Corporate Catering London: A Case Study in Delivering L’or Espresso Pop-Up Events with Hot Pickle
In 2022, Hot Pickle asked us to run the espresso and coffee drinks service at three L’Or pop-up events. Our role was the coffee service within the activation, including training, the menu, glassware and service staff; the wider brand activation was not ours.
- Client: Hot Pickle, for L’Or Espresso pop-up events
- Year: 2022
- Our remit: Espresso, coffee cocktail and mocktail service: training, menu, glassware, layout input and serving staff
- Initial scope: Three pop-up events
- Preparation: A full day of team training before the events; 12 glassware options presented for approval
- Follow-on: Further pop-up dates through the rest of 2022
What a branded espresso service has to get right
Serving L’Or coffee for the brand meant our team had to explain the products, use the machines confidently and make a cocktail and mocktail menu that worked at event speed. Stock, glassware and layout also had to hold up across several dates.
Product Knowledge Has to Match the Brand
Multi-Day Pop-Ups Expose Weak Systems
Menu Design Has to Work in Real Service Conditions
A drinks menu may look strong on paper and still fail in execution. It has to suit the product, the guest, the pace of service, and the event environment. We built the L’or menu around flavour logic and live service practicality.
Hot Pickle x L’or: A Specialist Espresso Activation with High Brand Standards
Hot Pickle asked Pearl Lemon Catering to manage espresso service for three L’or events and support the wider activation setup behind them. To do that well, the project required staff training, menu development, glassware sourcing, floorplan planning, drink execution, and live guest-facing service.
Full Espresso Activation Support
We supported the project from training through pop-up execution, covering menu thinking, layout input, service staffing, drink preparation, and guest-facing delivery.
This created one joined-up activation structure instead of isolated tasks.
The result was a service environment that could represent the L’or brand properly.
Training and Brand Readiness
The brief included a full day of team training before the pop-up dates began.
That covered product knowledge, machine familiarity, drink execution, and the details needed to speak confidently about L’or espresso with guests.
This gave the team the knowledge base needed for a specialist branded event.
Menu and Pod Matching Logic
We developed a drinks menu that combined coffee cocktails, mocktails, and espresso-led serves with a clear rationale behind each one.
Our team built the menu direction and mapped pod choices to drink profiles using the L’or flavour wheel.
This ensured each serve had both product logic and brand credibility.
Glassware, Layout, and Service Planning
The project also required glass and crockery sourcing, floorplan input, and ongoing coordination around setup and stock.
The team sourced and presented multiple glassware options, while the team also helped confirm the event layout for smoother movement and service.
This made the activation feel more controlled and polished on the day.
How We Delivered a Branded Espresso Experience Across Multiple Events
Running a branded espresso activation requires control across training, stock, layout, menu design, and live service. Here is how we executed from planning through event delivery.
Outcome
The three initial pop-up events were completed with the agreed L’Or cocktail, mocktail and espresso menu, served by a team trained in advance. Hot Pickle then booked further pop-up dates through the rest of 2022. The client was happy with the service.
- Three initial pop-ups delivered The first run of events was completed across the agreed dates.
- Menu approved and served The L’Or drinks menu was developed, explained, approved and served live.
- Further dates booked Additional pop-up work followed through the rest of 2022.
Takeaways for buyers planning something similar
By treating the project as a full branded service operation rather than a drinks brief, we protected both guest experience and brand standards.
- Brand Ownership The team could explain the coffee, the drinks, and the rationale behind the menu in a way that matched the activation.
- Operational Control Costing, sourcing, layout, equipment, and stock were handled with enough structure to support multiple events.
- Service Practicality The menu was built not just for taste, but for speed, clarity, and repeatable execution in live conditions.
What happened in practice
By doing the hard work before the events began, we gave the team stronger control once service went live.
- Detailed Costing Built from Scratch The team handled one of the most labour-heavy parts of the project by building ingredient logic, service counts, and pricing calculators for approval.
- Glassware and Presentation Solved Early Multiple glassware options were sourced and approved so drink presentation would suit the activation rather than feel improvised.
- Practice Runs Reduced Service Risk The team rehearsed drinks in advance so appearance, flavour, and batching could hold under pressure.
- Batch Service Lessons Improved Delivery The volume of cocktails and coffee serves gave the team valuable experience in preparing larger quantities while keeping quality controlled.
Checkout Our Other Case Studies
See how we execute conference catering services, brand activations, corporate dining, beverage concepts, and multi-day event delivery across London and international locations.
Planning a Branded Coffee Activation or Espresso Pop-Up?
Working on a brand activation that needs a trained coffee team? Send us the dates, venues and brief, or contact our events team, and we will outline the service, training and timeline.
See our coffee catering for events.
- Speak with our events team
- Define your activation and beverage requirements
- Put the right structure in place before event day
FAQs
What exactly did Pearl Lemon Catering do for the L’Or pop-ups?
We ran the coffee and drinks service within the activation: team training, a cocktail, mocktail and espresso menu matched to L’Or products, glassware sourcing, layout input, stock and serving staff. Hot Pickle commissioned us for this part; we did not run the whole brand activation.
How was the team prepared to represent the brand?
The team completed a full day of training before the first event, followed by practice runs. That covered product knowledge, the machines, drink preparation and how to talk about the coffee confidently with guests.
How was the drinks menu built?
Each drink was matched to a specific L’Or product, with a clear reason for each choice, across coffee cocktails, mocktails and espresso drinks. Drinks were tested in advance so appearance, flavour and batching held up during live service.
Why present 12 glassware options?
Glassware is part of how a brand drink looks. Presenting several options let the client approve a style that suited the activation before anything was ordered, rather than settling for whatever was available on the day.
What do agencies need to give us for a similar brand coffee service?
The event dates and venues, the products to feature, the brand guidelines, expected guest numbers, service hours, the stand layout and power, and who supplies the machines. Tell us early if training is needed, because it adds time before the first date.
