HOW TO HIRE · EVENTS & ENTERTAINMENT · CHECKED OCTOBER 2026
How to hire a caterer in Ireland
The checks, the questions and the paperwork.
A caterer in Ireland costs €25–€80 per head, typically around €45. Here is how to check that in a minute, what to ask before you book, and what you must be handed when the job is done.
- Search and compare — no account needed
- Nearest to you first
- One score from Google, Trustpilot and Locufy reviews
THE 60-SECOND VERSION
Hiring a caterer in five steps
- Are you a trader, and can I see that in writing?No register covers caterer work, so trader status is what your consumer rights hang on — equipment Rental — caterers often supply necessary equipment such as tables, chairs, linens, and serving dishes.
- How does menu complexity change the price?An intricate finish is slower to apply and slower to correct. — ask before the quote rather than after.
- How does number of guests change the price?The count sets both the time and the team. — ask before the quote rather than after.
- How does size of the event change the price?A large job ties up a whole day rather than part of one. — ask before the quote rather than after.
- What is not included?Catering services usually do not cover venue rental, entertainment, or non-food-related supplies unless specified — get the exclusions named in the quote, because a caterer job is priced on what was agreed and not on what was assumed.
BEFORE YOU BOOK
Check before you book
No register applies
NO REGISTER APPLIES TO DJS, BANDS, MARQUEE HIRERS OR ENTERTAINERS. What exists instead is insurance that venues demand and music licensing that the VENUE normally holds through IMRO and PPI, not the performer.
Look for the trader badge and the ID-checked badge on the Locufy profile — both are checked by us, not claimed by the provider.
What to check instead
Public liability insurance at the level YOUR VENUE requires — ask the venue first, then the supplier, because the venue sets the number; For anything with a structure or a ride, the inspection or test certificate; A written contract with the date, the hours, the set-up time and the overtime rate; What happens if they are ill — a named arrangement, not reassurance; Whether they have played your venue before, and what the power and access are like; PAT testing on their equipment, which many venues ask to see.
Ask for each of these before you agree a price, and get the answers in the same message as the quote.
Insurance
Expect public liability, and employer's liability if they bring crew. From a company, ask for the insurer, the limit and the VAT number, and ask who actually attends: the team that turns up may be employed, subcontracted or both, and only one of those is supervised by the firm you are paying.
Ask to see the current certificate of insurance — the insurer's name, the limit and the date it runs to.
Trader or private seller
Under the Consumer Rights Act 2022 a trader must tell you they are a trader, and your consumer rights — work carried out with reasonable skill and care, and a cooling-off period on a contract agreed in your home or online — apply to traders and not to private sellers. On Locufy the trader status is shown on the profile.
Look for the trader badge on the Locufy profile, and ask anyone else for it in writing before you agree a price.
VAT
VAT at 23%, the standard rate Revenue publishes for this service. Ask whether the price you were given includes it. A trader under the €42,500 registration threshold does not charge it; one over it must, and must show it separately.
Ask whether the figure you were given includes it, and for the VAT number if they are registered — Revenue publishes the rate for this service. revenue.ie →
A good answer: No register covers caterer work, so trader status is what your consumer rights hang on — equipment Rental — caterers often supply necessary equipment such as tables, chairs, linens, and serving dishes.
A good answer: An intricate finish is slower to apply and slower to correct. — ask before the quote rather than after.
A good answer: The count sets both the time and the team. — ask before the quote rather than after.
A good answer: A large job ties up a whole day rather than part of one. — ask before the quote rather than after.
A good answer: Catering services usually do not cover venue rental, entertainment, or non-food-related supplies unless specified — get the exclusions named in the quote, because a caterer job is priced on what was agreed and not on what was assumed.
A good answer: Expect public liability, and employer's liability if they bring crew — food Preparation — caterers are responsible for the preparation and cooking of food on-site or in a commercial kitchen.
