Event Planning in Calgary: Your Ultimate Guide to Catering at The Commons Calgary
Great Event Catering always delivers tasty snacks!
Planning an event in Calgary? At the Commons Calgary, we understand the curiosity and confusion that comes with event planning and hear and see all the questions. Our three-part blog series covers catering, beverage service, and decor, addressing all your questions. With insights, insider tips, and valuable information, we've got you covered.
The Commons Calgary offers a variety of venues with private restaurant options or spaces where you can choose a caterer. Get ready to plan your next event in Calgary with confidence! We've put together some of our most asked questions about catering to help you plan your event in Calgary.
Our partner Urbane Culinary knows a beautiful plate!
What are the different catering styles available?
Buffet
Guests have the freedom to choose from a variety of food options at multiple stations. Buffets are suitable for casual events such as weddings, holiday parties, and certain corporate gatherings. They require additional preparation and may incur higher costs due to the provision of extra food.
Plated
Offering a sophisticated dining experience, plated catering is perfect for formal occasions like corporate dinners, anniversaries, or wedding receptions. Beautifully designed portions eliminate the need for guests to wait in lines. However, hiring serving staff and longer preparation and service times can increase costs.
Family Style
Combining the best of buffet and plated catering, family-style service delivers meals to each table for guests to serve themselves, fostering a communal atmosphere. Careful planning and consideration of table space are necessary for this option.
Food Truck
Inject fun and laid-back vibes into casual events with one or two food trucks. Guests can enjoy made-to-order food options of their choice. Food trucks are affordable and enhance the social atmosphere, but they may offer limited meal options and can be subject to lines and wait times. We have some incredible partners, check YYCFoodTrucks.
Appetizers and cocktail reception
Ideal for casual or formal events. They offer bite-sized, delicious flavours without aiming to fully satisfy guests' appetites. You can either have staff serve the food to guests or opt for a buffet-style setup. These can also be served before a sit-down menu or as a late-night snack option.
Red Seal Dining’s Silver Sage Beef Sliders, Served on a home-made Brioche bread (everyone loves the buns!)
How much food do I serve at my event at The Commons Calgary?
Wondering how much food to serve at your event at The Commons Calgary? As a general rule, adults consume around 1 pound of food, while children eat about ½ a pound. For family-style service or buffet, aim for 6-8 ounces per person, and for multiple courses, reduce it to 4-6 ounces.
Hosting a cocktail party? Provide 4-6 bites per person per hour. If serving appetizers alongside a main meal, 6 bites total per person will suffice.
What is included in the costs of catering?
The costs of catering can vary depending on the specific venue, caterer, catering style and food requests. Typically, caterers will provide a cost per head for meals, taking into account the number of guests, food service type, labour, supply costs and service fees. Understand what is included and review any additional charges. Additional charges may include a champagne toast, setup and cleanup services, corkage fees, setup costs, cake-cutting fees, or vendor meal expenses.
Check with your venue regarding the costs of using your own caterer. Some of our venues such as Park By Sidewalk Citizen and Orchard have on-site kitchens and staff. However other venues such as The Grand and the Ramsay Centre, you can choose your vendor!
How much does catering cost?
While The Commons doesn't provide caterers, we’ve collected an incredible list of preferred local vendors to fulfill your catering needs. When calculating the cost of catering for your event, several factors come into play. These factors include the number of attendees, the type of event, the chosen catering style, and the type of food. Prices can vary significantly, ranging from approximately $20 per person for traditional options to as high as $200 per person for more extravagant affairs.
How to save on catering for your event at The Commons Calgary?
Catering expenses can take up a significant portion of your event budget. To help you save on catering costs, we have compiled some valuable tips:
Consider the catering style: Food truck catering typically offers the most cost-effective per-person pricing, followed by buffet and appetizers/canapés. Plated service or family-style meals tend to be pricier options.
Optimise portion sizes: When planning plated or family-style service, ensure that you request appropriate portion sizes and avoid over-catering.
Choose affordable cuisines: Certain cuisines are more affordable. Indian cuisine works well in a buffet setup and Italian cuisine is often a crowd-pleaser with its shared pizza and pasta dishes.
Mindful food choices: Specialty options like gluten-free, organic, or sustainably sourced foods may increase costs. Consider the dietary preferences of your guests while balancing the budget.
Strategic timing: Caterers may charge more during high-demand seasons, weekends, or public holidays. Choosing off-peak times can help reduce costs.
Review and customise your quote: Review the catering quote provided carefully and ask to remove any unnecessary products or services. For example, evaluate whether you need disposable cutlery.
When considering catering for your event at The Commons Calgary, we work with caterers and venues that will help you every step of the way. You’ll have the questions, and if we haven’t answered them, we’re here to help!