Catering Quantity Calculator UK

For a sit-down meal, a common UK planning guideline is around 175g of protein, 175g of starch (potato, rice, or pasta), and 160g of vegetables or salad per adult. Buffets typically need about 15% more per person because guests serve themselves a wider variety. This calculator applies those guidelines automatically based on your guest numbers and event type.

A widely used UK catering planning range is around 4 to 8 pieces per person per hour, depending on whether a full meal follows the canapés. This calculator uses 5 pieces per person per hour as a mid-range default and scales it by your event's duration, so a 2-hour reception needs fewer pieces per guest than a 4-hour one.

No. Most catering guidance assumes children eat roughly half an adult portion. This calculator applies a 0.5 multiplier to any children you enter, and combines that with your adult guest count to produce a single weighted guest figure used throughout the results.

Vegetarian and vegan guests are already included in your total guest count, so the overall food quantity does not change. What changes is the mix: this calculator tells you how many portions need a plant-based protein alternative, sized the same as the standard protein portion, so you can substitute rather than simply add more food.

A common planning guideline is around 250ml of soft drinks per guest per hour. If you are including alcohol, a widely used UK rule of thumb is about half a bottle of wine and two cans or bottles of beer per guest for a 3-hour reception, scaled up or down for longer or shorter events.

Yes. This calculator shows a +10% buffer scenario separately from your main total. It is a sensible safety margin for second helpings and normal spillage without permanently inflating your headline shopping list.

No. It estimates overall quantities by category (protein, starch, vegetables, drinks) but does not manage specific allergens or medical dietary requirements. Always ask guests directly about allergies and intolerances, and check ingredient labels or ask your caterer directly — this is a food safety issue, not just a quantity one.

Soft drinks and alcohol scale directly with the number of hours you enter, so a longer event increases drinks quantities automatically. For finger food and canapés, the pieces needed also scale with duration. For sit-down meals, buffets, and BBQs, the core food portion assumes one main meal regardless of how long the event runs.

Sit-down meals typically need about 1 roll per guest, buffets about 1.5 to allow for guests taking extra, and BBQs about 2 buns per guest to cover burgers and hot dogs. This calculator applies those defaults automatically based on the event type you select.

No. It works for any UK gathering where you are self-catering or ordering food in bulk — birthday parties, work events, christenings, funerals, community events, and family get-togethers. Just enter your guest numbers and choose the event type that best matches your food service style.

It gives a planning estimate based on commonly used UK catering guidelines, not an exact prediction. Actual consumption varies with your specific menu, guests' appetites, the weather, how long people stay, and whether other food or drink is served separately. Always confirm final quantities with your caterer, venue, or supplier before placing a large order.

Yes, but at that scale small errors in the per-person assumption become large in absolute terms, and delivery or preparation lead times matter more. This calculator flags larger events and recommends getting professional catering support to confirm exact quantities and delivery logistics rather than relying solely on a DIY estimate.

Cool leftovers and refrigerate them within about two hours of cooking, keep them below 8°C, and use them within a few days or freeze them. Never leave perishable food out at room temperature for extended periods, particularly at outdoor or summer events. See Food Standards Agency guidance on food safety at events for full details.

Usually not for a private one-off party you are hosting yourself. If you are regularly or commercially supplying food, even on a not-for-profit basis, food hygiene registration and compliance rules are likely to apply. Check current guidance on GOV.UK or contact your local authority's environmental health team if you are unsure.

Buffets use roughly 15% more food per person than a sit-down meal in this calculator, because guests serve themselves, often sample multiple dishes, and tend to take slightly larger portions on a self-service line than they would be served at a table. It is a planning allowance, not a fixed physical law — you can still under- or over-cater a buffet depending on your specific menu.