- Why is buffet waste higher than plated?
- Once a chafing dish is opened for service it can't legally be re-served (allergen cross-contact, temperature control). Plated portions are cooked to order and leftovers on the pass are usable for staff meals.
- How many canapés per head?
- Rule of 8/4: 8 pieces per person for a 2-hour reception without dinner (5 savoury + 3 sweet), reducing by 2 per hour if dinner follows. Add 20% more if serving cocktails without food breaks.
- Are we legally required to redistribute food?
- France (Loi Garot 2016) mandates redistribution for events > certain size. Italy and Spain have similar laws. EU-wide Directive 2018/851 obliges Member States to reduce waste per capita by 30% by 2025 and 50% by 2030.
- What does the Event Catering Portion & Waste Calculator do?
- Portion sizes, total food weight to order, plate-waste allowance and disposal cost for a plated dinner, buffet, canapé reception or BBQ — with dietary breakdown (vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free) and food-waste hierarchy. How-to: enter guest count, meal format and dietary mix. Portion baselines (per guest): plated main protein 180 g, buffet main 220 g, canapés 8–14 pieces for a 2 hr reception, BBQ 350 g mixed meats. Waste allowance: plated 8%, buffet 15% (fixed once opened), canapés 10%, BBQ 12%. EU food-waste hierarchy (Directive 2018/851): prevent → redistribute → animal feed → compost → landfill.
- Is the Event Catering Portion & Waste Calculator free to use?
- Yes. Every calculator on Calcurly.com is free, works in your browser without sign-up, and can be embedded on your own website.
- How accurate is the Event Catering Portion & Waste Calculator?
- Results are calculated in real time using industry-standard formulas. Treat the output as a well-informed estimate — always cross-check with local regulations, product datasheets, or a qualified catering & restaurants professional before committing to a purchase or a job.
- What inputs does the Event Catering Portion & Waste Calculator need?
- Enter values for: Number of guests, Format, Reception duration (h) — canapés only, Vegetarian %, Vegan %, Gluten-free %. Sensible defaults are pre-filled where possible so you can start with a single change.
- Can I embed the Event Catering Portion & Waste Calculator on my own website?
- Yes — copy the iframe snippet at the bottom of this page, or use the Embed Generator to customise the size. The embedded version stays in sync with the live calculator on Calcurly.com.
