Planning Food for Your Event
How much food do you really need?
What should your budget look like?
Do you need waitstaff?
Sorting out all of the details of your event can be complicated. The type of event you are hosting will help determine some of the criteria that we will use to guide you through the planning process. Will your event be formal or informal? A corporate luncheon or a bridal shower? Early morning, mid-morning, or evening? Will you be serving alcohol? Are there dietary restrictions? The list goes on and on. Our catering inquiry form gives us the barest glimpse into your plans and begins the conversation that allows us to help you execute your event exactly as you have envisioned it.
No, really, how much food do I need?
The time of your event, demographic composition of your guest list, and style of service all impact the quantity of food that we will recommend.
A good rule of thumb is to plan on serving a minimum of a pound of food per person:
5-6 bite-size appetizers per person
6-8 ounces of protein for a main dish
8 ounces of sides
This does not include any sauces or condiments, nor does it include dessert.
When it comes to holidays, you'll likely exceed these estimates as there are customarily more side dishes. In general, the wider the range of food you provide, the more you'll need of each dish, as guests typically like to try a little bit of everything. The above guidelines apply in particular to buffet meals; plated dinners can more closely approximate the above guidelines.
A meal served outside of the standard meal time can usually get away with lighter fare; an event served at meal time typically dictates that a full meal is served. Guests drinking alcohol tend to eat more, so even an event at a non-meal time may warrant a heartier presentation.
As a host, you want to ensure your guests are left satisfied; as a caterer, we are tend to err on the side of having too much food, rather than not enough. An accurate outline of the parameters of your event will allow us to balance guest satisfaction, while avoiding waste.
How much does catering cost?
We provide the following types of catering:
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drop-off/pick-up catering: budget-friendly option that is well suited to informal gatherings and casual events, with a limited menu of food packaged in aluminum pans and/or on platters. $12-$30 per person.
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buffet or family-style catering: guests may select from a wider range of dishes; catering trays are kept warm in chafing trays, chilled, and/or are served at room temperature. Client may elect to have us set-up, serve food, and break-down the event. $20-$75 per person.
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traditional catering: formal, plated dining experience with full service options, dependent on the complexity of the menu and the length of the event. Service can be provided off-site, or at Gather 256. Waitstaff and bartendder may be employed to help execute event. $50-$100+ per person.
Additional costs: delivery (varies by distance and quantity of food delivered)
PA sales tax (6%)
gratuity (20%)
Larger catering events will require completion of a contract and payment of a deposit (non-refundable within 5 days of the event).