Christmas party ideas for small teams
Christmas party ideas for teams of 8 to 30 in London: why restaurants sell out, cheaper formats, timings and how to book a chef for your office in December.
If your team is under 30 people, the standard Christmas party can be a headache. Restaurants want big minimum spends. Venues are booked. And everyone has already done the pub quiz.
Here are ideas that work, with honest costs and timings.
Why small teams struggle
December is the peak month for private events in London. Restaurant private rooms sell out in the first weeks of October, and the ones left cost more. A team of 12 can end up squeezed into a table of 20 on a shared floor, with a set menu and a noisy room.
Small teams also have a different mood. You know each other. You want a good night, not a spectacle.
Five ideas that work
1. A cooking masterclass at the office
Your team cooks a proper Christmas meal with me, in your own space. Fresh pasta, a rich sauce, a seasonal dessert, then dinner at a table you’ve set up together. Good for 8 to 30 people, from £120 per person plus VAT. See the corporate page.
It also solves the problem of getting everyone to a venue after work. Nobody has to travel across London in the rain.
2. A chef-cooked dinner in the office
If your team prefers to sit and be looked after, I can cook and serve a multi-course meal in your office or a space you hire. Same warmth, less effort.
3. Live cooking stations
For larger teams or mingling parties, stations work better than a sit-down. Fresh pasta, a carving board, a dessert station. Guests move around, eat what they like, talk to whoever they want. Stations start from £650 each. Details are on the events page.
4. A shared dinner at a team member’s home
For very small teams of 6 to 10, a private dinner is simple and personal. You split the cost, and one person hosts. I cook and clear up, so the host can enjoy it. See private dining.
5. A daytime session instead
Not every team wants a late night. A Friday lunchtime masterclass finishes by 3pm, suits people with childcare and costs the same as an evening. It can also be easier to book in December.
What it costs
| Format | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Cooking masterclass in your office | from £120 pp + VAT |
| Live cooking station | from £650 per station |
| Private dinner at a home | from £60 pp |
| Restaurant private room, set menu | £70 to £130 pp, plus room minimum |
| Cookery school class | £95 to £325 pp |
A 12-person masterclass is £1,440 plus VAT. A restaurant room with the same group can easily pass £1,500 once drinks and service are in. Check the pricing page for what is included.
Timing matters
- Now to mid-November: best choice of dates.
- Late November: still possible, but weekday evenings go first.
- Final week before Christmas: very limited. Some teams switch to a lunch.
- January: a good fallback. Many teams hold a “New Year” party at lower prices.
If your date is fixed, send the enquiry this week.
Planning checklist
- Count heads and add two. Last-minute guests are common.
- Pick a date and a backup.
- Collect dietary needs early. I need allergy details at least seven days before.
- Decide on drinks. Chefs don’t supply alcohol, so you provide it.
- Check your space. A few tables, a sink and some sockets are enough.
- Book the room until a full hour after the end time.
Making it feel like Christmas
- A simple tree or lights in the room.
- A seasonal menu: roast squash, chestnuts, a rich ragu, spiced desserts.
- Music, low volume.
- A small toast from a manager or founder, kept short.
You don’t need crackers and paper hats. A good meal does the job. More Christmas ideas are on the Christmas page.
A sample evening for 14 people
Here is a plan I like for a team of 14 in an office in EC2 or W1.
- 5:30pm: I arrive early, set up stations and prep. You do nothing.
- 6:30pm: Team arrives, aprons on, a drink in hand. Short welcome.
- 6:45pm: Fresh pasta in pairs. Dough, rolling, shaping.
- 7:30pm: Sauces and a seasonal side. Tasting as we go.
- 8:00pm: Everyone sits and eats what they made, with a dessert I have prepared.
- 9:15pm: Coffee, a toast, and I clear up while people chat.
It ends by 9:30pm, so nobody misses the last Tube and there is room for a drink afterwards if people want it.
A word on budgets
Set a per-head figure first, then look at what it buys. A common mistake is to book the venue, then discover the food and drink budget is smaller than planned. With a masterclass, the food, equipment and teaching are one price. You only add drinks.
Hybrid and remote teams
If half your team works from home, Christmas can be the one day everyone is in the same room. Choose a date mid-week, when travel is easier, and send the invitation early. Tell people there is no need to bring anything or prepare. A shared meal gives remote colleagues a reason to come in, and the hands-on format means nobody stands around making small talk.
What happens next
Send your date, team size and London postcode through the contact page. I reply within 24 hours with a menu proposal and a clear price. If you like it, we confirm a date and I take care of the rest.