By CaterHarbor · Reviewed
The short answer
Agree one meal portion per full-meal guest, with dietary portions counted inside that total rather than added on top. At the current Classic price, estimated food subtotals are $199.00 for 20 guests, $497.50 for 50 and $995.00 for 100, before delivery, tax and extras. For shared trays or individual wraps, see shawarma catering in Hamilton; final quantities and pricing are always confirmed by a person.
Fix the guest count before the menu
Everything else follows from headcount. Work from confirmed attendance rather than the invite list, then decide how much margin you want. A small buffer is normal for open-invite events; a closed team lunch usually needs none.
Quantities are never guessed on your behalf. The selected menu determines what a portion looks like, and CaterHarbor confirms the final quantities with the caterer before the order is locked in.
Around 10 guests
Most menus have a ten-guest minimum; smaller requests are reviewed individually. Agree ten meal portions and the format. Tray counts depend on the confirmed menu and yield, not a universal single-tray rule.
For a real example, see how a 13-person Hamilton meeting ordered wraps and Greek salad.
Around 20 guests
At this size a single menu works well and keeps things simple. Individually packaged meals are easy to hand out and need no serving setup, which suits office lunches and meetings, including training sessions.
Around 30 guests
For a 20- or 30-person birthday or family gathering, choose shared trays if everyone eats together with table space, or wraps for easy handout. Serving format is not determined by group size. See party catering in Hamilton for birthday budgets and serving supplies.
Around 50 guests
For 50 full-meal guests, begin with 50 agreed meal portions, including dietary portions within that total. Shared trays suit simultaneous meals with room for a serving table; individual formats suit staggered meals. Confirm portions per tray, package contents, serving supplies and access before booking.
Around 100 guests
For 100 guests, request capacity confirmation earlier than for a small order and agree 100 meal portions with a clear dietary split. Multiple accessible serving points can help reduce bottlenecks where space permits. Confirm who sets out trays, the serving window, safe holding requirements and separately quoted equipment or staffing.
Choose the meal format deliberately
- Individually packaged — simple distribution, no setup, good for meetings, hybrid teams and staggered break times.
- Buffet-style trays — suits guests eating together; choose it when the room has serving-table space and the schedule allows a shared serving window.
- Mixed — a main buffet plus a handful of individual meals for specific dietary needs is often the cleanest compromise.
Dietary needs and allergies
Collect dietary counts alongside attendance. Reserve suitable portions within the total: for 30 people with six dietary meals, agree 24 regular and six suitable meals, not 36. Set aside and identify those portions before general serving. Confirmed vegan choices are falafel wraps or quoted platters with hummus, tahini and hot sauce. Confirm ingredients and preparation; no allergy-safety guarantee.
Eligible individually packed meals are +$0.99/person; requested dietary, name or department labels are included. Confirm the selected menu supports packaging. Labels help distribution but do not imply allergen-free preparation.
Timing and delivery access
Set your serving time first, then work backwards to the delivery window so there is room for setup. Share the practical details up front: building entrance, buzzer or reception, elevator availability, parking or loading restrictions, and who will meet the driver. Clear access instructions help coordinate the delivery window and food handoff.
Add-ons and contingency
Decide early whether you need drinks, desserts, extra sides, serving equipment or staffing — these are priced separately and are easier to add before the order is confirmed than on the day. Have a simple fallback for the two things that actually change: a late shift in guest numbers, and a delivery that needs to move by half an hour. Tell CaterHarbor as soon as either looks likely.
Estimated food subtotals by guest count
Estimates use the published Mediterranean Original Shawarma package contents and prices, multiplied by the guest count. Delivery and tax are extra, and final availability and pricing are confirmed by a person before anything is booked.
| Package | 10 guests | 20 guests | 30 guests | 50 guests | 100 guests |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mediterranean Classic$9.95/person | $99.50 | $199.00 | $298.50 | $497.50 | $995.00 |
| Mediterranean Signature$13.95/person | $139.50 | $279.00 | $418.50 | $697.50 | $1395.00 |
| Mediterranean Premium$15.95/person | $159.50 | $319.00 | $478.50 | $797.50 | $1595.00 |
Food subtotals only. Delivery and tax are extra, add-ons such as drinks, desserts, staffing or equipment are quoted separately, and every total is confirmed by a person. Most catering menus have a 10-guest minimum. Smaller requests can still be submitted and are reviewed individually.
Common questions
How do I cater for 50 guests?
Confirm attendance and collect dietary requirements first. For a full meal, begin with 50 agreed meal portions. Dietary portions are included within that total: for example, 45 regular meals and five suitable vegetarian meals, not automatically 55 meals. Shared trays suit guests eating together with space for a serving table; individual formats suit staggered meals or easier distribution. Confirm package contents, portions, serving time, delivery access and supplies before booking.
How much does catering for 50 people cost?
At the currently published Mediterranean package prices, 50 portions have estimated food subtotals of $497.50 for Classic, $697.50 for Signature, $797.50 for Premium. Delivery, tax and optional extras are additional. Availability and the final total are confirmed before booking. Compare the Mediterranean menu for inclusions and pricing and delivery charges.
How do I cater for 100 guests?
Start with 100 agreed meal portions and a clear dietary split. Request capacity confirmation earlier than for a small order, then agree the serving format, delivery window, access and who will set out the food. Multiple accessible serving points can help reduce bottlenecks when there is enough space. Current estimated food subtotals are $995.00 for Classic, $1395.00 for Signature, $1595.00 for Premium, before delivery, tax and extras. Larger orders require availability and quantities to be confirmed.
How many trays do I need for 50 people?
Plan food in meal portions first: 50 full-meal guests need 50 agreed meal portions. Tray counts depend on the chosen menu and confirmed portions in each tray. Ask CaterHarbor to confirm packaging and serving quantities before finalizing. Do not assume one tray size or serving count applies to every item.
Can I order 40 portions for 50 guests?
If all 50 guests expect a full meal, plan 50 agreed portions. If you are providing other substantial food, serving a light snack or expecting some people not to eat, explain that when requesting a quote so quantities can be reviewed. A lower portion count should follow the event's actual food plan.
How do I handle vegetarian, gluten-free and dairy-free requests in the same order?
Collect meal counts for each requirement and identify allergies separately. Request available falafel or other suitable choices from the actual Mediterranean menu, then confirm ingredients and preparation with the kitchen. Wheat-containing pita or wraps and dairy-containing choices may not suit every guest. Discuss cross-contact requirements before committing; menu labels alone do not establish allergy safety. Include these meals within the total guest count.