Blog post image
9 January, 2026

The Catering Operation Behind Stranger Things 5 Event in Berlin

In November 2025, Netflix brought Stranger Things Season 5 to Berlin – transforming Hangar 7 at the former Tempelhof Airport into an immersive world for fans, press, and talent.

What most people didn’t see: while the public stepped into the “Upside Down,” a production crew of 100+ people was building, testing, adjusting, and running the operation behind the scenes – inside an empty, high-security venue with no catering infrastructure.

That’s where ChefCoco came in. Within short notice we set up 7-day long catering to keep the production team energized – lunch, dinner, and drinks included. The non negotiables were: reliable timing, strict access, and enough flexibility to handle last-minute requests without slowing production down.

Summary

  • Duration: 7 days

  • Crew size: 100+ people

  • Scope: 2 meals per day (lunch + dinner) + drinks

  • Special logistics: security-registered driver + dedicated ops manager

If you’ve ever planned catering for a production setup, you know: food is never “just food.” It’s timing, access, constraints, and keeping energy up – without slowing anyone down.

Planning an event? Tell us your crew size, location, and schedule – we’ll design a setup that works under real constraints. Get an event catering plan.

The setup: feeding a crew in an empty, high-security venue

When you cater a normal office, there’s a baseline: a reception desk, a pantry, fridges, microwaves, elevators, predictable access.

At Tempelhof, we started from zero:

  • An empty hangar (meaning: no heating setup, no kitchen flow, no “we’ll just warm it up” options)

  • High-security access requirements

  • A schedule that could shift fast, because production schedules do

What we delivered: lunch & dinner with two drop-offs per day 

We adapted our menu and logistics to the crew's fast paced schedules.

Lunch: quick, fresh, grab-and-go

Lunch was built for speed and minimal interruption:

  • Sandwiches (e.g., salmon, club-style)

  • Salads

  • Easy distribution, easy cleanup, consistent quality

This is production logic: lunch needs to be satisfying, but it can’t slow the day down.

Dinner: hot, comforting, served in bowls

Dinner was the “reset button.” After long hours in a high-intensity build, the crew needed something warm and grounding – so we delivered tailored comfort meals, served hot-style in bowls, designed to feel like a real meal even in a temporary environment. 

Every evening, the crew had two choices – one omnivore and one vegan bowl. Below are four example bowls from the menu.

The hidden hero: we brought the kitchen

Because there was no infrastructure on site, we didn’t just deliver food – we delivered the ability to eat it properly.

To make hot meals possible in an empty hangar, we provided eight branded microwaves, placed for smooth flow and minimal queueing.

Operations that made it work: access, reliability, and one point of contact

High-security events don’t forgive “we’re running late” or “can someone meet us outside?”.

To keep deliveries predictable under strict access requirements, we staffed the project with:

  • A dedicated operations manager: one point of contact, fast decisions

  • A security-registered driver: no access drama, no last-minute improvisation

This is the unsexy part of catering – and the part crews remember when it goes wrong. We built it so it wouldn’t.

Flexibility under pressure: the mid-service menu change

Even with a clear plan, event reality is… reality.

During the week, we adapted quickly to last-minute requests, including:

  • adding soft drinks (water and Coca-Cola) that were not part of the initial offer

  • supporting the team during dismantling at the end of the event

For production environments, “nice to have” becomes “needed” overnight. Our job is to absorb that complexity so the client doesn’t have to.

Why this matters (and what we learned)

This project is a good example of the kind of catering that doesn’t fit the classic “office lunch” box.

Event clients – especially high-security, temporary venues – need three things:

  1. Speed to launch (days, not months)

  2. Infrastructure thinking (not only food, but the ability to serve it)

  3. Operational reliability (access, timing, and a plan B that’s already planned)

Or, as Federica Suighi (Senior Growth Manager @ChefCoco) likes to describe it:

"Organising the Stranger Things 5 event catering was like setting up a high-end pop-up restaurant in the middle of a desert on a week’s notice. We didn’t just bring food – we brought the kitchen, the supply chain, and the flexibility to change the menu mid-service."

Looking for event catering that works under real constraints?

If you’re planning a production, a brand activation, or an event in a restricted venue, we can help you build a food operation that’s predictable, scalable, and crew-friendly – without needing perfect conditions. Tell us about your event :)

FAQ

  • What information do you need to give us a quote? Event dates, location, estimated headcount, food style (meals, finger food, banquet, dinner buffet), dietary needs, desired budget, and we can get you a quote the same day.

  • Do you provide infrastructure if the venue has no kitchen? Yes. Depending on the setup, we can bring the “missing pieces” (e.g., heating solutions like microwaves, plates, cutlery, etc.) so service still runs smoothly.

  • Can ChefCoco provide on-site service staff? Absolutely. You can choose between self-service or fully serviced catering. For events with 40+ guests, on-site staff is highly recommended.

  • Can ChefCoco supply plates, cutlery, and glasses? Yes. Disposable or rental of tableware and glassware can be added to your quote upon request and tailored to your needs.

  • How do you keep service organized for large events? We design the flow around your environment – clear labeling, distribution logic, and a simple setup that prevents bottlenecks and keeps pickup fast.

  • Can you offer menu choices every day (e.g., omnivore + vegan)? Yes. We can run daily menu choices and cover common dietary needs (vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, halal etc.) depending on your requirements.

  • Do you support both lunch and dinner delivery schedules? Yes. We can run multiple drop-offs (e.g., grab-and-go lunch + hot dinner) and adapt timing to production schedules or event programming.

  • Is there a minimum headcount for events? We offer different set ups for different needs and crowd size. Share your headcount and we’ll tell you what’s realistic and cost-efficient.