About Us
Owner Lorraine Smith
Thistle Catering Services was founded by Lorraine Smith, whose passion for cooking and commitment to exceptional customer service inspired the business from the very beginning.
Lorraine first entered the food industry in 1996, starting with a small mobile catering shop. What began as a part-time venture—while Lorraine continued her full-time career in NHS management—quickly grew thanks to her dedication, hard work, and love of serving great food.
As demand grew, so did the business. In 2003, Thistle Catering Services expanded into a 70-seat restaurant and ice cream shop, creating a welcoming destination where customers could enjoy freshly prepared food in a relaxed setting.
During the following decade, the company naturally evolved into a trusted provider of professional event catering across Scotland.
Today, Thistle Catering Services specialises in wedding catering, corporate catering, private party catering, and large-scale event catering. From elegant wedding receptions and corporate functions to festivals and private celebrations, our experienced team delivers delicious, high-quality food tailored to every occasion.
Over the years, we have catered at events throughout Scotland, operating everything from street food units and festival marquees to large marquee field kitchens, allowing us to serve great-tasting food in venues and locations of every kind—even some of the most unexpected places.
At Thistle Catering Services, our mission remains the same as it was in 1996:
to provide outstanding food, reliable service, and memorable catering experiences for every event.
Whether you are planning a wedding, corporate event, private party, or festival, Thistle Catering Services brings experience, passion, and flavour to every service.
In 2013,
Thistle Catering
In 2013, Thistle Catering moved to industrial premises, allowing the company to grow the business further to include contract catering and expand and enhance their growing wedding catering services.
A family run business, we love what we do, and our approach is simple; we use high quality, local Scottish seasonal ingredients and reinvent traditional dishes with a stylish and modern twist.
A professional, approachable team who are passionate and care deeply about our food and excellent service delivery.
Thistle Catering Services is one of the top event caterers in Scotland, working with an impressive portfolio of clients having delivered great events in some of Scotland’s stunning venues;
Haddo House, Cluny Castle, Burgie House, Cortes House, Coos Cathederal, Mar Lodge, Brodie Castle, Barra Castle Barn, Fyvie Castle, Kinkell Byre, Errol Park Estate, Schivas House, Ballogie House and many other stunning locations in marquees and Edwardian Homes.
Our experience
- Working in partnership with Abedeen City Council providing 2000 meals for the World Tall Ship Crew - 2025
- We have catered at many of Scotland’s large scale Festivals and Highland Games,
- Aberdeen Highland Games, VIP Marquee Catering 2003,
- Main Caterer for Portsoy Traditional Boat Festival Catering in the 90’s,
- Scone Palace Game Fair Public Catering Marquees and public bars,
- Edinburgh Sea Fest, Private Lunch for
- HRH Princess Anne
- Grampian Transport Museum Main Caterer
- Main Caterer for Aberdeen City Hogmanay Street Party 2005
- Gordon Highlanders Military Shows 2003 and 2004
- HRH Queen Jubilee Tea Dance Aberdeen Marquee caterer, in 2002
- TV, channel 4 Artist of the Year, Top Gear 2021, photoshoots
- Developing and growing the business is always at the forefront of our vision.
So if you are looking for a great venue, delicious food, excellent service and great value for money, then we would love to talk to you.
Our Staff
Its the Thistle Catering Team who make us who we are and where we have got to today! We have a hardworking team who are passionate and care deeply about our food and service delivery.
Deliver wonderful food experiences and events, whilst embracing new and innovative food and service ideas. We personally care about providing genuine satisfaction to all of our clients whilst ensuring that their event is an overwhelming success from start to finish.
Gallery
See our team in action—from elegant weddings to exciting festivals. Our gallery showcases a
wide variety of catering setups across different venues and events.
