Retreat Catering in the Algarve
Multi-day catering for retreat groups, planned around the programme rather than the other way around.
Basil caters retreats of approximately 10 to 35 guests across the Algarve, with food planned around the schedule, the group and the dietary requirements.
Dietary needs
Vegetarian, vegan and special dietary accommodations are our speciality, planned into the menu rather than added to it.
Local and seasonal
Fresh, locally sourced produce from the same markets we shop for private dinners.
Several consecutive days
A flexible combination of meals across the programme — buffet-style for larger groups.
Planned with the organiser
Menus and timings agreed with whoever is running the retreat, well ahead of the first day.
Food that fits around the retreat
Retreat catering is not the same as catering a single event. Meal times have to work around the programme, and the food has to remain varied and considered when guests are eating together several times a day.
Before the retreat begins, we work with the organiser to understand the dates, guest numbers, meal schedule, activities and dietary requirements.
This allows us to plan the food as part of the retreat rather than something that has to be organised around it.
Breakfast through dinner, across several days
A full retreat programme can include breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks across consecutive days.
Some groups need every meal covered. Others only need particular parts of the day catered. We plan the combination with the organiser in advance so the schedule works for the programme.
Wellness, fitness and team retreats
Yoga, wellness, fitness and team retreats all have different daily rhythms, so we plan meal times around sessions, meetings, activities and shared time rather than using one fixed schedule.
For multi-day corporate programmes, food can run from breakfast through dinner and is coordinated with the organiser in advance.
Catering for groups of 10 to 35
Our normal retreat capacity is approximately 10 to 35 guests.
For the larger end of that range, we generally prefer buffet-style service. It keeps the meal flowing smoothly, gives the group flexibility and allows us to maintain direct control over the food and service.
Dietary planning for retreat groups
Retreats regularly bring together guests with different dietary needs. Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and dairy-free requirements are part of our regular work, alongside allergies and other individual requirements discussed in advance.
We prefer to receive dietary information before the retreat starts. That allows us to consider everyone while the menus are being planned instead of producing disconnected replacement meals at the last minute.
Retreat catering experience in the Algarve
Basil has an ongoing retreat catering relationship with Alta Vista Lodge, alongside other retreat work across the Algarve.
For us, good retreat catering is not only about what is on the plate. It is also about being organised enough that the person running the retreat does not have to spend the week managing the kitchen.
Common questions
How many guests can Basil cater for on a retreat?
Approximately 10 to 35 guests is our normal retreat range.
Can you cater a retreat for several days?
Yes. We agree the meal schedule with the organiser around the programme.
Which types of retreats do you cater?
We particularly work with yoga, wellness, fitness and corporate or team retreats.
Can you cater vegan and gluten-free guests?
Yes. We plan dietary requirements and discuss allergies individually in advance.
Tell us about your retreat and we'll build the menus around the days you've planned.