Service Window

Service window is the most underappreciated number in catering planning. A 2-hour service window for 150 guests is a planning scenario, not a guaranteed production rate; the caterer should confirm whether the menu, stations, crew, equipment, and order mix can support it. The same 150 guests in a 45-minute cocktail-hour window may require multiple stations, a simpler menu, or pre-plated handoff. When booking, the service window drives staffing, equipment, and sometimes the menu itself. Tell your caterer your start time and your end-of-service time, not just your event start.