If you're an HR manager, office admin, or EA in Singapore, you've probably been handed the job of organising lunch for the team more times than you can count. This guide is for you.
Setting a Realistic Budget
Corporate lunch catering in Singapore typically falls into three tiers:
| Budget | What you get | |---|---| | S$12–$16/pax | Mini buffet, 4–6 dishes, disposable setup. Hawker-quality or better. | | S$17–$25/pax | Premium mini buffet or semi-buffet, 6–8 dishes, more protein variety, better presentation. | | S$26–$40/pax | Full buffet setup with chafing dishes and optional live station. | | S$40+/pax | Gourmet or premium catering with service staff. |
For most corporate lunches in Singapore — a team of 15–30 people, midweek, no clients — S$15–$20/pax is the sweet spot. You get restaurant-quality food without blowing the quarterly budget.
How Far in Advance Should You Book?
- Regular team lunch: 2–3 business days is usually sufficient
- Monthly all-hands or company celebration: 5–7 business days
- Year-end party, CNY lunch, or D&D-adjacent event: 2–4 weeks
- External client lunch: Book as early as possible; at least 5–7 days
Pro tip: If you order from the same caterer regularly, most will let you set up a standing order for monthly or weekly deliveries. This saves admin time and often comes with a small discount.
Dietary Requirements: How to Manage a Mixed Team
Singapore offices are wonderfully diverse — and that means your catering needs to accommodate a range of dietary requirements:
Build your checklist:
- ✅ How many colleagues are Muslim? (Require halal-certified food)
- ✅ Any vegetarians or vegans?
- ✅ Any nut allergies?
- ✅ Any gluten sensitivities?
The safest approach for a diverse Singapore team: order from a halal-certified caterer with a vegetarian option on the side. This covers Muslims, non-Muslims who avoid pork, and vegetarians in one order.
Most caterers on feeds.sg allow you to add a vegetarian set or plant-based dishes as an add-on to a halal base order.
The Logistics Checklist
Before you confirm any catering order, run through this:
Delivery:
- What time does the food need to arrive? (Allow 15–20 minutes before eating time)
- Is there a loading bay or lobby the caterer needs instructions for?
- Does your building require advance notification for external vendors?
- Is there parking for the caterer's vehicle?
Setup:
- Do you have surface space for the trays? (A 6-foot folding table works for most mini buffets)
- Does the venue have power points for chafing dish heaters?
- Who is receiving the delivery at the door?
After the event:
- Who is responsible for cleanup?
- Does the caterer collect their equipment, or do you dispose of everything?
What to Order for Different Team Sizes
10–15 pax: Small team lunch or department celebration
A 5-dish mini buffet is plenty. Order rice + 2 proteins + 1 vegetable + 1 side. Add a dessert if it's a birthday or milestone.
Budget: S$150–$250 total
20–30 pax: All-hands lunch or town hall
A 6–8 dish mini buffet or a compact full buffet setup. Consider adding a drink option (canned drinks, water, or lychee).
Budget: S$350–$600 total
40–60 pax: Department event or semi-annual gathering
Full buffet territory. Consider a live station (satay or noodle) to add an interactive element. Staff may be needed.
Budget: S$1,000–$2,500 total
Cuisine Choices That Work for Corporate Lunches in Singapore
Not all cuisine styles travel well or suit a corporate setting. Here's a quick guide:
Always works:
- Chinese zi char — familiar, varied, crowd-pleasing. Rice + a mix of proteins and vegetables.
- Malay nasi padang — aromatic, filling, and widely loved. Excellent halal option.
- Indian briyani set — celebratory, fragrant, pairs well with dhal and raita.
Works with the right crowd:
- Japanese bento — great for teams that prefer lighter meals. Individual portions keep things tidy.
- Western BBQ/grill — good for afternoon events or outdoor settings.
Handle with care:
- Seafood-heavy menus — allergy risk and logistics (shellfish smell). Confirm no seafood allergies first.
Why feeds.sg is Built for Corporate Catering Teams
feeds.sg was designed specifically for the 10–30 pax gap that most catering platforms ignore. You can:
- Browse real restaurant menus with transparent per-pax pricing
- Filter by dietary requirements (halal, vegetarian, gluten-free, nut-free)
- Order online without phone calls or WhatsApp back-and-forth
- Get islandwide delivery with real delivery-time windows