Catering costing per guest and per tray

Write the catering bar for 25 or 250 guests and MenuForge shows the cost per serving, the total batch cost, and the price you need to charge to hit your food cost target. Batches, sides, and garnishes all count, using the pack prices you paid this week.

How caterers use it

• Cost per guest. Set the number of servings on the recipe and MenuForge divides the batch cost for you.
• Batches that nest. The taco bar uses seasoned beef, which uses your house seasoning. Every layer is costed from the pack price.
• Quote with confidence. The minimum sell price stays pinned at the top of the recipe while you change quantities.
• Category rules for AI. Save instructions on the Catering category once (portion sizes, disposables, how you build a tray), and AI follows them when drafting a new package.
• Invoices keep quotes honest. On AI+, vendor invoices update pack costs, so the next quote reflects this week’s chicken price.

A quick example

At a 30% food cost target, MenuForge shows a minimum price of about $12.53 per guest. Change the guest count or swap a protein and every number updates.

What it does not do

MenuForge is not catering CRM or event booking software. It does not send proposals, take deposits, or manage event calendars. It makes sure the number on the proposal is right.

Questions