Catering Prices in Southlake & DFW

Full-service buffet catering from Tastefully Yours starts at $35 per person, food stations start at $45 per person, and plated dinners start at $70 per person. Don’t need staff on site? Drop-off catering starts at $1,000 and pickup orders start at $100. Your actual price depends mostly on your guest count, your menu choices, and how the food is served; this page explains exactly how.

Prices current as of August 2026. Every figure on this page is a starting point, not a quote; your written proposal is the binding number.

Our Starting Prices at a Glance

Service style	Starts at	Best for
Buffet	$35 / person	Relaxed receptions, corporate lunches, larger guest lists
Food stations	$45 / person	Social, mingling-style events: variety without formality
Plated dinner	$70 / person	Formal weddings and seated dinners
Drop-off	$1,000 / order	Office meals and events with no on-site staff needed
Pickup	$100 / order	Small gatherings you’ll serve yourself

Delivery and professional staff are included in the per-person tiers; tax and gratuity are additional. China place settings are included with plated dinners and available as add-ons for buffets and stations.

Instant Catering Estimate

Pick a service style and guest count; no contact info needed.

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Estimates are planning figures based on our starting prices, not a quote or contract. Menu choices and event details set the final number. Delivery and staff are already included; tax and gratuity are additional.

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What Moves the Price

What drives the price up

Service style. Plated dinners cost more than buffets because they take more kitchen prep and far more service staff per guest.
Menu selections. Premium proteins and multi-course menus cost more per plate than chicken- or pasta-forward menus.
Guest count on plated service. More seated guests means more servers.
Logistics. Venues with limited kitchens, long carries, or late-night load-outs add labor.

What brings the price down

Buffet or stations instead of plated: the same menus and kitchen with lighter staffing.
Seasonal, chef-recommended menus rather than premium proteins.
Drop-off or pickup when you don’t need service staff at all.

Why Catering Quotes in DFW Vary So Much

On our blog we track DFW market pricing: weddings typically run $45–$70 per guest for food alone, and $70–$150 all-in once service style, staffing, and rentals are counted. Corporate events range from boxed lunches around $15–$28 per person to premium full-service at $65–$120+ per person. Quotes vary because caterers differ in what’s inside the number:

Cheaper quotes often cover food only: staffing, rentals, delivery, and bussing show up later as add-ons, and in DFW a service fee of 15–22% plus gratuity of 18–20% is standard on top of the food subtotal.
Higher quotes usually mean more experienced staff, and the coordination work (timeline, venue walk-through, rentals) built in.

The comparison that matters is the all-in total, not the per-person teaser. Ask any caterer, including us, what the number becomes after staffing, rentals, delivery, and gratuity. With us it’s simple: delivery and staff are already in the per-person price, and tax and gratuity are the additions to plan for.

Pricing FAQs

What is the least expensive way to use Tastefully Yours?

Pickup orders start at $100 and drop-off catering starts at $1,000; you get the same food from the same kitchen and handle the serving yourself. For staffed events, buffet service is the most budget-friendly full-service option, starting at $35 per person.

Do you charge per person or per event?

Full-service catering (buffet, stations, and plated) is priced per person. Pickup and drop-off orders are priced by the order, based on your menu and quantities.

What's included with full-service catering?

Delivery, professional service staff, and setup and breakdown are included in our per-person prices. Plated dinners also include china place settings; for buffets and stations, china and other rentals are available as add-ons. Tax and gratuity are additional, and your written proposal spells out every line.

Do you have a guest minimum?

No. We don’t set guest minimums; small dinners and big receptions get the same kitchen and the same care.

Do weddings cost more than corporate or private events?

No. The same starting prices apply whether it’s a wedding, a corporate event, or a private party. The number moves with your menu, guest count, and service style, not the occasion.

How far in advance should I book?

Most events book 4–8 weeks ahead; weddings typically book 3–6 months ahead. Earlier is always safer for peak spring and holiday dates.

Do you require a deposit?

Yes. A non-refundable deposit of 50% of your estimated total secures your event date; your event isn’t confirmed until we receive it, and it’s credited toward your final balance. The remaining balance is due 14 days before the event, based on your guaranteed guest count at that time. If more guests attend than you guaranteed, you’re responsible for the additional charges.

What is your cancellation policy?

If you cancel more than 90 days before your event, there are no fees beyond your deposit, which is non-refundable. Between 89 and 31 days before the event, 75% of the original estimated total is retained. Within 14 days of the event, no refunds are issued. Your signed agreement is the full, binding version of this policy.

Can I taste the menu before booking a wedding?

Yes. We offer tastings so you can sample your selected menu and adjust it before you finalize details.

How do I get an exact quote?

Use the estimator above for an instant starting figure, then request a quote or call 817-749-0896. Your written proposal, based on your menu, guest count, and venue, is the binding number.

Family-owned and based in Southlake since 2007, Tastefully Yours serves the whole DFW metroplex. See our service areas, menus, and reviews.

Catering Prices