How are children counted?

Children are counted as 0.6 of an adult serving, reflecting typical smaller appetites for kids under 12.

What does the vegetarian option do?

It splits the protein quantity into two equal halves — one for meat and one for a vegetarian alternative — so total protein weight stays the same.

How are drinks calculated?

Beer at 2 drinks/person/hour, wine at 1.5 glasses/person/hour (5 glasses per bottle), soft drinks at 2 glasses/person/hour, and water at 1 glass/person/hour plus 1 extra liter per hour as buffer.

Should I buy exactly these quantities?

Add 10–15% as a buffer for big eaters and unexpected guests. These numbers represent median consumption; actual intake varies by crowd and how many dishes you serve.

What serving size is used for a cocktail party?

Cocktail parties use 10 appetizer pieces per person (midpoint of the 8–12 piece range), since guests typically graze rather than sit for a full meal.

Party Food Calculator

Enter guest count and event type to get a full shopping list with quantities in both imperial and metric.

Event Details

Adults

Children

Event Type

Duration (hours)

Include vegetarian protein option Include dessert

Enter your event details and click Calculate.

Shopping List

Item	Imperial	Metric	Notes

Drinks

Drink	Quantity	Notes

Tip: add 10–15% as a buffer for unexpected guests or big eaters.

Summary

Enter guest count and event type to get a full shopping list with quantities in both imperial and metric.

How it works

Enter the number of adults and children attending.
Select the event type: cocktail party, buffet, sit-down dinner, or BBQ.
Set the event duration in hours to size drink quantities.
Check optional boxes for vegetarian protein and dessert.
Click Calculate to get a full shopping list in both imperial and metric.

Use cases

Plan a backyard BBQ for 30 guests without running short on food.
Organize a corporate buffet lunch and estimate catering quantities.
Host a cocktail party and know exactly how many appetizer pieces to prepare.
Coordinate a sit-down dinner and calculate protein and side portions.
Budget a family reunion by knowing total food weight before shopping.

Frequently Asked Questions

Last updated: 2026-09-22 · Reviewed by Nham Vu