purpleplumcatering Reviews 

117
TrustScore 3 out of 5

3.0

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Rated 1 out of 5 stars

I recently attended a wedding catered by this company Julia Martin at Purple plum. The bride and groom are both real foodies and had taken a great deal of care with their menu etc so we were all su... See more

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Purple Plum catered for my cousin’s wedding in June 2025 and I can honestly say that everything about the food and service on the day was an utter shambles. Julia did not turn up nor let... See more

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Julia catered our retreat at West Lexham and the food was absolutely delicious. There was so much variety and everything was cooked lovingly from scratch using fresh produce. We ate well and there wa... See more

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Private dining event for my mother 65th Birthday. Julia and her team are simply fabulous. Professional and friendly with the ability to cater and accommodate several allergies,fussy children and la... See more

Company details

  1. Restaurant Supply Store
  2. Caterer

Written by the company

Purple Plum Catering are professional caterers in Norwich, Norfolk. Weddings, Corporate events or intimate dining; we cater for all your requirements.


Contact info

3.0

Average

TrustScore 3 out of 5

117 reviews

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3.0

All reviews

(117)

1 review in the last 12 months

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Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Wow!

Wow, some of the best food I've tasted! I wouldn't hesitant to recommend this catering company. A wonderful experience and one that I can't wait to repeat. Staff were professional and very friendly too. 5 stars to purple plum catering!

August 21, 2022
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Delicious dinner and cakes - would definitely recommend !

Lovely Julia catered dinner and make cakes for us at our yoga retreat at West Lexham and it was absolutely delicious ! Everyone LOVED the food especially the aubergine (that had been grown in West Lexham's vegetable garden) and the Persian Love cake which was a big hit with everyone. She was so kind and helpful and made vegan/gluten free options for us. I'm really glad we got to meet and that we got to eat her food and can't wait to come back to West Lexham soon for more ! Thank you so much :-)

August 23, 2022
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Delicious, vibrant and healthy!

Delicious, fresh, creative and very hospitable!

I first experienced Julia’s food on a yoga retreat.

They say you eat with your eyes first and my goodness, my eyes lit up when I saw what was on offer! The food was so fresh vibrant and creative. But most importantly of all it was absolutely delicious!

I consider myself a “foodie” and eating foods that are wholesome and healthy is important to me. I made a point of returning to Julia’s kitchen with my Brother & Sister in law, who are vegan/vegetarian, as I knew they’d appreciate what she had to offer. It did not disappoint!!

Julia was so hospitable, friendly and welcoming. A very generous person who knows how to cook.

Credit where credit is due. I can’t wait to try more of her food!

August 21, 2022
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Fresh, beautiful and homely

We stayed at west lexham manor retreat. The service at the cafe was the highlight. Incredible food and service. Beautifully simple fresh food bought to life. John and Amy were lovely throughout our stay. Thank you so much

August 6, 2022
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Delicious food during our stay…

Delicious food during our stay from West Lexham cafe and kitchen garden thanks to Julia, John and team. Very friendly, approachable, accommodating with fresh, seasonal hot and cold food. John made magic with aubergines! Thanks all x

August 5, 2022
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Delicious food and warm welcome

Julia and her team cooked for us at West Lexham. Nothing was too much trouble and their freshly cooked, freshly sourced food was incredible. We were delayed getting to WL and it looked likely we’d arrive after the cafe was shut for the evening. Julia kept in touch with us en route and had four freshly baked, delicious pizzas ready for us on arrival. The team’s breakfast was also brilliant - our favourite was the new potato hash with spinach, bacon and poached eggs.

July 30, 2022
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Disappointing

We used Purple Plum Catering for a wedding at our home last year. After initially being impressed by the food and service that was on offer, we were disappointed with what we received on the day. Prior to the wedding we were aware that Julia had suffered a bereavement, however she assured us that she wanted to be working and that she was looking forward to catering our wedding. On the day Julia did not show up, leaving her assistant to run the event with a team of inexperienced and underprepared agency staff; food was not what we had agreed, a drinks station never materialised, staff helped themselves to (and lost) crockery from our home as they had not brought enough for the food service, guests were left serving themselves drinks and the bride and groom had to help clear tables.

