Phone 410-280-1563    Fax 410-280-2742     Cellular   410-991-5947

   Email occasionsbycheryl@Comcast.net

Catering Annapolis, Catering DC, Catering Baltimore

Costs Intangible

When clients call to get an estimate, they often ask for a total cost for their special occasion or do we have package prices. I wish we could just respond with a quick dollar amount, but there are so many intangibles after the food cost per guest. When we say “food cost” per guest as you see on our sample menus, it is for food and all equipment to display and serve food - chaffers, serving dishes, platters, bowls, baskets and serving utensils - with exception of drop-off only. It doesn't include the following intangibles: staffing, coffee, bar set-up, ice or any rental costs.

Below is some general information which are the intangibles that will determine final costs

Choice of Table Service

French Service

• Food is fully or partially cooked in kitchen then prepared and finished tableside on gueridon (table on wheels with cooking burners)
• This is the most expensive service because it is very labor intense.

American/Banquet Service

• Food is fully plated in kitchen and served to each guest by server
• This is more expensive than buffet because more servers and cooks are required

Buffet Service

• Food is beautifully displayed for guests to self serve
• The type of buffet option will determine the event's staffing and rental requirements.
• Buffet Options:
  • Place settings for each guest
    • Place setting consists of silverware, napkin, water goblet, and bread and butter plate (dinner plate on buffet)
    • Optional: Place setting can also include wine glasses, coffee mug or coffee cup with saucer
  • Rolled silverware
    • Silverware is rolled in linen napkins and is set at each plate setting or on buffet with dinner plate on buffet
    • Water goblet is at each place setting
  • Buffet and American Service for Salad (must use full place setting for each guest for this option)
    • Salads are fully plated in kitchen and served to guests
    • Thereafter guests self serve themselves at buffet
  • Buffet Food Stations
    • Whether a food station needs an attendant or can it stand alone is a cost intangible

Hors d' oeuvre Service and Cocktail Parties

• Butler Service
  • Hors d' oeuvres are passed on silver trays by a server while guests mingle
• Stationary Hors d' oeuvres
  • Hors d' oeuvres are displayed for guests to self serve like buffet service
• Food Stations
  • Food stations are often incorporated into cocktail parties and whether a food station needs an attendant or can be stand alone is a staffing consideration

Family Style

• Food is fully prepared in kitchen then food is put on platters, in bowls etc. then placed on tables so guests help themselves passing food to guests sitting to their left

Bar and Coffee Service

For the bar, we can supply bartenders and can help you determine how much alcohol to buy. Or your local liquor store can also help you with amounts. For a minimum service charge, we can work with the liquor store to pickup alcohol and return uncapped bottles after your reception for your refund.

We offer the following bar set-up and coffee service options:

Full Bar Set-up $3.50 per guest

• Includes assorted sodas, soda and tonic water, assorted juices, bottled water, bloody Mary mix, sour mix, garnishes - maraschino cherries, olives, Gibson onion, lime, lemon twist, orange slices, cocktail napkins, stir sticks and bar equipment to make all your basic mixed drinks.

Beer and Wine Set-up $2.50 per guest

• Includes assorted sodas, assorted juices, bottled water, and cocktail napkins

Silver Coffee Service

• This service is only applicable when client use full place setting setup with saucer and cup or mug. Guests are served fresh brewed coffee at their table from our wait staff.

Coffee Bar (Client supplies alcohol) $2.50 per guest

• The following coffee drinks are offered: Jamaican, Irish, Italian or Bailey's and Coffee. It includes fresh brewed coffee, hot tea, whipped cream, cinnamon, chocolate shavings, cookie twigs, half and half, and assorted sweeteners and lemon

Coffee Station $1.25 per guest

• Self serve coffee station includes fresh brewed coffee, hot tea, half and half, non-dairy creamer, assorted sweeteners and lemon wedges

Ice $0.75 per guest

• Many locations have ice machines so check first before requesting ice

Staffing, Delivery, Setup and Breakdown Options

Option # 1 Delivery Only $25 Minimum based on distance

• Hot food is delivered hot, cold food is delivered cold in disposable containers

  • We can supply disposable chafers with sterno at $10 for half chafer and $15 for full size

Option # 2 Delivery, Setup and Pickup $125

• Food is delivered and setup at event with all equipment to display and serve food - chaffers, serving dishes, platters, bowls, baskets and serving utensils. Then equipment is picked up after event. Client is responsible for any missing equipment.

Option # 3 Delivery, Setup, Staffing for Event and Cleanup (Cost is based only on staffing hour.)

• Option # 2 plus staffing for event and cleanup
• Staffing Cost for Set-up, Service and Breakdown
  • Staffing is $24.95 per hour for servers, bartenders, chefs and shuckers. Event Captain is $29.95 per hour
  • Drive time if event is more than 3/4 hour away to and from location is $15.00 per staff person

Disposables and China Service

China Service

• Cost is based on menu which will determine rental costs

Disposables

• Food disposables is $1.25 per guest which includes: plates, eating utensils and napkins
• Bar disposables is $0.35 per guest which includes: cups and napkins

Combination China and Disposables

• Use china for food and disposables for bar

Catering Annapolis, Catering DC, Catering Baltimore, and Catering Washington DC

Catering Telephone: 410-280-1563

Catering Cellular: 410-991-5947

Catering Fax: 410-280-2742

Catering Web Site www.occasionsbycheryl.com