Catering vs grocery store party platters: what you get for the price

Grocery store party platters vs catering comes down to group size and how much you want to check before you buy. For 8 to 12 people and a same-day need, a store platter is often the simpler and cheaper choice. At 25 or 30 guests and up, a caterer's trays give you a written quote, a set pick-up time and food made in a licensed kitchen. Upper Crust has no minimum on trays and platters, and we ask for 3 days' notice.

What you get with Upper Crust

• Food cooked from scratch in one licensed, inspected commercial kitchen in Yorkville. Stocks, sauces, dressings and bread are made there.
• No minimum on trays and platters, and no small-party surcharge. One tray or ten, the price per tray is the same.
• Counts printed on the menu. Assorted Finger Sandwiches, $89 a tray, 60 pieces. Assorted Cheese Tray with Crackers, $69 a tray, 60 pieces.
• One planner from quote to pick-up. Food, tax and any delivery are priced in writing before you commit.
• Pick-up at the kitchen in Yorkville, with no service charge on drop-off or pick-up orders. Delivery is quoted when you order.
• Hot dishes can be kept hot with a Chafing Dish Set, $17 each, yours to keep.

What to check with a grocery store platter

• What is the piece count or serving count, and is it printed on the label or only given as a size?
• How far ahead must you order, and is the platter made in store or brought in?
• Can you get an ingredient and allergen list before you buy, and how is the tray prepared?
• Is the price per tray or by weight, and does a bigger order change it?
• What is the pick-up window, and how long can the tray sit out at your party?
• If something is wrong with the order, who do you speak to, and is that person there on the day?

Where the grocery store is the better choice

Be honest about the small end. For 10 guests, one store platter will usually cost less than a caterer's tray, because you only pay for what you need. If the party is tomorrow, a store can fill a platter the same day, and we cannot, since our notice is 3 days. If you are already shopping for chips, drinks and paper plates, one stop saves a trip. And if the platter is a side to your own cooking, a store tray is a fine backup.

A real example: 30 guests, cold spread

Say 30 guests at an open house over about two hours. We plan about 2 to 3 appetizer pieces per guest per hour, so 120 to 180 pieces plus vegetables and something sweet.

• Assorted Finger Sandwiches: $89 for 60 pieces
• Assorted Cheese Tray with Crackers: $69 for 60 pieces
• Fresh Vegetable Crudités, $59 a tray, serves 25 to 30
• Assorted Dessert Tray, $59 a tray, 40 pieces

That is $89 + $69 + $59 + $59 = $276, plus 9.25% sales tax of $25.53, for $301.53 total. It is 120 savory pieces, a vegetable tray and 40 sweets, about $9 a guest before tax. Pick-up carries no service charge. Price the same list at your store, using its own piece counts, and compare the totals.

See more cold trays on the platters menu, or get a written price through a quote. For other comparisons, read club store party trays vs a caterer and catering vs restaurant takeout for a party of 30.

Questions

How many guests does an Upper Crust platter feed?

It depends on the platter. Finger sandwiches and the cheese tray are 60 pieces each. We plan 2 to 3 appetizer pieces per guest per hour, so one 60-piece tray covers roughly 20 to 30 guests for an hour if it is the only item.

Is there a minimum order?

No. Trays and platters have no minimum and no small-party surcharge. Buffets start at 20 guests.

Can I order the same day?

No. Standard orders need 3 days' notice. For a last-minute party, a store or a restaurant is the faster route.

Can you deliver?

Yes, and delivery is quoted when you order. You can also pick up at the kitchen in Yorkville. Call (630) 553-9533 to ask.