Spell that three times fast. Not only can we spell it, we can cook them. Heavy Hors d’Oeuvres buffets? Check. Passed, lipstick-friendly bites? Check. Chef-in-station, cook-to-order, small plates? Check it to the max.
hdv infoWhen you absolutely have to pull out the stops, go for a plated meal. Coursed dinners are elegant and memorable. Our kitchen team loves them — as they try to outdo one another on making both a flavorful, beautiful, and memorable plate.
Plated InfoYou want a complete meal experience, but budget restrictions rule out the service required for a plated or family style dinner. Maybe your timeline is a little more fluid requiring longer service time. Go buffet. A little more informal, delicious, and easier on the budget.
Buffet InfoYou are looking for community at the table. Shared food leads to shared conversations and shared laughter. Family style carries a bit less formality compared to full service but a bit more service than a buffet. It can be a perfect fit for those searching for the elusive middle ground.
Family Style InfoBest For: Cocktail style parties. Informal affairs. Events where you want lots of mingling. Drop in events — where guests drift in and out of the party.
Menu Thoughts: Chef stations or small themed buffet stations bring the “foodie” experience to the party. Share Plates are fun and get food to your guests quickly. Hors d’Oeuvres buffets add a bit more substance to the meal.
Brass Tacks: Asking for hard numbers is near impossible. Soft numbers? Food is going to run you $20 (light and simple) to $40 (pretty nice and filling) per person. Can it be less? Maybe. Can it be more? Sure… let’s talk about halibut and tenderloin!
Other Notes: Stand up cocktail tables and very limited seating work great for this type of party. Food can be structured as all passed, finger food buffet, or fork only buffet. In other words, you can save some budget on rentals with this menu style.
Best For: Formal occasions. Galas. Super formal weddings. Small House Parties. When you both want and can afford the best.
Service Thoughts: The more courses, the longer the service. Salad, Entree, Dessert are what we see most often. Intermezzo. Soup. Fish Course. Make sure to fit them with your timeline.
Brass Tacks: With lots of hesitation, we’ll give you a $35-$60 range for food. Service, Rentals, Linens, Number of Courses, Bar Choices, etc. will bring your total bill up to $100-$150 per person. That’s quick, rough, and full of lots of exceptions but hopefully answers your “ball park” question.
Other Notes: There is time for humility and humbleness — this isn’t one of those times. The plated dinner is a City Catering specialty. We bring them in on budget and execute them better than anyone else in town. Your guests will be talking for years… “remember Paul and Sarah’s wedding, so elegant.”
Best For: Events where you want high touch service with a more informal atmosphere. Great way to get people talking.
Table Notes: Family style for a crowd can create a crowded table. Consider coursing the dishes to save elbow room at the table — salad is a natural.
Brass Tacks: Family style is fun but not a huge cost savings over a full- service meal. Remember, as with all estimates, they are estimates. Expect to pay around $30 – $60 for food depending on your chosen menu. All in, you’ll push $85 – $140.
Other Thoughts: There are some hidden costs to that high-touch, informality — rentals (platters / utensils / maybe tables) will be higher than other types of parties and kitchen labor can push the bill up as well. Family style is more about the atmosphere you are trying to create rather than a way to save costs. These parties tend to be very memorable and very fun.
Best For: Full dinner events with tighter budgets. Loose timeline events where people drift in and out requiring longer service times. Theme driven events.
Decor Thoughts: Buffets don’t have to be boring! They tend to become a centerpiece at the party — a place where guests fill their plates. We love to spice them up to match the theme or decor when possible. They also lend themselves well to adding on chef stations. You can easily deck out a buffet with a carving station or taco station.
Brass Tacks: Estimating costs without knowing your needs, is tricky business. Loosely speaking, expect $35 – $55 for food. Theme driven menus may fall outside that range. Adding everything else will bring it to $60 – $100 per guest.
Other Notes: Buffets vary a lot. Lots of hot food equates to more cooks and equipment. Single buffets are pretty easy to man, but multiple buffets require more service. Yes, simpler menus will streamline kitchen crews.
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