How many maîtres d'hôtel for a corporate event?

For a standing corporate cocktail reception, caterers generally count 1 maître d'hôtel for 20 to 40 guests. For a seated meal, you need more: 1 for 10 to 25 guests. The gap between these ranges is not random: it depends on the tableware, hot canapés, the length of the event and the venue. Here is how to decide for your event.

How many maîtres d'hôtel by format?

These benchmarks come from caterers and service staffing agencies (see the sources at the bottom of the page). They are not a standard: they give an order of magnitude that your caterer adjusts to your venue.

How many maîtres d'hôtel for 50, 100 or 200 guests?

Always plan for at least two people, even for a small cocktail reception: one serves, the other restocks the buffet and clears.

Maître d'hôtel or waiter: what is the difference?

The waiter carries out the work: setting up, serving, clearing, restocking. The maître d'hôtel coordinates: they keep the event on schedule, assign the team, and are the link with the kitchen and with you. Many caterers call every member of service staff a "maître d'hôtel": check on the quote what the title covers, and how many hours are counted.

How much does a maître d'hôtel cost in Paris?

In Paris, service is generally charged at €30 to €50 an hour, often with a minimum of 3 or 4 hours. Include setting up before guests arrive and packing away afterwards in the number of hours charged.

At L'Écrin Traiteur, a maître d'hôtel costs €250 excl. VAT for a 6-hour service, setting up and tidying up included. For a cocktail reception of 100 guests served by 4 maîtres d'hôtel, service comes to €1,000 excl. VAT.

Our maîtres d'hôtel

At L'Écrin, we select our own maîtres d'hôtel, trained by our house. They know our products, our menus and our way of hosting. They commit fully to every event, with one concern: making your event a real success.

Service can be added to a cocktail reception, a sharing buffet or a live cooking station. In your quote request, tell us the number of guests, the format and the duration: we will suggest the right number of maîtres d'hôtel.

Questions to ask yourself before booking

• Standing or seated? This is what changes the number of staff the most.
• Real or disposable tableware? Real tableware means more clearing.
• Hot canapés served on trays? Count one more person.
• One space or several? A venue on two levels sometimes doubles the need.
• How long, including setting up and packing away?

Sources

• Ratios by format: Acteur Fête (9 July 2026), Bonnaire Traiteur (8 September 2025), Firmin Traiteur (1 June 2022), RS Traiteur (4 May 2026), MyTraiteur (16 August 2019), accessed 17 October 2026.
• Hourly rates in Paris: Acteur Fête and RS Traiteur, accessed 17 October 2026.
• L'Écrin Traiteur prices: rates in force on 17 October 2026.

Frequently asked questions