This low-cost gastro biz is also ready for your casual backyard birthday barbecue, boisterous family reunion, or upgraded fancier outdoor corporate affair —hence this nifty guide to help frame all the strengths of each budget, low-mid, mid-high, and high-roller barbecue catered affair, with no exemption of size, style, or wish list of your event.
Budget Barbecue Catering
Budget barbecue catering is the ticket. Typically, there’s a no-frills menu of standards — hot dogs, hamburgers and chicken — served with coleslaw, baked beans and potato salad on the side. Cheap cuts of meat, ‘buffet-style’ service and streamlined staffing keep labour costs in check on the caterer’s end. Prices hover around €/$10-to-€/$20 per person, and you might as well bring a stretchy pair of shorts since this gathering style is characterized by big crowds and low-key events.
Tips for Budget BBQ:
- Opt for bulk purchasing and simpler meat cuts.
- Consider self-service to minimize labour costs.
- Choose a venue that allows you to bring your food.
Low-Mid Budget Barbecue Catering
Next up in price, still in the low-mid budget range, brings greater selection and quality with only a slight price jump. Maybe it’s pulled pork, brisket, sausage links, cornbread, green beans, macaroni, and cheese. Perhaps it should include more services (such as setup and breakdown). Prices can be quite competitive here: €/$20 to €/$35 a person. This space of barbecue catering is the sweet spot. It saves money but not too much in terms of food quality and variety.
Tips for Low-Mid Budget BBQ:
- Expand the menu slightly to include a few standout items.
- Use a mix of self-service and limited wait service to manage costs.
- Look for packages that include essential services.
Mid-High Budget Barbecue Catering
For those with a few more dollars to spend, mid-high budget barbecue catering will typically be the ticket to nicer fixins – smoked turkey, prime rib or lamb replacing brisket as the protein option, coupled with artisan breads, handmade gourmet mac and cheese and fresh salads.
Service also takes it up a notch, from live grilling stations where guests can flame-grill their own fish, meat or vegetables to seated menus fully tailored to your specific event. Costs also begin to climb. Expect to pay €/$35 to €/$60 per head, depending on the service level and the quality of ingredients. This is a higher price point where you can expect more personalized service, and the guarantee that the ingredients are locally sourced and of the highest quality.
Tips for Mid-High Budget BBQ:
- Invest in signature flavours or dishes that can become talking points.
- Consider live cooking stations for an interactive experience.
- Opt for higher-end disposable or even real dishware.
High Roller Barbecue Catering
On the other end of the barbecue spectrum, there exists the highly indulgent luxury of special barbecue catering for high rollers. Here, the ‘luxury lavishness’ of pampered meat pairings is reflected by its upscale ingredients. More akin to the Ultimate Cuisine genre than a barbecue cookoff, this style of barbecue catering ties into the trend of standout signatures in high-end, special event food, where anything goes as long as it sets the space apart and separates you from the crowd.
Expect this style of barbecue catering to feature wagyu beef and lobster tails, and not much else that isn’t plated in front of the guest, ready to be served or distributed family style across a communal table.
The feast will be backed by on-site full-service staff
Chefs and waitstaff. You’d likely serve dégustation-style menus to your guests, and the not-so-humble sides include truffle mac and cheese or a selection of cheeses and fine wines. Expect to shell out €/$60 a head and up, depending on the ‘wow’ of your menu and services.
Tips for High Roller Barbecue Catering:
- Play Up Exclusivity: Stress the use of rare ingredients and unique dishes that result in a memorable taste experience.
- Dress up: Nice plating and themed decor can complete the high-end culinary experience.
- Customizations: Offer menus or a chance to meet the chef.
Savour the Flavor – Barbecue Catering for All
Whether you’re hosting a casual gathering of friends or a lavish high-roller soiree, planning an event is so much more than what’s served. Understanding the range of barbecue catering – from budget barbecue to a high-roller experience – can help planners and hosts hone in on a food experience that suits their needs all the while setting expectations – and your budget – in place. Whether you go budget or indulge in the opulence of traditionally high-end catering (high-rolling with barbecue), each level provides a