Great food for your event — get caterers, free.

A simple way to find catering

Planning food for an event can feel bigger than it should. You have a date in mind, a guest list that keeps changing, and a budget you do not want to break.

Tablefare is a free matching service. We are not a caterer, restaurant, or event planner, and we do not cook, serve, or set catering prices. We help you share your event details and get connected with caterers near you so you can compare options for your table.

You can use Tablefare for many kinds of gatherings, including weddings, office lunches, birthdays, family parties, memorial receptions, holiday meals, and smaller drop-off orders. If you are still deciding what style fits your event, start with events or see how it works.

Tell us the basics — and keep control

We only need contact and event details to help with a match: your name, phone, optional email, event type, city or ZIP, rough date, rough guest count, service style, cuisine, and preferred language.

We do not need bank account numbers, Social Security numbers, immigration documents, income details, or other sensitive records. The goal is simple: help you hear from caterers that fit your event.

You stay in control the whole time. You compare menus, ask what is included, taste or sample where possible, and choose who serves your guests. Before you pay a deposit or sign anything, confirm the price per guest and the date in writing and read the full contract and final invoice carefully.

What catering often costs

Catering prices vary a lot, and honest ranges are more useful than one low number that leaves out fees. For many events in the United States, simple drop-off catering may start around $12-$30 per guest, buffet service often lands around $20-$55 per guest, and full-service plated meals can run roughly $45-$120+ per guest. These are general ranges, not quotes.

The real number depends on the menu, service style, guest count, day and season, your city, and what is included. Premium ingredients, more staff, rentals, bar service, late-night hours, and busy dates can raise the cost. Larger guest counts, simpler menus, weekday events, and pickup or basic delivery can sometimes lower the per-guest number.

It also helps to ask about the rest of the bill, not just the food price. A caterer may have a food-and-beverage minimum, service charge or gratuity, staffing and bartender fees, rentals, delivery and setup, cake-cutting or corkage, overtime, a deposit, a final-headcount deadline, and cancellation terms. Our cost guide can help you compare the all-in cost per guest.

Good matches for many kinds of events

Some hosts want a polished plated dinner. Others just need trays dropped off on time for a school meeting, birthday, or family gathering. Both are real events, and both deserve clear pricing and food your guests will enjoy.

Tablefare is built for all kinds of service styles and cuisines. You can ask for full-service, buffet, stations, plated meals, or simple drop-off catering. You can also note dietary needs and preferences, including halal, kosher, vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, and allergy-aware meals.

If your family, team, or guests are more comfortable in a language other than English, you can share your preferred language when you get matched. We help make the first step easier, especially when you are planning from another city or from outside the United States.

How to use Tablefare well

The better your basics, the better your comparison. A rough guest count, a realistic budget range, and a clear idea of service style will help caterers respond in a useful way.

1. Share your event type, city or ZIP, rough date, and rough guest count.
2. Choose the service style you want, like drop-off, buffet, stations, or plated.
3. Add cuisine ideas, dietary needs, and your preferred language.
4. Compare what each caterer includes, not just the starting per-guest number.
5. Confirm the date, menu, staffing, rentals, and all fees in writing before paying a deposit.

Because Tablefare is a free matching service, not the caterer, we cannot promise a specific price, a held date, a certain company, or a guaranteed booking. Final availability, menu details, and contract terms always come from the caterer.