Costs
What catering costs in the UK
Price ranges per head for each kind of catering, what moves the number, and what a quote usually leaves out.
Hog roast cost
A hog roast in rolls with stuffing and apple sauce costs £10 to £15 per head for 50 to 100 guests, falling to £6 to £9 per head at 200.
£10 to £18 per head for a staffed hog roast with rolls and trimmings, or £700 to £1,300 as a package for 50 to 150 guests
Grazing tables cost
A grazing table costs £12 to £25 per head, built on site.
£12 to £25 per head for a grazing table built on site
Party catering cost
A delivered cold buffet for a party costs £10 to £20 per head.
£10 to £20 per head for a delivered cold buffet, £18 to £30 for hot food with staff
Food truck hire cost
A food truck at a private event costs £10 to £18 per head for one main dish, against a minimum spend of £500 to £1,500.
£10 to £18 per head for one main dish from a van, with a minimum spend of £500 to £1,500
Mobile bar hire cost
A staffed mobile bar with drinks included costs £15 to £30 per head for a mixed bar of beer, wine, prosecco and spirits, and £30 to £50 with cocktails and premium spirits.
£15 to £30 per head for a staffed bar with drinks included; a cash bar is often £0 to £600 to the host
Wedding catering cost
A sit-down wedding breakfast costs £40 to £100 per head with staff, crockery and linen.
£40 to £100 per head for a sit-down wedding breakfast with staff; £15 to £30 for a buffet; evening food £10 to £25
Private chef cost
A private chef costs £50 to £120 per head for a three or four-course dinner at home, with ingredients, cooking, service and clearing the kitchen included.
£50 to £120 per head for a three or four-course dinner at home, ingredients included
Pizza van hire cost
Pizza van hire costs £10 to £16 per head for unlimited pizza over a two to three-hour service, with a minimum charge of £600 to £900 for most private events.
£10 to £16 per head for unlimited pizza over a two to three-hour service
Buffet catering cost
A cold finger buffet costs £8 to £15 per head delivered and laid out.
£8 to £15 per head for a cold finger buffet, £15 to £30 for a hot fork buffet, £7 to £18 for canapés
Ice cream van hire cost
An ice cream van costs £300 to £600 for two hours of unlimited soft serve at a private event, and £450 to £850 for longer wedding bookings or larger crowds.
£300 to £600 for two hours of unlimited soft serve for up to about 100 guests, or about £3 to £6 per head
Afternoon tea catering cost
Afternoon tea costs £15 to £30 per head from a caterer.
£15 to £30 per head, delivered or served
Corporate catering cost
A delivered office lunch of sandwiches, salads and fruit costs £10 to £20 per head, with a hot lunch at £15 to £25.
£10 to £20 per head for a delivered office lunch; £20 to £45 per head for a canapé reception and £65 to £120 for a seated dinner
BBQ catering cost
A staffed BBQ costs £15 to £30 per head with two or three meats, a vegetarian option, salads and bread.
£15 to £30 per head for a staffed barbecue with two or three meats, salads and bread
Coffee van hire cost
A coffee van costs £400 to £950 for a private or corporate booking of a few hours, covering the barista, the van, cups and a set number of drinks.
£400 to £950 for a few hours of barista coffee with a set number of drinks included
Asian wedding catering cost
Asian wedding catering costs £25 to £60 per head outside London for a buffet or served menu with starters, mains and desserts, and £40 to £80 in London.
£25 to £60 per head outside London, £40 to £80 in London, for a full menu with staff
Halal catering cost
A halal buffet costs £15 to £25 per head delivered, and a served or staffed halal event menu £20 to £35.
£15 to £30 per head for a halal buffet or served event menu
Dessert catering cost
A self-service sweet cart costs £75 to £300 depending on guest numbers, or about £4 to £5 per head.
£3 to £8 per head; sweet carts from £75, and staffed churros or doughnut stations £300 to £500 for two hours
Funeral catering cost
A delivered cold wake buffet costs £7 to £15 per head, covering sandwiches, savouries such as quiche and sausage rolls, and cakes.
£7 to £15 per head for a delivered cold buffet; £12 to £25 for hot food or a buffet served by staff
Vegan catering cost
Vegan catering costs £8 to £15 per head for a buffet or street food, £16 to £35 for bowl food or sharing platters with staff, and £36 to £65 for a plated menu.
£8 to £15 per head for a vegan buffet or street food; £16 to £35 for bowl food or sharing with staff; £36 to £65 plated
Caribbean catering cost
A delivered Caribbean buffet costs £12 to £20 per head with two meats, rice and peas, plantain and salad.
£12 to £25 per head for a Caribbean buffet, with staffed events at the upper end
Catering cost per head, explained · Catering cost calculator