Corporate cold buffet: quantities per person (sandwiches, salads, desserts, drinks)

For a corporate cold buffet, allow per person 6 savoury pieces with salads on the side, 9 without salad, 2 to 3 sweet pieces, one hot drink, a glass of water and a glass of juice for every other person: for 20 people, 120 to 180 savoury pieces, 40 to 60 sweet pieces and €121 excl. VAT of drinks. Here are the quantities for 10, 20 and 50 people, with catalogue prices.

How much food per person for a cold buffet?

Allow 6 savoury pieces per person if the buffet includes salads, 9 if it does not, plus 2 to 3 sweet pieces. These benchmarks follow the cocktail reception packages: 6 savoury for the 8-canapé package, 9 for the 12-canapé one. Add a 10% margin on the confirmed headcount.

Item	Per person	10 people	20 people	50 people
Savoury pieces, with salads	6	60	120	300
Savoury pieces, without salad	9	90	180	450
Mixed salad	150 g, common benchmark	1.5 kg	3 kg	7.5 kg
Sweet pieces	2 to 3	20 to 30	40 to 60	100 to 150

How many sandwiches per person for a buffet?

Allow 6 mini sandwiches, clubs or wraps per person if salads are served alongside, 9 if they are the only dish: 120 pieces for 20 people. In the catalogue, 5 Clubs Signature platters of 24 pieces at €64.90 excl. VAT cover these 120 pieces for €324.50 excl. VAT.

Platter	Pieces	Price excl. VAT	Price per piece	120 pieces for 20 people
Clubs Signature, smoked salmon and turkey ham	24	€64.90	€2.70	5 platters, €324.50
Assorted brioche rolls, tuna and smoked salmon	40	€124.90	€3.12	3 platters, €374.70

The mini baguettes, wraps and mini burgers from the aperitif platters are priced on quote. The benchmarks in pieces come from the cocktail reception packages: 6 savoury for the 8-canapé package, 9 for the 12-canapé one.

How much salad and how many sides per person?

Allow about 150 g of mixed salad per person as a side, so 3 kg for 20 people: this is a common benchmark, to be adjusted, not an L'Écrin rule. Split it between two or three salads, including a vegetarian one, so that everyone finds one they like.

For a ready-to-serve buffet, a sharing menu is designed for 8 to 12 people: 6 savoury and 2 sweet recipes, plated. The cured meats platter is halal and pork-free, with dried beef, bresaola and smoked turkey; aged cheeses are priced on quote.

How many desserts per person for a cold buffet?

Allow 2 to 3 sweet pieces per person: 40 to 60 pieces for 20 people, for example 24 macarons, 24 verrines and 12 tartlets. Products and prices are detailed in how many desserts per person.

How many drinks per person for a buffet?

For a one-hour meal, allow 1 cup, 1 glass of water and a glass of juice for every other person: for 20 people, 4 thermoses, 5 bottles of water and 2 L of juice, so €121 excl. VAT. For a 2-hour evening event, move to 4 drinks per person.

Headcount	1-hour meal	2-hour evening event
10	2 thermoses, 1 L of juice, 3 waters: €62.90	2 0% Chardonnay, 4 L of juice, 3 waters: €86.20
20	4 thermoses, 2 L of juice, 5 waters: €121.00	4 0% Chardonnay, 8 L of juice, 5 waters: €167.60
50	9 thermoses, 5 L of juice, 13 waters: €285.40	9 0% Chardonnay, 20 L of juice, 13 waters: €404.50

A 1 L thermos serves 6 cups, a litre of juice 5 glasses, a 75 cl bottle of water 4 glasses. Totals exclude delivery. The menu is on the drinks page.

How much does a cold buffet for 20 people cost?

A cold buffet for 20 people comes to €407 to €467 excl. VAT with individual lunch boxes, €607 to €647 excl. VAT with lunch trays and €727 to €787 excl. VAT with a sharing menu, including the €29 excl. VAT delivery. Drinks are extra, €121 excl. VAT for a one-hour meal.

Format	Price per person excl. VAT	Calculation for 20 people	Total excl. VAT
Individual lunch box	€18.90 to €21.90	20 × €18.90 to €21.90 + €29	€407 to €467
Lunch tray	€28.90 to €30.90	20 × €28.90 to €30.90 + €29	€607 to €647
Sharing menu	€34.90 to €37.90	20 × €34.90 to €37.90 + €29	€727 to €787

The assumption is a single delivery at €29 excl. VAT. Drinks and any extra desserts are added to these totals.

What does a cold buffet for 50 people look like?

For 50 confirmed guests, order for 55: 330 savoury pieces with salads (6 × 55), 8.25 kg of mixed salad (150 g × 55, common benchmark), 110 to 165 sweet pieces (2 to 3 × 55), then 9 thermoses, 5 L of juice and 13 bottles of water, so €285.40 excl. VAT of drinks before delivery. In Clubs Signature platters, 330 pieces means 14 platters of 24 pieces, so €908.60 excl. VAT.

Should you plan for tableware and set-up?

Disposable cups, tableware and cutlery are included at no extra cost. Reusable tableware is priced on quote, with equipment collection at €19 excl. VAT on top of delivery. Delivery does not include set-up: appoint someone to lay out the buffet before the guests arrive.

Which quantity mistakes should you avoid with a cold buffet?

• Counting from the guest list: calculate on the confirmed headcount, plus 10%.
• Underestimating the sweet side: 2 to 3 pieces per person, not one dessert for two.
• Forgetting hot drinks: a thermos serves 6 cups, not 20.
• Planning 6 pieces without salad: without sides, move up to 9.
• Overlooking dietary requirements: vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free are specified when ordering.

Frequently asked questions about cold buffet quantities

How do you request a quote for your cold buffet?

Give the date, the headcount, the address and the dietary requirements collected: the quote is sent within 24 hours, with company invoicing, VAT and purchase orders accepted, and delivery is available from 6:30 am Monday to Friday. Request your quote. L'Écrin Traiteur prices, October 2026.