Pork
The classic hog roast: tender meat, crackling, stuffing and apple sauce. It feeds a crowd and most people love it.
Lamb
Spit-roast lamb is rich and flavourful, carved like the pork. It suits guests who don’t eat pork and adds variety. Mint sauce is a traditional partner.
Why many hosts choose both
Two roasts give guests a choice and spread demand, which helps at bigger events.
Numbers
A lamb is much smaller than a hog, so it feeds fewer people. Oakfield Farm, for example, gives a lamb as a guide for around 30 guests (read October 2026).
Flavour
Slow-roasted pork is mild, sweet and rich, with crackling as the star. Spit-roast lamb has a stronger, more savoury flavour and a lovely crust. Pork pairs with apple sauce and stuffing; lamb with mint sauce and salads.
Cost and quantities
Lamb usually costs more per head than pork, and a whole lamb feeds far fewer people than a whole hog. That’s why many hosts make pork the centrepiece and add lamb as a second roast.
Who prefers lamb?
Guests who don’t eat pork often eat lamb, and some people simply prefer it. If you have a mixed crowd, offering both is a generous way to cover everyone.
Serving both
With two roasts, the carving station can serve both at once, with guests choosing as they reach the front. Tell your caterer roughly how many will want each so they can plan quantities.
Rotisserie chicken as a third option
Chicken is lighter, usually cheaper than lamb and popular with children. For a big mixed crowd, pork, lamb and chicken together give almost everyone something they like, with halloumi and vegetable skewers for vegetarians.
Sauces and sides for each
Pork goes with sage and onion stuffing, apple sauce and crackling. Lamb goes with mint sauce, and suits salads and new potatoes. If you’re having both, offer both sets of sauces at the serving station, and label them clearly.
Seasonal thinking
Lamb is often associated with spring and early summer; pork with autumn and winter, though both work all year. Think about what suits your event and season, and ask your caterer for both options in the quote.
Allergens
Plain roast pork and lamb don’t contain any of the 14 major allergens on their own, but sauces, rubs, stuffing and rolls may. Ask for allergen information for everything served.
Before you book
Tell us your numbers and roughly how many guests would prefer lamb. We’ll suggest whether a second roast makes sense, and include both options in your quote so you can compare.
Chicken and vegetarian too
Whichever roasts you choose, plan for vegetarians and vegans as well: halloumi and vegetable skewers and a vegan burger or sausage are available.
Quick answers
Is lamb more expensive than pork?
Often, per head. Ask for both in your quote.
Can lamb replace the pork entirely?
Ask us; most events have pork as the centrepiece.
Planning an event? Tell us about it and we’ll check the date and send a quote.