What We Offer
Our live stations are genuinely the highlight of every event we do them at. Guests gather round while our chefs cook right in front of them - it's the thing people are still talking about a week later. We run three stations, each built around a different piece of Sri Lankan street food theatre. The live appam station (appam is the Tamil name for what's commonly called a hopper in English - the two words mean the same lace-edged, bowl-shaped rice-and-coconut-milk crepe) has each hopper cooked individually in a small iron pan, plain or with an egg cracked into the centre. The live kothu roti station (also spelled kottu) is the loudest and most theatrical - godamba roti torn and chopped fast on a hot flat iron with spices, egg and your choice of protein, the scraping sound alone pulling guests over before they know what it is. The live dosa station cooks thin, golden, fermented rice crepes fresh on a large flat iron, served with coconut sambal and chutneys. Any station works as a standalone centrepiece or alongside a wider buffet, indoors or outdoors.
Get a Free QuoteWhat to Expect
- ◆Live appam (hopper) station - cooked individually in small iron pans, plain or egg
- ◆Live kothu roti (kottu) station - chopped fresh on a flat iron with spices, egg and your choice of protein
- ◆Live dosa station - thin, golden, fermented rice crepes with sambal and chutneys
- ◆Fusion street food stations available on request
- ◆An experienced chef operating each station throughout your event, not just for a set slot
- ◆All equipment, ingredients and garnishes provided - we bring everything, you provide the space
Frequently Asked Questions
What live cooking stations do you offer?
We offer live appam (hopper), kothu roti (kottu) and dosa stations, plus fusion street food stations on request. Our appam/hopper station is consistently the most popular - guests love watching the lace pattern set in the pan.
What's the difference between an appam and a hopper?
Nothing - they're the same dish. Appam is the Tamil name; hopper is the more common English name for the same lace-edged rice-and-coconut-milk crepe, cooked in a small rounded iron pan. We use both names because both are searched for.
Is it kothu roti or kottu?
Both spellings refer to the same dish - chopped roti stir-fried on a flat iron with spices, egg and your choice of protein. Kothu roti and kottu (or kotthu) are used interchangeably across Sri Lanka and in London.
How much space is needed for a live cooking station?
Our stations typically require a minimum space of 2x2 metres. We'll check your venue details at the booking stage to make sure everything works, indoors or out.
Can live stations work at outdoor events?
Yes - we do outdoor events regularly, including garden parties, marquees and private venues. We bring everything we need, including gas where mains power isn't available.
Can I have a live station alongside a buffet?
Absolutely. Most of our clients combine a live station with a wider buffet spread. The station adds theatre and energy while the buffet ensures there's plenty of choice for everyone.
How much does a live cooking station cost?
A live station is typically added on top of a wider catering package. General Sri Lankan catering across London runs roughly £35-£85 per head depending on guest numbers, service style and menu - we'll give you an exact price once we know your guest count and which station you'd like.
How far in advance should I book a live station?
Two to four weeks for most events, though for weddings and summer weekends earlier is better. If your date is coming up fast, get in touch anyway and we'll tell you honestly whether we can make it work.
Bring a Live Station to Your Event
Get in touch and we'll talk through which stations work best for your event, venue and guest numbers.