# CaterCost

> CaterCost is a recipe costing and event pricing tool for UK micro-caterers —
> private chefs, supper club operators, market stall food vendors, and small
> independent event caterers. It handles recipe scaling, per-head cost
> calculation, margin analysis, and 14-allergen tracking under UK food allergen
> regulations (Natasha's Law). Designed for the 1-5 person operation that has
> outgrown spreadsheets but cannot justify £129+/month enterprise software.

## Product

- [Homepage](https://catercost.co.uk/): What CaterCost does, who it's for, how it works.
- [About](https://catercost.co.uk/about): Built by Crocker Digital Ltd (UK Co. No. 17008789).
- [Waitlist](https://catercost.co.uk/#waitlist): Join the waitlist for early access.

## Free tools (no signup)

- [Catering Cost Per Head Calculator](https://catercost.co.uk/tools/catering-cost-per-head-calculator): Calculate your true cost per head for catering events. Enter dishes with ingredients and quantities, set your guest count, and see total cost with margin.
- [Recipe Scaling Calculator](https://catercost.co.uk/tools/recipe-scaling-calculator): Scale any recipe to any guest count instantly. Enter ingredients for your original recipe, set the target servings, and get recalculated quantities with costs.
- [Allergen Matrix Generator](https://catercost.co.uk/tools/allergen-matrix-generator): Build a 14-allergen matrix for your catering menu. Add dishes, tick which allergens are present, and generate a compliance-ready chart you can print.

## Free downloads

- [Recipe Costing Spreadsheet Template](https://catercost.co.uk/downloads/recipe-costing-spreadsheet-template): Pre-built Excel spreadsheet with ingredient costing, portion scaling, waste factors, and margin calculator. Three sample recipes pre-populated with formulas.
- [UK Allergen Tracking Matrix](https://catercost.co.uk/downloads/allergen-tracking-matrix-pdf): Print-ready 14-allergen matrix for multi-dish menus. Tick-box format with allergen key and Natasha's Law compliance notes.

