Tablefare

Terms of use

These terms explain how you use Tablefare, what our free matching service does, and what it does not do. In plain words: we help you connect with caterers, but we do not cook, serve, plan, or set prices.

What Tablefare is

Tablefare is a free matching service for hosts in the United States. You tell us the basics of your event, and we try to connect you with caterers near your city or ZIP code so you can compare options.

We are not a caterer, restaurant, venue, bartender, rental company, or event planner. We do not prepare food, serve guests, manage your event day, or set catering prices. Any menu, staffing, rental, delivery, or service details come from the caterer you choose, not from Tablefare.

What you share with us

To help with matching, we collect contact and event-intent details only: 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 financial account numbers, Social Security numbers, immigration documents, income details, or other sensitive records to use the service. For more about how information is handled, please read our Privacy Policy.

Name and phone
Optional email
Event type and rough date
City or ZIP and rough guest count
Service style, cuisine, and preferred language

How matching works

When you send us your request, we use the information you provide to look for participating caterers that may fit your event. We may share your contact and event details with those caterers so they can reach out with questions, availability, sample menus, or pricing.

A match is not a guarantee. We cannot promise a specific caterer, a held date, a tasting, a quote, or a booking. Availability changes quickly, especially for weddings, holiday weekends, and peak seasons.

You stay in control of the decision. You can compare caterers, ask what is included, taste or sample where possible, and choose who serves your table.

Pricing, estimates, and your contract

Any prices you see on Tablefare are general information only, not quotes. Real catering costs depend on the menu, service style, guest count, day and season, city, travel, and what is included. As a rough example, simple drop-off catering may run about $15-$35 per guest, buffet service often falls around $25-$60 per guest, and plated full-service events can run about $40-$120+ per guest. Specialty menus, premium ingredients, rentals, bartenders, and extra staff can raise the total.

Many final invoices include more than food. Ask every caterer to show the full all-in cost, including per-guest pricing, 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.

Before you pay a deposit or sign anything, confirm the event date and the price per guest in writing, then read the full contract and final invoice carefully. Tablefare does not write, control, or enforce caterer contracts. For more limits on our information, see our Disclaimer.

Your responsibilities when using the site

Please give accurate, current event information so caterers can respond appropriately. If your guest count, date, city, or service style changes, tell the caterer directly as soon as you can.

Please use Tablefare lawfully and respectfully. Do not submit false requests, impersonate someone else, or use the site in a way that could interfere with our service.

If you have a question about these terms or want to reach us, use our Contact page.

In plain English

Tablefare is a free service that helps you connect with caterers, but the food, prices, contract, and event service all come from the caterer you choose.

Common questions

Does Tablefare charge me to get matched with caterers?

No. Tablefare is free for the host. You can submit your event details and compare caterers at no cost.

Are the prices on Tablefare final quotes?

No. Any cost ranges are general information only, not quotes. Your real total depends on the menu, service style, guest count, season, city, and what the caterer includes.

Does Tablefare guarantee a caterer or hold my date?

No. We cannot guarantee a specific caterer, availability, a held date, or a booking. Always confirm availability and details directly with the caterer in writing.

What information do I need to share?

Just contact and event-intent details: name, phone, 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, SSNs, or immigration documents to use the service.

Does Tablefare plan my event or handle the contract?

No. Tablefare is not an event planner or caterer. The caterer you choose handles the menu, pricing, staffing, service, and contract terms.

Tablefare is a free matching service, not a caterer, a restaurant, or an event planner, and does not cook, serve, set catering prices, or guarantee that any caterer is available on your date. The information here is general and educational, not legal or financial advice. Costs vary by menu, service style, guest count, day and season, city, and what's included; the ranges shown are typical examples, not quotes. Always taste or sample where possible, confirm the price per guest, your date, and all terms in writing, and read the full contract and the final invoice before you pay a deposit or sign.