Hawaiian catering: what to know

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

What hawaiian catering is

A Hawaiian caterer prepares island style dishes such as kalua pork, teriyaki chicken, rice and macaroni salad for luaus and events. Hosts hire one for birthdays, family reunions, graduations and parties where a relaxed island spread suits the crowd.

Signs you need it

  • You are hosting a luau or a summer party and want an island style spread
  • Guests enjoy slow cooked pork, grilled chicken and plates of rice and salads
  • The party is outdoors and the crowd wants a casual, shareable meal
  • You want the food cooked and served without tending a pit or a grill yourself
  • You want dishes like macaroni salad and sweet rolls that serve a large group

What the pro does

  • Takes the guest count, the menu, the service style and the dietary needs
  • Plans the proteins, rice, salads and sides for the spread
  • Cooks the meats at a permitted site or kitchen and prepares the sides
  • Transports the food hot or cold and sets up the buffet or serving line
  • Serves the food and keeps the dishes at a safe temperature through the meal
  • Clears the spread and removes the equipment and 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Every job is different, so we do not publish prices.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 proteins and sides
  • Type of meat and the cooking method the caterer uses
  • Buffet or plated service and the number of servers
  • Equipment such as warmers, serving pans and disposable ware
  • Setup location and whether the caterer cooks on site
  • Desserts, drinks and other add ons

What a written quote should spell out

  • Each protein and side on the menu, with the portion size
  • Where the meat is cooked and how it is transported
  • Service style and the number of servers
  • Equipment included and disposable ware
  • Setup, service and cleanup times

Questions to ask before you hire

  • How is the pork cooked, and where does that cooking take place?
  • Do you offer a vegetarian option, and how is it kept separate from the meat?
  • How do you keep the food safe if the party runs late?
  • Which dishes contain dairy, eggs, nuts or gluten?
  • Who serves and clears the buffet?
  • Do you hold a health permit, and where is the food prepared?

Red flags

  • Cannot say where the pork or other meat is cooked
  • Plans to cook a large cut of meat outdoors without a site plan or the permits it needs
  • Holds cooked food at room temperature for a long time without a safety plan
  • Has no vegetarian or gluten free option when the guests need one
  • Asks for payment before the menu is confirmed

What you can do yourself

A host can make a simple island style meal at home with a store bought roast chicken, a pot of rice, a macaroni salad and fresh fruit. Do not attempt to cook a whole pig in an underground pit or a large outdoor fire yourself, because the heat, the fire and the handling of a large cut are dangerous. Hire a Hawaiian caterer for a whole roasted pork, a large crowd or a luau with many dishes.

Licenses and permits

Food businesses commonly need a health permit or a food handler card from the local office that oversees food safety. Cooking large meats outdoors can also have its own fire and site rules, so ask the caterer how it complies and check with the local office that oversees open flame.

Hawaiian catering questions

How much pork should I plan for a luau?

Ask the caterer for its portion guide. Tell them how many guests will eat pork and whether other meats and sides are served.

Can the pork be cooked at my house?

It depends on the site and the local rules for open flame and cooking equipment. Ask the caterer to confirm the cooking location and its permits.

What happens to leftover pork?

Ask the caterer what it will do with leftovers. Cooked meat that has sat out too long must be discarded, so plan the amounts with the food safety plan in mind.

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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