Catering Staff Calculator — How Many Staff You Need

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.

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.

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.

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.