Cater vs Cook Cost Calculator
Got a caterer’s quote for a mehndi, aqiqa or Eid dawat and wondering if cooking at home is cheaper? Put in both sides and see the real difference per guest, including the costs people forget.
Costs people forget when cooking at home
Example prices are only a starting point. Use your own shop’s prices.
The verdict
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| Cooking at home | Cost |
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How the comparison works
The calculator works out how much rice, chicken and meat you would need for your menu, using the same per-person amounts as our dawat quantity calculator. It then adds the things a caterer’s per-head price already includes: oil and masala, naan, dessert, drinks, a cook and helpers, deg and crockery rent, fuel, disposables and, if you like, your own time.
When catering makes sense
- Big numbers: above about 80 to 100 guests, a home kitchen and family helpers struggle, and the cost gap usually shrinks.
- Same-day events: nikah, walima or a funeral, when the family should be with guests, not at the stove.
- Venues that need it: many halls only allow their own caterer, or charge a fee for outside food.
When cooking at home makes sense
- Smaller dawats of 20 to 50 guests, especially with family members who cook well.
- A simple menu: one biryani or pulao, one salan, raita and a dessert keeps cooking manageable.
- When taste matters most: a family recipe that no caterer can match.
Questions to ask a caterer
- How much meat per head, and is it bone-in?
- Are naan, raita, salad, dessert and soft drinks included?
- Are waiters, crockery, tables and delivery included, and is there tax or a service charge?
- How many extra plates are covered if more guests come?
Questions people ask
Is catering or cooking at home cheaper for a dawat?
For small and medium dawats, cooking at home is usually cheaper on ingredients, but the gap shrinks once you add a cook, helpers, deg and crockery rent, fuel and disposables. Use the calculator with your own prices to see the real difference.
How do I compare a caterer’s per-head price?
Multiply the per-head price by your guests, add tax or service charges and any extras such as delivery or waiters. Then check what is included: meat per head, naan, dessert and drinks.
How much should a cook (bawarchi) cost?
It depends on your city and the number of guests. Ask two or three cooks for a price for your menu and guest count, and check whether it includes helpers and their own degs.
Are the example prices accurate?
No. They are rough starting points so the calculator works straight away. Food prices change often and differ from city to city, so type in your own shop’s prices.
Last updated 25 October 2026. Found a mistake or want a feature? Tell us.