Why Blast-Chilling Is the Difference Nobody Talks About
The unglamorous kitchen process that decides whether your delivered meal still tastes good on day three.
Read the article
Pricing & Packages
Honest prices, written down, no surprises on the night.
Bonusmantle publishes its real rates here so you can decide whether we are the right fit before you pick up the phone. Event catering runs from A$74 per head, weekly meal plans from A$12.50 per meal, and every quote we send is itemised line by line with nothing buried in the fine print. If we need to charge for something, we say so up front.
Event catering from
A$74
per head
Weekly meal plans from
A$12.50
per meal
Delivery across metro Melbourne
Included
on every meal plan
Itemised quotes within 3 days
No hidden service fees
Flexible cancellation windows
Prices include GST
Event Catering
Three packages for events of any size
All packages include on-site service staff, allergen documentation and full pack-down. Prices listed per head and include GST.
Receptions
Cocktail Reception
For stand-up events of 30 to 120 guests
A$74
per head
- Six canapé selections, cold and hot
- Two roaming service staff per 40 guests
- Glassware, napkins and service equipment
- Two-hour service window
- Full pack-down included
Most Popular
Seated
Seated Dinner
Our most requested option for formal events
A$148
per head
- Three-course plated menu with seasonal sides
- One seated service staff per 12 guests
- Full table setting and clear-down
- Complimentary tasting for two people
- Dedicated on-site event lead
Galas
Full Gala Service
For awards nights and large-scale productions
A$219
per head
- Four-course menu with inter-course canapé reset
- Bar service staff and cocktail preparation
- Late-night savoury and dessert station
- On-site kitchen coordination team
- Extended service window to 6 hours
RSA bar staffA$58 per hour, 4-hour minimum
Celebration cake serviceA$180 flat, includes plating and candle setup
Late pack-down crewA$240 per hour, for events ending after 11pm
What Is Included
Everything that comes standard
No hidden line items for things a caterer should simply be doing anyway. These are included in every event package we quote, no exceptions.
Event Catering DetailsVenue walk before quoting
Blast-chilled holding chain
Allergen sheets per dish
Dedicated on-site event lead
Full venue pack-down
Delivery within 35km of Southbank
Public liability insurance
Itemised GST invoice
Weekly Meal Plans
Chef-prepared meals delivered every week
Weekly plans, no contract, cancel or pause any week. Delivery is included across all six metro Melbourne zones.
Lunches
Lunch Plan
Light midday meals for the working week
A$12.50
per meal
- Five light lunches delivered each Sunday
- Rotating salad, grain and soup menu
- Fully recyclable packaging
- Free delivery across all metro zones
- Skip any week at no cost
Best Value
Dinners
Weeknight Plan
Our most popular weekly option
A$16.90
per meal
- Eight dinners delivered each Sunday
- Full portion sizes with protein and sides
- Monthly menu preview email
- Skip or pause any week at no cost
- Priority delivery window booking
Families
Family Table
Large-format trays for households
A$96
per tray
- Two family-sized trays, each serving four
- Shared sides and a dessert tray
- Sunday evening guaranteed slot
- Swap any tray for a second option
- Priority customer support line
Compare Sides
Events or weekly meals, which fits you?
Most people assume these are separate products. They are the same kitchen, and many of our customers use both.
Feature
Event Catering
Meal Plans
Minimum quantity
30 guests
5 meals per delivery
Frequency
One-off bookings
Weekly or fortnightly
Serving format
Service staff included
Delivered chilled to your door
Menu flexibility
Custom-built with tasting
Rotating weekly menu
Change-over time
Firm 10 days out
48 hours before delivery
Cancellation
30-day full refund on deposit
Skip any week, no cost
Bundles
Combined packages and savings
If you are using both services, we bundle the pricing so you are not paying full rate twice.
Wedding Bundle
Event catering plus four weeks of the Weeknight Plan for the happy couple, delivered the month after the wedding.
Save A$280
A$148 per head + A$340 meal credit
Corporate Bundle
Quarterly event catering for your team, plus a twelve-week corporate meal plan for the office fridge.
Save A$520 per quarter
From A$1,840 per quarter
Neighbourhood Bundle
Book a catering event for your street or building, and everyone on your block gets one free trial meal box.
Save up to A$190 on trial boxes
Event price + 6 free trial boxes
Extra Charges
What we charge extra for, and why
We would rather explain these now than have them appear on your invoice later. None of these are sneaky, they simply cost us more to deliver.
- Travel beyond 35kmA$1.80 per kilometre, one way, quoted before confirmation
- Extended service beyond 6 hoursA$240 per hour for every additional hour of on-site crew
- Custom dietary menusA$6 per head for fully separate vegan, kosher or halal preparation
- Cancellations inside 14 daysDeposit and committed costs retained, explained on our refund page
I have never once sent a customer a quote and then charged them more on the night. That is a basic thing, but it is not common in this industry, and it is the reason people recommend us.
Comparison
How our pricing stacks up
A rough benchmark against the mid-range Melbourne market. We are not the cheapest, and we are not pretending to be.
Budget caterersA$48–62per head, no service staff
BonusmantleA$74–219per head, all inclusive
Mid-range venuesA$112–168per head, venue-bound
Fine dining caterersA$240–380per head, minimum 80 guests
Payment Options
How paying works
Simple rules, applied consistently. No accounts, no chasing invoices, no awkward conversations later.
Card or bank transfer
Weekly meal plans are charged automatically each Friday. Event invoices accept card, EFT or direct deposit.
Deposit and balance
Event catering requires a 20% deposit to confirm. Balance is due 14 days before the event date.
GST invoice within 5 days
Every booking generates an itemised GST-compliant invoice emailed automatically after confirmation.
Cancellation policy
Full deposit refund beyond 30 days. Details on our Refund Policy page.
Process
How to get an exact price
Four steps between here and a firm quote in your inbox.
01
Send the basics
Date, guest count, venue address and any allergies. That is enough to start.
02
We walk the venue
Access, power, cold storage and clearing routes all shape the final number.
03
Itemised quote
Within three working days, line by line, with no vague lump sums.
04
Confirmation and tasting
Confirm with a 20% deposit and book your tasting session at the kitchen.
FAQ
Pricing questions we get a lot
If your question is not here, send it through and we will add it.
Do your prices include GST?
Yes. Every price listed on this page includes GST. Your final invoice will show the GST component separately for accounting purposes.
Is there a minimum spend?
A minimum spend applies to event bookings under 40 guests, based on the package chosen. Meal plans have a five-meal minimum per delivery.
Can I mix packages for different parts of my event?
Yes. Plenty of clients run a cocktail hour, then a seated dinner. We quote it as a combined package and price it fairly.
Do you charge extra for dietary requirements?
Standard vegan and gluten-free options are included at no extra cost. Fully separate kosher or halal preparation is A$6 per head.
From the Journal
Understand what you are paying for
Two articles that explain the operational choices behind our pricing.
Get in Touch
Request an itemised quote
Send us your event details or ask about a meal plan, and we will reply within three working days with real numbers.
Still not sure which package fits?
Call the kitchen or send a message. We will tell you honestly which option matches your budget, even if the answer is the cheaper one.