A good answer: A written scope and a price before the caterer starts, and an itemised invoice after — event Planning and Catering — comprehensive services that include both event planning and catering, helping to coordinate all aspects of the event.
Getting the quote right
- Menu complexity — an intricate finish is slower to apply and slower to correct.
- Number of guests — the count sets both the time and the team.
- Size of the event — a large job ties up a whole day rather than part of one.
- In writing before anyone starts — a message on Locufy counts
- What is NOT included, named
- Who actually attends, and whether they are employed or subcontracted
- The VAT number, and whether it checks out on the Revenue register
Walk away if
- They will not talk about it: menu complexity — an intricate finish is slower to apply and slower to correct
- They will not talk about it: number of guests — the count sets both the time and the team
- They will not talk about it: size of the event — a large job ties up a whole day rather than part of one
- A price for the caterer before anyone has asked the size, the access or the condition of what they are working on
- Cash only, or a large deposit before anything at all has started
- No written quote, or one that moves once the caterer has begun
What a caterer costs: €25–€80 per head
The figures are for the job, per head, and a quote for your own is the only number that binds anyone. Wedding catering and Corporate catering each carry their own band. Caterer price guide →
Guide prices compiled by the Locufy team from published Irish and UK provider price lists and 2026/27 cost guides. Updated 2026.
KNOW WHAT TO LOOK FOR? NOW FIND ONE
Caterers near you, with the badges that matter shown
ID checked, trader status and one score from every review — on the card, before you message anyone. Nearest first. No account needed to look.
Or post the job free and let them come to you.
- Look firstMenu complexity — an intricate finish is slower to apply and slower to correct — that is what the caterer is judging on the first visit, and a price given without it is a guess.
- Agree what is being doneNumber of guests — the count sets both the time and the team — put in writing before anyone starts, because it is the document you both read back at the end.
- The work itselfSize of the event — a large job ties up a whole day rather than part of one — and anything found on the day that was not in that is priced before it is started.
- Check it togetherCaterers should have relevant food safety certifications and experience in event catering — walked against the written scope rather than against the feeling of it, while the caterer is still there.
- What you are handedThe itemised invoice and any guarantee on the workmanship and the parts, consider the type of cuisine you want and how it fits with the event theme.
- Food Preparation
- Caterers are responsible for the preparation and cooking of food on-site or in a commercial kitchen.
- Equipment Rental
- Caterers often supply necessary equipment such as tables, chairs, linens, and serving dishes.
- Wedding Catering
- Specialised catering services for weddings, including menu design, food preparation, and on-site serving.
- Corporate Catering
- Catering services for business events, such as meetings, conferences, and corporate parties, often including breakfast or lunch options.
- Buffet Catering
- A style of catering where food is presented buffet-style, allowing guests to serve themselves from a variety of dishes.
- Drop-off Catering
- Caterers prepare and deliver food to an event location without on-site service, ideal for casual gatherings.
AFTER
When the job is done
Hiring a caterer: questions people ask
The cost of catering services can vary based on menu complexity, the number of guests, and the type of service required (buffet vs. plated). Additional factors include location, staffing needs, and any special dietary requirements.
The duration of catering services depends on the event size and type. Most caterers will provide services for the entire event duration, including setup, service, and cleanup, which can range from a few hours to an entire day.
Some caterers may offer same-day services, but availability is limited and often comes with a premium charge. It's advisable to book in advance to secure the best services and menu options.
Many caterers offer package deals that include related services such as event planning, decoration, and equipment rental. Booking multiple services can often lead to cost savings and a more streamlined planning process.
Catering services usually do not cover venue rental, entertainment, or non-food-related supplies unless specified. It's important to clarify the scope of services with your caterer to avoid any misunderstandings.
NO REGISTER APPLIES TO DJS, BANDS, MARQUEE HIRERS OR ENTERTAINERS. What exists instead is insurance that venues demand and music licensing that the VENUE normally holds through IMRO and PPI, not the performer.
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