Tablefare
Disclaimer
Tablefare is a free service that helps you compare caterers for your event. We are not a caterer, restaurant, or event planner, and we do not cook, serve, set prices, or give legal or financial advice.
What Tablefare does
Tablefare helps you describe your event and get matched with caterers near you who may be able to quote it. The service is free for hosts.
We do not prepare food, provide staff, deliver meals, manage venues, or run your event day. We are not a caterer, a restaurant, or an event planner, so any menu, staffing, timing, pricing, and contract terms come from the caterer you choose.
General information, not advice
Everything on this site is general information meant to help you ask better questions and compare options more clearly. It is not legal advice, financial advice, tax advice, or insurance advice.
Before you sign or pay, read the caterer's full contract and final invoice carefully. If you need legal or financial guidance for your event, please speak with a licensed professional.
Prices are ranges, not quotes
When we share typical catering ranges, they are only rough planning numbers, not quotes or guarantees. Real pricing depends on your menu, service style, guest count, city, date, day of week, season, venue rules, and what is included.
As a very general starting point, simple drop-off catering may land around $15-$35 per guest, staffed buffet service may be around $25-$60 per guest, and plated full-service events can run about $40-$120+ per guest. Premium menus, alcohol service, rentals, extra staff, difficult load-in, and peak dates can push costs higher.
Ask each caterer to show the full all-in picture in writing, not just the food price. Ranges are helpful for planning, but they are not a promise of what any caterer will charge for your event.
What to confirm before you pay
Catering proposals can look simple at first and still change once the full invoice is built. Before you pay a deposit or sign, confirm the per-guest price and the event date in writing, then read the full contract closely.
- food-and-beverage minimums
- service charge or gratuity
- staffing and bartender fees
- rentals, linens, tables, chairs, and serving equipment
- delivery, setup, and cleanup
- cake-cutting or corkage fees
- overtime charges
- deposit amount
- final-headcount deadline
- cancellation terms
If possible, taste or sample before you decide. Comparing the all-in cost per guest is usually the clearest way to compare one proposal with another.
What information we ask for
To help with a match, we ask only for basic contact and event 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 need financial account numbers, Social Security numbers, immigration documents, income details, or other sensitive records to match you with caterers. You can read more on our Privacy Policy and Terms.
No guarantees, and you stay in control
Submitting your event does not guarantee a match, a quote, a held date, a booking, or a specific caterer. Availability changes quickly, especially on weekends, holidays, and popular wedding dates.
You stay in control of your event. You choose whether to move forward, who serves your table, and what fits your guest list, budget, and style. If you have questions about how Tablefare works, contact us.
Tablefare is free to use and helps you compare caterers, but we do not cook, serve, set prices, or guarantee bookings, so always read the contract carefully before you pay.
Common questions
Is Tablefare a caterer?
No. Tablefare is a free matching service that helps you connect with caterers. We do not cook, deliver, serve, or manage the event.
Are the prices on your site exact?
No. Any prices or per-guest numbers are general ranges for planning, not quotes. Actual pricing depends on the menu, service style, guest count, day and season, city, and what is included.
Do you guarantee a caterer or a booked date?
No. We cannot guarantee a match, a quote, a held date, or a booking. Always get the date, price, and full terms confirmed directly with the caterer in writing.
What personal information do I need to share?
Only basic contact and event intent details are needed for matching: name, phone, optional email, event type, city or ZIP, rough date, rough guest count, service style, cuisine, and preferred language.
Should I still read the contract if the proposal looks straightforward?
Yes. Always read the full contract and final invoice before you pay a deposit or sign. Important fees and deadlines are often in the details.
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.