How Much to Tip a Caterer
15–20%
If the catering contract has no service charge or gratuity, tip 15–20% of the food and beverage bill, or $20–50 per server and $50–100 for the lead. If a service charge is included, ask whether it goes to staff; if it does, extra tips are optional.
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Within the 15–20% range for caterer.
How much to tip, situation by situation
| Situation | Typical tip |
|---|---|
| Full-service catering, no service charge | 15–20% of food & drink |
| Per server at an event | $20–50 |
| Chef or catering manager | $50–100 |
| Drop-off catering | 10% or $10–20 to the driver |
| Service charge goes to staff | Optional extra |
Caterer tip on common prices
| Price | 15% | 18% | 20% |
|---|---|---|---|
| $25 | $3.75 | $4.50 | $5.00 |
| $50 | $7.50 | $9.00 | $10.00 |
| $75 | $11.25 | $13.50 | $15.00 |
| $100 | $15.00 | $18.00 | $20.00 |
| $150 | $22.50 | $27.00 | $30.00 |
| $200 | $30.00 | $36.00 | $40.00 |
Worth knowing
- Ask before the event what the "service charge" covers; it is sometimes an admin fee.
Working it out by hand? See how to calculate a tip. Travelling? Customs differ abroad: tipping by country.
Questions people ask
Is a catering service charge a tip?
Not always. Some caterers keep it to cover costs. Ask whether it is distributed to the serving staff.
When do you tip the caterer?
At the end of the event, in labeled envelopes, usually handed out by the host or planner.