How to Plan a Private Event with Mediterranean Catering

Table of Contents

• Start With Your Guest Count and Event Format
• Build Your Private Event Catering Checklist
• Choosing Mediterranean Catering Menu Ideas
• How Many Portions to Order Per Guest
• Setting a Budget and Timeline for Your Event
• Questions to Ask a Caterer Before You Book
• Booking Your Mediterranean Catered Event
• Frequently Asked Questions

Last Updated: November 1, 2026

Planning a private event with Mediterranean catering is easier than most hosts expect. Parthenon Greek Restaurant & Chevy Chase Lounge has served Greek food in Washington, DC since 1989, and that experience shows in how a good catered event comes together. Private parties are the most common event that catering businesses handle, accounting for 54.4% of events according to FLIP survey of catering business owners. Whether you are hosting a birthday, an office celebration, or a family gathering, a clear plan keeps the food, the guests and the budget under control.

Start With Your Guest Count and Event Format

Your guest count drives almost every other decision. Get a realistic number before you talk to any caterer, and add a small buffer for late RSVPs.

Next, decide how guests will eat. The format changes both the cost and the flow of the room:

• Buffet: Guests serve themselves. Works well for 20 or more people.
• Family-style: Platters go to each table. Feels warm and shared.
• Plated: Guests get individual plates. Best for formal dinners.

Smaller groups of 10 to 50 guests often need different planning than large parties, especially for dietary needs and simple logistics. Mention your format early so the caterer can plan the right setup.

The table below pulls together the three service formats the article describes, so you can match one to your guest count and the feel you want.

Build Your Private Event Catering Checklist

A private event catering checklist keeps small details from slipping through. Use this list as a starting point:

• Confirm the final guest count one week out
• Ask about dietary needs, including vegetarian, gluten-free and allergy requests
• Confirm the delivery or pickup time and location
• Ask whether serving equipment, utensils and plates are included
• Confirm where food will be kept at a safe serving temperature
• Check the venue's rules on outside food and setup times
• Get the final quote in writing

Venues sometimes restrict catering options, so check the venue rules before you choose a menu.

Choosing Mediterranean Catering Menu Ideas

Mediterranean menus offer something for almost every guest. A strong spread usually includes fresh mezze and dips, grilled kebabs, salads, and a sweet finish like baklava.

Many hosts now look for globally inspired menus that reflect personal taste and heritage. Parthenon Greek Restaurant & Chevy Chase Lounge uses imported Greek products and extra virgin olive oil.

Mix a few choices so the menu works for everyone:

• Appetizers: Mezze, dips and fresh vegetables
• Mains: Grilled chicken or lamb kebabs, and a vegetarian option
• Sides: Greek salad, rice and roasted vegetables
• Dessert: Baklava or fresh fruit

Make sure at least one main dish works for guests who do not eat meat or seafood.

How Many Portions to Order Per Guest

Portion planning is where a Mediterranean spread differs most from a standard catered meal, because mezze and dips are shared and guests tend to graze. A single pounds-per-guest figure is a starting point, not a plan. Use these working estimates and adjust for your crowd:

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Ask your caterer for portion guidance based on your chosen menu and service format.

Guest count is the other half of the math, so confirm your final headcount with the caterer before the deadline they set.

Finally, ask the caterer to confirm the serving estimates in writing and to scale them to your guest count and format.

Setting a Budget and Timeline for Your Event

Most hosts underestimate the budget question because catering quotes bundle several different costs into one number. For a guide to catering office events, see the complete overview. Ask for the quote broken into line items so you can see what you are actually buying and where you can flex:

• Food cost per guest: The base menu price, which may be quoted per person.
• Service and staffing: Labor charges can vary by service style.
• Delivery and setup: Distance and setup time can affect this line.
• Rentals and disposables: Serving equipment and linens may be included or billed separately. Confirm which.
• Tax and gratuity: Tax and any service charge or gratuity may apply. Ask how they are handled.
• Minimums and deposits: Ask whether a minimum order or deposit applies.

A practical way to build the budget is to decide your all-in number first, then account for tax, gratuity, delivery, and rentals before dividing what remains by your guest count.

A workable sequence for planning:

1. Six to eight weeks out: Set your all-in budget and a realistic guest count, choose your service format, and request written quotes from two or three caterers.
2. Four to five weeks out: Select the menu tier and confirm what is included versus billed separately. Reserve rentals if the venue does not supply them.
3. Two weeks out: Send invitations with an RSVP date that gives you a firm count at least a week before the event.
4. One week out: Confirm the final headcount, lock dietary and allergen requests, and give the caterer the venue address, loading access, and setup window.
5. Two to three days out: Reconfirm delivery time, on-site contact, and the serving plan. Walk the venue to confirm where food will be held at temperature and where staff will set up.
6. Day of event: Have one person designated to meet the caterer and sign off on setup so the host is not managing logistics during the party.

Parthenon Greek Restaurant & Chevy Chase Lounge has not published catering prices here, so request a written quote with line items for current figures in USD. You can also plan a private dinner or group celebration in Washington, DC that fits your budget and timeline. Bring your guest count, format, and budget range to that conversation. If you prefer to start with a visit, you can also book a table at Experience Greece in DC to get a feel for the food before committing to a menu.

Questions to Ask a Caterer Before You Book

Before you sign anything, ask these questions:

• Can you handle my guest count, and how do you keep food hot and fresh?
• What is your track record for on-time delivery?
• How do you handle dietary needs and allergens?
• What is included in the price, and what costs extra?
• Is there a minimum order or a booking deposit?

Clear answers now prevent surprises on the day of your event.

Booking Your Mediterranean Catered Event

Once you have your guest count, menu and budget, you are ready to book. Parthenon Greek Restaurant & Chevy Chase Lounge provides private catering services, and you can plan your event with the team from Greek hospitality catering for office and private events. Reach out early, share your guest count and format, and ask for a written quote in USD.

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