Buffet catering for 20 people
A buffet with setup starts at 30 pax. For 20 people a mini buffet is the format that fits — and it costs considerably less.
- 4.7★ 640+ Google reviews
- 99% on-time delivery
- 1,000+ companies served
Why a buffet does not open at 20
A buffet with setup means chafing stands, a skirted table, a crew to lay it out and a return trip to collect the equipment. That whole operation carries a $90 setup fee, and below about thirty people the cost per head stops making sense — you would be paying for the furniture rather than the food.
So it starts at 30 pax. For 20 people a mini buffet is what fits: the same food on shared trays, delivered in insulated warmer bags with disposable plates, bowls, cutlery and serving gear. At 20 pax that is $15 per pax with delivery included, about $300 in total.
What you give up is the serving window. Chafing stands hold temperature across an evening; insulated bags hold it comfortably for a couple of hours. For most gatherings of this size that is the whole event.
30 pax is the buffet minimum
Below it, the setup costs more per head than the food.
Mini buffet from $15 per pax
About $300 for 20 people, delivery included.
Nothing to collect
A mini buffet leaves nothing behind. A buffet has equipment collected afterwards.
Same menus either way
The food is the same; the format differs.
What a mini buffet gives 20 people
The entry-level Chinese menu as it comes at this tier — eight dishes.
- Curry Chicken with Potato
- Pork Rib King (Boneless)
- Crispy Fish with Salted Egg Yolk Coating
- Stir Fried Nai Bai with Crispy Garlic Topping
- Superior Soy Sauce Egg Tofu with Seasonal Greens
- Egg Fried Rice with Scallion
- Malaysian Style Quick Cook Noodles Tossed in Dark Sauce and Fragrant Oil
- Chilled Longan & Sea Coconut
Every dish can be swapped for another at no cost — there are 43 free options on this menu. Halal, Malay, Western and vegetarian menus are priced the same.
Mini buffet pricing at 20 pax
If your numbers might reach 30, a buffet with setup opens there at $20 per pax plus the $90 setup fee.
- Minimum order
- 10 pax.
- Order sizes
- In steps of five — 10, 15, 20, 25 and up.
- Price per pax
- $18 at 10–14, $15 at 15–29, $13 at 30–74, $10 at 75+. Higher menu levels available at every tier.
- Delivery
- Free on mini buffet and bento orders of $225 or more before GST. Below that a $30 delivery fee applies, and a 10 pax order always carries it whatever the order comes to. On the entry-level menus $225 is reached at 15 pax.
- What arrives
- Shared trays in insulated warmer bags, with disposable plates, bowls, cutlery, serving gear, a table cloth and a trash bag. The bags are yours to keep.
- Dish changes
- Free. 43 replacement options on the entry-level menus.
- Lead time
- One day's notice, subject to vendor availability on your date.
- Changing your order
- Up to 24 hours before delivery.
- Surcharges
- $30 for delivery at 9.59am or earlier or 7.31pm or later. $15 for postal codes 71, 63, 09, 50 and 49. $50–$100 per level where there is no lift access.
How ordering works
Book early for popular dates
Our cutoff is one day before your event. In practice, order earlier: festive periods, year-end parties and weekend slots fill up well ahead, and booking early secures both your slot and the dishes you want.
Delivery $30
For mini buffet and bento orders, islandwide, and free on promotional menus above $225.
Drop and go, nothing to return
Food arrives in insulated warmer bags that keep it hot, and the bags are yours to keep. Every set comes with serving gear, cutlery, plates, bowls, a disposable table cloth and a trash bag, so you can bag everything up and bin it the moment you are done.
Changes up to 24 hours before
Adjust your headcount, menu or timing more than 24 hours before your event, subject to availability. Within 24 hours the food and manpower are already committed, so changes and cancellations are normally not accepted and a fee of 50% to 100% of the order may apply.
Additional charges may apply for outlying areas (Tengah, Lim Chu Kang, Tuas, Sentosa, Changi Airport and Alps Avenue), deliveries before 10am or after 7.30pm, and venues without lift access. Every charge is confirmed in your quotation before you pay. See full terms.
Your menu in three simple steps
- 1
Tell us about your event
Headcount, date, budget per pax and any dietary needs like halal or vegetarian.
- 2
Get your best-matched menu
Our menu planner, with a little help from AI, matches a customised menu with prices to your budget and requirements in 60 seconds.
- 3
Customise and confirm
Swap any dish to fit your requirements, then confirm with our team on WhatsApp or email.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get a buffet with setup for 20 pax?
Not at 20 — a buffet with setup starts at 30 pax, because below that the $90 setup fee and the equipment cost more per head than the food. A mini buffet covers 20 people at $15 per pax.
What is the difference between a mini buffet and a buffet with setup?
A mini buffet is shared trays delivered in insulated warmer bags — nothing set up, nothing collected, everything disposable. A buffet with setup brings chafing stands, a laid-out table and a crew, holds serving temperature much longer, and has its equipment collected afterwards.
How much is catering for 20 people?
On a mini buffet, $15 per pax, delivery included — about $300.
Can the menu be halal?
Yes, at the same price. Halal menus come from Muslim-owned stalls, and halal-certified menus are available through our partnering vendors on request. Select halal in the planner and only halal menus are shown.
Do I need to return anything?
No. On a mini buffet order the insulated warmer bags are yours to keep and everything else is disposable. A buffet with setup uses chafing stands, which are collected afterwards.
How far in advance should I order catering?
The latest we can take an order is one day before your event. We recommend booking earlier than that: popular dates such as Chinese New Year, Hari Raya, Christmas and the year-end party season are taken weeks ahead, and ordering early secures your slot and the dishes you want. For large events, the earlier the better.
Is there a delivery fee?
Delivery is free on mini buffet and bento orders of $225 or more before GST. Below that it is $30, and a 10 pax order always carries the fee whatever the order comes to. On the entry-level mini buffet menus $225 is reached at 15 pax. A buffet with setup instead carries a $90 setup fee, charged once per order, which covers delivery, laying out the buffet line and collecting the equipment afterwards. Remote postal codes, deliveries at 9.59am or earlier or 7.31pm or later, and venues without lift access can add a surcharge on top; every one is published and appears in your quotation before you confirm.
What is included with the food?
Mini buffet orders are drop and go: the food arrives in insulated warmer bags that are yours to keep, with serving gear, cutlery, plates, bowls, a disposable table cloth and a trash bag, so you can bag everything up and bin it after your event. Bento meals come individually boxed with cutlery. Buffet with setup includes a skirted table and cloth, warmers, serving gear, disposable plates, cutlery and napkins, and our team returns to collect the equipment.
Can I change or cancel my order?
Yes, with more than 24 hours' notice before your event, subject to availability. Within 24 hours the food and manpower are already committed, so changes and cancellations are normally not accepted and a fee of 50% to 100% of the order may apply.
Ready to plan your menu?
Plan your customised catering menu in 60 seconds. No commitment.