How to estimate headcount

Figuring out how many pans to order is half the battle with any catering job, and it's the question Paul fields more than any other. The short answer: sweet pies go further than savory ones, people almost always eat more than you expect, and when in doubt, round up — leftover pie is never a tragedy.

Serving estimates by format

• Catering Pan (sweet): 12–16 servings per pan. Think Apple, Pecan, Chocolate Silk, Key Lime. These cut cleanly into smaller slices, especially when you're offering more than one variety.
• Catering Pan (savory): 8–12 servings per pan. Chicken Pot Pie, Shepherd's Pie, Steak & Mushroom — these are hearty, and a proper portion is bigger than a dessert slice. Budget closer to 8 if it's the main course.
• Party Set of 4 minis: 4–8 small servings, depending on how generous your crowd is. Great for variety, less practical as the sole food at a real meal.

A rule of thumb for office gatherings

For a lunch or afternoon spread where pie is the main event, one savory pan plus one sweet pan covers roughly 12 people comfortably. Scale from there:

• 25 people: 2 savory pans, 2 sweet pans
• 40 people: 3–4 savory pans, 3 sweet pans
• 60 people: 5 savory pans, 4–5 sweet pans

These numbers assume a normal mix of appetites and that you're not serving anything else substantial alongside. If it's a full lunch buffet with sides, you can stretch each pan a little further. If it's a hungry team coming off a long morning meeting, don't push it.

A few things worth knowing before you order

Savory as a main vs. a side. A Steak & Mushroom pan that's the centerpiece of a lunch feeds fewer people than the same pan sitting next to a salad spread. Tell Paul what else is on the table — it changes the math.

Mixed dietary needs. If you've got vegetarians in the group, the Spinach & Feta is your savory option, and it counts toward your savory total. Worth flagging when you reach out so Paul can work it into the quote.

When in doubt, go one pan up. A catering pan runs $85–$120. The cost of running short is higher than the cost of a little extra pie.

Ready to get a real quote?

Paul will ask for your headcount, your event date, your sweet/savory split, and whether you want on-site setup. The more you can tell him upfront, the faster he can turn a quote around.

Reach out anytime — if you've still got questions about quantities or want to talk through a specific event, drop us a line at support@perfectpies.club and Paul or Millie will get back to you the same day.