Starter & Dessert Plate Hire London
Classic 8-inch white porcelain starter and dessert plates from the Athena range. Professionally cleaned and ready for service. 3-day hire with delivery and collection across London.
About Our Starter and Dessert Plates
Our 8-inch white porcelain starter and dessert plates are from the Olympia Athena range, the same collection as our dinner plates. The slightly smaller size is designed for starters, salads, desserts, cheese courses and canapés. Starter plate hire in London from Murphy's Event Hire is a cost-effective way to provide matching crockery for every course without buying plates you will only use occasionally.
Each plate arrives clean, inspected and packed in secure crates. After your event, a quick rinse and restack is all that is needed before collection.
Versatile Plates for Every Course
Starter and dessert plates are surprisingly versatile. While the name suggests they are only for first and last courses, many of our clients use them for a wide range of purposes:
- Starters and salads — the ideal size for plated first courses at weddings and dinners.
- Desserts and cheese — perfect for individual dessert servings, cheese boards and petit fours.
- Canapé receptions — guests use them as a base while circulating at drinks receptions.
- Cake and sweet stations — stack at the end of a dessert table for guests to help themselves.
Pair these with our dinner plates for a consistent look across every course. The matching Athena design means your table setting looks cohesive from starter to dessert.
How Many Starter Plates Do You Need?
The quantity depends on how many courses you are serving on this plate size:
- Starter only — 1 plate per guest.
- Starter and dessert — 2 plates per guest (plates are cleared between courses).
- Canapé reception — 1 plate per guest is usually enough.
- Dessert buffet — 1.5 per guest to keep clean plates available throughout.
For a wedding with 100 guests serving both a starter and dessert, you would need around 200 starter plates. Add 10 to 15 percent extra as spares. Contact us and we will help you work out the right quantity for your menu.
Delivery and Collection Across London
We deliver starter and dessert plates in protective, stackable crates to venues across all London boroughs. Crates are designed for easy storage even at venues with limited kitchen space. Delivery is arranged for the morning of your event or the day before.
Need a complete table setting? Combine with our dinner plates, cutlery and glassware for everything from a single supplier. Call us on 07359 034252 or send an enquiry to get started.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between your dinner plate and starter plate?
Our dinner plate is 9 inches (23cm) for main courses. The starter and dessert plate is 8 inches (20cm), designed for smaller portions such as starters, salads, desserts and canapés.
How many starter plates do I need?
Allow 1 plate per guest per course. If you are serving both a starter and a dessert on the same size plate, you will need 2 per guest. For a canapé reception, 1 plate per guest is usually enough.
Can I use these plates for a dessert buffet?
Yes. The 8-inch size is ideal for dessert buffets, cake stations and cheese boards. Allow 1.5 plates per guest so there are always clean plates available for guests helping themselves.
Do the starter plates match the dinner plates?
Yes. Both plates are from the Olympia Athena range in white porcelain. They have the same rim style and glaze, creating a consistent look when used together for multi-course meals.
What is the minimum order?
There is no strict minimum. You can hire as few or as many plates as you need. Most clients hire between 50 and 200 plates depending on their guest count and number of courses.
Helpful team, great customer service, no hassle. Thanks Leli.
Simply amazing.
Good service, on time and clean. Would highly recommend.
Fast response, good communication and friendly — glasses were good quality and arrived on time. Thank you!
Arrived on time, amazing value for price. Staff were very nice and responsive, quality glasses. Thank you!
Fantastic customer service from Leli. Everything worked perfectly and the price was incredible compared to any other quote I received. Will be recommending without hesitation.