What is alternate drop service for plated meals?

You choose two options per course. Wait staff serve them alternately across the table, so guests get variety without you needing to collect individual pre-orders. It’s the standard approach for formal seated dining in Australia. If both your chosen dishes are meat-based, we can prepare a vegetarian or vegan variation of those same dishes for guests who need it, up to around 5% of your guest count.

How much food per person for plated catering?

Our packages are designed to be generous and satisfying. Each course is individually portioned, plus guests share a garden salad bowl per table and receive dinner rolls. The 4-course package also includes canapes on arrival, so by the time you sit down, guests aren’t starting from nothing.

Do you tip caterers for plated service in Australia?

Tipping isn’t expected in Australia, but it’s always appreciated if your team has done a great job. Our pricing is all-inclusive and transparent. There are no hidden service charges or gratuity fees added to your quote.

What’s the difference between a 2-course and 3-course seated meal?

A 2-course covers entree and main, or main and dessert ($85pp). A 3-course includes all three ($110pp). For most weddings and formal corporate events, the 3-course is the most popular choice. It gives your event a clear structure and a proper sense of occasion. If you want to step things up further, the 4-course ($125pp) adds chef’s choice canapes served on arrival. This is meticulously designed for weddings where you need time for photos before dinner, or corporate events where speeches happen before guests sit down. Your guests are welcomed and fed from the moment they arrive, so no one’s standing around waiting.

Can plated meals accommodate dietary requirements?

Completely. We manage dietary meals per guest, including gluten free, vegetarian, vegan, dairy free, nut allergies and other requirements. Our team coordinates this discreetly so every guest is looked after without any fuss.

How long does a 3-course plated meal take to serve?

For a typical event, plan for around 2 to 2.5 hours of dining time for a 3-course meal. We work to your event timeline and coordinate with your MC or venue coordinator to keep things moving at the right pace for your guests.

Initial Enquiry

Tell us about your event. Date, location, guest count and what you’re after. Call us or send an email and we’ll come back to you quickly.

Detailed Quote and Confirmation

We put together a customised quote for your package, staffing and any travel. Once you’re happy, we lock in your date.

Menu Selection with Our Chef

Work with our executive chef to finalise your two selections per course and discuss dietary requirements. If you’d like guidance, our chefs are happy to help. If you already know what you want, we’ll make it happen.

Venue Coordination

We liaise with your venue on kitchen access, timing and bump-in requirements. You don’t need to be the go-between.

Final Details Confirmation

Two weeks out we confirm final guest numbers, dietary breakdowns and your event-day run sheet so everyone’s on the same page.

Event Day Excellence

We arrive early, set up professionally and deliver a seamless dining experience your guests will be talking about long after the night is over.

Restaurant-Quality Plated Service

Every dish is individually plated by our chef team moments before service. Presentation, temperature and timing are all held to restaurant standards. Your guests notice the difference.

Complete Service from Start to Finish

We handle the food, the staff and the coordination. You focus on your guests. From bump-in to pack-down, we take care of every detail of your dining experience.

Fresh, Seasonal Ingredients

Our menus are built around what’s fresh and in season. We source quality Australian produce and our chefs work with it properly. The result is food that actually tastes like something.

Victoria-Wide Service

We travel across Melbourne, Mornington Peninsula, Yarra Valley, Macedon Ranges, Dandenong Ranges and regional Victoria. If your venue is in Victoria, we can make it work.

Complete Dietary Accommodation

Gluten free, vegetarian, vegan, dairy free, nut allergies and more. We manage dietary meals per guest, discreetly and without fuss. Every single guest at your table gets looked after properly.

Transparent Pricing

What you see is what you get. Our packages are clearly priced and all-inclusive. No surprise charges on the day, no hidden fees. We give you a detailed quote upfront so you can plan with confidence.

“HLB catered our wedding reception at Stones of the Yarra Valley and the food was genuinely stunning. Every guest commented on how beautiful the plates looked and how delicious everything tasted. The service was flawless from start to finish.”

“We used HLB for our annual company gala dinner in the CBD. 120 guests, 3-course alternate drop. Not a single hiccup. The team was professional, the food was restaurant quality and our clients were impressed. Already booked them for next year.”

“Our engagement dinner at The Briars in Mount Martha was everything we hoped for. The pork belly entree and lamb shank main were highlights, and the passionfruit panna cotta had people going back for seconds. Highly recommend.”

