Catered food as a rule is about 10% MORE EXPENSIVE than the same food at a good restaurant. Customers not experienced with catering are shocked- they expect it to be less expensive. Extra costs for setup, tables, glasses,and so forth. It usually works out to $4-6 per person per hour for just the food.

You need to have liability insurance and there are laws about where the food can be prepared- in the home of the host or a restauranyt or commercial kitchen is legal- in most states, in your home is not, unless you have a commercially licensed kitchen.

The basic charge should be 3 to 4 times the cost of the food and container, depending on whether you are just dropping off or serving and cleaning up.

You need a written contract that specifies what food and service you provide, including amounts and costs.