We approached Julia a week after the wedding for an explanation as to why things had gone so wrong. Rather than an apology, Julia explained she had not been feeling up to the event, and had decided to shut down her business and stop wedding catering all together. We felt sorry Julia and saw no reason to give a review on what we assumed was a business no longer trading. However, this appears not to be the case and it is unfortunate that other couples have had the same disappointment on their wedding day as we did. For that reason, although this review should have been written a year ago, I feel it appropriate to write it now.

July 28, 2022
Unprompted review
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Reply from purpleplumcatering

My first thought was, he needs to get a life, after a year they bother with this .. and do i need to be reminded of my mothers passing away..
Then I thought lets address his points..
If he (brides father) Bill Smith from Wreningham vicarage in Norfolk ( this info is necessary , see below ) had completed more research rather than sitting at his computer tapping out reviews, he would see that I had shut my business down as it shows on Companies Records , I liquidated in November last year , as bigger events as I explained to Bill were too much for me after last year and quite frankly , weddings are not what I want to do ever again and luckily I now run a yoga retreat centre, fabulous people all day long. The day after my mother’s funeral I cancelled any new wedding bookings, any that I have completed since, have been booked since before lockdown, I honoured as I did not want to let anyone down, I have struggled with the loss of both parents in a short space of time and have made this very clear to all my clients, who have all been incredibly supportive, with the exception of a couple.
I mentioned Wrenginham , he mentioned my ‘bereavement ‘ . I come from Wreningham and I lost my mother 19 days before their event, I could not cope with going to the village , when he lays next to the most important person in his life and hears their last breath , then do let me know how you can easily go on, I did say I would be ok because my world had been turned upside down , I was tyring to be compassionate to their situation, it's a shame he could not be to mine .

Cutlery and crockery, it was a few odd bowls and a ‘special’ spoon, all returned, in the grand scheme of things a bit sad to moan about that. My business partner was there on the day, he has over 30 years experience but also had kidney cancer diagnosis and had been in hospital the day before, I did not mention this to the client as I did not want to share a personal situation or to worry the client , I never use agency staff so again.. a misinformation and if the bride and groom had cleared then surely a family member / friend should have stepped in ? Says more about them then ourselves . There was plenty of food, we always do more and it was as the paperwork had stated, a buffet , why would it be different. We prepped their late food and dessert for later service, making it cheaper for them , it would have shown some manners if there was one nice thing he could have said about the day. I trust my team and they all work very hard to try and please everyone, but i as many other wedding provides have found it impossible to meet clients expectations and demands, the email of doom comes the week after, generally when they have added up the expenditure …
The drinks table was laid out as requested for people to help themselves ...
I did explain this in an email , after my mothers funeral, I had other things to sort, for example the grief of her grandchild, he did ask for the tip to be refunded to him ……. .to his credit his daughter is absolutely lovely as is her husband .
And yet again…. Its all perspective, as the Queen so succinctly said..
“ some recollections my vary..”

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

I would NEVER recommend Purple Plum…

I would NEVER recommend Purple Plum Catering after my daughter and son-in-law used them for their wedding in June 2022.
The staff were very inexperienced and didn’t serve the guests appropriately throughout the day and Julia was not there as expected - apparently she had hurt her ankle.
The evening buffet was a complete disaster with a shortage of food, so many evening guests were left with nothing to eat and the food was served on plastic and foil disposable plates, rather than wooden and pottery platters as promised - a very embarrassing situation.
The communication was appalling and emails and messages were often ignored with my daughter and son-in-law having to constantly chase up Julia for answers to questions.
Please do not be led into believing that Purple Plum are amazing because of their flashy website - it is all a cover up for a poorly organised business that certainly didn’t live up to our expectations and we would never recommend.
The last thing that I wanted to see was my daughter in tears at her wedding when she was so upset by the catering arrangements and she realised that there was not enough food for everybody when she went up to get her buffet and there were only a few olives left and she had at least twenty people queuing behind her. The catering staff had driven off without an explanation, making a swift exit before we could speak to them about a lack of food.
After reading the response to my initial review, I can confirm that we definitely didn't say that we were happy with the catering for the event at any time during the day, or after the event, Julia wasn't there to talk to anyway!
I am offering honest feedback to ensure that others are not highly disappointed as my Daughter and Son-In-Law were on one of the most special days of their lives.