## Guides

- [Catering Insurance UK: Public Liability, Product Liability and Food Business Cover](https://catercost.co.uk/guides/catering-insurance-uk): What insurance UK caterers need — public liability, product liability, employers' liability, and equipment cover. What each policy covers, typical costs, and what to check before an event.
- [Menu Engineering for Caterers: How to Build a More Profitable Menu](https://catercost.co.uk/guides/menu-engineering-caterers): How caterers apply menu engineering to increase profits — classifying dishes by popularity and margin, adjusting pricing, and building menus that perform financially.
- [Registering a Food Business in the UK: A Step-by-Step Guide for Caterers](https://catercost.co.uk/guides/food-business-registration-uk): How to register a food business in the UK as a caterer. Covers what counts as a food business, the 28-day rule, the registration process, and what happens after you register.
- [Commercial Kitchen Rental UK: A Caterer's Guide to Finding and Costing Kitchen Space](https://catercost.co.uk/guides/commercial-kitchen-rental-uk): How UK caterers find and rent commercial kitchen space — what to look for, typical costs, and how to build kitchen hire into your event pricing.
- [How to Price Event Catering: Buffets, Hog Roasts & Per-Head Quotes](https://catercost.co.uk/guides/event-catering-pricing-guide): How UK caterers price event catering — buffets, hog roasts, and per-head quotes. Covers markup, service-style costs, worked examples, and pricing mistakes to avoid.
- [How to Price Wedding Catering: A UK Caterer's Per-Head Guide](https://catercost.co.uk/guides/wedding-catering-pricing-guide): How to price wedding catering as a UK caterer. Per-head pricing by service style, what to include in your costs, common mistakes, and how to quote with confidence.
- [Allergen Matrix Template for UK Caterers: Free Download + How to Build One](https://catercost.co.uk/guides/allergen-matrix-template-uk): A free allergen matrix template for UK caterers, plus a step-by-step guide to building your own. Covers all 14 allergens, a worked example, and how the matrix fits Natasha's Law.
- [How to Create an Allergen Menu for Catering Events](https://catercost.co.uk/guides/allergen-menu-catering-events): How to create an allergen menu for catering events. Covers event-specific challenges, building an allergen matrix, handling dietary requests, and staying compliant.
- [Starting a Catering Business in the UK: Costs, Licences & Software](https://catercost.co.uk/guides/starting-catering-business-uk): A practical guide to starting a catering business in the UK. Covers registration, food hygiene, insurance, startup costs, and the software tools you need.
- [Catering Invoice Template UK: Free Download + How to Invoice](https://catercost.co.uk/guides/catering-invoice-template-uk): A guide to catering invoices in the UK. What to include, when to send them, and a free template to get started. Covers VAT, deposits, and payment terms.
- [Natasha's Law for Caterers: What You Need to Know in 2026](https://catercost.co.uk/guides/natashas-law-caterers-guide): What Natasha's Law means for UK caterers in 2026. Covers PPDS requirements, which caterers are affected, enforcement, and how to stay compliant.
- [How to Quote for Catering Events: Per-Head Pricing Guide](https://catercost.co.uk/guides/how-to-quote-catering-events): A step-by-step guide to quoting for catering events. Covers per-head vs flat-fee pricing, what to include in your quote, and how to avoid undercharging.
- [The 14 Allergens UK Caterers Must Track Under Natasha's Law](https://catercost.co.uk/guides/14-allergens-uk-caterers): A complete guide to the 14 allergens UK caterers must declare. Covers each allergen with common sources in catering, hidden allergens, and practical tracking advice.
- [Recipe Costing: Excel Spreadsheet vs Dedicated Software](https://catercost.co.uk/guides/recipe-costing-excel-vs-software): An honest comparison of recipe costing in Excel vs dedicated software. When spreadsheets work, when they break, and what to look for if you decide to switch.
- [Catering Profit Margins: What UK Micro-Caterers Actually Earn](https://catercost.co.uk/guides/catering-profit-margins-uk): What profit margins do UK micro-caterers actually achieve? A breakdown of gross margins, net margins, and the costs that eat into your catering profits.
- [Private Chef Pricing UK: How Much to Charge Per Head](https://catercost.co.uk/guides/private-chef-pricing-uk): A practical guide to private chef pricing in the UK. Covers per-head rates, how to calculate your true costs, and how to set prices that protect your margins.
- [Food Cost Formula: How to Calculate Your True Cost Per Dish](https://catercost.co.uk/guides/food-cost-formula-uk-guide): The food cost formula explained for UK caterers. Learn how to calculate cost per dish, food cost percentage, and apply waste factors — with worked examples.
- [PPDS Labelling for Caterers: What Natasha's Law Means for Your Business](https://catercost.co.uk/guides/ppds-labelling-caterers-guide): A practical guide to PPDS labelling and Natasha's Law for UK caterers. Covers which foods need labelling, the 14 allergens, what goes on a label, and how to stay compliant.
- [What to Look for in Catering Costing Software (UK Buyer's Guide)](https://catercost.co.uk/guides/catering-costing-software-buyers-guide): A criteria-based guide to choosing catering costing software in the UK. Covers event scaling, allergen compliance, pricing, per-head costing, and what micro-caterers actually need.
- [Recipe Costing for Caterers: How to Price Every Dish Accurately](https://catercost.co.uk/guides/recipe-costing-caterers-guide): A practical guide to recipe costing for UK caterers. Learn the costing methodology, calculate true dish costs, and avoid the margin-killing mistakes most caterers make.
- [How to Calculate Food Cost Per Head for Catering Events](https://catercost.co.uk/guides/food-cost-per-head-catering-guide): Step-by-step guide to calculating your true cost per head for catering events. Includes worked example for a 40-cover dinner party, the food cost formula, and margin targets.

## Legal

- [Privacy Policy](https://catercost.co.uk/privacy)
- [Terms of Service](https://catercost.co.uk/terms)
- [Cookies](https://catercost.co.uk/cookies)

## Operator

Crocker Digital Ltd, registered in England and Wales (Company No. 17008789).
Contact: hello@crockerdigital.co.uk