Calculating the right amount of food for a party: how to order the right amount of food for the number of guests

Planning the quantities for a party starts with three key pieces of information: the confirmed number of guests, the duration of the party and the serving method. Once you know these, you can estimate the amount of food so that the table isn’t overloaded and you don’t run out of food. It’s best to order plenty of food, but you don’t need a large number of different dishes. The quantities required for weddings, christenings and cottage parties vary, and you can minimise waste by planning your order well in advance and providing us with the exact details of your event.

The quantity of food for a party depends on the number of guests

Calculate the amount of food based on the number of guests who have confirmed their attendance, and add a few extra portions to be on the safe side. Basing your calculations on the total number of people invited can easily lead to over-provision, as not everyone will be able to attend. Ask for RSVPs well in advance of placing your order and enquire about any special dietary requirements at the same time. Children eat smaller portions than adults, so make a separate note of their numbers.

The way it’s served makes all the difference. Martat Allow for 350–700 g of food per guest at the buffet table, and 140–180 g for the main ingredient, such as meat, fish or plant-based protein. The range is wide because the amount depends on the time of day and the duration of the event. Guests eat less at an afternoon coffee party than at a three-hour celebratory dinner.

Calculate the amount of food based on the number of guests who have confirmed their attendance, not those who have been invited, and add a few extra portions to be on the safe side.

Calculating the quantities for catering at weddings, christenings and summer house parties

Catering for a wedding reception often takes longer than for a christening, so more food is usually consumed. If you’re serving both dinner and a late-night snack, plan the quantities for each separately. At graduation parties and birthday parties, guests arrive and leave at different times. In such cases, a buffet works well, as the food remains on display for a long time and you can top it up as needed, rather than having to serve everything at once.

At a cottage party in Saariselkä, the day’s programme tends to work up an appetite. If guests are coming down from the fells after a day’s skiing, more food will be needed than at a typical house party. We’ll tailor the menu to your preferences and deliver the food to your holiday cottage, home, party venue or up on the fells. Just let us know the number of guests and the schedule for the party, and we’ll agree on the portion sizes when you place your order. For family celebrations, we also offer catering service, which includes delivery and table setting.

You can reduce food waste by choosing your meals carefully

More dishes do not necessarily mean better catering. When there are too many dishes, guests end up tasting a little of everything, and there are leftovers of each. Choose a few main courses and complement them with a vegetarian option and a salad. Savoury dishes tend to run out faster than sweet ones, so it’s worth prioritising them. Please let us know about any special dietary requirements in advance so that we can prepare separate portions for them: Find out more about special dietary requirements when placing a catering order.

If you haven’t decided on a venue for your party yet, compare the options first: Is it better to organise a celebratory dinner at the holiday cottage or in a restaurant?. The venue will affect how the service is organised and how many sittings you will need. Please update your order with the final number of guests as soon as it is confirmed. We will agree on the schedule for any changes when you place your order.