Cost guide
How much does buffet catering cost?
A cold finger buffet costs £8 to £15 per head delivered and laid out. A hot fork buffet is £15 to £30, and canapés handed round by staff are about £7 for three per guest, £10 for five and £18 for ten. The same menu costs more per head at 25 guests than at 100.
Typical prices
Ranges, not quotes. A quote depends on your room.
| Work | Typical UK price |
|---|---|
| Cold finger buffet, delivered, per head | £8 to £15 |
| Hot fork buffet, per head | £15 to £30 |
| Canapés, 3 per guest | £6 to £10 |
| Canapés and bowl food as the meal, per head | £18 to £35 |
| Staff to serve and clear, per head | £2 to £6 extra |
Ask how many items per head the menu includes and whether that is enough to be the meal or only a snack. A £9 buffet with six items and a £14 buffet with twelve are not the same order.
What moves the price
- Cold, hot or canapés. A delivered finger buffet is the cheapest; hot food and canapés need more work and staff.
- Items per head. A menu of six items and a menu of twelve are different orders at different prices.
- Drop-off or staffed. Staff to serve, replenish and clear add £2 to £6 a head, or a flat fee.
- Guest numbers. Delivery and set-up are fixed costs, so small orders pay more per head.
- Extras. Chafing dishes, crockery, linen and tea and coffee are sometimes included and sometimes not.
Who quotes for it
1549 of the 2,162 caterers listed on this site take on buffet catering.
Where they are: Birmingham (12), Coventry (12), Glasgow (12), London (12), Milton Keynes (12).
Questions about buffet catering
Does Natasha's Law apply to buffets?
No. Natasha's Law covers food prepacked for direct sale, such as sandwiches wrapped before they are ordered. An open buffet is outside it, but the caterer must still tell you which of the 14 allergens each dish contains.
How much is a buffet for 50 people?
A delivered cold finger buffet for 50 costs roughly £400 to £750. A hot fork buffet with staff costs roughly £750 to £1,500.