London congregations are among the most religiously and culturally diverse in the country. The professional workforce that worships in the Square Mile churches comes from every background — and a wake brings their families and friends together at one event. Mixed-faith mourners often need halal options as standard. Older guests frequently have severe allergies developed over a lifetime. Coeliacs and gluten-sensitive guests cannot be expected to skip the meal.
A wake is not the moment to ask a grieving family "who is the food not safe for?" — it should be safe for everyone by default. This is where Vanda's Kitchen's structural approach to dietary management matters:
Halal as standard. Our entire kitchen is halal-certified through the Halal Friendly List, an independent UK halal certifier. Every item we serve at a wake — sandwich fillings, hot meals, savoury bakes, salads, sides — is halal. There is no halal menu and a standard menu. There is only a halal kitchen.
100% nut-free kitchen. No nuts are present anywhere in our kitchen at the structural level. For an older guest with a serious nut allergy, this eliminates cross-contamination risk in a way that "nut-free options" in a kitchen that handles nuts cannot.
Over 60% gluten-free as standard. Designed that way, not adapted on request. Coeliac and gluten-sensitive guests can eat from the buffet without anxiety.
Natasha's Law allergen labelling on every item. Every sandwich, every quiche, every salad portion is labelled with full allergen information. The family doesn't need to remember who's allergic to what.
How quickly can you deliver to a City wake?
For sandwich platters and standard items from our shop, 24 to 48 hours' notice is typically workable. For wakes following same-day or next-day funerals, we accept short-notice orders where our kitchen schedule allows — usually within 48 to 72 hours.
The Trustpilot review on our wake catering hub page describes a customer whose original supplier let them down at the last minute. We stepped in and delivered fresh sandwiches on time. That kind of last-minute help is what a local kitchen is for.
For larger wakes (60+ guests) we ask for at least four working days' notice where possible, but supplier let-downs and last-minute changes happen, and we do our best to help when they do.
Frequently asked questions
How close are you to St Paul's Cathedral?
Our kitchen at 42-44 Carter Lane is approximately five minutes on foot from St Paul's Cathedral, and within walking distance of every major Square Mile parish church.
Can you deliver to a parish hall and set up the food?
Yes. We deliver to parish halls across the City of London, set up the platters, and leave the room ready for guests to arrive after the service. Reusable items are collected the following day at no extra cost.
Do you offer halal options for mixed-faith mourners?
Yes. Our entire kitchen is halal-certified through the Halal Friendly List. Every item is suitable for guests observing halal, with no special ordering required.
How much notice do you need for a City wake?
For sandwich and bagel platters from the shop, 24 to 48 hours is typically workable. For larger or bespoke wakes, four working days' notice is preferable but shorter notice can often be accommodated. Contact us as early as you can after the funeral date is confirmed.
How do I order?
For sandwich and bagel platters, order directly from our shop. For bespoke wake catering, WhatsApp the kitchen or email orders@vandaskitchen.co.uk with the date, venue, approximate guest numbers and any dietary requirements. We respond within the same working day.
Booking wake catering near St Paul's
For full information on wake catering from Vanda's Kitchen — including formats, timing, allergen management and what's included — see our wake catering hub page.
Sandwich and bagel platters available directly from our shop. For bespoke afternoon teas, cold buffets, or anything you'd like to discuss first, WhatsApp the kitchen.