How Much Food Per Person? A Caterer's Guide to Party and Wedding Quantities

Order too little and the last guests in the queue go hungry; order too much and you pay for trays of food that end up in the bin. These are the quantities caterers work to for parties, buffets and weddings, with a simple table you can use for your own event.

How much food per person: the quick table

Use these as starting points for adults. Every event is different, so adjust with the factors further down.

What changes how much food you need

• Time of day. Guests eat more at a dinner than at a lunch, and more in the evening if the food replaces their meal.
• Length of the event. A two-hour drinks reception needs less than a six-hour party where people get hungry again.
• Who is coming. Children usually eat about half an adult portion. Sports teams and students eat more.
• How the food is served. When staff serve the portions, quantities are controlled. A self-service buffet needs roughly 10 to 15 percent more, because the first guests in the queue take generously.
• Drinks. At a party with a free bar, plan on the generous side of every range: food slows the evening down in a good way.
• Other food on offer. If there are canapés before the meal, mains can stay at one portion; if the canapés are the meal, follow the higher canapé numbers.

A worked example: a party for 80 guests

Say you are hosting 80 adults for a birthday party in the early evening, with food served from stations and a choice of two mains:

• Starters: 80 guests × 2 pieces = 160, for example 80 spring rolls and 80 satay skewers.
• Mains: 80 × 1.25 = 100 portions, split between the two dishes, roughly 55 of the more popular one and 45 of the other.
• Rice: about 6 kg uncooked, which cooks to around 16 kg.
• Dessert: 80 portions, if you are serving one.

If the party runs late, add a smaller second round of something easy, such as noodles cooked to order, rather than ordering more of everything up front.

Weddings: daytime and evening guests

Weddings are the trickiest event to cater because the guest list changes during the day. Feed every daytime guest a full meal, then plan evening food for about three quarters of all the guests who are there in the evening, daytime and evening guests together. Most daytime guests will only want a small plate later on, while evening-only guests arrive hungry. Our wedding catering cost guide shows what this means for your budget.

How we portion food at Fan Thai Sticks

We price everything per guest, so the portions are built into the quote and you do not need to work out kilograms of rice yourself. Our packages start at £14 per guest for a main with jasmine rice served in eco-friendly boxes, £17 for a main and two spring rolls served hot from food stations, and £24 for food stations with spring rolls, chicken satay, two mains and two staff. Canapés start at £2 each. Tell us your numbers and the kind of event, and we will suggest the right amount of food for your guests.

You can browse every dish, with allergens, on our catering menu, or see how it works for private parties and weddings.

Frequently asked questions

How many canapés per person do I need?

Six to eight per guest for a drinks reception before a meal, and ten to twelve if the canapés replace the meal. For receptions longer than two hours, add two or three more.

How much rice per person for a party?

About 75 g of uncooked rice per adult, which cooks to around 200 g. That is a generous portion alongside a curry.

Should I order food for every guest who RSVPs?

Yes. Order for the confirmed number of guests rather than guessing who will not come. A few no-shows are normal and simply mean a little extra for everyone else.

What happens to leftover food?

Ask your caterer before the day. Food that has been on a buffet for a long time should not be kept, so it is better to order the right amount than to plan on leftovers.

Planning an event? Send us your date and guest numbers and we will reply with a menu and a full price per guest, usually within 48 hours.