How much should I charge for a buffet style dinner party for 14-16 people.?

Question

I often cook for my moms wine parties and she rembursis me for the cost of food. One of her friends would like me to cook a dinner for her and friends and I dont know what to charge for my time. I will be making simple pasta dishes serving them family style.

Answer 1

Figure out your costs. Maybe give yourself a small margin of profit after all expenses are figured in. Like %5 or 10%. If it's a friend of your Mom's, you wouldn't want to charge too much.

Answer 2

One way would be to check with some catering companies...see what they charge per dish....usually serves so many people.
You should make money on the food, and also per hour for the time you cook, set up, and clean-up if you do that too....or you can ask for someone else to clean-up.

At a banquet you would charge depending on the entre, and then double it per person.

A buffet is a little different....so figure your cost per dish, then double it.....then your time at $20 hr or whatever you want to get.....then from that figure an amount per person.....because if they add people, you will have to add food and time......

Anybody I have ever gotten a quote from, quoted per person...or based on how many are in the party..... Also do you have to replenish the food? Usually at a buffet you have to keep the dishes filled, so you have to figure that too.....or you won't make any money.

It might help if you know what it cost to do it for you mother...if you are serving the same food....start there, then add per hour for your time, and multiply if there are more people.....

Answer 3

14 - 16 people?! That's a lot of supplies cost and work to transport food, utensils, drinks, cups, napkins and table decorations. I'd ask at least $400 for the entire effort. Unless you have done something like this before you don't know how much goes into the entire event, and believe me, it takes a lot of effort to pull this off. If you have a few friends to help cook and transport, ask for $300 and take your friends out for a few drinks afterward.
You're going to make about $50 when you figure in your time and material expenses if you go it alone.

Answer 4

There are so many variables in this question. As with all services, fees vary with your geographic area. Then, fees will be lower for someone with little to no catering history, versus one well-known in the area. Also, you have to look at what they are accustomed to paying for things like this - or if it's something new to them. What can and are they willing to pay (favor versus business deal)? Is this fee including food & supplies - or above and beyond?

In my little neck of the woods, I know people who charge $5 a person above and beyond supplies (food, beverage, paper products, etc.). I also know others who charge $25 a person and are booked.

If this is something you are wanting to do as a business and are just getting off the ground, I would recommend cutting them a deal. Charge $3 a person - above and beyond supplies - and have you some business cards available. Just keep in mind that when you do charge people for services, you open yourself up to lawsuits. If something should go wrong with the food and someone winds up sick....well, it's a lot easier to lose in court if you were paid for your services. Some people forget to think about that part.

I wish you the best of luck in your venture.

PS..After reading the other posts, I have to add that you should look at it as if you were your mother's friend...Would you pay your best friend's daughter - who isn't a full-fledged caterer - $10+ a person -above supplies - for simple pasta dishes?

Answer 5

Since you're talking about one of your mom's friends, this could be sticky. Has she asked you how much you'll charge? Or is this something you're wanting to talk to her about? Get clear on if she expects to only pay for the cost of the food or if she intends to throw in the extra to pay you for your time. Simple pasta dishes don't usually conjur up thoughts of spending top dollar. Even though they can be expensive to make at times, you won't be spending as much on them as you would something else. If it becomes "sticky" to ask to be paid, then I would figure the food costs down to the last penny and multiply it by 15%. Give that total figure to your hostess and that way you'll get a little something for yourself as well.

Answer 6

When I cater a meal I charge by the plate. So, a pasta dinner served buffet style would be $10.00 a plate. That includes the entree, garden salad, garlic bread and dessert. If you are serving something more elaborate the price needs to increase accordingly.

Answer 7

charge buffet style dinner party 1416 people

Answer 8

Depending on the size of the party, you can rent chafing dishes and get half pans(2 half pans fit into 1 chafer) that way you don't take up alot of space. An easy dish that is cold is antipasta. Inexpansive and rather easy to make. I would do a little of the following- chicken dish fish dish veggies starch- cheesy potatos?? pasta(cold) maybe a fruit salad(always yummy in hte summer heat) if you do apps. remember that each person usually has 2 of each and use that as a guideline good luck and have fun with it!!!!!!!!!

Answer 9

You should charge a minimum of $10 per person, depending on the geographic area you are in. Remember, don't sell yourself short! The party host is not only paying for your time, but your skills as well. Check out this article about how to start a catering business http://tinyurl.com/25ppfw

Answer 10

Take the cost of your ingredients, give yourself an hourly fee for preparation and serving, also water ,electra and gas. Divide the total into a price per person.