Affordable catering: how to feed 50 people on a budget, from $11.16 a person

Affordable catering for 50 people is trays picked up at the kitchen. A menu of pulled pork sliders, potato salad and cookies comes to $558 before tax, or $11.16 a person. Boxed lunches for 50 are $725 and a hot buffet is $949.50. The difference is service. Trays you pick up carry no service charge, so you pay for food.

Three price points for 50 people

All prices are before 9.25% sales tax.

• Trays, pick up: $558, or $11.16 a person.
• Basic Boxed Lunches: 50 x $14.50 = $725, or $14.50 a person, 20-box minimum.
• Buffet Menu 1: 50 x $18.99 = $949.50, hot food for 20 or more guests.

Trays are the lowest price because you do the carrying and the setup. Buffets and boxes save you that work.

The $558 tray menu

• 3 trays BBQ Pulled Pork, $95 each: $285
• 3 trays Slider Sandwich Buns, 24 each, $12 each: $36
• 3 trays Potato Salad, $49 each: $147
• 2 trays Assorted Home Baked Cookies, 40 count, $45 each: $90

Total: $285 + $36 + $147 + $90 = $558. That is enough for 50 when the pork and sides are the whole meal. If you would rather have a cold side with a second flavor, swap one potato salad for Creamy Cole Slaw at $55. Our pulled pork slider guide shows how many sliders to plan per guest.

Where to save

• Pick up instead of delivery. Delivery is quoted when you order, so ask what it adds. Picking up in Yorkville avoids it.
• Skip the service charge. Drop-off and pick-up orders have no service charge. Staffed events add servers at $35 an hour with a 4-hour minimum, a $50 event production fee and a 20% service charge.
• Use your own serving dishes. A chafing dish is $17 per hot dish and yours to keep. A foil pan and a slow cooker you already own can do the job.
• Use plates you already have. Plates, napkins and silverware are $1.50 a person, or $75 for 50. Buying paper plates at the store may cost less.
• Choose price-friendly trays. Bruschetta with Garlic Toast Points is $45 for 60 pieces. Chocolate Drizzled Mini Cream Puffs are $45 for 50.
• Serve water and tea. Iced Tea, Punch or Lemonade is $89 for 50 servings, cups included.

Where not to save

Do not cut the main. A short supply of the hot dish is what guests remember. Order the trays your headcount needs, and add buffer if guests are likely to take seconds. Your guest count can go up any time before the balance is paid.

Compare before you decide

Boxed lunches are the least work and work well for offices. A buffet is right if you want a staffed, hot meal. For a longer breakdown of portions, see how much food for 50 people. Every order is priced in writing, with food, extras and tax on one sheet, before you commit.

To get a number for your event, call (630) 553-9533 or use the quote form. Orders need three days' notice.

Questions

What is the most affordable way to cater?

Trays you pick up. They have no minimum and no service charge.

Is a buffet worth the extra cost?

If you want hot entrées set up by someone else, yes. Buffet Menu 1 is $18.99 a person for 20 or more.

Do you have a minimum order?

Trays and platters have none. Buffets start at 20 guests and boxed lunches at 20 boxes.

Is there a deposit?

Our standard deposit is 25% to reserve the date, credited to your balance, with the balance due 7 days before the event. Ask when you order how it applies to a small tray order.