Service Styles
Large Event Catering in Medellín for 50 to 150 Guests
Medellin Elite Catering caters events of 50 to 150 guests across Medellín and Antioquia, the range that covers most weddings, quinceañeras, company anniversaries and family reunions. At this size the food is only half the job; the rest is timing, staffing and making the venue work.
We plan these events for couples marrying at fincas in Llanogrande, HR teams booking a hotel ballroom in El Poblado and families renting a reception hall for a daughter's fifteenth birthday. Our bilingual coordinators run planning calls in English or Spanish and send an itemized quote within 24 hours.
Since 2019, groups of 50 to 150 have taught us how long a plated course really takes, the length of buffet line a crowd needs and what a venue must supply. Those lessons shape the plans and numbers on this page.
- Itemized quotes available
- Bilingual English and Spanish coordinators
Plan your event
Our Catering for 50 to 150 Guests
For 50 to 150 guests we run full-service buffets, plated dinners, cocktail receptions with passed canapés and combinations of these, such as a canapé hour followed by a buffet. Every staffed quote includes cooks, servers, tableware, setup and cleanup, with rentals itemized separately.
Food is planned per guest, so the shopping list scales directly with your headcount. These are the quantities we cook for a dinner buffet at three common sizes, with lunch portions about 20% smaller.
| Dinner buffet quantities | 75 guests | 100 guests | 150 guests |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cooked protein (180 to 220 g each) | 13.5 to 16.5 kg | 18 to 22 kg | 27 to 33 kg |
| Rice, potatoes and other starches (about 150 g each) | About 11 kg | About 15 kg | About 22 kg |
| Salads (about 100 g each) | About 7.5 kg | About 10 kg | About 15 kg |
| Chafing dishes on the line | 6 to 8 | 8 to 10 | 10 to 12, double-sided |
Weddings make up a large share of this size range, and our wedding catering service covers menus and timelines for receptions in detail. Quinceañeras, company anniversaries and year-end parties for one department fill most of the remaining dates.
Every event over 80 guests includes the option of a tasting for two at our kitchen, credited when you book. A deposit reserves the date, the balance is due 7 days before the event, and payment is by bank transfer or card payment link.
Staffing and Service Timing
For 150 guests we send 6 to 8 servers for a buffet or 13 to 15 for a plated dinner, plus 2 to 3 bartenders and a coordinator who runs the timeline. The kitchen team grows with the menu, typically 4 cooks for a buffet and 6 for plated service at that size.
| Timing for 150 guests | Buffet | Plated dinner |
|---|---|---|
| Team arrival before service | 2.5 hours | 3 hours |
| Line or table service time | About 25 minutes to serve everyone | 12 to 15 minutes per course |
| Main meal, start to finish | About 75 minutes | About 90 minutes for three courses |
| Line or plating space | 6 m single-sided or 3 m double-sided | Plating table of 4 to 5 m |
Plated service for 150 works like a production line: cooks plate in batches of 20 behind the scenes, and servers carry two plates each, table by table. Serving the whole room within 15 minutes keeps the first table's food from going cold before the last table is reached.
For a buffet we release tables two or three at a time, which keeps the line short and lets guests return for second helpings. The standard service runs 5 hours, and extra hours can be added when the party runs late.
Kitchen and Venue Requirements
Any venue for 50 to 150 guests needs a covered prep area for our team, reliable power, running water and vehicle access close to that area. We confirm all four on a site visit or a video call before the contract is signed.
For 100 guests the prep area should measure at least 4 by 4 m, under a roof or a tent and out of sight of the dining space, with two folding tables and a hand-wash point. Power means at least two separate 110 V outlets on different circuits for warming cabinets and coffee urns; if the finca has only one, we rent a silent generator and itemize it.
Running water is needed for hand-washing and rinsing, and our van must reach within about 30 m of the prep area, because hot boxes weigh up to 40 kg when full. During the rainy seasons (April to May and October to November) the access route also needs a solid surface, since unpaved finca driveways in eastern Antioquia turn to mud.
Venues and Areas We Serve at This Size
Events of this size most often take place at hotel ballrooms, reception halls and fincas in Llanogrande, Rionegro and the hills above Envigado. Ballrooms usually supply tables and linens, while fincas need full rentals and more equipment from us.
Within the valley, venues in Medellín, Envigado, Itagüí, Sabaneta and La Estrella sit 15 to 50 minutes from our kitchen. We also provide catering in Laureles, where reception halls and social clubs in the western neighborhoods are a popular choice for quinceañeras.
For a quinceañera catering menu or a company celebration, the same planning standards apply. Above 150 guests, our large-scale event catering adds multiple lines and satellite kitchens.
Questions and answers
Large Event FAQs
How far ahead should I book for 150 guests?
Book 6 to 8 weeks ahead for a company event or party of 150 guests, and 6 to 12 months ahead for a wedding on a Saturday or between October and December. Our minimum notice for staffed events is 2 weeks, but large groups need time for rentals, a tasting and staff scheduling. December is our peak season and fills first.
Reserve your date
Plan Your Event for 50 to 150 Guests
Use the quote form to share your date, venue and guest count, and a staffing plan with an itemized quote follows within 24 hours. Planners who prefer email can write to info@medellincatering.com with a floor plan attached.
- Itemized quotes available
- Menus, staff, tableware, setup and cleanup in one quote
- Food-handler certified team and labeled allergens on every tray
- Monday to Saturday
- 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
- Sunday
- Closed (events still run)