Appetizer catering: how to build a tray order by the piece
Cocktail Meatballs are $64 for 100 pieces, about $0.64 each. Appetizer catering priced by the piece, with a two-hour cocktail hour for 40 at $178.
By the Upper Crust Catering kitchen
For appetizer catering, order by the piece: Cocktail Meatballs are $64 for 100 pieces, Bruschetta with Garlic Toast Points is $45 for 60 and an Assorted Cheese Tray with Crackers is $69 for 60. We plan 2 to 3 pieces per guest per hour, so a two-hour cocktail hour for 40 comes to about 160 to 240 pieces.
Price per piece
Divide the tray price by the count and you can compare fast. The numbers below are rounded to the cent.
- Cheese & Sausage Tray, $79 for 120 pieces: $0.66 each
- Cocktail Meatballs, $64 for 100: $0.64 each
- Bruschetta, $45 for 60: $0.75 each
- Rumaki, $64 for 60: $1.07 each
- Assorted Cheese Tray, $69 for 60: $1.15 each
- Open Faced Mini Grilled Reubens, $64 for 28: $2.29 each
- Bacon Wrapped Dates, $74 for 40: $1.85 each
- Jumbo Chilled Shrimp, $95 for 60: $1.58 each
The cheapest piece is not always the right piece. A few higher-priced items on a table of cheaper ones make the whole spread feel generous.
A cocktail hour for 40
Two hours before dinner, 40 guests, about 4 to 6 pieces each:
- 1 Cocktail Meatballs, 100 pieces: $64
- 1 Assorted Cheese Tray, 60 pieces: $69
- 1 Bruschetta, 60 pieces: $45
That is 220 pieces, or 5.5 per guest, for $178, which is $4.45 a person. With 9.25% sales tax it is $194.47. Add a hot dish for the meatballs: a Chafing Dish Set is $17.
Mix hot, cold and one standout
Mix three kinds of tray so the table does not run out of one thing:
- One hot tray that fills people up, like meatballs or Mini Italian Sausage Kebabs, $74 for 60.
- One cold tray that people can graze on, such as cheese, antipasto or crudités.
- One standout, such as shrimp or Crabmeat Stuffed Mushrooms, $69.
Add something for guests who do not eat meat. Fresh Vegetable Crudités are $59 and serve 25 to 30, and Bruschetta is vegetarian.
Hot or cold: what to plan for
Hot appetizers need a way to stay hot. Use a chafing dish, or plan to serve them in short rounds. Cold platters on black lacquer trays can sit out, but keep them out of the sun and away from the hot dishes.
Gluten-free choices
Bacon Wrapped Dates, Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus Spears, Jumbo Chilled Shrimp, Fresh Vegetable Crudités and the Cheese & Sausage Tray are tagged gluten-free. Our kitchen also handles wheat, so we cannot promise any dish is free of trace amounts.
How to order
Trays have no minimum. Ask for about three days' notice. Pick up at the kitchen in Yorkville, or ask for delivery to be quoted when you order. See our full list of every tray and piece count in catered appetizers near Yorkville and our holiday parties page. For a custom mix, ask for a quote or call (630) 553-9533.
Questions
How many appetizers per person?
We plan 2 to 3 pieces per guest per hour for a mix of items. Use the higher number if dinner is not being served.
Is there a minimum order?
No. Trays have no minimum, and buffets and packages start at 20 guests.
Do you serve hot and cold appetizers?
Yes. Hot trays like meatballs and rumaki, and cold platters like cheese, crudités and shrimp.
Holiday party catering for the office and the family, plus dinner to go
