Total Cost
$7,040
Per Guest
$70
Food
$3,500
Staff
4
Estimated Catering Cost
$7,040
$70 per guest (incl. tax + gratuity)
Food
$3,500
Bar
$1,500
Staff
4
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Inputs
Result
Food: 100 × $35 = $3,500. Bar: 100 × $15 = $1,500. Staff: ceil(100/25) = 4 × $25 × 5 hrs = $500. Subtotal: $5,500. Tax 8%: $440. Gratuity 20%: $1,100. Total: $7,040.
Inputs
Result
Food: 150 × $55 × 1.35 = $11,138. Bar: 150 × $30 = $4,500. Staff: 13 × $25 × 5 = $1,625. Subtotal: $17,263. Tax: $1,381. Gratuity: $3,453. Total: $22,097.
Buffet service costs $35–50 per person for food alone. Plated dinner costs $55–75. Family style is $45–60. Food stations run $50–70. Adding beer and wine adds $15–25 per person. A standard open bar adds $30–50. With 20% gratuity and 8% tax, a $35 buffet becomes about $47 per person all-in.
| Service | Food Only | Beer & Wine | Open Bar |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buffet | $35 | $50 | $65 |
| Plated | $55 | $70 | $85 |
| Family Style | $45 | $60 | $75 |
| Stations | $50 | $65 | $80 |
Staffing ratios depend on service style. Buffet: 1 server per 25 guests. Plated: 1 per 12 guests. Family style: 1 per 18. Food stations: 1 per 20. For 100 guests with plated service: 9 staff minimum. Staff cost averages $25–35 per hour. A 5-hour plated event: 9 staff × $25 × 5 = $1,125 in labor.
Buffet is typically 30–40% cheaper than plated service. Buffet costs $35 per person vs $55 for plated (food only). Buffet also needs fewer servers (1:25 vs 1:12), saving on labor. For 100 guests and 5 hours: buffet total $6,048 vs plated $9,702 — a savings of $3,654 or 38%.
Standard catering gratuity is 18–22% of the pre-tax subtotal. Many caterers include an automatic 18–20% service charge. Check your contract — if gratuity is included, additional tipping is optional but appreciated ($20–50 per staff member). If not included, 20% of the subtotal is standard.
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Last Updated: Mar 20, 2026
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