Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)
We would like you to fully understand how Hunger Pangs Catering and the Old Barn venue work for you. Detailed below are some frequently asked questions with detailed answers. Please take a moment to read through them and if there should be anything that remains unclear, please telephone us to discuss on 01273 84 33 02
How many people can Pangdean accommodate?
Can we hold a Civil Ceremony at Pangdean?
What time can our party finish?
Can we bring our own alcohol?
Can we rent the venue and use a caterer other than Hunger Pangs?
Can you recommend florists, car hire, DJ’s, photographers etc?
Does the venue charge include tables, chairs, linen, glasses, cutlery?
Do you charge extra for cake stands, use of your PA system, car parking?
Can guests camp overnight?
Can cars be left on your premises overnight?
Do you cater away from Pangdean?
Do you attend every event personally?
Do we need a Toastmaster?
I’d like a small wedding breakfast for immediate family, then a party with more people arriving just for the evening. They will want to eat too, what can you recommend?
Can you cater for special diets?
Can I have a winter wedding? Are you open all year round?
Can I have a wedding other than on a Saturday?
Are children welcome at the venue?
What happens if the weather is too wet to have drinks and canapés in the garden?
Can buses and coaches access the venue?
Are there any noise restrictions?
Can we have a firework display?
Can I organise a food tasting to help decide on my menu?
Can we let off Chinese Lanterns up into the night sky?
Can you supply a wedding cake?
Can we dress the venue to theme it, Moroccan style say?
Can you recommend overnight accommodation for guests?
Do you have set menus?
How much does it cost to hire the venue?
What is your smoking policy?
How does the venue cost compare to renting a marquee in our own garden?
We would like to provide the wines and champagne for our guests with the meal, but after that we would like a pay bar, can you arrange?
How far are you from Central Brighton?
Do you dress the barn with ivy and greenery?
Do you insist on us using specific suppliers, florists for example?
I want to use a wedding organiser, is that OK?
How much deposit is required to secure a definite date?
Do you accept credit cards?
Can we load an i-pod/MP3 player with our favourite songs and play them through your sound system while we are seated?
Are there any hidden extra charges?
Do your prices include VAT?
Are you fully insured?
How many people can Pangdean accommodate?
Seated, the milking parlour is ideal for 20 – 50 people. The barn is ideal for 50 – 180 seated and the two combined can seat up to 200. For a less formal party, 250 is the maximum.
Can we hold a Civil Ceremony at Pangdean?
No, we are not licensed to hold the actual ceremonies at Pangdean.
What time can our party finish?
There are no set end times. Most finish at midnight, though some events end at 1.00am. Finish time is always by arrangement.
Can we bring our own alcohol?
Yes, most certainly. We will store, chill and serve it for you.
Can we rent the venue and use a caterer other than Hunger Pangs?
No. The venue and the catering are too closely linked for us to risk our reputation in this way.
Can you recommend florists, car hire, DJ’s, photographers etc?
Yes, we can provide a list of people who have worked here at Pangdean. Please use the "Directory" button on this website. We do not actually recommend anyone and you should make your own arrangements direct with them. Nor do we accept commission on any of the external services provided.
Does the venue charge include tables, chairs, linen, glasses, cutlery?
These will all be detailed in the quotation that will be prepared for you.. The venue charge includes tables and chairs, the food costs include all table linen, glasses, crockery and cutlery.
Do you charge extra for cake stands, use of your PA system, car parking?
No. There are no hidden extra charges.
Can guests camp overnight?
Yes. Free of charge.
Can cars be left on your premises overnight?
Yes, entirely at the vehicle owner’s risk, and free of charge.
Do you cater away from Pangdean?
Yes, we regularly work away from Pangdean. All our professional catering equipment is fully mobile and we can set up a fully functioning kitchen almost anywhere. The same extremely high hygiene standards apply wherever we are working.
Do you attend every event personally?
Michael or Nicky, or both, will be in attendance at every function.
Do we need a Toastmaster?
On balance, the answer is usually no. We will agree a detailed running order for your event and Michael makes sure that timings are adhered to. He is also happy to make announcements on your behalf.
I’d like a small wedding breakfast for immediate family, then a party with more people arriving just for the evening. They will want to eat too, what can you recommend?
For evening guests we can provide a Hog roast, a BBQ, curries, Thai curry, bacon and scrambled eggs, a stunning ploughman’s platter, even bacon butties. All are treated with the same care and attention as the main meal and only the very best ingredients are used.
Can you cater for special diets?
We regularly cater for vegans, vegetarians, gluten free, allergies and special diets, we simply need to know at least a week in advance what the requirements are and who they are for.
Can I have a winter wedding? Are you open all year round?
