How much does buffet catering cost in Melbourne?
Our buffet packages start from $68 per person for 50+ guests. This includes 3 mains, 3 sides, garden salad, pilaf rice, dinner rolls, butter, chafing dishes, crockery, cutlery, setup, wait staff, chef, fresh flowers, greenery and candles. You can add extra mains for $12pp or extra sides for $8pp. Contact us at (03) 8503 7394 or [email protected] for a detailed quote.
What’s included in your buffet packages?
Every buffet package includes 3 restaurant-quality mains, 3 seasonal sides, garden salad, pilaf rice, fresh dinner rolls with butter, chafing dishes with warmers, all crockery and cutlery, professional setup and styling, wait staff to serve throughout your event, chef to prepare and heat food, fresh flower arrangements, Australian greenery, candlelight, and complete pack-down. We handle everything from arrival to departure.
Can you cater for events under 50 guests?
Yes. For groups of 30 to 49 guests, we offer a self-service buffet setup. We’ll deliver and set up your buffet with 2 mains, 3 sides, garden salad, pilaf rice, dinner rolls and butter, then collect everything later. This option doesn’t include wait staff service but gives you the same restaurant-quality food and professional setup.
What’s the difference between buffet and seated meals?
Buffet service has staff serving guests from a central buffet station (guests can also help themselves), creating a relaxed, interactive dining experience. Seated meals deliver pre-portioned meals directly to each guest’s seat for a more formal, structured service. Buffet works well for casual celebrations and large groups, while seated meals suit formal weddings and structured dinners. We offer both options.
What’s the difference between buffet and bowl food?
Buffet is a traditional serve-yourself setup where guests visit a central food station. Bowl food is walking dining where waiters circulate with individual bowls, bringing the food to guests. Buffet suits larger events and encourages mingling at the food station. Bowl food works for cocktail-style events where guests remain standing. Both offer restaurant-quality food, just different service styles.
How many mains and sides should I choose?
Our standard package includes 3 mains and 3 sides, which gives excellent variety without overwhelming guests. For events over 100 guests or longer events, consider adding a 4th main or side. We recommend balancing meat, seafood and vegetarian mains, plus mixing hot and cold sides. We’ll guide you through the best combinations for your guest count and event style.
Do you handle dietary requirements?
Absolutely. Every menu item is clearly marked with dietary tags (GF for gluten-free, V for vegan, VEG for vegetarian, VO for vegan option available). We handle all requirements including coeliac, dairy-free, nut allergies, and specific religious dietary needs. Just let us know your guests’ requirements when booking, and we’ll ensure everyone is properly catered for.
What equipment do you provide?
We provide everything needed for your buffet. Professional chafing dishes with fuel to keep food hot throughout service, serving utensils, white crockery, quality cutlery, napkins, tiered display boxes for elegant presentation, fresh flower arrangements, Australian greenery, and candles. Our team sets everything up beautifully and handles all pack-down at the end.
What areas do you service?
We provide buffet catering across Melbourne, Mornington Peninsula, Yarra Valley, Macedon Ranges, Dandenong Ranges, Geelong, Ballarat and regional Victoria. We regularly service venues from the CBD to coastal locations, wineries, rural properties and everything in between. Contact us to confirm service to your specific venue.
What buffet options work best for summer vs winter?
Summer buffets work well with lighter proteins like barramundi, chicken and vegetarian options, plus fresh cold sides like watermelon feta salad and cauliflower sweet potato. Winter calls for heartier choices like roasted scotch fillet, lamb rump and pork, with warm sides like chive mash and roasted root vegetables. We’ll suggest seasonal combinations that suit your event date and venue conditions.
Is buffet suitable for formal events?
Yes. When styled properly with fresh flowers, elegant tiered displays, quality linens and professional service, buffet can be just as sophisticated as plated dining. We often cater formal weddings, gala dinners and corporate awards nights with buffet service. The key is in the presentation, food quality and service standards, all of which we deliver at the highest level.
Can buffet work for large corporate events?
Absolutely. Buffet is often the best choice for large corporate events, conferences and seminars. It handles high guest counts efficiently, accommodates varied dietary needs easily, allows flexible timing, and keeps costs manageable while maintaining quality. We regularly cater corporate functions for 100 to 300+ guests with multiple buffet stations to ensure smooth service flow.
How do you keep buffet food hot and fresh?
We use professional chafing dishes with reliable fuel systems that maintain perfect serving temperature throughout your event. Our chef prepares food on-site and monitors temperature and presentation continuously. Wait staff refresh dishes as needed and maintain the buffet’s appearance. Cold items are kept in appropriate serving vessels. Everything stays at ideal temperature from first guest to last.
What’s your buffet setup process?
We arrive well before your event start time to set up. Our team arranges buffet tables with tiered displays for visual interest, positions chafing dishes strategically for good guest flow, sets out all serving ware, adds fresh flowers and greenery, lights candles, and arranges everything to look beautiful. Our chef prepares and heats the food, then our wait staff maintain the buffet throughout service. At the end, we pack everything down completely.