“Booked the 4-course package for Mum’s 60th birthday dinner in Fitzroy. The canapes on arrival set the tone perfectly, and the meal itself was exceptional. Our family still talks about the chocolate tiramisu tart.”

“We had 80 guests for our anniversary celebration at a winery in the Macedon Ranges. HLB handled everything, including some complex dietary requirements across our guest list. Every single person was looked after. Incredible team.”

“As a venue coordinator I’ve worked with a lot of caterers. HLB are consistently one of the best. Communication is great, they turn up prepared, and the food quality is something guests always remember.”

Wedding Receptions

Plated meals are the gold standard for Melbourne wedding receptions. Our 3 or 4-course packages work beautifully with a formal venue setting. Book 6 to 12 months in advance for peak spring and summer dates. Plan for 2 to 2.5 hours of dining time in your run sheet.

Corporate Gala Dinners

Nothing impresses clients and staff like a well-executed seated dinner. Our 2 or 3-course packages suit corporate budgets without compromising on quality. We’re experienced with formal event timing, awards nights and conference dinners across Melbourne CBD and inner suburbs.

Engagement Parties

An engagement is worth celebrating properly. Our seated dinner packages bring real elegance to your party without the stress of planning every detail yourself. We can help you select a menu that suits your crowd and complements your venue across the Peninsula, Yarra Valley or Melbourne.

Anniversary and Milestone Events

For significant birthdays, anniversaries and milestone celebrations, our 4-course package with canapes creates a true sense of occasion. It’s the kind of dinner people remember for years. Minimum 60 guests applies, so great for larger family and friend gatherings.

Planning Your Guest Count

Our plated meal packages start from 60 paying guests. If you’re expecting between 60 and 200, plan staffing around one wait staff per 10 to 15 guests for a smooth service. For larger events, we’ll recommend the right team size when we quote. Always collect dietary requirements from guests at RSVP.

Menu Pairing Tips

For alternate drop, choose two dishes that work across different preferences. A meat option and a seafood option for entree tends to work well. For mains, pair a heavier dish (like eye fillet) with a lighter one (like chicken), so guests receive something that suits their taste. Our chef team can guide you through the best combinations for your specific guest mix.

How much does plated meal catering cost in Melbourne?

Our plated meal packages start at $85pp for a 2-course, $110pp for a 3-course and $125pp for a 4-course including canapes. Pricing covers professional wait staff, a shared garden salad per table and dinner rolls. A minimum of 60 guests applies.

What’s included in your seated meal packages?

Every package includes your chosen courses, professional wait staff throughout your event, a shared garden salad bowl per table and freshly baked dinner rolls and butter. The 4-course package also includes chef’s choice canapes on arrival. Get in touch if you have questions about what’s included for your specific event.

What’s the minimum guest count for plated meals?

Our plated meal packages require a minimum of 60 paying guests. For events from 30 guests, get in touch. Subject to availability, we may be able to accommodate smaller groups with a simplified format: one dish per course rather than alternate drop, with vegetarian and vegan variations included. Additional fees may apply. Our feast shared platters are also an excellent option for smaller groups.

What is alternate drop service?

Alternate drop means you select two options per course. Your guests are served alternating dishes across the table, no pre-orders required, no complicated meal card systems. It’s the standard approach for formal dining in Australia and it looks great in a seated event setting. If both chosen dishes are meat-based, we can prepare a vegetarian or vegan variation of those same dishes for guests who need it, provided they make up no more than around 5% of your total guest count.

What’s the difference between plated meals and buffet catering?

Plated meals are individually served to each guest at the table, creating a formal, restaurant-style experience. Buffet catering is self-serve and better suited to casual or larger-format events. Plated meals work best for weddings, corporate galas and formal celebrations where the dining experience is part of the occasion. Buffet starts from $68pp.

What’s the difference between plated meals and shared platters?

Shared platters (feast style) place large dishes on the table for guests to help themselves, which creates a warm, relaxed feel. Plated meals are individually portioned and served, which suits more formal occasions. Feast shared platters start from $90pp and are ideal for groups that want a more social, convivial dining experience.

How do plated meals work for formal events?