Pangdean is open all year round and winter weddings are very popular indeed. Obviously, the use of the garden is usually not practical but the milking parlour and barn entrance area can be used for canapés and drinks.
Can I hold a wedding reception on other days of the week, not just Saturdays?
Yes, Fridays especially and even midweek weddings are becoming more and more popular.
Are children welcome at the venue?
Children are very welcome at Pangdean. The garden is equipped with our own children’s toys and can be used by guests’ children, under their parents’ supervision and at their own risk.
What happens if the weather is too wet to have drinks and canapés in the garden?
We set up the drinks reception in either the milking parlour or the entrance to the main barn.
Can buses and coaches access the venue?
One of the advantages of the farm is that there is easy access for large vehicles throughout the complex. Buses and coaches have plenty of room to manoeuvre.
Are there any noise restrictions?
Within sensible limits, no, none.
Can we have a firework display?
We are afraid not. This is a farm and our neighbours are farmers too. There is too much livestock around us and we cannot frighten them. We hope you understand.
Can I organise a food tasting to help decide on my menu?
Our reputation for great food usually precedes us, but if you really cannot decide between two dishes for your menu, then yes, we can provide a tasting evening at our home. We make a charge of £100 + VAT for two people for this.
Can we let off Chinese Lanterns up into the night sky?
Unfortunately not. With so many barns, stables and other farm buildings around us and the proximity to the A23, we have decided that the burning element and the wire frame of these hot air lanterns make them just too much of a hazard for Pangdean.
Can you supply a wedding cake?
We can suggest people that can. But you might be interested in our own speciality, meringue towers. These make a stunning, reasonably priced alternative to a traditional wedding cake. Please ask for further details.
Can we dress the venue to theme it, Moroccan style say?
Yes. We would like to be kept informed of your plans and how they might impinge on our buildings.
Can you recommend overnight accommodation for guests?
Please see the Directory page on this website for some suggestions.
Do you have set menus?
No. Every event is treated individually and menus are suggested appropriate to your tastes and your budget. Some sample menus feature on our ‘Food’ page on this website and we can send you suggestions and ideas so that you may pick and choose..
How much does it cost to hire the venue?
Cost depends on two main factors, the time of the year and the day of the week. A mid-Summer Saturday will be the most expensive while a mid-week winter date less so. This can be fully discussed with you by telephone.
What is your smoking policy?
We are governed by the legislation. There can be no smoking in any of the buildings. Provision is made for smokers to smoke in the courtyard and a gazebo can be erected in the event of poor weather.
How does the venue cost compare to renting a marquee in our own garden?
It is almost invariably much less expensive to hire Pangdean than erect a marquee in your garden. It is certainly a lot easier on the hosts to be at Pangdean where every last detail is taken care of, including the clearing up which is a job that should never be underestimated!
We would like to provide the wines and champagne for our guests with the meal, but after that we would like a pay bar, can you arrange?
Yes. We charge a set up fee of £100.00 to provide facilities for the bar, but otherwise it is a simple procedure and we can suggest people to organise it for you.
How far are you from Central Brighton?
We are 5 miles North of Brighton, literally just off the A23. Do check out our directions page and please do not rely on your Sat Nav to find the farm entrance!
Do you dress the barn with ivy and greenery?
Yes, by arrangement and at nominal cost we can provide simple greenery backdrops for your floristry.
Do you insist on us using specific suppliers, florists for example?
Absolutely not! You may engage whomever you please. It is your event after all.
I want to use a wedding organiser, is that OK?
It is, but unless you want a complicated themed affair, it is probably not absolutely necessary. Michael and Nicky have lots of experience that you may freely tap into and are always pleased to advise.
How much deposit is required to secure a definite date?
£1,000 for a larger function and £500 for smaller events. It is not refundable in the event of cancellation and we would refer you to our Terms and Conditions page on this website.
Do you accept credit cards?
Yes, all major cards, including American Express are accepted. There is no additional surcharge for paying by card.
Can we load an i-pod/MP3 player with our favourite songs and play them through your sound system while we are seated?
Yes, please supply your own music. Our PA system copes well with this, and also the radio microphone for the speeches and announcements, but it does not go loud enough for dancing later in the evening. DJ’s and bands should of course bring their own equipment.
Are there any hidden extra charges?
None. Eight weeks before the event you will receive an itemised costing and the only variables will be for the amount of soft drink, punches and table waters consumed. There is also a breakages clause, but this is rarely implemented.
Do your prices include VAT?
No. Any prices quoted to you exclude VAT. When written, this is clearly shown.
Are you fully insured?
Yes. We have a very substantial comprehensive policy with the NFU, including £10 million public liability cover.
TELEPHONE: 01273 843 302
EMAIL: info@pangdean.com
POSTCODE: BN45 7FJ