Party Food Portions Per Person
Getting food quantities right means nobody goes hungry and nothing goes to waste. Portions vary hugely depending on whether you're serving canapés at a drinks reception or a full sit-down dinner. This guide covers all the major formats with per-person quantities for every food type.
Canapés & Finger Food
| Occasion | Pieces per Person | Varieties | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-dinner canapés (1 hour) | 4–6 pieces | 3–4 types | Light nibbles before the main meal |
| Drinks reception (2–3 hours) | 8–12 pieces | 5–7 types | The canapés are the food — more generous |
| Finger food only party (3–4 hours) | 12–15 pieces | 6–8 types | Substantial finger food replacing a main meal |
| Children's party | 8–10 pieces | 4–6 types | Smaller portions, include sweet and savoury |
Buffet Portions Per Person
| Food Type | Amount per Person | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Meat / protein (cooked) | 100–150 g | Boneless weight; add 30–50% for bone-in |
| Fish (cooked) | 100–130 g | Fillet weight; whole fish needs 200–250 g raw |
| Rice / pasta (cooked) | 100–150 g | 60–80 g dry weight per person |
| Potatoes (any style) | 150–200 g | Roughly 2 medium roast potatoes or 1 baked |
| Salad (mixed leaves) | 40–60 g | Dressed leaves are lighter than they look |
| Coleslaw / pasta salad | 75–100 g | Heavier side salads |
| Bread rolls | 1.5–2 rolls | Or 2–3 slices of bread |
| Cheese (cheese board) | 50–75 g | After a meal; 100–150 g if cheese is the main event |
| Crisps / snack mix | 30–50 g | Pre-meal nibbles |
| Dessert (cake / tart) | 1 slice (100–150 g) | Or 2–3 mini desserts for a dessert table |
Sit-Down Meal Portions
| Course / Item | Amount per Person | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Starter / soup | 150–200 ml (soup) / 80–120 g (plated) | Smaller if 3+ courses to follow |
| Main meat / protein | 150–200 g (boneless cooked) | Buy 200–250 g raw to allow for cooking loss |
| Vegetables (two types) | 150–200 g total | 75–100 g per vegetable type |
| Gravy / sauce | 50–75 ml | Make extra — people always want more gravy |
| Dessert | 100–150 g (plated) | Individual portions; larger if self-serve |
Calculate Your Food Order
Use our food and catering calculators for precise quantities tailored to your event:
- Food & Catering Calculators — calculate exact food quantities for your guest count and event format
Portion sizes are guidelines for average adult appetites. Children typically eat 50–70% of adult portions. For buffets, offering more variety means people take smaller amounts of each dish. Always consider dietary requirements and provide vegetarian/vegan options.