Find a catering service in Fort Lauderdale, FL

Find catering services in Fort Lauderdale, FL

Q: How much is catering?

Catering costs $10 to $35 per person for basic party food or a drop-off service. On average, caterers charge $500 to $7,500 total for 50 guests, $1,000 to $15,000 for 100 guests, and $1,500 to $23,000 for 150 guests. Alcohol or bartending options often cost extra. Formal catering or wedding catering costs $30 to $200 per person for plated meals, a buffet, or food stations. A food truck rental costs $10 to $40 per person , depending on the type of event and whether you hire the truck on a weekend or holiday. Popular food truck menu options include tacos, pizza, BBQ, and ice cream.

Q: How long do caterers stay at an event?

Caterers typically serve food for 1 to 4 hours , depending on the time of year and number of guests. Setup usually takes 1 to 2 hours . Ask your caterer whether they will include any of the setup or cleanup time in their estimate.

Q: Do you tip caterers?

Some caterers include a gratuity charge of 15% to 20% on your bill that is split between the servers. Before adding a cash tip, ask your caterer or review the contract to make sure a gratuity charge is not already included. If you decide to give cash tips directly, pay each person between $15 to $50 .

Share a few details and we'll show you the best catering services in your area.

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Find catering services in Fort Lauderdale, FL

Share a few details and we'll show you the best catering services in your area.

Zip code

Top 10 catering services in Fort Lauderdale, FL

Clients agree: these Fort Lauderdale catering services are highly rated for knowledge, experience, communication, and more.

Your Wedding and Event Catering questions, answered

Answers to commonly asked questions from the experts on Fash.

How much is catering?

Catering costs $10 to $35 per person for basic party food or a drop-off service. On average, caterers charge $500 to $7,500 total for 50 guests, $1,000 to $15,000 for 100 guests, and $1,500 to $23,000 for 150 guests. Alcohol or bartending options often cost extra.

Formal catering or wedding catering costs $30 to $200 per person for plated meals, a buffet, or food stations. A food truck rental costs $10 to $40 per person, depending on the type of event and whether you hire the truck on a weekend or holiday. Popular food truck menu options include tacos, pizza, BBQ, and ice cream.

What is catering?

Catering means supplying food and drink at a party, wedding, or other gathering. Some catering companies provide waitstaff, while others offer self-serve buffet stations or simply drop off prepared food to an event. Different catering companies provide different types of foods and cuisines, including:

Italian
Mexican
Barbeque
Japanese
Pizza
Sandwiches
Ice cream
Breakfast or brunch

How far in advance do I need to order catering?

Most caterers recommend ordering at least a few weeks to 6 months in advance, depending on the type of event and number of guests. However, catering a small party may not require as much advance time as a wedding, holiday party, or large corporate event.

Large chain restaurants often provide limited, drop-off catering services and require less notice than professional catering companies. Some chain restaurants and grocery stores offer catering services with only one day's notice.

What do caterers provide?

Caterers supply all the food for your event, either cooking it on-site or preparing it in their own kitchen beforehand. Many catering services include serving dishes, plates, glasses, and silverware in their price. Some caterers also offer tables, chairs, linens, or custom place settings for an added fee.

How long do caterers stay at an event?

Caterers typically serve food for 1 to 4 hours, depending on the time of year and number of guests. Setup usually takes 1 to 2 hours. Ask your caterer whether they will include any of the setup or cleanup time in their estimate.

Do you tip caterers?

Some caterers include a gratuity charge of 15% to 20% on your bill that is split between the servers. Before adding a cash tip, ask your caterer or review the contract to make sure a gratuity charge is not already included. If you decide to give cash tips directly, pay each person between $15 to $50.

How do I choose a catering company?

Search our list of caterers, then:

Get three or more free estimates to compare.
Read their reviews and menus on Fash and Google.
Choose a licensed, insured, and experienced company.
Try menu tasting before your event if possible.
Make sure they're a good fit for your budget and schedule.
Get a written estimate or contract.
Avoid making a large payment before your event begins.

After reading reviews and asking questions, hire the best company in your area.

What questions should I ask caterers?

When looking for local catering companies, consider asking the following questions:

How long have you been catering?
Are you licensed and insured?
How far in advance do I need to book?
What is your cancellation policy?
Do you allow menu changes?
Will you bring prepared food, or will you prepare it onsite?
How long will you be able to serve food?
How long do you need to set up?
Do you charge extra for travel fees?
Will you give me a written estimate and contract?

Reviews for Fort Lauderdale catering services

Recent success stories from people in the Fort Lauderdale area.

Andrew J.

I recently had the pleasure of experiencing the culinary talents of Lady Chef, and I must say, her food is absolutely outstanding. Every dish she prepared was flavorful, beautifully presented, and clearly made with passion and skill. From appetizers to the main course and desserts, her attention to detail and use of fresh ingredients made for an unforgettable dining experience. Beyond her cooking, Lady Chef's professional demeanor is just as impressive. She is punctual, well-organized, and carries herself with grace and confidence. Her communication is clear and courteous, and she remains calm and focused even in high-pressure situations. It’s evident that she takes great pride in both her food and her service. I would highly recommend Lady Chef to anyone seeking high-quality cuisine and a true professional in the kitchen.

The Lady Chef LLC

Duane M.

An absolutely outstanding Chef, She pays strict attention to details, a consummate professional and a savvy creator of the most delicious foods, meals and timely catering service.

Chef Fefi

Rachael O.

They were attentive to what I was asking for and the food and event was amazing!!! Will definitely use Exquisite again!

EXQUISITE CATERING

Minke D.

Chef Wynne is outstanding. I am more than pleased. The food was wonderful. I had many people at the function inquiring about her. I would highly recommend her for any and all future events.

Creative Chef Wynne Llc

Gio Y.

Very professional and gave us a such a memorable experience .Would definitely recommend his catering to family and friends.

Jamdung flow catering

W H.

Chef Irie is the complete professional - timely, responsive, prepared - but most importantly his food is fabulous. Delicious, creative with a Caribbean twist - just love whatever he does

Chef Irie Spice, Inc. Personal and Private Chef Catering

Britt S.

We were very lucky to have Chef Tim! His professionalism is outstanding; he replied when he said he would, answered our calls on time, and made it a point to understand my graduation party event, our tastes, my allergy, and even the tastes of our guests. I wanted a refined and elegant menu that didn't include anything having to do with pizza, pasta, salad, or bbq. He produced a menu that was also printable (great for framing and putting on the table for your guests to admire) that was delectable yet not too filling; (med-rare lamb lollipops, boursin-stuffed prosciutto wrapped dates) but also not stuffy- we also recommend the beer-cheese fondue! My favorite is the curry-chicken spoons. He arrived at our event in appropriate Chef attire with helpful written instructions and felt like a talented member of the family. Our only regret is we wish we had hired one of his staff to further execute, plate and pass the delcious-ness! It's hard to do it all. If this is available- DO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT. Additionally, the VALUE of hiring Chef Tim is very good- there was an abundance of extras and in all the parties I have had, (there have been many) I was surprised to see that my guests never ceased to be enjoying the food. Well done Chef Tim, you are sure to have repeat business from the Sanford-Basiaga household.