hogroastWhat does 2026 have in store for you? Are you getting married? Perhaps you’re celebrating a milestone birthday. Or are you looking to put on an event for family and friends? Whatever the occasion is, a hog roast is the perfect catering option in 2026. But how do you plan a hog roast? Does it take up a lot of your time? What options do you have around sides and deserts? We explore how to plan a hog roast for 2026 and how easy it can be to have one as part of your special day and event.
Professional Catering > DIY (Most of The Time)
If you’re hosting a professional or milestone event, then a professional hog roast company is your best shout. You get all the fun of choosing the menu and tasting the food without the stress of hours of planning and cooking. Of course, if you’re hosting a gathering and want to show off your own cooking skills then the machine hire option may be for you.
If we focus on the professional catering, it’s going to be the best choice for weddings, corporate events and parties. Once the menu has been decided, there’s not much more for you to do except confirm the date and location. Professional hog roast companies will source the pig and also provide options for starters, deserts, salads and additional food requirements. You should also get a uniformed chef, professional grade equipment and a hassle-free service. It really is the stress free way for your 2026 hog roast.
The DIY option can be great for smaller family and friend gatherings. You get to be the star of the show, producing a delicious meal for all your guests (hopefully). If you are planning a DIY hog roast, you should get cooking instructions upon delivery of the equipment. At The Roasting Pig, we even source the pig and any additional food items you require to be dropped off at the same time.
Picking The Right Hog Roast Company
For 90% of people having a hog roast in 2026, you’ll be planning to bring in the professionals. But how do you pick the right ones? We’re obviously a little bit biased, we’d just call The Roasting Pig! However, we’re also happy to say what you should look for before choosing us. Below is a quick checklist of what to look for when planning your hog roast:
- 5-Star Food Hygiene Rating
- Positive Reviews On Independent Platforms (e.g. Google)
- Catering Options For All Food Requirements
- Professional & Uniformed Chef
- Full Catering Service Options (Not Just A Hog Roast)
- Locally Sourced Produce
Although these seem like basic requirements, and to us they are, you should use this as a checklist when booking a hog roast. Even down to the uniform, the attention to detail matters. If you have all your family and friends at your wedding, the last thing you want is for a scruffy chef to be in the background of your photos.
Venue & Timings
Wherever you’re hosting your event, a hog roast company will need space to set up without being intrusive to the event itself. Early access to the venue is important so that food can be served on time. It doesn’t even have to be an outdoor space. Modern hog roast machines can be operated safely inside as well. Co-ordinating all aspects of an event can be difficult. Professional hog roast companies will work with the venue to organise access, cooking space and serving space. A lot of venues will also allow you to bring in external caterers (like a hog roast company) so you’re not limited to their catering options.
Planning The Hog Roast Menu
A basic hog roast is perfect for a family and friends event but what about larger events like weddings and corporate parties? What about catering for dietary requirements? Planning the menu should be part of the excitement and not the stress. The first thing to do is to find out about any dietary requirements your guests have. A good hog roast caterer will be prepared for the odd last minute update but if 95% of your guests are vegetarian, a hog roast may not be for you.
Once you have the requirements, work with your caterers to plan the event. Maybe you want canapes on arrival or you want starters and desserts included. When planning your hog roast, work with the caterers to ensure you have the meals, courses and extras planned. From there, enjoying picking from their menus. If creating your own menu (from the options provided) is more than you want to do, then pick from popular packages your catering company already has available.
Costs of a Hog Roast
When you have a hog roast at an event or party, you need to plan for the costs. Is your hog roast catering company charging per head or is it an overall fee? At The Roasting Pig, we charge an overall fee. But why? Companies that charge an overall fee leave scope to add or remove guests. If you have a hog roast for 50 people you’ll need the same size hog for 48 or 52 guests so an overall fee makes it really transparent about what the cost will be without locking you into the event size. Events, such as weddings, can be expensive which is why an overall cost allows you to segment that part of the wedding budget. It’s the stress-free way to book and pay for a hog roast.
What Else Do You Need When Planning A Hog Roast?
You’ve picked the caterers, confirmed the venue, planned the menu and have a price. These are the key aspects to planning a hog roast in 2026. Other than that, you should consider how you want the event to run (entertainment) and you should book early. With hog roasts becoming more and more popular, it’s essential you book early. Last minute slots are left open, to ensure big events aren’t spoiled by a lack of catering options, but to reduce stress and guarantee availability we would always recommend you book early.
If you’re planning a hog roast in 2026 and would like some advice, give us a call on 0116 212 5259.