How Much Does Catering for a Party Cost?

Party catering is all about balancing great taste, time and cost.

Maybe you’re considering catering for a party at home but worried it will blow out your budget. Sure, it’s fast, fresh and delicious but there’s a lot of overpriced catering out there.

You want something top-shelf but still affordable. It needs to be delivered at a time that works for you and preferably caters to dietary requirements in a way that’s just as delicious.

It may sound like a foolish party planner’s dream but we promise it’s possible to balance cost and taste for the perfect party catering.

Let’s break down what sort of costs we’re dealing with.

What impacts the cost of catering for a party?

Pretty much everything impacts the cost of party catering. This can sound a little daunting, but it also means there are plenty of ways for a savvy event planner to save.

Some of the biggest catering cost factors include:

• Type of event
• Number of guests
• Menu selection
• Location
   

So with all this in mind, how much does catering cost? Well, the type of event has a big impact. A little get-together and cocktail party catering run on very different budgets.

But if you’re catering for a party at home, then there’s no need to stress. You can pick a nice affordable crowd-pleaser like our Chicken Schnitzel Sandwich Platter.

Picking the best budget-friendly party platters starts with the event but the number of guests is important too.

After all, big groups also offer big savings. Whether you’re catering for the whole extended family or office team, keep costs down with our classic Big Lunch Platter. This famous platter bundles up our most popular picks into one affordable package to keep catering costs per head low.

Menu selection is another big decision you’ll have to make.

When it comes to menu selections, it’s fairly simple. More food and more options are awesome but it’s going to cost more.

And then there’s always location. A party in the outback quickly racks up some pretty huge catering costs.

So how much does catering cost for a party? It’s all about the choices you make, starting with the company. Top catering companies keep delivery costs low and offer a wide variety of delivery locations.

Smart Ways To Save When Catering for a Party

Many things impact catering costs which means there are also plenty of savvy ways to cut costs and run a tight ship.

Here are some of our top tips to save on catering costs:

Plan Ahead

The best way to avoid impulse purchases, last-minute surcharges and poor options is to plan. A few minutes of searching should be enough to find the perfect platters. You can filter for dietary requirements, special occasions and meal types.

And once you find the catering platters that are right for you, lock them in.

Simplify The Menu

We’re all for a big party feast but maybe there’s a better way to do things. Cut down on platters and just go for your favourite flavours.

Everyone knows the smaller a meal, the more expensive and delicious it must be. A short classy menu might be perfect for cocktail party catering.

Try Buffet Style

Ignore the last tip, bigger is always better. Buy the biggest platters and enjoy extra food with a side of extra savings.

Big bundle platters are packed with crowd favourites and enough food to keep the party going all night.

Go Alcohol-Free

Switch up the drinks for some surprise savings. Experimenting with non-alcoholic drinks is a simple way to liven up the party and try something new. Going alcohol-free is an easy way to cut costs and carbs.

Catering is about making things stress-free. If you’re not getting gold-class service at a great price, then you’ve probably chosen the wrong catering company.

Following these top tips will help you save on catering and put on the best party.

How Much Does Catering Cost?

When figuring out how much catering costs, there are all sorts of metrics - everything from catering costs per head to 100-gram breakdowns. The biggest catering cost is when you order too much.

That’s why we offer sizes for any occasion - everything from individual packs to small, medium and large platters. You can stay on top of your costs with the perfect platter sizes.

Then there’s the sort of food you’re looking for. Quality should always be guaranteed but the complexity will change.

If you go for premium options, like our Gourmet Sandwich Platter, you’ll be in for a culinary treat. Or if you prefer something classic, then you’re better off with our Finger Sandwich Platter.

Is there extra cost when catering for people with dietary requirements?
Catering for dietary requirements is standard stuff. Some of the most common dietary requirements include:

• Vegan
• Vegetarian
• Dairy-free
• Gluten-free
• Nut-free
   

These dietary requirements may be common but they don’t have to be costly. Here at the Catering Project, we think it should be easy to cater for everyone and keep costs down.

That’s why we offer so many awesome dietary platters that everyone will love. Like our Gourmet Vegetarian Bites Platter, so popular it’ll get even the meat eaters poking around.

After all, an easy way to waste money is to order a platter for your vegetarian friend that no one else ends up eating. Our top tip to avoid this? Order dietary platters that the whole party crowd will enjoy.

We take dietary requirements seriously and think every catering company should.

Final Thoughts

Catering for a party is a big deal. You’ve got to balance dietary requirements, platter sizes, party type and atmosphere. It’s a tough job but your guests will thank you later.

Dreamt up the perfect platter selection but not sure about cost? We’re proud of our prices and always happy to offer custom quotes. Plus, we’ve got plenty of delivery deals, bundle platters and tailored sizes available.

For more great platters and excellent prices, visit the Catering Project to get your party started!