Catering Cost Per Person
A useful early budget is a range, not a single precise quote. The estimator stores rounded planning bands locally and never calls a live pricing API.
The table uses the same versioned data as the Catering Budget Calculator. It shows national-average standard buffet planning ranges before city, optional drinks, service or delivery adjustments.
Quantities for your guest count
Standard values come from PortionPal’s central calculation engines.
| Category | Planning quantity | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Germany | 29 €–63 € / guest | 580 €–1.260 € total |
| United States | $33–$75 / guest | $660–$1,500 total |
| United Kingdom | £28–£63 / guest | £560–£1,260 total |
| Canada | $39–$83 / guest | $780–$1,660 total |
| Australia | $43–$93 / guest | $860–$1,860 total |
The budget formula
Base low, typical and high cost per guest × city multiplier × budget-level factor × guest count. Optional drinks, alcohol, staff and delivery are then added only when selected. City multipliers use understandable bands from 0.90 to 1.15.
What changes the cost per guest
DIY shopping, drop-off, buffet and plated service have different labor and equipment needs. Menu ingredients, service time, venue access, taxes, gratuity and rentals can all change a provider’s quote.
Country and city estimates
Version 2026-07-v1 supports Germany, the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and Australia. Each country includes selected major cities and an Other city option that uses the national average.
Use the estimate responsibly
Prices are approximate estimates and may vary depending on the provider, exact location, menu, season, taxes and service requirements. Obtain comparable written quotes before booking and confirm what each quote includes.
Connect menu and drinks plans
Transfer guest counts from the Party Menu Planner and Drinks Calculator through privacy-safe URL state. The budget page indicates imported menu or drink categories without requiring an account or storing a plan on the server.
Use the related calculators
Frequently asked questions
How is catering cost per person calculated?
PortionPal starts with a local country range for the selected catering type, applies a rounded city multiplier and budget level, then includes only the optional cost categories selected by the user.
Are these live catering prices?
No. They are static planning estimates reviewed on the displayed date. They are not live supermarket prices, provider quotations or guarantees.
What happens if my city is not listed?
Choose Other city to use the national-average multiplier of 1.00, then replace the result with a real local quote when available.
Why does the calculator show a range?
Catering prices vary with provider, menu, season, taxes, staffing and venue requirements. A low, typical and high range communicates that uncertainty more honestly than one exact number.
Methodology and sources
Quantities are planning estimates generated from PortionPal’s central engines. Appetite, activity, recipes and local requirements can change the result.
Prepared and reviewed for calculation consistency: July 19, 2026