How do I calculate the catering budget for my event?
The first thing you should know is the number of guests who will attend the corporate event. Catering for 10 people is not the same as catering for 50 people.
We help you calculate how much your catering could cost based on the type of event and number of guests.
Define the type of event
In catering preparation, menu selection is usually the most complex task, since when dealing with an event attended by different types of guests, it is difficult to satisfy all tastes or special dietary needs. At Freshli, we want to help you with some tips that will allow you to make a good choice. Depending on the time when the event will take place and taking into account its duration, we can broadly determine 2 types of catering as a starting point: Cocktail - Lunch/Dinner. Can substitute a meal. Cocktail - Appetizer. Does not substitute a meal. It is also important to consider if there is another activity before or after and the duration of the event.
How many bites should I order?
At Freshli, we opt for a Finger Food catering proposal combining the magic of gourmet and practical, as it is a set of dishes, presented in small bites, which allows a great variety of textures, flavors, and presentations while adapting very well to all tastes and diets that require a special menu, always including options for everyone. To select the appropriate amount for your catering according to the number of diners, we will calculate units of bites per person, as it is the most practical way in which we can know exactly how many pieces we will need for people who require special diets. If it is a cocktail appetizer between meals, approximately 4 to 10 bites per diner are calculated, depending on the duration of the event. 1h arrow-icon → 4 pieces 2h arrow-icon → 6 pieces 2h arrow-icon → 8 pieces 4h arrow-icon → 10 pieces If what we want is for our cocktail to replace a complete meal, we will have to select about 8 to 14 pieces for each diner, depending on the duration of the event. 1h arrow-icon → 8 pieces 2h arrow-icon → 10 pieces 3h arrow-icon → 12 pieces 4h arrow-icon → 14 pieces
What varieties of bites to select?
For a balanced finger food catering, we offer you a selection of bites presented in mini portions, whose charm lies precisely in them being as heterogeneous as possible: different textures, flavors, and aromas. The refreshment is completed with a repertoire of drinks in line with the food. For selecting a balanced buffet, the ideal is to combine sweet and savory pieces in a proportion of 1 sweet piece for every 3 savory ones (with a maximum of 3 sweet pieces), unless we want to treat our guests specifically with what is known as sweet buffets which consists of a complete assortment of sweets, desserts, and pastries for them to taste at their leisure. This sweet tasting should include some lighter dishes such as a fruit selection to soften the meal.
Catering proposals for groups
Below we detail some example proposals that can serve as a guide to prepare the choice of your own offer, according to the catering budget you have allocated for the event.
Catering for 10 people
Type: Cocktail - Appetizer Duration: 2h
The ideal is about 4 pieces per person with a selection of 3 savory bites and 1 sweet. A good example could be:
1 Assorted salads 12u 1 Assorted bagels 15u 1 Assorted brioches 12u 1 Cod fritters 15u 1 Assorted muffins 20u
Catering for 30 people
Type: Cocktail - Appetizer Duration: 2h
The ideal is about 6 pieces per person with a selection of 5 savory bites and 1 sweet. A good example could be:
2 Trays of Bulgur salads 12u 2 Trays of Iberian ham flutes 18u 2 Trays of Smoked salmon bagels 15u 2 Trays of Assorted burgers 20u 1 Cheese board 1 Assorted muffins 20u 2 Chocolate pop dots 16u
Catering for 50 people
Type: Cocktail - Appetizer Duration: 3h
The ideal is about 8 pieces per person with a selection of 6 savory bites and 2 sweets. An example could be:
2 Goat cheese salads 12u 2 Caesar salads 12u 2 Assorted salads 12u 3 Assorted flutes 18u 4 Assorted bagels 15u 3 Assorted burgers 20u 3 Assorted focaccias 16u 1 Iberian cold cuts board 3 Assorted pastries 17u 3 Assorted muffins 20u
*If there are guests with special diets among the attendees, some of the savory trays can be substituted for others that meet the requirements such as gluten-free, vegetarian, or vegan savory trays.
Creating your own catering budget has never been so simple.
With our new quantity calculator, we help you define the number of pieces you need for your catering based on the number of guests and the duration of the event. Organizing a party, coffee break, meeting with friends, or any other event has never been easier. You are three simple steps away from having the best gastronomy. 1. Check the quantity calculator and make your selection. 2. Tell us the type of event, the number of diners, and the duration. 3. We propose both the quantity and the appropriate variety to suit your event.