![]() Select the most skilled professional that works within your budget. Select a minimum of 2 to 3 caterers and make tasting appointments with each. When hiring a caterer near you, be sure to:Īsk for referrals from friends, your party planner, the venue manager, or corporate contacts. For pick-up catering orders, a tip of 5% to 10% for timely service is suggested. The gratuity rewards good service and does not replace any separate delivery or service fees the caterer charges. Tipping caterers 15% to 20% of the total bill is standard. Some caterers include a gratuity charge of 15% to 20% that is split between the servers working for the party.īefore adding a cash tip, review the contract to confirm a gratuity charge is not already included. Some caterers offer a selection of rental tables, chairs, linens, and custom place settings. Catering services often include all the serving dishes, plates, glasses, and silverware in their price. ![]() What do caterers provide?Ĭaterers provide all the food for the event, cooking it on-site at the venue or in their own commercial kitchen. Smaller events with 50 or fewer guests require less notice. Hold a daytime event and serve a more budget-friendly breakfast, brunch, or lunch menu.īook the caterer at least 6 months in advance to secure the preferred date, especially for large events, holiday parties, or weddings. Reduce food costs by serving only appetizers or casual cuisines like barbecue, pizza, or sandwiches. Schedule the event on a weekday and avoid holidays and peak season dates. Servers / staff – Servers and waitstaff cost $20 to $30 per hour, with 1 server needed for every 8 to 25 guests.Ĭatering service FAQs How to save money on cateringįollow these tips to save money when catering on a budget: Rentals – Caterers often include a basic table setting with the food, but may also rent tables, chairs, linens, and other equipment at an added cost. Caterers that travel outside their area may charge a per-mile travel fee. Location – Caterers in metropolitan areas charge up to 30% more. Expect to pay 1.5 to 2.5 times the regular hourly rate for staff if the event runs over schedule. Weekday events may be available at discounted rates.Įxtra time – Most caterers include a set number of hours in the contract, usually 2 to 4 hours. Some caterers include non-alcoholic drinks in their price.ĭate and time – Caterers set higher rates for evenings, weekends, holidays, and peak season dates. Menu add-ons – Adding alcohol, appetizers, or desserts increases the cost. Tax – Taxes are charged based on the local sales tax rate. Gratuities / tip – A gratuity or tip of 15 to 20% for good service is common. Service fee – A service fee of 18% to 22% covers the catering company’s back-end operating costs. Party size / minimum fees – Some caterers set a minimum fee or number of guests to book an event. In addition to the food, cost factors that affect catering charges include: Food truck catering costs $10 to $40 per person and is popular for large events.Ĭatering buffet table filled with a variety of food choices. ![]() Budget-friendly sandwiches and burgers are popular for outdoor parties, while pasta is an affordable option for indoor events. Non-alcoholic drinks like coffee, tea, and juices cost $2 to $4 per guest.Ĭatering for a party costs $3 to $30 per person, depending on the cuisine. Some hosts set a maximum cap to stay within budget.Ĭash bar – A cash bar passes the drink costs on to the guests.īYO alcohol – A buy-your-own alcohol event costs $5 to $20 per guest. Other budget-friendly bar options include:īilled by consumption – A consumption bar charges for each drink served. Top-shelf liquors, beer, wine, and cocktails
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