Catering menu ideas for any budget: seven menus from $6.80 to $22.99 a person

Catering menu ideas start with how much you want to spend a person. From our kitchen in Yorkville it runs from about $6.80 for baked pasta trays, to $14.50 for a boxed lunch, about $15.60 for a BBQ from trays, $18.99 to $20.99 for a hot buffet, and $22.99 for a holiday dinner. Below are seven real menus with the math for 50 guests. Prices are before 9.25% sales tax. Call (630) 553-9533.

Under $10 a person: baked pasta trays

For 40 guests: 2 large Baked Mostaccioli at $75 is $150, 2 trays Classic Caesar Salad at $49 is $98, and 2 trays Fresh Homemade Bread at $11.99 is $23.98. Total $271.98, or $6.80 a person, assuming we plan on 20 portions to a large tray. Pick up and serve from chafing dishes. There is more detail in pasta bar catering.

$11.99 a person: breakfast

Continental Breakfast is $11.99 a person, vegetarian. For 50 guests that is $599.50. The Basic Breakfast Buffet is $16.99 a person, $849.50 for 50. Ham Steaks with Biscuits & Sausage Gravy is $6.99 a person, a good add to a continental spread. See breakfast and brunch.

$14.50 to $17.50 a person: boxed lunches

Each person gets their own box on a fresh baked French roll, with a 20-box minimum. Basic Boxed Lunch is $14.50, Executive Boxed Lunch is $16.50 and Executive Chef's Chopped Salad is $17.50. For 50 boxes that is $725, $825 or $875. Details are under boxed lunches.

About $15.60 a person: a BBQ from trays

Pulled pork sliders, potato salad, cole slaw, baked beans and two desserts feed 40 for $624, which is $15.60 a person. The full list is in party food catering for birthdays and picnics.

$18.99, $19.99, $20.99 a person: hot buffets

A buffet has two entrées, three sides and bread, and starts at 20 guests.

• Buffet Menu 1, $18.99: comfort classics like herb roasted chicken, baked mostaccioli, meat loaf and pulled pork. For 50 guests, $949.50.
• Buffet Menu 2, $19.99: chicken piccata, marsala, pot roast, roast turkey and our famous pork chops. For 50 guests, $999.50.
• Buffet Menu 3, $20.99: carved sirloin, cordon bleu, cod, brisket and salmon. For 50 guests, $1,049.50.

The step from Menu 1 to Menu 3 is $2 a person, which is $100 over 50 guests.

$21.99 to $22.99 a person: packages

Shower Package is $21.99 a person, with croissant sandwiches, salads and sweet treats. Thanksgiving Dinner and Christmas Dinner are $22.99 a person. For 50 guests that is $1,099.50 for a shower and $1,149.50 for a holiday dinner. Thanksgiving Dinner has a 6-person minimum, and the Shower Package starts at 20.

What changes the total

Menu choice is half the bill. The other half is what surrounds it.

• Staff: Drop-off and pick-up orders have no service charge. A staffed event adds servers at $35 an hour each (4-hour minimum), a $50 event production fee and a 20% service charge on food and rentals.
• Settings: Plates, Napkins & Silverware are $1.50 a person. Chafing dishes are $17 per hot dish, or $20 to rent.
• Drink Coff and Iced Tea, Punch or Lemonade are $89 for 50 servings. Soft drinks and water are $2.49 each.
• Delivery: quoted when you order. Pick-up at the kitchen has none.

Trays and platters have no minimum and no small-party surcharge. Buffets and packages start at 20 guests. For the cheapest ways to do any of these, see cheap catering ideas. For an overview of how much a typical order costs, see catering near me in Yorkville and Oswego. Send your date and count through the quote page.

Questions

What is the cheapest way to cater a party?

Trays for pick-up. They have no minimum and no service charge, and a pasta tray menu comes to about $6.80 a person for 40.

How do I choose between a buffet and trays?

A buffet is a full meal arranged for you at $18.99 a person or more. Trays let you pick every dish, and you do the serving.

Does the per-person price include tax?

No. Sales tax of 9.25% is added to food and rentals. Tax-exempt organizations give us a certificate before the invoice.