Engagement party catering: how much to order for 20 or 40 guests

For engagement party catering, we plan about 8 to 10 pieces a guest for a party of two to three hours where there is no sit-down dinner. For 40 guests that is 380 savory pieces and 85 sweets from five savory trays and two dessert trays, $465 before tax, about $11.63 a person. For 20 guests, a smaller version is $154. Trays have no minimum, and we need three days' notice. Call (630) 553-9533.

Decide what kind of party it is

How much you order depends on whether people are eating dinner there.

• Appetizers and drinks, two to three hours: the plan below. About 8 to 10 pieces a guest, plus sweets.
• Appetizers before a dinner: 3 to 5 pieces a guest. See how many appetizers per person.
• A real meal: go to a buffet. Buffet Menu 1 is $18.99 a person, Menu 2 is $19.99 and Menu 3 is $20.99, and all start at 20 guests.

The 8 to 10 figure is our planning guide, not a rule. If the party starts at dinner time, aim high.

Engagement party for 40 guests

This menu is in three layers: cold items on the table when people arrive, hot items that go out after the toast, and something sweet.

• 1 Cheese & Sausage Tray: $79, 120 pieces
• 1 tray Cocktail Meatballs: $64, 100 pieces
• 1 tray Bruschetta with Garlic Toast Points: $45, 60 pieces
• 1 tray Assorted Finger Sandwiches: $89, 60 pieces
• 1 tray Bacon Wrapped Dates: $74, 40 pieces
• 1 tray Chocolate Covered Strawberries: $69, 35 to 40 count
• 1 tray Chocolate Drizzled Mini Cream Puffs: $45, 50 count

That is 380 savory pieces (9.5 each), 85 or more sweets, and $465, or $11.63 a guest. Add Iced Tea, Punch or Lemonade, $89 for 50 servings, and the total is $554, $13.85 a guest. Add 9.25% sales tax. The meatballs and the dates are hot trays, so add a Chafing Dish Set at $17 per hot dish.

Engagement party for 20 guests

A smaller party can be kept simple:

• 1 tray Cocktail Meatballs: $64, 100 pieces (5 each)
• 1 tray Bruschetta with Garlic Toast Points: $45, 60 pieces (3 each)
• 1 tray Chocolate Drizzled Mini Cream Puffs: $45, 50 count

That is 160 savory pieces, 8 a guest, 50 sweets and $154, $7.70 a guest, before tax. Add the Assorted Cheese Tray with Crackers, $69, 60 pieces, and you are at $223.

Dietary notes

Bacon Wrapped Dates, Chocolate Covered Strawberries and the Cheese & Sausage Tray are listed as gluten-free. Bruschetta, the Assorted Cheese Tray and Fresh Vegetable Crudités, $59, are vegetarian. The kitchen handles wheat, dairy, eggs, soy, nuts, fish, shellfish and sesame, so tell us about any allergy when you order.

Should you have staff?

For a home or a backyard, no. Drop-off or pick-up orders carry no service charge. For a hall, staff can set up, keep the trays filled and clear. That is a staffed event: servers are $35 an hour each with a 4-hour minimum, there is a $50 event production fee and a 20% service charge on food and rentals, and we need 14 days' notice. Look at drop-off catering first, then birthday and anniversary parties for the hall version.

How to order

Tell us the date, the count and where it is. The person who writes your quote is on the phone the morning of the party. Pick-up is at 109 E Hydraulic Ave in Yorkville, and delivery is quoted when you order. Use the quote page when you are ready.

Questions

How much food for 50 engagement party guests?

Take the 40-guest plan and add a second Cheese & Sausage Tray for $79. That brings the savory count to 500 pieces, 10 a guest. We also have a broader guide on how much food for 50 people.

Do you do tastings?

Tastings are by appointment at the kitchen showroom for weddings and big events. Ask when you call.

Can I order only appetizers?

Yes. Trays have no minimum and there is no small-party surcharge.