What is kosher catering?

Updated on 20/10/2026

A catering service whose food and preparation follow Jewish dietary law (kashrut): meat and dairy kept apart, and certain foods forbidden.

Kosher catering means preparing and serving the food for an event according to Jewish dietary law, or kashrut (“kosher” means “fit”). Among other things, meat and dairy are not mixed, pork and shellfish are not eaten, and meat must come from ritual slaughter.

What it involves

Separation of meat and dairy: separate ingredients, utensils, ovens and tableware for each.
Permitted foods: no pork, no shellfish and no fish without fins and scales.
Supervision: a person or body with religious authority supervises the ingredients, the kitchen and the service.

Certification comes from third parties

Whether food is kosher is not up to the cook: it is certified by a religious authority or an independent certification body, which supervises and issues the relevant certificate. At many events, a specialist supplier handles both the supervision and the cooking. So ask the caterer whether it holds that certification or works with a certified supplier, and exactly what it covers.

How to approach it for an event

Mention it in your first enquiry, with the number of attendees and how strict they are.
Check whether the event falls near a religious festival with additional rules.
Ask for a written breakdown of the menu, along with the allergen information.

For another certified diet, see halal catering; if your group mixes several diets, see vegan catering. Knowing where the ingredients come from (food traceability) is a basic requirement.