By the Little Italy Catering team · Updated · 5 min read
Which package and price should you use?
Italian Lunch Essentials is $13.95/person, minimum 10 guests. It includes one pasta, lasagna or other listed entrée, italian garden salad, garlic bread. Cookies, desserts, drinks and additional proteins are not included. Delivery and 13% HST are additional. Optional extras are charged separately.
Italian Lunch Essentials: minimum 10 guests; Signature Italian Buffet: minimum 10 guests; Italian Feast Buffet: minimum 15 guests.
- Italian Lunch Essentials — $13.95/person: One pasta, lasagna or other listed entrée; Italian garden salad; Garlic bread.
- Signature Italian Buffet — $17.95/person: Chicken, meatball or other listed entrée; Italian salad; Garlic ciabatta.
- Italian Feast Buffet — $22.95/person: Choice of entrée; Two sides or salads; Garlic bread; Optional dessert upgrade, quoted separately.
There is no complimentary cookie, dessert, drink or additional protein in Essentials. Optional extras are selected and charged separately. Do not add a second charge for food already included in your chosen package.
What does a 15-guest order cost?
The following planning examples include the food, one standard Toronto delivery and 13% HST, with no optional extras preselected.
| Menu | Food | Delivery | HST | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Italian Lunch Essentials | $209.25 | $40 | $32.40 | $281.65 |
| Signature Italian Buffet | $269.25 | $40 | $40.20 | $349.45 |
| Italian Feast Buffet | $344.25 | $40 | $49.95 | $434.20 |
The written quote confirms the actual delivery fee, selected extras and availability. See the full menu, pricing breakdown, pan sizes and prices or calculate a different headcount.
For a Toronto home party of 15 to 30 guests, a delivered Italian buffet can cover the meal while you arrange the room and welcome guests. This guide compares the menus, worked totals and setup questions. Standard service is a hot delivery with basic self-serve setup; staff staying to serve or clean up need separate confirmation.
Can you get catering for a small party of 15 to 30?
Yes. The primary buffet packages can suit a birthday dinner, family get-together or holiday meal at home. Choose around the actual guest count and the package-specific minimums listed above.
The three primary buffet packages are priced per guest, so the kitchen portions them for your headcount. The additional premium menu also offers half pans serving 10–12 and full pans serving 18–20. Choose a complete package or order the individual dishes and quantities you need.
How much does catering a small home party cost?
Delivery and HST are always extra, and your written quote confirms the final price, including the delivery fee for your address. You can test other headcounts with the catering cost calculator.
What is the cheapest way to cater a party at home?
Some other ways to keep a home party affordable:
- Order for the guests who will eat. Each primary buffet package is portioned per guest, so a big safety margin adds cost fast.
How do you set up a buffet at home?
Our standard service is hot delivery in disposable catering trays, with serving utensils and dish labels, set up for self-serve. At home, that usually means the kitchen island or dining table. A few tips:
- Clear the space before the food arrives. Trays need a flat, heat-safe surface; use a suitable heat-resistant protective surface and follow the table and equipment manufacturer’s instructions.
- Line it up in eating order: plates, salad, pastas, main, side, bread, then cutlery and napkins at the end.
- Put dessert and drinks elsewhere so the line keeps moving.
- Plan the meal time. Tell us when guests will eat, not when they arrive; the arrival window is confirmed in your quote.
- Keeping food warm for a long party? Chafing equipment is quoted separately on request.
What delivery details should you send?
For a house, mention driveway or street parking. For a condo, include the buzzer code or concierge instructions, the loading area and which elevator to use, plus the name of whoever will meet the driver. These details help us plan access; the delivery window is confirmed in the written quote.
How do you feed a mixed group of family and friends?
Home parties often mix kids, grandparents, people who skip meat and someone with an allergy. Build the choice into the order:
- Choose one meat-free pasta, such as Mushroom Cacciatore or Spinach Ricotta Stuffed Shells, alongside a meat dish.
- Ask which listed entrée suits the children in your group; desserts are optional paid extras. We don't publish a separate children's price, so count children as guests or mention them when you ask for a quote.
Send meat-free counts and every allergy when you order. We confirm ingredients per order and don't make blanket dietary claims; the dietary and allergens page explains how.
Home party checklist
- Settle the guest count and check the selected package minimum.
- Pick a package and your included entrée and side selections.
- Decide on plates and cutlery, drinks and dessert.
- Gather meat-free counts and allergies.
- Note parking, buzzer or concierge details and who will meet the driver.
- Order at least 48 hours ahead and check the written quote.
- Clear the counter or table before the food arrives.
Ready to plan? See more ideas on the home party catering page or request a quote. Planning a birthday specifically? Our birthday party catering page has menus for that too.
Plan the serving window and leftovers
Tell us if the meal will be served over several sittings or held until later. Discuss suitable delivery and holding arrangements before booking; packaging alone does not solve that question. For handling, storage and reheating guidance, use Health Canada’s general food safety tips. Equipment and staff, if required, must be quoted and confirmed separately.
What should you send with a quote request?
Send the event date, serving time, number of guests, selected menu, address and dietary needs. List requested extras separately so the food already included in the package remains clear. Mention parking, loading, elevators or security check-in and provide an on-site contact.
Minimum 48 hours’ notice. Order cut-off: noon, two days before your order date. Your written quote confirms availability. Your request is an enquiry, not an automatic booking. The team confirms the menu and availability before you approve the written quote.
