How much food do you need for a grazing table?

What are the rules of thumb for grazing quantities?

These are general guides from the catering world, not a Platter and Co promise. Treat them as a starting point.

• Nibbles before a meal: about 150 to 200 grams of food per person.
• A table as the main meal: about 300 to 400 grams per person.
• Canapés before a meal: about 4 to 6 pieces per person.
• Canapés as the main food over two to three hours: about 10 to 12 pieces per person.
• Allow a little more for lunch and dinner times, long events and hungry crowds, and a little less for short events or when other food is served.

How does Platter and Co size a grazing table?

Sweet, fruit, kids and savoury tables are sized by length, starting at 0.5 m. Brunch tables are sized by guest numbers, starting at $650 for 10 to 15 guests.

Guest numbers don't grow in a straight line. Sweet tables go from 35 guests at 1 m to 55 at 2 m and 75 at 3 m, then to 120 at 4 m and 180 at 6 m. The cost per guest tends to fall as tables get bigger, from about $27 at 0.5 m to about $15 at 6 m. Our grazing table cost guide explains more.

Here are worked examples, with the cost per guest taken at the top of each guest range.

• Sweet table, 0.5 m: up to 15 guests for $400, about $27 a guest.
• Sweet table, 1 m: up to 35 guests for $750, about $21 a guest.
• Sweet table, 2 m: up to 55 guests for $1,100, $20 a guest.
• Fruit table, 0.5 m: up to 20 guests for $300, $15 a guest.
• Fruit table, 1 m: up to 40 guests for $650, about $16 a guest.
• Kids table, 0.5 m: up to 20 guests for $450, about $23 a guest. At 1 m: up to 30 guests for $750, $25 a guest.

When should I size up?

The guest number is a maximum, so a table for up to 35 guests works for fewer. But many hosts choose the next size up for some events.

Tell us how long the event runs and whether other food is being served, and we'll help you choose. The enquiry form also asks for adults and children separately, so count them separately. These are common reasons to size up:

• The table is the main meal rather than a nibble before dinner.
• The event runs for several hours, or no other food is being served.
• Guests will arrive hungry, such as at a lunchtime or early evening start.
• You are unsure of numbers. A little extra is easier than running short.

Do canapés and add-ons change how much I need?

Yes. Extras take some of the load off the table, so you may be able to stay with a smaller size. Canapés start from $3.50 a piece, with a minimum of 30, so 30 pieces at $3.50 each is $105. Our grazing table add-ons page has the full list.

• Sausage rolls, party pies, pastizzi and arancini balls: $3.50 each.
• Free-range chicken skewers: $4.00 each. Lamb koftas: $6.50 each.
• Sandwiches (48 triangles): $125. Wraps (24): $170.
• Fresh fruit skewers: $4 each. Fresh fruit juices: $6.
• One-person grazing cones: $25 each.

What if I have fewer than 10 guests?

A grazing box usually suits a small group better than a table. A large savoury box feeds up to 6 for $165. See how many people a grazing box feeds for every box and price.