Tablefare
About Tablefare
Tablefare is a free, multilingual service that helps you find and compare caterers for your event anywhere in the United States. We match you with caterers near you to quote your event — we do not cook, serve, or plan events ourselves.
What Tablefare is
Tablefare helps you save time when you are trying to feed a group and stay on budget. You tell us the basics of your event, and we help connect you with caterers near your city or ZIP code who can quote the kind of food and service you want.
We are a free matching service for hosts. We are not a caterer, not a restaurant, and not an event planner. We do not set menus, cook food, provide staff, or decide prices.
Our job is simple: help you get started, compare options, and ask better questions before you sign a contract or pay a deposit.
Who we help
We help people planning all kinds of gatherings: weddings, office lunches, corporate events, birthdays, memorial receptions, holiday parties, cultural celebrations, and smaller drop-off meals.
Many hosts come to us with a rough date, a guest list that is still growing, and a budget they are trying to protect. Some are planning from another state or another country. Some feel more comfortable reading or speaking in a language other than English. That is why Tablefare is built to be multilingual and easy to use.
Whether you need a simple tray-drop lunch for 20 or full-service catering for 200, you stay in control of your event and your table.
How it works
You share a few basic details with us, and we use that information to help connect you with caterers that may fit your event. If you want the full step-by-step version, visit How it works.
- Tell us your event type, city or ZIP, rough date, rough guest count, service style, cuisine, preferred language, and your contact details.
- We use those basics to help match you with caterers near you.
- You compare menus, service options, availability, and the all-in cost.
- You choose who you want to keep talking to, taste or sample where possible, and confirm everything in writing before signing.
When you are ready, you can get matched.
What information we ask for
We only ask for contact and event-intent details: your name, phone number, optional email, event type, city or ZIP, rough date, rough guest count, service style, cuisine, and preferred language.
We do not ask for bank account numbers, Social Security numbers, immigration documents, income details, or other sensitive records. A caterer may later need payment and contract details if you decide to book with them, but Tablefare only starts with the basics needed to help with a match.
A plain word about catering costs
Catering prices can vary a lot, and the real number depends on your menu, service style, guest count, day and season, city, and what is included. These ranges are general information only, not quotes.
As a rough starting point, simple drop-off catering often lands around $12-$30 per guest, buffet service often runs about $20-$55 per guest, and plated or full-service events can be $45-$120+ per guest. Bar service, rentals, premium ingredients, late-night hours, and extra staff can push the total higher.
Ask every caterer to break out the full picture in writing: per-guest price, any food-and-beverage minimum, service charge or gratuity, staffing and bartender fees, rentals, delivery and setup, cake-cutting or corkage, overtime, deposit, final-headcount deadline, and cancellation terms. The smartest comparison is not the lowest starting price — it is the all-in cost per guest.
What we want for you
We want you to feel informed, not rushed. A good catering fit is not only about food — it is also about clear pricing, communication, timing, and whether the service style fits your event.
Before you book, ask questions, compare more than one option when you can, and confirm the date and price per guest in writing. Read the full contract and final invoice before you pay a deposit or sign anything. For legal or financial questions, rely on the caterer's contract and a licensed professional.
If you have questions about using Tablefare, contact us or get matched when you are ready.
Tablefare is a free service that helps you find and compare caterers for your event, so you can choose with clearer prices and fewer surprises.
Common questions
Is Tablefare free for me to use?
Yes. Tablefare is free for the host. We help you get matched with caterers so you can compare options for your event.
Are you the caterer for my event?
No. Tablefare is not a caterer, restaurant, or event planner. We do not cook, serve, staff, or set catering prices.
Can you guarantee a price or hold my date?
No. We cannot promise a price, a held date, or a booking. Final pricing and availability come from the caterer and depend on your menu, service style, guest count, timing, location, and what is included.
What details do I need before I get matched?
A rough date, rough guest count, city or ZIP, event type, service style, cuisine ideas, and your contact details are enough to start. You do not need every detail finalized before you reach out.
Do you help if I prefer another language?
Yes. Tablefare is built to help people who are more comfortable reading or communicating in a language other than English. Tell us your preferred language when you share your event details.
What should I compare when caterers send quotes?
Look at the all-in cost, not just the food price. Compare the per-guest price, minimums, service charge or gratuity, staffing, rentals, delivery, setup, overtime, deposit, cancellation terms, and what is actually included.
Planning an event? Get caterers near you, free.
Tell us your event, headcount, and budget, and get matched, free, with caterers near you. You taste, compare quotes, and choose who to hire — and confirm the price before any deposit.