Not enough food at function

PopsyT

At a recent gathering after a funeral, we made a booking for a finger buffet to cater for 100 people. However the food ran out so quickly that many guests did not have any food. We spoke to the bar at the time and were told there was no more food, and so family had to leave the gathering and return with home made provisions. We had to take the matter up with the venue in the days after the function. They told us they had provided the following:
Potato salad 50 portions
Tomato and red onion salad 50 portions
Samosa 100 pieces
Spring rolls 100 pieces

Sausage rolls 100 pieces
Barbeque chicken 100 pieces

Sandwiches 50 rounds.
We questioned why they would have provided potato salad and red onion salad for a finger buffet, and also they only provided half a small triangle sandwich per person.
We are in dispute that they did not provide enough food for 100 people. They aregue that there were more people attending than we booked for, but our argument is that what they provided was not enough (or suitable) for 100 people.
Can anyone confirm what would have been an acceptable amount for a finger buffet for 100 people. They have also turned round now and said that we should not have expected that a finger buffet for 100 people for a wake woul dbe the same as a finger buffet for the same amount of people for a wedding.:(

wealdroam

PopsyT wrote: »

At a recent gathering after a funeral, we made a booking for a finger buffet to cater for 100 people. However the food ran out so quickly that many guests did not have any food. We spoke to the bar at the time and were told there was no more food, and so family had to leave the gathering and return with home made provisions. We had to take the matter up with the venue in the days after the function. They told us they had provided the following:
Potato salad 50 portions
Tomato and red onion salad 50 portions
Samosa 100 pieces
Spring rolls 100 pieces

Sausage rolls 100 pieces
Barbeque chicken 100 pieces

Sandwiches 50 rounds.
We questioned why they would have provided potato salad and red onion salad for a finger buffet, and also they only provided half a small triangle sandwich per person.
We are in dispute that they did not provide enough food for 100 people. They aregue that there were more people attending than we booked for, but our argument is that what they provided was not enough (or suitable) for 100 people.
Can anyone confirm what would have been an acceptable amount for a finger buffet for 100 people. They have also turned round now and said that we should not have expected that a finger buffet for 100 people for a wake woul dbe the same as a finger buffet for the same amount of people for a wedding.:(

OK, you've told us what they say they provided, does that match what they said they would provide?

In other words, did you confirm beforehand what you would get for your money?

HappyMJ

What did your contract say would be supplied?

You do have a contract. It will describe what food is included in a buffet. That looks like enough food for 100 people for a bite to eat.

A round of sandwiches should be 50 sandwiches cut into 4 triangles so you should have had 200 quarter sandwiches.

How many people turned up? If just 20 extra people turned up the food will definitely run out and there won't be enough at all. Most people would over cater for an event like this.

AJXX

Potato salad 50 portions
Tomato and red onion salad 50 portions
Samosa 100 pieces
Spring rolls 100 pieces
Sausage rolls 100 pieces
Barbeque chicken 100 pieces
Sandwiches 50 rounds.

550 portions of food?

Sounds like a fair bit of food to be to be honest, I'd say it would be enough for 100 people for a light buffet.

I do sort of see where the catering company is coming from here, I'd expect people at a funeral to have a small amount of "light food" (i.e. more of "pickings" than something designed to fill you up) vs a wedding where I'd be expecting a full on buffet to fill you up.

Sounds about right to me, but I no means have experience of this sort of thing.

They stated that more than 100 people attended, is this true?

How quickly did the food run out?

How many people actually left without food?

Do you have a contract/agreement in writing?

Tigsteroonie

What price did they charge (total or per head)? I've seen finger buffets ranging from £3.50 per head to over £15 per head, and the amount and quality varies widely in that range.

Andypandyboy

I think a finger buffet for 100 should be the same for a wedding or a wake if the price is the same. Was it the same?

I am guessing that at such a time the detail of the food was not thoroughly gone into and as such expectations differed from the reality.

I wouldn't have said that 1 piece of each item was enough personally. After a funeral people are often cold and hungry especially at this time of year.

Price does play a part of course.

PopsyT

Thank you all for such a quick response.
We calculated 109 people. The food ran out within 15-20 mins. We didnt have a contract as it was a discussion where we told them what we wanted, and we expected a significant buffet for £12.50 per head, believing that for that price they would have sufficient skill and proffessionalism to calculate the food necessary. A deposit was paid and they said they would provide enough for 100 people. With regards to the sandwiches there were 50 triangles (1/4 a whole sandwich).

AJXX

PopsyT wrote: »

Thank you all for such a quick response.
We calculated 109 people. The food ran out within 15-20 mins. We didnt have a contract as it was a discussion where we told them what we wanted, and we expected a significant buffet for £12.50 per head, believing that for that price they would have sufficient skill and proffessionalism to calculate the food necessary. A deposit was paid and they said they would provide enough for 100 people. With regards to the sandwiches there were 50 triangles (1/4 a whole sandwich).

If you're suggesting the total price paid was £1,250 (£12.50 * 100 people) then yes I'd certainly be complaining!

Unfortunately, the lack of a pre-defined contract may leave you with little rights or recourse.

Silver-Surfer_2

PopsyT wrote: »

Thank you all for such a quick response.
We calculated 109 people. The food ran out within 15-20 mins. We didnt have a contract as it was a discussion where we told them what we wanted, and we expected a significant buffet for £12.50 per head, believing that for that price they would have sufficient skill and proffessionalism to calculate the food necessary. A deposit was paid and they said they would provide enough for 100 people. With regards to the sandwiches there were 50 triangles (1/4 a whole sandwich).

For £1250 you've had you pants pulled down. Unless it was an upmarket location.

Tigsteroonie

So ... shared salads; samosas, spring rolls, sausage rolls, bbq chicken, sandwiches. For £12.50 per head???? Unless you are in central London, I think you were ripped off.

I've just looked at a "luxury buffet" from a caterer in central Manchester, and it's:

"A selection of sandwiches filled with luxury and traditional sandwich fillings from our wide selection of Sandwich Platters, served on brown, granary or white sliced bread along with 13 assorted savoury/sweet items. (kebabs, pizza, goujons)" for £10+VAT. And they define a sandwich as a round (4 quarters) per person.

They have also turned round now and said that we should not have expected that a finger buffet for 100 people for a wake woul dbe the same as a finger buffet for the same amount of people for a wedding.

Bo11ocks. A £12.50 finger buffet is a £12.50 finger buffet regardless of the event.

HappyMJ

PopsyT wrote: »

Thank you all for such a quick response.
We calculated 109 people. The food ran out within 15-20 mins. We didnt have a contract as it was a discussion where we told them what we wanted, and we expected a significant buffet for £12.50 per head, believing that for that price they would have sufficient skill and proffessionalism to calculate the food necessary. A deposit was paid and they said they would provide enough for 100 people. With regards to the sandwiches there were 50 triangles (1/4 a whole sandwich).

Well there should have been 200 as a round of sandwiches is defined as two whole pieces of bread which will then be cut into halves or quarters.