How Much Does Catering Cost in Hamilton?

Start with guest count

Guest count is the single biggest driver of what you pay. Most catering is priced per person, so going from 20 guests to 50 roughly changes the food total in proportion — while fixed costs such as delivery stay the same. That is why larger groups often feel better value per head.

Use confirmed attendance to plan portions for 20, 50 or 100 guests. If numbers are still moving, share a range in your request and confirm closer to the date.

Menu and package level

Compare the published Mediterranean packages and inclusions, then use the shawarma trays and wraps guide to choose a serving format.

For 20 guests, current package food subtotals are Classic $199.00, Signature $279.00, Premium $319.00. Classic has chicken, rice, garlic potatoes and garlic sauce, not salad; Signature adds salad, 7-layer dip and pita chips; Premium adds falafel and baklava. These are food-only examples, not confirmed orders.

Individual meals vs buffet-style trays

Shared trays suit guests eating together with serving-table space; individual meals suit handout or staggered schedules. Confirm agreed portions and compare the selected menu plus any packaging or serving extras before choosing a format.

For a workplace meal, compare office catering options for shared trays and individual meals.

Delivery distance

Delivery is $25 within 10 km of Eastgate Square Mall, $35 over 10 km and up to 20 km, and a custom quote beyond 20 km. Taxes are extra.

Add-ons, setup and logistics

Drinks, desserts, extra sides and serving equipment are priced on top of the base menu. Staffing, setup, chafing equipment, rentals and unusual building or event logistics — loading restrictions, long carries, tight elevator windows, outdoor sites — are quoted separately once the requirements are known.

Dietary requirements

Reserve dietary portions inside the headcount: a 20-person meal with four dietary guests is 16 regular and four suitable dietary portions, not 24 meals. Confirm ingredients, quantities and preparation before booking. Confirmed vegan choices are falafel wraps or quoted platters with hummus, tahini and hot sauce; no allergy-safety guarantee.

Eligible individually packed meals cost +$0.99/person; requested name and dietary labels are included with those meals. Reserve clearly identified portions for the intended guests before general serving. Confirm packaging compatibility rather than automatically adding the charge to wraps.

Taxes and the final total

Every price quoted is before tax. Taxes are extra, and the final total is confirmed manually by CaterHarbor after the caterer reviews availability, quantities and logistics. Nothing is finalized until you have seen that total.

For an itemized real-order example, read the 13-person Hamilton meeting story, which separates wraps, salad and food subtotal from delivery and tax.

CaterHarbor's current starting prices

These are CaterHarbor's own published starting prices for the caterers currently on the platform. They are not a survey of the whole Hamilton catering market — other providers will price differently.

• Mediterranean Original Shawarma — Classic $9.95/person, Signature $13.95/person, Premium $15.95/person; individual chicken shawarma or falafel wraps $9.95 each, minimum 10.
• Saj & Salsa — Laffa Catering from $11.95/person, Rice Bowl Catering from $14.95/person, Salad Bowl Catering from $14.95/person; premium protein upgrade +$2/person.
• Delivery is $25 within 10 km of Eastgate Square Mall, $35 over 10 km and up to 20 km, and a custom quote beyond 20 km. Taxes are extra.