How Much Does Event Catering Cost in Cornwall? A Practical Guide

How Much Does Event Catering Cost in Cornwall? A Practical Guide

Every enquiry we receive starts with some version of the same question: how much does it cost?

It is a reasonable question. It is also genuinely difficult to answer in the abstract, for the same reason it is difficult to answer "how much does a car cost?" The range is vast and the right answer depends on what you actually need.

Here is a practical guide to what drives catering costs in Cornwall, what the variables are, and how to have a productive conversation with a caterer about budget.

What affects the cost of catering in Cornwall?

Guest numbers. This is the most obvious variable. The cost per head usually decreases as numbers increase — the fixed costs (travel, equipment, staffing setup) are spread across more people. A canape reception for 20 guests costs proportionally more per head than a buffet for 120.

Service style. A hot fork buffet is different in cost to a sit-down served meal. A grazing table is different to a hot hog roast. The type of service drives the equipment needed, the number of staff required, and the complexity of the kitchen prep.

Menu complexity. Four canape varieties is cheaper than fourteen. A menu built around lobster and sirloin is more expensive than one built around pork and seasonal vegetables. The ingredients matter. The labour to prepare them also matters.

Distance and logistics. Cornwall is a long county. Catering in Bude is different to catering in Penzance. Travel time, fuel, and the practicalities of keeping hot food hot across a long journey all affect what a caterer needs to charge to make a job viable.

Equipment hire. Some caterers include equipment in their quote. Others charge separately for trestle tables, linen, serving equipment, chafing dishes, and gazebos. Always ask what is included in the quoted price.

Staff numbers and duration. Most events need at least two people on site. Larger events need more. A five-hour event costs more to staff than a two-hour one. Ask how many staff are included in the quote and for how long.

What Good Value Looks Like

The cheapest quote is not always the best value. A caterer who underquotes will cut corners somewhere — on the quality of ingredients, on the number of staff, on the contingency planning that makes an event run smoothly when something unexpected happens.

A caterer who is transparent about what their quote includes, who answers questions without deflecting, and who has a track record you can verify is worth paying more for.

Ask to see a sample menu at your budget. Ask how many events of this type they have catered. Ask who will be on site on the day — not just the business owner who does the sales call.

How much does catering cost per person?

To give you a starting point, here are our guide prices per head. These are starting prices — the final quote depends on menu choices, guest numbers, travel and staffing.

Cold finger buffets from £6.75 per head. Hot finger buffets and fork buffets from £8.50 per head. BBQ catering from £7.50 per head. Hog roast from £8.50 per head (minimum 50 guests). Giant pan catering — paella, tagine, curry — from £10.95 per head. Wedding and bespoke catering is quoted individually.

We require a 30% non-refundable deposit to secure your date. The remaining balance is due 7 days before the event. We accept payment by bank transfer, cash, and cheque — we do not require card payment.

The Questions to Ask Before You Book

Is VAT included in the quote? VAT at 20% adds significantly to the final invoice if it is not included in the number you have been given.

What happens if guest numbers change? Most caterers will adjust the quote if numbers change significantly between booking and event date. Know the terms before you sign.

What deposits and cancellation terms apply? A standard deposit is typically a percentage of the total paid to secure the date, with the balance due closer to the event. Know what you will lose if you need to cancel.

What is included in the quote? Travel, staffing, equipment, serving equipment, clearing up — all of these should be explicit, not assumed.

How do I get a catering quote?

We provide itemised quotes for every booking. We do not have a public price list because every event is different and a number without context is more misleading than useful.

If you would like a quote for your event, call 01209 206255 or use our online quote request form. We will ask you a series of questions about your event and come back to you with an itemised quote the same day or next business day.

We are based in Redruth and cover Cornwall and Devon.