Caterers in South Delhi of 40 people requires careful calculation to ensure everyone is satisfied without excessive waste. A good general rule of thumb is to aim for about one pound (450-500 grams) of food per adult guest, not including drinks or dessert. This total weight is then broken down into different courses.
Portion Breakdown for 40 Guests
When planning a full meal (main course plus sides), use the following serving size guidelines per person and then multiply for 40 guests. Remember to round up slightly to accommodate for hearty eaters and to ensure there are no shortages.
Key Food Item Quantities
If you are serving specific popular dishes, here are some helpful estimates based on the general guidelines:
Whole Turkey/Chicken: Plan for 1 pound (0.45 kg) of raw weight per person. For 40 guests, this would be about 40 pounds of turkey or chicken.
Roast Beef/Ham (Boneless): Aim for 5-6 ounces of cooked product per person, totaling 12.5–15 pounds cooked weight. You’ll need to purchase more raw weight to account for shrinkage (closer to 15-20 pounds of raw boneless product).
Pasta: For a main course pasta dish, estimate 4-5 ounces (115-140g) of dry pasta per person, which equates to about 10–12.5 pounds of dry pasta.
Charcuterie/Cheese Board: Plan for 1–2 ounces of cheese and 1–2 ounces of meat per person (e.g., 4–8 pounds total of assorted cheeses and meats).
Chips and Dip: For a snack, a large bag of chips (about 1 pound/0.45 kg) serves roughly 10-12 people, so plan for 4 large bags of chips and about 2 quarts of dip.
Drinks and Extras
Don’t overlook beverages and condiments, as they significantly affect guest satisfaction.
Beverages
A safe estimate is 2 drinks per person for the first hour and 1 drink per person for every hour thereafter. For a 3-hour party for 40 people, you’d need about 240 drinks in total (80 for hour 1 + 80 for hour 2 + 80 for hour 3).
Non-Alcoholic: Plan for about 1 gallon (3.8 liters) of non-alcoholic beverage (soda, water, juice) for every 10 guests. This means you need about 4 gallons total.
Wine: One standard bottle (750ml) yields about 5 glasses. Plan for about one bottle per 2-3 guests for an average party. You would need 13–20 bottles of wine.
Beer: Plan for 2-3 bottles/cans per guest, totaling about 80–120 servings.
Ice: Ice is easily underestimated! Plan for 2 pounds of ice per person to keep drinks cold and for chilling buckets, totaling about 80 pounds of ice.
Condiments & Sides
Salad Dressing: About 2–3 ounces (60–90 ml) per person, so plan for at least 1.5 quarts (about 1.4 liters).
Butter/Spreads: Plan for about 1/4 to 1/3 pound of butter for every 10 rolls/slices of bread.
Sauces/Gravy: Plan for about 1/3 cup (80ml) of sauce or gravy per person, totaling about 3-3.5 quarts (3-3.3 liters).
Factors to Adjust Your Estimate
You can adjust these numbers based on the specifics of your party:
Time of Day: If the party is held during a traditional mealtime (lunch/dinner), guests will eat more. If it’s between meals, you can slightly reduce the main course portions and focus more on appetizers.
Type of Party: A buffet often encourages guests to try more variety, so you can slightly reduce the portion size of the main dish (e.g., 6 ounces instead of 8), but ensure you have enough variety. For a sit-down meal, stick closely to the 8oz main portion size.
Guest Demographics: If the party includes many teenagers or guests known for large appetites, lean toward the higher end of the estimates. If there are many young children, you can use the estimate of two children consuming the amount of one adult.
Variety: The more different dishes you offer, the less of each individual dish a guest will consume. If you have a huge spread, you can be more conservative with individual portions.
Would you like me to help you create a sample menu with exact quantities based on these guidelines?
How much does catering cost in Delhi?
The cost of catering in Delhi can vary significantly based on several factors, including the type of event, the menu, the number of guests, and the catering service’s reputation. It is usually calculated on a per-plate basis.
Key Factors that Influence the Price:
Menu Selection (Veg vs. Non-Veg):
Vegetarian menus are generally more affordable, starting from as low as ₹300-₹400 per plate for very basic options.
Non-Vegetarian menus are typically higher, often starting from ₹600-₹700 per plate.
Cuisine Type:
Basic North Indian/Indian cuisine is usually the most budget-friendly.
Inclusion of Continental, Italian, Chinese, or premium international items can significantly raise the cost.
Service Style:
Buffet service is generally more cost-efficient for large groups.
Plated or sit-down service, being more formal and labor-intensive, will be at the higher end of the range.
Add-ons and Live Counters:
Including popular additions like live chaat stations, kebab counters, specialized desserts, or elaborate mocktail bars will increase the per-plate price, sometimes by ₹50 to ₹300 per guest.
Event Type and Scale:
Weddings typically demand more elaborate menus and services, leading to higher costs (often ₹1,000 to ₹2,000+ per plate for a decent spread).
Small, private parties or corporate lunches can be catered at the lower to mid-range.
To get an accurate estimate, it is best to contact a few local Delhi-based caterers with details about your event, including the date, guest count, and desired menu items.
