~M. Poor, Cambridge

“I had been worried that, with all the adventurous
foods,my father might beleft out. But thanks to
many of your suggestions, he loved everything!..... ”

~ J. Cabot,   Beverly

Complete buffet dinners usually range in cost from $75 to $95 per person. This price range typically includes Food ( Hors d'oeuvre, Dinner, Dessert), Rental  (China, Linen, Glassware, Cutlery,  etc.) and Staff (Event Manager, Chefs, Servers, Bartenders).

Food costs alone (without rental or staff) can be :

$20’s - $50’s for  Buffet Dinners

$12  - $20’s  for Hors d’Oeuvre parties   

$25 - $40 for Hors d’Oeuvre with Small Plate Buffets                                    
$ 12 - 20’s for Brunch and Lunch Buffets

$ 30 - $65 for Multi-course Plated Dinners.

Basic Cost Areas

Every detail of your event affects its cost, which is why, until we meet and talk out all the details with you, we can only provide general price ranges.

Staff costs vary with the event’s length of duration, its requirements for food preparation, and the service needs (i.e. will there be passed or just stationary hors d’oeuvre, pre-set salads, a simple buffet,  multiple stations, or a plated meal? etc.)

Rental costs vary with the details of what equipment the site already has and what rental will be brought in(i.e.- what size and number of tables are needed; will there be pre-set water and wine glasses;  will the china and linens be simple or a specialty pattern, etc.)

Food costs vary, just as in a restaurant, with the item and its seasonal availability.

Beef tenderloin, swordfish, lamb and duck are more expensive than salmon and chicken. Most buffets include 2 entrees, a starch, a vegetable and/or a salad, breads, dessert and coffee/teas. Adding choices is always an option.


Taste and Budget

Clients often come to us from “This is my taste; what will it cost?”  or “This is my budget; what can we do for that?” After we talk and work out all your needs together, we prepare for you a detailed picture of your event and its various elements and costs. Sometimes the proposal is immediately correct, and sometimes it needs tweaking. If you are meeting with various caterers, it can be difficult to compare proposals because they may be presented as apples vs. oranges. We feel that the most important thing is for you to find a caterer that you are comfortable with, whose cost range, food and presentation has impressed you, who you feel has your taste and goals at heart, and who has an established reputation and positive references.

We would truly like to be as helpful as possible and we look forward to hearing from you!