Vegan catering: what to know

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

What vegan catering is

A vegan caterer prepares plant based meals with no animal products, using vegetables, grains, legumes and plant proteins for gatherings. Hosts hire one when some or all guests avoid animal products and want a menu that is generous, filling and well made.

Signs you need it

  • Several guests avoid all animal products and you want a menu that works for everyone
  • You want a plant based menu that does not rely on salad alone
  • You are hosting a mixed group and want a menu that the vegan guests can eat safely
  • You want to offer a menu that is plant based for health, ethical or personal reasons
  • You want the food labeled so guests can see what is in each dish

What the pro does

  • Takes the guest count, the menu, the service style and the dietary needs
  • Plans dishes with vegetables, grains, legumes and plant proteins
  • Checks each ingredient, including sauces and stocks, for animal products
  • Prepares the food in a kitchen that keeps vegan items separate from others if needed
  • Sets up the buffet or plated service with clear labels
  • Refills the dishes and cleans the area after the event

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Every job is different, so we do not publish prices.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 dishes on the menu
  • Protein sources used, such as tofu, tempeh, beans or seitan
  • Whether the event is fully vegan or includes vegan and non vegan dishes
  • Service style, such as buffet, family style or plated
  • Staffing for service and cleanup
  • Specialty ingredients, such as vegan desserts or cheese alternatives

What a written quote should spell out

  • Each dish on the menu, with its main ingredients and the portion size
  • Separation steps for vegan items, if the event mixes vegan and non vegan food
  • Service style and the number of servers
  • Equipment included and the setup, service and cleanup times
  • How ingredients are checked for animal products

Questions to ask before you hire

  • Do you check sauces, stocks and baked goods for animal products?
  • How do you keep the vegan dishes separate if the event also serves meat or dairy?
  • What are the main protein sources in the menu?
  • Can you make the menu filling enough for a full meal?
  • Can you label each dish with its ingredients and allergens?
  • Do you hold a health permit, and where is the food prepared?

Red flags

  • Serves a dish called vegan that contains stock, butter or eggs without checking
  • Cannot say how the vegan dishes are kept separate from other food
  • Offers only salad and side dishes as the main menu
  • Will not label the ingredients on each dish
  • Has no plan for a guest with a nut or soy allergy

What you can do yourself

A host can cook a simple vegan dinner at home, such as a lentil or bean dish, roasted vegetables and rice, after checking that the stock and the sauces are plant based. Hire a vegan caterer for a larger group, a full menu with several dishes, or an event where the guests need a clear, checked menu that stays separate from other food.

Licenses and permits

Food businesses commonly need a health permit or a food handler card from the local office that oversees food safety. Ask the caterer for its permit and staff cards, and check the rules for the kitchen and the site where the food is served.

Vegan catering questions

Is a plant based menu always vegan?

Not always. Ask the caterer to check each item for animal products, including stock, butter, dairy, eggs and honey. A menu is vegan only when every item and every ingredient is checked.

Can the vegan food sit next to meat at a buffet?

Only with clear separation. Use separate serving spoons and labels, and place the vegan dishes at their own station if the guests need strict separation.

Will vegan food be filling enough for a full meal?

It can be. Ask the caterer to include protein and grain dishes, not only vegetables, so the menu works as a full meal.

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.

Edit history

How it works

  1. 1. Describe the job

    Pick the service, add your ZIP and a sentence about what is going on.

  2. 2. Pick the pros you want

    See screened pros who serve your ZIP and choose who you want to hear from.

  3. 3. They reach out

    They contact you the way you chose: phone, email or in-app messages.

More food and drink guides

Find a pro near you

Find a pro

About this guide

Request vegan catering