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General & Pricing Questions
How much does catering cost per person in Dubai?
Cost per person varies widely based on the menu, service style, and type of event, a simple office lunch costs far less than a plated wedding dinner or a live-station event. Rather than quote a generic range that may not reflect your event, share your details with us and we will send a fixed, itemised quote with no hidden charges.
What factors affect the cost of catering?
Guest count, menu complexity, service style, staffing, and any equipment we need to bring all affect the final price. A buffet for fifty guests generally costs less per person than a plated dinner for the same number, since plated service needs more staff and more precise timing.
How do I choose the right catering company in Dubai?
Look for a valid Dubai Municipality food trade licence, HACCP-based food safety practices, halal-certified menus, and experience with your specific type of event, whether that is a wedding, an office, or a government function. A willingness to tailor the menu to your event matters more than a fixed package list.
What is included in the catering price?
A typical Forchetta quote includes the menu, delivery, and setup, with halal, vegetarian, vegan, and allergen-aware options built in as standard. Service staff, crockery, and glassware can be added depending on your event, we will confirm exactly what is included before you book.
Booking & Planning
How far in advance should I book catering in Dubai?
For a straightforward office lunch or small gathering, a few working days is often enough. For weddings and large corporate or government events, we recommend booking 2 to 8 weeks ahead, earlier still for a specific date during a busy season.
Do you offer tasting sessions before booking?
Yes, we arrange tastings ahead of larger bookings such as weddings and formal corporate events, so you can confirm the menu with confidence before the day itself.
Is there a minimum guest count or minimum order?
There is no strict minimum across most of our services, we cater intimate gatherings of a handful of guests through to events of several hundred. Very small orders may follow a simpler set menu rather than a fully customised one.
Can I change my guest numbers after booking?
Yes, within reason. We ask for a final confirmed headcount a set number of days before your event so the kitchen can plan production accurately, and we can usually accommodate small increases closer to the date.
Menu & Dietary
Do you offer vegetarian, vegan, and allergen-friendly menus?
Yes. Vegetarian, vegan, and allergen-aware options are built into every menu we plan as standard, not offered only on request.
Is your food halal?
Yes, all of our menus are halal by default across every service we offer, from daily office catering to weddings and government events.
What is the difference between canapés and finger food?
A canapé is a small, single bite of food on a base such as bread or pastry, designed to look as good as it tastes. Finger food is the wider category of any hand-held dish, usually slightly more substantial than a canapé. All canapés are finger food, but not all finger food is a canapé. Our Cocktail Party Catering service is built around exactly this kind of menu.
What is the difference between buffet and plated service?
A buffet lets guests serve themselves from stationed dishes and suits a more relaxed, sociable event. Plated service brings each course to a seated guest in sequence and suits a more formal occasion. Our Seated and Plated Dinner Catering page goes into this in more detail if you are deciding between the two.
How many canapés does each guest need?
As a general guide, plan for around four to eight canapés per guest for a two-hour reception, more if there is no seated meal to follow. See Cocktail Party Catering for how we plan quantities for private events.
Delivery, Staff & Equipment
Do you provide service staff, crockery, and glassware?
Yes, uniformed service staff, crockery, cutlery, and glassware are all available and can be added to any booking depending on the formality of your event.
Do you offer beverage service?
We can coordinate non-alcoholic beverage service, including juices, soft drinks, tea, and coffee, as part of most bookings. Alcohol service in Dubai depends on your venue’s own licensing, and we are happy to advise on how that usually works alongside our catering.
How does my order get delivered?
We deliver directly to your venue or office at a time confirmed in advance, with setup handled by our team so your event or working day is not disrupted.
Can you cater outdoor events in Dubai's heat?
Yes, we plan outdoor event menus specifically to hold their quality in the heat, using portable refrigeration and warming equipment, and staging buffet service so food is never exposed for longer than it should be.
Can you cater a venue without a kitchen?
Yes, we bring our own equipment, including portable refrigeration and warming stations, to venues that do not have a full kitchen on site.
Payment & Contracts
How much notice and deposit do you need to confirm a booking?
We usually confirm a booking with a deposit once the menu and guest count are agreed, with the balance due closer to the event date. Exact terms depend on the size and type of booking, we confirm this clearly in your quote.
What is your cancellation or rescheduling policy?
We understand that plans change. Let us know as early as possible if you need to cancel or move your date, and we will confirm what applies based on how much notice we have and any preparation already under way.
Do you provide a VAT tax invoice?
Yes, we issue VAT-compliant tax invoices for every booking, including your company’s TRN where applicable, which is especially useful for corporate and government clients managing their own accounting.
Do you offer invoice or credit payment terms for corporate and government clients?
Yes, we can arrange invoice-based payment terms for corporate and government accounts, alongside the documentation your procurement or finance team needs.
Government & Corporate Catering
Do you cater for government ministries and diplomatic offices in Dubai?
Yes, we regularly cater meetings and conferences and working lunches for government departments, authorities, and diplomatic offices across Dubai, working within each venue’s own security and access procedures.
Are you a registered supplier for government tenders in Dubai?
We work with government and corporate clients directly and can provide the trade licence, food safety, and invoicing documentation most procurement teams require. Let us know which platform or registration your organisation needs and we will confirm what we can supply.
Can you provide daily or recurring office catering?
Yes, we run daily and weekly office catering accounts with a rotating menu, so lunch does not repeat too often, and headcount can be adjusted as your team changes.
Do you cater corporate meetings, conferences, and coffee breaks?
Yes, from a single coffee break between sessions to a multi-day conference with rotating menus, timed precisely around your agenda.
Private, Wedding & Yacht Events
How much does wedding catering cost in Dubai?
Wedding catering cost depends on your guest count and whether you choose a buffet, a plated multi-course dinner, or a live-station format, each carries a different price per person. See Wedding Catering for how we plan around your guest count and day, then share your details and we will send a fixed quote.
Can you cater a yacht event, and is alcohol included?
Do you cater baby showers and birthday parties?
Yes, with menus and presentation matched to the occasion, light and elegant for a daytime baby shower, or adjusted for age and tone for a birthday celebration of any size.
Do you offer live cooking stations at private events?
Yes, our chefs can prepare and plate dishes live in front of your guests through our Live Station Catering service, either as a standalone feature or an addition to a broader buffet or plated menu.
Do you offer Ramadan iftar catering?
Yes, we cater iftar and suhoor for private, corporate, and government clients during Ramadan. Book at least a week ahead where possible, since kitchens run at their busiest during this period.
