The cost of a catering an
event varies based
on the type of menu desired, the size and location
of the event, the season and other factors; but the
following guidelines should provide you with a good
idea of what you should expect for various types of
parties, and the factors to consider in designing your
event.
Time of Day
The time of day can play a significant role
in the type of event you are planning. Your guests
will typically expect different types and quantities
of food depending on the time of day. We suggest
the following as an example:
Breakfast - 7:00AM - 9:00AM
Lunch - 11AM - 1:00PM
Dinner - 6:00PM - 8:00PM
Reception - 7:00PM +
Type of Event and Menu
The type of event can be the biggest determing factor in price, and also has
the widest variability. Does the event require substantial service staff
(i.e. a served dinner), medium staff (reception), or a light staff (a buffet)?
Is the menu simple or complex? The following are rough estimates as to what
you can expect various types of menus to cost.
Breakfast $8.00 +
Boxed Lunch $6.50+
Buffet Lunch $16.00+
Served Lunch $25.00+
Reception $16.00+
Buffet Dinner $20.00+
Served Dinner $36.00+
Rentals
Often people forget about the cost of rental
items. Consider if your event can be done with paper
and plastic or if you need glass and china. Do you
need tables and chairs? Linens & Napkins? You
can expect the following prices for standard items.
Glass and China $5.00 per person
Table and Chairs with Linen $7.00 per person
Most events do require rental items. Often, rental
pieces will be essential for creating the desired
atmosphere for your event. Many unique items are
available. Ask us for assistance in creating the
perfect ambience for your event!
Location
Does the site you want to rent provide tables and
chairs? Linen? Tents? Kitchen Facilities? Electric
Service? All of these may affect your bottom line.
We can recommend many locations and provide information
about their services.
Length of Event
A simple idea, which is sometimes overlooked:
How long do you expect the service staff to stay?
How long will you need to rent a venue? Remember
that in the time you set aside for the site rental
you must include time for set up and clean up.
Service Staff
The number and type of service staff needed
at your function depends upon the type of event,
the number of guests and the size of the facility.
Most events require service staff.
The average sit-down dinner will require one service
person for every 20 guests; a reception requires
one service person for every 30 guests. With an average
time of 6 hours per server, including set-up, clean
up and travel time. Additional service staff may
be added to reduce service time with a higher ration
of server to guests. We can also arrange for additional
support staff such as bartender, valet, chef, and
cake service.
PLEASE
remember that these guidelines are only a few "rule of thumb" suggestions
to aid in your planning and budgeting, and prices
may vary depending upon seasonal fluctuations and
the specifics of your particular event.
|
return
to top