Greek catering: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What greek catering is

A Greek caterer prepares dishes such as gyros, souvlaki, salads, rice and pita for your event, served buffet style or family style. Hosts hire one for graduations, name days, office lunches and parties where a generous, shareable Greek spread suits the group.

Signs you need it

  • You want gyros or souvlaki that guests can eat with pita, tzatziki and fresh toppings
  • The menu needs a big Greek salad, rice and roasted vegetables for a crowd
  • The event is casual and guests will move between the buffet and the table
  • You want a menu that includes vegetarian options such as falafel or vegetable skewers
  • You want the food hot, served in batches, and the platters refilled through the party

What the pro does

  • Takes the guest count, the main dishes, the sides and the dietary needs
  • Plans the meats, pita, sauces, salads and sides for the spread
  • Cooks the meat at a permitted kitchen or on a grill where the site allows
  • Sets up the buffet or family style platters with sauces and utensils
  • Refills the platters and keeps the cold dishes chilled through the event
  • Clears the buffet and packs leftovers as agreed

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Guest count and the number of meats, salads and sides
  • Gyro or souvlaki cooking method, on site or prepared ahead
  • Vegetarian options such as falafel or vegetable skewers
  • Service style, such as buffet, family style or a served plate
  • Staffing for the grill, refills and cleanup
  • Equipment such as warmers, chilled trays and serving platters

What a written quote should spell out

  • Each meat, side, salad, sauce and pita item, with the portion size
  • Where the meat is cooked and how it is held
  • Vegetarian options and how they are kept separate
  • Service style, the number of servers and the equipment included
  • Setup, service and cleanup times

Questions to ask before you hire

  • How is the gyro meat cooked and held, and where does that happen?
  • Which sauces contain dairy, nuts or sesame?
  • Do you offer falafel or other vegetarian options, and how are they fried?
  • How do you keep the tzatziki and salads cold on an outdoor buffet?
  • How often will you refill the platters?
  • Do you hold a health permit, and where is the food prepared?

Red flags

  • Cannot say how the meat is cooked or held
  • Serves tzatziki or salads that have been warm for a long time
  • Will not label sesame, dairy or nut content in the sauces
  • Has no refill plan for a family style or buffet service
  • Asks for payment before the menu is confirmed

What you can do yourself

A host can make a simple gyro night at home with store bought pita, sliced cooked meat, tzatziki from the store and fresh vegetables, keeping the meat hot and the dairy sauces chilled. Hire a Greek caterer for a large crowd, a spit or grill cooked on site, or a menu that must be held and refilled safely through a long event.

Licenses and permits

Food businesses commonly need a health permit or a food handler card from the local office that oversees food safety. Cooking meat on a grill or spit at a site can have its own fire rules, so ask the caterer how it complies and check the rules where the food is cooked.

Greek catering questions

How much meat should I order per guest?

Ask the caterer for its portion guide. Tell them how hungry the crowd is and whether the pita and sides are part of the main meal.

Can the caterer make a vegetarian plate?

Yes, many Greek menus include falafel, vegetable skewers, salads and rice. Ask whether the vegetarian items are fried in the same oil as the meat.

Does the tzatziki need to be cold?

Yes. Tzatziki is dairy based and should stay cold. Ask the caterer how it keeps the sauces chilled on a buffet.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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