How to Maximize Your Catering Budget in Toronto
Let’s Talk About Food + Money
You know that moment when someone at work casually suggests, “Let’s just get catering,” and everyone suddenly perks up like kids on Christmas morning? Yeah, food has that power. But in Toronto, where event costs can spiral faster than a CN Tower elevator, catering budgets get real… real fast.
The good news: you don’t need to blow half your event budget to feed your crew well. With the right strategy (and the right caterer, if you know, you know), you can serve fresh, filling, and downright delicious Greek food without stressing about the bill.
This guide breaks down how to stretch your catering budget in Toronto, complete with real menu examples from Aleria Catering, one of the best caterers in Toronto when it comes to delivering office-ready, crowd-pleasing spreads.
What a “Real” Toronto Catering Budget Looks Like
Toronto isn’t cheap—we all know that. But the trick is to work smarter with your headcount and packages. Here’s how Aleria Catering breaks it down.
10 Guests: The Starter Pack
Package Price: $241
Works out to about $24 per person (before HST).
Includes: 15 Chicken Souvlaki skewers (about 1.5 per person), Greek Salad, Rice, Lemon Herb Potatoes, Pita, and Tzatziki.
Translation: You’re looking at a full lunch spread for your team that’s cheaper than everyone ordering Uber Eats separately.
20–30 Guests: Mid-Size Groups
20 Guests: $484 (≈ $24.20 per person)
30 Guests: $710 (≈ $23.66 per person)
Same base menu but scaled with extra dips like Roasted Garlic Hummus.
The beauty here? You don’t need to worry about “Do we have enough?” The packages scale neatly, so portioning stress is off your plate.
50–80 Guests: The Big League
50 Guests: $1,358 (≈ $27.16 per person)
80 Guests: $1,877 (≈ $23.46 per person)
Includes crowd favorites like Spanakopita, multiple salads (Greek + Garden), plus extra dips so no one’s left scooping air by the end.
For office parties, big team meetings, or even casual weddings, this is a budget lifesaver. You’re feeding 80 people for less than $2k. Try getting that at a fancy downtown venue.
7 Ways We Stretch Your Budget Without Losing Quality
Food hacks > life hacks. Here’s how to make the most of your Toronto catering budget while still looking like you splurged.
Buffet > Servers
Family-style and self-serve buffets cut staffing costs.
Plus, people love choosing their own portions.
Keep the Menu Tight
Too many SKUs = wasted food + higher cost.
Stick to Greek shareables like Spanakopita and Dip Platters. They’re versatile, filling, and beloved.
Time Your Drop-Off
Off-peak delivery windows can save you cash.
Lunch slightly early (11:30) or late (1:30) avoids the rush fees.
Balance Meat + Veggies
Mix hearty proteins with sides like Lemon Herb Potatoes or Grilled Veg.
You get the same “full plate” effect without doubling meat costs.
Tray Strategy = Smarter Orders
Aleria’s trays serve 8–10 people. Don’t overdo the hot mains; fill gaps with dips (12 oz tubs feed 6–8).
Cheaper, lighter, and nobody complains about extra tzatziki.
Add Shareables as “Fillers”
Brussels Sprout Caesar ($58) or Phyllo Feta ($50) gives variety without breaking the bank.
Don’t Fear Packages
Our Easy Order Party Packages hit the sweet spot. Bundled pricing is almost always cheaper than DIY-ing the menu.
Sample Greek Menus That Hit Common Budgets
Let’s get specific. Here’s how your event could actually look when you build with Aleria.
Value Greek Lunch (~$20–$27 pp)
10–80 Person Party Package: Chicken Souvlaki, Greek Salad, Rice, Lemon Herb Potatoes, Pita, Tzatziki.
Perfect for team lunches, budget-friendly meetups, or when you want something reliable but tasty.
Upgraded Lunch (~$30–$35 pp)
Take the 10-person base package ($241).
Add Fried Calamari ($100/tray).
Total: $341 ÷ 10 = $34.10 pp.
Works for smaller, more intimate gatherings where you want that extra “wow” dish.
Premium Lunch (~$40–$45 pp)
Base package ($241) + Calamari ($100) + Burrata ($90).
Total: $431 ÷ 10 = $43.10 pp.
Imagine creamy burrata with grilled bread + salty souvlaki skewers. It screams elevated but still approachable.
Executive Spread (~$50+ pp)
Base package + Calamari + Burrata + Lamb Loin Chop ($8 each).
For 10 guests: $511 ÷ 10 = $51.10 pp.
This is boardroom-level dining without needing a white-tablecloth restaurant.
Headcount Portions: How Much Food Do You Really Need?
Ordering catering is basically a math game. Here’s the cheat sheet:
Trays: Serve 8–10 people.
Dips (12 oz): Serve 6–8 people.
Souvlaki Skewers: 1.5 per guest is a safe rule.
So if you’re feeding:
25 people → 3 trays of mains + 3 sides + 4 dips.
50 people → 6 trays of mains + 6 sides + 8 dips.
80 people → 9–10 trays of mains + 9–10 sides + 12 dips.
(See? Way easier than guessing and hoping your VP doesn’t notice the food ran out.)
Fees, Compliance & Timing (Toronto Edition)
Toronto is amazing, but let’s be real—it comes with rules. When you’re setting a catering budget here, you’ll need to factor in a few extras. First, there’s the 13% HST in Ontario, which is applied across the board.
Then there’s food safety: if your event is happening at an external venue, it’s worth checking the Toronto Public Health guidelines and the Ontario Regulation 493/17 just to be safe. Some larger gatherings also require an event notice or even an inspection, so planning ahead of time is always smarter than scrambling at the last minute.
Pro tip: If you’re hosting an office lunch or private get-together, you’re usually in the clear—just double-check with your building or venue to avoid surprises.
Why Aleria Ranks Among the Best Caterers in Toronto
Beyond numbers, let’s talk vibes. Why are people loving Aleria?
Fresh AF: Food tastes like it came from a Greek taverna, not a sad steam tray.
Office-Ready: Packaging is clean, neat, and portioned for groups. No chaotic piles of foil you’ll have to pick up after.
Affordable: Packages starting at $241 are rare in this city.
Menu Variety: From classic souvlaki to modern takes like Brussel Sprout Caesar, it is both traditional and “Instagrammable.”
Downtown-Friendly: We deliver right into the heart of Toronto, perfect for offices in the core.
If you’re trying to stretch your catering budget Toronto style and still impress, we’re a no-brainer pick.
Ready to Price Your Event?
Here’s your move:
Check Aleria’s menu
Pick your package size (10, 20, 30, 50, or 80).
Add a couple of shareables or dips to make it yours.
Lock in your date through our contact form.
That’s it. Stress-free, budget-friendly, and guaranteed to win compliments from your colleagues.
Let’s Be Honest: Everyone Just Wants Good Food
At the end of the day, people don’t remember the budget spreadsheet or the meeting agenda; they remember whether the food was fire. That’s where we come in. You get Greek flavors that feel homemade, prices that keep your finance team happy, and trays that actually feed the whole crew (no awkward “last slice of pita” standoffs).
So whether you’re planning a team lunch, a downtown office mixer, or a big 80-person bash, why stress over menus when you could just say, “Yeah, we’ve got souvlaki coming” and instantly be the office hero?
Ready to stretch your catering budget in Toronto without cutting flavor? Check out the Aleria Catering menu, pick your package, and lock in your date. Your guests will thank you—and honestly, you’ll probably thank yourself too.
What are you waiting for?