Catering Prices in India
Average Catering Prices in India
Any occasion is incomplete without finger-licking delicacies and a list of exotic cuisines. Apart from world-class services at an event, the food menu and quality tend to leave an inevitable impression. Therefore, making sure that the impression is a good one calls for a lot of efforts. For a large-scale event, it seems almost impossible to single-handedly serve your guests food alongside entertaining them. That’s where the blessing in disguise business of Catering comes in. It is a financially rewarding business for those who love cooking and possess commendable organizational skills. It is also a relief for those planning to host large-scale events. A win-win situation for all.
How Much Do Caterers Charge?
For starters, in big cities, Catering prices for a big fat Indian wedding could go as high up as INR 8-10 lacs; that for an average budget wedding could cost up to be INR 3-5 lacs; and catering prices for a small-scale wedding are estimated to be INR 50,000-2 lacs.An established caterer may charge anywhere between INR 1000-2500 per plate.Catering prices can vary largely based on location of event, reputation of the caterer, number of staff required, number of guests, and food menu. As far as a wedding is concerned, catering could take up as much as 20%of your total budget. Therefore, it is important to choose wisely, focus on quality, plan with caution and estimate costs in advance.
For other grand/smaller celebrations in major cities, the catering costs fall under the following price range:
Catering Rates
|
Type Of Event
|
Cost (in Rs.)
|
|
Birthday Party
|
30,000-60,000
|
|
Wedding Reception
|
40,000-1,00,000
|
|
Engagement
|
50,000-1,20,000
|
|
Corporate event
|
40,000-1,00,000
|
|
Small Get-Together
|
10,000-30,000
|
|
Baby shower
|
20,000-50,000
|
|
Other Events
|
50,000-1,00,000
|
What all should your rendezvous with the Caterers include?
To ensure quality and quantity of the food being served, pricing and presentation, you must make sure to go over the following points with your Caterer:
Ensure that the caterer is using appropriate and FDA approved ingredients at all times. Estimate the total number of guests that will be attending the event. That way, it will become easier to calculate the amount of food and ingredients required if each guest is counted for one plate.
Caterers will include charges for overhead( which includes electricity, gas, marketing costs and other related costs not directly related to the event), Labour costs ( cost of servers or assistants hired), and a decent profit margin. The cost of linens and cutlery could also be included in the final bill. Make sure to be aware of what all is included, in order to have a clear estimate of whether the caterer fits your budget.
For your celebration to leave an indelible mark on your guests, checking the quality of food being served at your event should be your top priority. Make sure you have tried and tested the food you wish to serve. Also, make sure the caterer offers plenty of stalls spread across the whole event venue, along with a groomed staff timely serving appetizers and snacks to each and every guest.
If you have finally chosen the perfect caterer for you, it’s time to unveil your innate talent of bargaining. If the caterer does not settle at your budget, make sure to get tons of other caterer quotes, so you don’t miss a pocket-friendly opportunity. If the caterer of your choice refuses to budge monetarily, you can bargain instead to get a few extra stalls or dishes added!
What all could affect the catering prices?
And ways to cut expenses through adequate planning.
The number of guests inevitably affects your catering prices. Catering a large family gathering for example could cost you anywhere between 30-40k INR. The per plate cost of a buffet style meal could range from INR250-600, depending on the choice of Cuisine, the number of vegetarian options and the costlier non-vegetarian variants. A formal plated meal on the other hand, could go as high as INR1000-2000 per plate. Apart from that services such as linens, cutlery and chairs could add on to the total expenses. Plan in advance the Catering budget and make sure to take a headcount of the guests invited. Most caterers charge per plate. Stay ready to expect last minute 10% additional expenses.
The key to successful Catering is superb organizational skills. Improper management could lead to blunders and disappointments. Make sure your menu is an all-inclusive one, especially if your guests belong to all age groups. Take it a notch higher and discuss in advance about the presentation of the food and servings. A customised presentation, for example for a baby shower, could add on an extra 5-1ok to the budget.
A common sight at Indian weddings, an addition to the guest list means an unexpected addition to the expenses. It is best to stay prepared in advance. Hence, keeping a wiggle room for an extra 15-20 guests while planning your expenses is the way to go. However, a better solution would be to get all your guests/invitees to RSVP in advance.
The location of the event is a crucial factor. If you choose a caterer far from the location of the event, expect extra costs (that will include the travelling costs of the Caterer and staff). Try to avoid this if you are running on a tight budget and look for best caterers near your event venue.
A holistic approach to any event is what makes it extra special. While you relish the services and food, make sure your choices do not harm the environment. With tons of low cost alternatives available, say no to single-use plastics and disposables. It comes at little to no extra cost and is a better choice for you, your guests and the environment. Apart from that, one must not forget how food is a resource available to a blessed few, while hundreds starve for days long. Wastage of this resource would mean disrespect to this blessing. Make sure none of the food at your event goes waste. In case there is some leftovers, you can serve it to the less fortunate around you instead of putting it in the trash.
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