July 6, 2022
Unprompted review
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Reply from purpleplumcatering

I have contacted and refunded where i have seen appropriate on staff lacking on the day,, but not to their demands , trying too hammer a small business online is petty and i think the word is ' trolling".
The parents of the bride and groom complimented us on the evening, odd how that perspective changes now.
My communication has been poor, i agree , i lost my mother last year, as i told them many times and my business has struggled after covid, as i told them many times.
I would never seek to upset anyone, but if they feel this way, then it is what it is , their opinion on the day , varies massively from mine.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Professional, approachable and delicious!

As a wedding coordinator, I always hope to work with catering teams who run an efficient, proactive, friendly and (of course) delicious service. Julia and her team delivered all of this for a recent client's wedding in Norfolk, a marquee event with over 150 guests. Julia was prompt in replying to emails and ran a tight ship on the day to ensure the guests were well looked after - from drinks reception right on through to the evening food. I would highly recommend Purple Plum Catering for future events and weddings in Norfolk and beyond.

Kate Hirons - Foil Events LTD Wedding Coordinator

July 5, 2022
Unprompted review
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Reply from purpleplumcatering

HI thanks xx

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

DO NOT USE! Terrible service on our wedding day

So saddened by the service we received by Julia on our wedding day. Throughout the planning process Julia wouldn’t reply/replied late to emails, often not making sense and conflicting previous details. On the day she didn’t show up and left a poor woman to deal with the mess she had created, along with 5 less waiters than she’d promised. She was unable to communicate clearly with the Crockery hire company resulting in us missing 120 plates! The food we received was different to what we asked for, was not served how we wanted in the lovely Moroccan style bowls promised but instead in cheap white plastic bowls and there wasn’t enough food for our evening guests! This left my wife crying on our wedding day and we were embarrassed in front of our guests. Julia has offered little in the way of compensation and does not seem to understand the impact of her unprofessionalism.
We hope other couples never have to go through what we did on our day - please do not use Purple Plum catering!!

June 27, 2022
Unprompted review
purpleplumcatering logo

Reply from purpleplumcatering

I have contacted and refunded where i have seen appropriate on staff lacking on the day,, but not to their demands , trying too hammer a small business online is petty and i think the word is ' trolling".
The parents of the bride and groom complimented us on the evening, odd how that perspective changes now.
My communication has been poor, i agree , i lost my mother last year, as i told them many times and my business has struggled after covid, as i told them many times.
I would never seek to upset anyone, but if they feel this way, then it is what it is , their opinion on the day , varies massively from mine.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

High quality, amazing food, professional and fun

I would highly recommend Julia and Purple Plum Catering. Julia and her team catered for a 4 day residential event I attended and every single meal was simply superb. They provided such variety, amazing flavours and a very generous amount! Julia is fun and friendly and a delight to have met.

May 11, 2022
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Wonderful food!

Julia catered for a friend’s birthday dinner hosted at home and it was wonderful. Julia dropped off all the dishes and there was a perfect balance of vegan, veggie and meat dishes so something for everyone - each one had so much flavour. Big portions with lots of leftover, so well worth the money too. Highly recommended!

May 2, 2022
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Julia is the most amazing cook

Julia is the most amazing cook - I would thoroughly recommend her services. I had her cater for my bday supper at home and my guests were all so impressed. Generous portions, incredible flavours and beautifully recommended!!

May 2, 2022
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Food for the soul

Julia catered recently at a training course I attended at West Lexham Manor in Norfolk. Her Mediterranean / Middle Eastern inspired food is generous, hearty, soulful, and I devoured all of it! Everyone loved it!

April 28, 2022
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Foody weekend

My family and I went on a yoga retreat and were instantly overwhelmed by the food on offer. We were greeted by a selection of cakes (including gf options) and the weekend continued to be the most delicious experience. There was always something that I'd never tried before as well as the comfort fixes.

April 28, 2022
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Julia and the team are wonderful

Julia and the team are wonderful - so friendly and welcoming. Always happy to go above and beyond, meeting our specific requests and creating a very personal feel. The food is outstanding and the team help to create a relaxed atmosphere. Highly recommend!

April 27, 2022
Unprompted review

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