How Tablefare works

What Tablefare is — and what it is not

Tablefare is a free matching service for hosts across the United States. We help you find caterers near your event who can send quotes based on your guest count, service style, cuisine, and rough date.

We are not a caterer, restaurant, or event planner. We do not cook, serve, staff your event, or set catering prices. The caterer you choose handles the menu, contract, staffing, and food service details.

That means you stay in control. You compare options, ask questions, taste where possible, and choose who serves your table.

Step by step: how it works

Getting started is simple through Get matched. We only ask for contact details and event basics so caterers can understand what you need.

1. Tell us your name, phone, and optional email.
2. Share your event type, city or ZIP, rough date, rough guest count, service style, cuisine, and preferred language.
3. We use that information to help connect you with caterers near you.
4. Caterers may reach out with questions, availability, and quotes.
5. You compare the all-in cost, menu, service, and fit.
6. You choose whether to move forward with any caterer.

We do not ask for bank account numbers, Social Security numbers, immigration documents, income information, or other sensitive records.

What quotes can look like

Catering prices vary a lot, so it helps to start with a realistic range. For many events, 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. A weekday office lunch for 25 guests is priced differently from a Saturday wedding for 200. Premium ingredients, bartenders, rentals, late hours, and extra staff can raise the total.

When you compare quotes, look beyond the food price. Ask what is included in the per-guest number and what is separate.

What to check before you say yes

Before you pay a deposit or sign, ask the caterer to confirm the price per guest and the date in writing. Then read the full contract and final invoice carefully.

Important items to check include the 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. General information like this can help you compare options, but the caterer's own contract is what controls the details.

If you plan to taste before booking, this guide can help: What to ask at a tasting.

Who Tablefare is for

We built Tablefare for real hosts planning real events: weddings, office lunches, birthday parties, memorial receptions, holiday gatherings, cultural celebrations, and smaller drop-off meals. Some hosts are planning from another city or country. Some feel more comfortable reading in a language other than English.

You can tell us your preferred language, the kind of food you want, and the service style you picture — from trays dropped at the door to stations, buffet, or plated dinner. Caterers can also help with many dietary needs, including halal, kosher, vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, and allergy-aware requests, depending on the provider and your area.

If you want to learn more about the service itself, visit About Tablefare.