Article
How much food do you need for a party?
A practical guide to estimating portions for buffets, trays and sit-down meals.
5 Sept 2026 · 1 min read · Chef Nissi
One of the most common questions we're asked when booking catering is simple: "how much food do we actually need?" Here's the rule of thumb we use when planning menus for parties across Nottinghamshire.
Buffets
For a buffet with 4-5 dishes, plan for roughly 400-500g of food per guest across all dishes, plus a little extra for second helpings.
Sit-down meals
Sit-down meals are more predictable — one main plate per guest, with sides shared at the table.
Still unsure? Send us your guest count and we'll help you plan the right quantities.