Catering Guide

YSE Caterers

Suggested per person costs for common events are given below.

EVERYDAY EVENT TYPES:

• Continental Breakfast ($7-10)
• Sandwich Lunch (average price $9-12)
• Entrée Lunch (average price $12-17)
• Afternoon break/Reception (Higher end with h’doveurs, etc. $6-10)
• Afternoon Break (Sweet snacks, coffee, drinks ($5-7)
• Pizza (Order Large $11-16)

Suggestions for reducing catering expenses:

1. Pizza ordering – have the slices cut smaller. People usually eat 1-2 slices no matter what the size.
2. Group ordering – if you know someone else is hosting an event on the same day, work together to get “group discounts”.
3. Discuss with caterers menu options for your budget constraints (be sure to know your budget constraints in advance) rather than just ordering.
4. No bottled water should be ordered.
5. Consider buying items in bulk or at the grocery store for smaller events
6. Order less rather than more
7. For breakfast events – consider the need to have both juice and coffee (most people take one or the other). Define your breakfast – is it really breakfast or will a coffee break menu suffice?
8. Think about the timing of events – can you do an afternoon reception instead of lunch or breakfast instead of lunch where the costs would be lower?
9. Alcohol – do you need to have a wine & cheese event vs. serving sparking water? Consider the cost differences
10. Be environmentally friendly: Encourage staff, faculty, and students to bring their own utensils, mugs, plates, etc.