Caterers for hire near me

Hire a caterer to serve up delicious dishes at your upcoming event. Find caterers for hire near you, with profiles, pricing, and FAQs to help you book with confidence.

Where do you need a Caterer?

FAQ about hiring a Caterer

On average, a professional caterer charges $700-$1000 for two hours. Though this price can vary a lot based on the size and type of event you are throwing. Many catering packages are based on the number of guests. This is how the caterer determines how much food will be needed. From there, the type of cuisine plays a part as some dishes require pricier ingredients and more food preparation.

Your event setup will also be a factor in your catering costs. Informal offerings like buffets or picnics tend to cost less per person than multi-course plated dinners. Food trucks are another affordable alternative to private catering and can be a fun addition to any event.

Generally speaking, you should try to book a caterer for your event 6-8 months in advance. As you weigh your options, take the time to review price points, customer reviews, and menu items. And as you’re booking well in advance, make sure to go over potential seasonal menu items that may be available at the time of your event.

Some caterers specialize in a particular cuisine, while others will offer a wide variety of foods. When browsing local catering options, review all their menu options and inquire about tastings. Some caterers also have brick-and-mortar restaurants, which can be a great way to try out a few different dishes – and have a fun night out!

Once you begin planning your event and thinking about food services, consider your guest list and atmosphere when choosing your food and drinks. Determine if you want something more casual or a fine dining experience. Would your event be best suited for a buffet, a sit-down dinner, or serving trays of hors d’oeuvres? Then find a catering company that can accommodate those needs.

Caterers can supply delicious meals for all types of parties and events. Caterers are most frequently booked for weddings, from bridal showers to rehearsal dinners to receptions. But really any occasion can be made better with amazing food. Consider professional catering for holiday parties, birthday celebrations, backyard barbecues, luaus, bar mitzvahs, or any other special event.

Some catering companies may offer full-service packages that include a wait staff. The amount of staff required will depend on the size and setup of your event. An all-inclusive buffet will only require enough staff to set up and replenish the food, whereas a full-dining experience will require more servers to deliver each course to every guest.

Other caterers might only provide food services and that’s it. This means they will prepare and deliver the food, but you’ll be responsible for plating and serving the dishes. In this case, you can hire separate wait staff to handle that part or set up a more casual buffet for your guests to serve themselves.

Some caterers will deliver food to the event, while other caterers will prefer to prepare the food on-site to optimize for freshness and taste. For on-site catering, you should ensure that you have ample space in the kitchen and dining room to accommodate the team of workers.

Caterers around the U.S. and Canada

Featured
90s BBQ Food Truck and Catering - Caterer in Fort Worth, TX

90s BBQ Food Truck and Catering

5.0 (2)
  • Fort Worth, TX
  • Caterer
  • $50-250

Henry H. said “90s BBQ did an amazing job catering my party. We had 66 people and ordered asked for the food truck onsite. They were quick and my guests loved the food!! ”
Fast free quote
Featured
Street Mexican Food Catering - Caterer in Chicago, IL

Street Mexican Food Catering

4.91 (10)
Top Performer
  • Chicago, IL
  • Caterer
  • $850 and up
  • 23 Verified bookings

Sarah R. said “The Food Truck came on time. They left when we said they could. The food was amazing. Everyone loved it. They were friendly and accommodating. Great party, staff, and environment ”
Fast free quote
Featured
LCI Caterers - Caterer in South Richmond Hill, NY

LCI Caterers

5.0 (28)
  • South Richmond Hill, NY
  • Caterer
  • $250 and up

Jana N. said “We had our wedding on 6/21/25 and from the very first email with Suzanne this whole experience was a breeze! On the day of the wedding they came and set up everything beautifully, the open bar was... ”
Fast free quote
Featured
Umoja Food Group - Caterer in St Louis, MO

Umoja Food Group

  • St Louis, MO
  • Caterer
  • Contact for rates
  • New member

Umoja Food Group delivers custom catering and private dining experiences with globally inspired flavors and a soulful touch. We specialize in corporate...
Fast free quote

Caterers for hire across the U.S. and Canada:

United States

Canada

Why book Caterers

No event is complete without savory foods and tasty treats! Let a professional take control of the kitchen and hire a caterer to make your next celebration unforgettable. Caterers can provide everything from casual buffet options to three-course meals. Book catering services for wedding receptions, corporate events, dinner parties, and more on GigSalad.

When booking a caterer, take the time to browse profiles to learn more about their menu options and how their services work. Be sure to check out reviews from past clients so you know what it will be like to work with them. Once you find a caterer you want to hire, get all the details in writing with a contract or booking agreement. When you book on GigSalad, your payments are handled securely through the site and are protected by our Worry-Free Guarantee.

Request free quotes from Caterers near you!

Caterer pricing

The best way to get accurate pricing is to request free, personalized quotes from Caterers near you.

To give you a ballpark, we’ve used past GigSalad quotes to get average nationwide pricing for hiring a Caterer.

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