Grazing box or grazing table: which is right for your event?

How do a grazing box and a grazing table compare?

Here are the main differences at Platter and Co.

• Notice: boxes need at least 24 hours. Tables need at least 5 days.
• Group size: a box feeds 1 to 6 people. Tables are sized from up to 15 guests, and go up to 180.
• Set-up: a box arrives ready to open, by delivery in a one-hour slot between 9am and 3pm, or free pick-up from 238 Flinders Street. For a table, our team arrives up to 2 hours before the event to set it up at your venue.
• Clean-up: the table set-up is disposable or recyclable, so nothing needs to come back to us unless you hire stone, dishes or silverware.
• Price: boxes are $60 to $165 each. Fruit, sweet, brunch and kids tables are $300 to $2,750, depending on style and size.
• Ordering: for a box, you place an order request online, and we call or email to confirm and arrange payment. For a table, you send an enquiry form and we reply within 24 hours. A 50% non-refundable deposit confirms your booking, and the balance is due 72 hours before.

When is a grazing box the better choice?

Boxes suit smaller groups and shorter notice. With fewer than 10 guests, a box almost always suits better, because our smallest tables are sized for up to 15.

• Groups of up to about 12. Three medium savoury boxes at $300 feed up to 12.
• Short notice, at 24 hours rather than 5 days.
• Desk lunches, board meetings and morning teas at work.
• Birthdays, housewarmings and catch-ups with friends.
• Gifts. The brunch box comes with a personalised message.
• Events where you would rather serve the food yourself.

When is a grazing table the better choice?

Tables suit bigger groups and events where the food is a centrepiece. One customer said their table fed 70 guests with ease at a first birthday party.

• More than about 12 to 15 guests.
• Weddings, birthday parties and larger work events.
• You want our team to set up the table for you.
• You would like to mix styles, such as savoury and sweet. The enquiry form lets you pick more than one.
• You want canapés, sandwiches or wraps added to the order.

Which costs less for the same group?

For bigger groups, a table can cost less than ordering many boxes. These examples use real prices, with the sweet and fruit styles.

• 15 guests, sweet: a 0.5 m sweet grazing table is $400. Eight sweet boxes, feeding up to 16, are $600.
• 20 guests, fruit: a 0.5 m fruit grazing table is $300. Ten fruit boxes are $600.
• 35 guests, sweet: a 1 m sweet table is $750. Eighteen sweet boxes, feeding up to 36, would be $1,350.
• 12 guests, savoury: three medium savoury boxes are $300. Compare that with the savoury table prices on the pricing page.

What about dietary needs?

Both can be tailored on request for gluten free, dairy free, nut free, vegan and vegetarian needs. Tell us when you order or enquire, along with any allergies. For help sizing, see how much food a grazing table needs or how many people a grazing box feeds.