Our team coordinates with your venue and event coordinator to plan course timing around your program. We aim for 50 to 60 minutes between each course. We communicate with your MC throughout the evening and adjust pace as needed. The food comes out hot, plated beautifully and on time.

Do you handle dietary requirements with plated meals?

Yes, completely. We manage dietary meals per guest including gluten free, vegetarian, vegan, dairy free, nut allergies and other requirements. We ask that you provide the dietary breakdown by your final confirmation date (two weeks out) so our kitchen can prepare accordingly. Every guest is looked after properly.

What areas do you service for plated meal catering?

We service Melbourne CBD and inner suburbs (South Yarra, Toorak, Brighton, St Kilda, Richmond, Fitzroy, Carlton, Port Melbourne), Mornington Peninsula, Yarra Valley, Macedon Ranges, Dandenong Ranges and regional Victoria including Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo and Daylesford. Travel fees may apply for regional locations.

How are the courses timed and served?

We work to your event run sheet. A typical 3-course meal runs over 2 to 2.5 hours. We aim for around 50 to 60 minutes between courses. Our team communicates with your MC throughout to keep the timing right for your event so your evening flows naturally.

How many wait staff will you provide?

It depends on your guest count, and we make sure we have the right number for a smooth service. Most caterers keep staff numbers low to save on costs, but we believe in providing the ideal ratio so that all your guests are served at essentially the same time. The difference between good service and great service is whether table one and table fifteen get their food within minutes of each other, not 45 minutes apart. We also provide an event coordinator for every event, and for larger guest counts, dedicated event managers to oversee the evening end-to-end.

Can we customise the menu selections?

Yes. You choose two dishes per course from our curated menu. For larger events we can also discuss seasonal specials or custom menu options with our executive chef. Get in touch to explore what’s possible for your event.

What’s the difference between 2-course, 3-course and 4-course packages?

The 2-course covers entree and main, or main and dessert ($85pp). The 3-course includes all three courses and is the most popular choice for weddings and corporate events ($110pp). The 4-course adds chef’s choice canapes served on arrival before guests sit down ($125pp). This option is meticulously designed for weddings where you need time at the start of the evening for photos or speeches, or corporate events where guests gather before being seated. Your guests are welcomed and fed from the moment they arrive, so the celebration kicks off immediately rather than guests standing around waiting.

Do you provide serving equipment and staff?

Every package includes professional wait staff, an event coordinator and, depending on your guest count, event managers to ensure smooth service. We also bring everything needed to run a polished event. We arrive early to set up and pack down at the end. You don’t need to organise staffing separately.

How far in advance should we book plated meal catering?

For weddings and large events, we recommend booking 6 to 12 months in advance, especially for peak season dates between October and April. Corporate events and smaller celebrations can often be accommodated with 6 to 8 weeks notice. That said, we do our best to accommodate last-minute requests, so if your event is coming up soon, reach out anyway and we’ll see what we can do.

Melbourne and Inner Suburbs

We regularly cater plated meals across Melbourne CBD, South Yarra, Toorak, Brighton, St Kilda, Port Melbourne, Richmond, Fitzroy, Carlton, Hawthorn, Kew, Prahran and surrounding suburbs.

No travel fee for inner Melbourne

Mornington Peninsula

Weddings and celebrations across Portsea, Sorrento, Mornington, Mount Martha, Rosebud, Rye, Blairgowrie and the wider Peninsula. We know the region well and work regularly with Peninsula venues.

Travel fee may apply

Yarra Valley

Winery weddings and estate events across Healesville, Yarra Glen, Coldstream, Lilydale and Warrandyte. The Yarra Valley is one of our most popular regions for plated meal catering.

Travel fee may apply

Macedon Ranges

From Woodend, Kyneton and Gisborne through to Mount Macedon estate events. A stunning part of Victoria for formal seated dining at private properties and boutique venues.

Travel fee may apply

Dandenong Ranges

Celebrations and weddings across Olinda, Sassafras, Belgrave, Emerald and surrounding areas. We work with Dandenong Ranges venues and private properties for seated dining events.

Travel fee may apply

Regional Victoria

We travel to Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo, Daylesford, Maryborough and regional Victoria for larger events and weddings. If your venue is in Victoria, contact us and we’ll let you know what’s possible.

Travel fee applies. Contact us for details

Email Us

events@hlbcatering.com.au

Call Us

(03) 8503 7394