How many waiting staff per guest?

For sit-down dinner: 1 waiter per 10-12 guests. For buffet service: 1 staff per 25 guests (mainly for clearing and replenishing). For canape and bowl-food receptions: roughly 1 per 20 guests, though leaner passes can run to 1 per 25-30. Silver service requires more at 1 per 8 guests.

How many bar staff do I need?

For a full bar service, plan 1 bartender per 40 guests. For a busy cocktail party, 1 per 30 guests. If serving only beer, wine and soft drinks, 1 per 50-60 guests is usually sufficient.

How much do catering staff cost?

UK catering staff rates typically range from £12-£18 per hour for waiting and bar staff, and £14-£22 per hour for kitchen staff. Rates vary by region and experience. Most agencies have a minimum booking of 4-6 hours.

Do I need kitchen staff for a buffet?

Yes. Even for a cold buffet, you need at least 1 person to manage the food area, replenish dishes, maintain hygiene, and handle dietary requirements. Hot buffets need kitchen staff for cooking, plating, and food safety compliance.

PartyCalcs

Catering Staff Calculator — How Many Staff You Need

Calculate the number of waiting, bar, and kitchen staff needed for your event.

Guest Count

Total number of guests you're catering for

Service StylePlated dinners need the most waiting staff; buffets and canape passes need fewer

Event Duration

Guest-facing hours; 2hrs setup is added and a 4hr minimum shift applies

Bar ServiceCocktails and spirits need more bar staff than a beer-and-wine bar

How We Calculate This

Staff numbers are calculated based on industry-standard guest-to-staff ratios for each service style.

Standard Ratios

Sit-down: 1 waiter per 12 guests, kitchen 1 per 30
Buffet: 1 waiter per 25 guests, kitchen 1 per 50
Canapes: 1 waiter per 20 guests, kitchen 1 per 40
Bar (full): 1 per 40 guests

Cost adds 2 hours to the event duration for setup and teardown, with a 4-hour minimum billable shift per staff member to reflect typical UK agency call-out terms.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Last updated: March 2026

All calculations are estimates. Adjust quantities based on your guests and event type.