Seated dinner
for 30 to 300 guests
A seated dinner is for when you want people's full attention. Everyone sits, everyone hears the speeches, everyone shares the same moment. For anniversaries, weddings, ministry dinners and corporate gala evenings, this is the format that makes the greatest impression. Staff, equipment and on-the-day coordination included.
House caterer at
- Nieuwe Kerk DelftWeddings, memorial services and corporate receptions
- De Grote Kerk The HagueConferences, corporate events and gala evenings
- Sociëteit De VereenigingHouse caterer in Kings Ballroom, The Hague
- Escher in het PaleisExhibition openings and donor evenings, from 2026
When to choose a seated dinner
A seated dinner suits events where attention is everything. Speeches are heard by everyone. Guests look towards the same person at the same moment. That is precisely what you want at an anniversary, an embassy dinner or a gala evening.
For anniversaries (25, 40, 50 years), weddings with a formal dinner, ministry and embassy dinners, client events with an exclusive character, and family dinners for 30 to 100 guests. For larger groups who want to mingle: walking dinner or food corners.
What we take care of
A three, four or five-course menu, classic or modern, using seasonal ingredients. Full service: one member of staff per fifteen guests. Porcelain, crystal, cutlery, napkins and table linen. Wine arrangement, digestif, coffee and tea included. Menu cards with guest names, table plans and brand integration available on request.
Our regular team often works with the same chef, sommelier and front-of-house staff. For large events, we double the staffing. We also arrange tents, heating, lighting and sound through our partner network for outdoor events.
Menu options
Our chef composes a menu suited to the season, venue and audience. Four standard formats, all available with vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free alternatives.
Three-course menu
From €44.25 p.p.Starter, main course and dessert. Classic or modern. The most popular choice for corporate dinners and smaller anniversaries. Lasts approximately two hours.
30 to 300 guests. Duration: 2 hours.Four-course menu including amuse-bouche
From €52.50 p.p.An amuse-bouche or soup to open, followed by starter, main course and dessert. Greater focus on the opening and a better rhythm for speeches between courses.
30 to 250 guests. Duration: 2.5 hours.Five-course chef's tasting
From €68.50 p.p.An extended tasting menu in which the chef makes seasonal choices. Ideal for gala evenings, embassy dinners and major anniversaries where the menu is part of the experience.
20 to 150 guests. Duration: 3 hours.Wine arrangement
From €19.25 p.p.Wine pairing curated by our in-house sommelier. A matched wine per course, plus an aperitif on arrival and a digestif to close. Non-alcoholic pairing from €13.00 per guest.
Add-on to any menu format.
Seated dinner in pictures
Corporate dinner in the Kings Ballroom at Sociëteit De Vereeniging in The Hague, September 2026. Each course is finished on-site by our chefs and served to all tables simultaneously.
From table plan to on-the-day coordination
We advise on layout, the pace of courses and speech timing. You provide the final table plan; we take care of named menu cards, brand integration and on-site coordination.
For weddings we often combine a walking drinks reception, a seated dinner and a walking evening. For anniversaries we work with a programme block that fits the speeches and music you have in mind.
Staff-to-guest ratio
What we take care of
One point of contact from first briefing to completion. For a seated dinner we handle the full dinner programme, including equipment and styling.
- Three, four or five-course menu from our own kitchen
- Full service: one member of staff per 15 guests
- Porcelain, crystal, cutlery, napkins and table linen
- Wine arrangement by sommelier, digestif and coffee included
- Named menu cards and table plan advice
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal options as standard
- Tent, heating, lighting and sound via partner network for outdoor events
- On-the-day coordination: set-up and clear-down, course timing, bar and point of contact
For businesses, embassies and large private events
A seated dinner suits any occasion where sharing a table is the heart of the event. We cater dinners for three types of client, with the same standard of service and equipment throughout.
Commercial businesses
Board dinner, anniversary dinner for staff or relations, client event and networking dinner. From 30 guests in a private dining room to 250 guests in a gala layout. Standard three or four-course menu, wine advice on request, one point of contact for the organiser.
Embassies and ministries
State dinner, embassy lunch and formal working dinners. Fixed ratio of 1 waiter per 6 guests, simultaneous service, discreet delivery. Experienced with security screening requirements; halal alternatives available for every course as standard.
Large private events
Wedding dinner, wedding anniversary, family reception with dinner. From 40 guests at a U-shaped table to 300 guests at round tables. Room for personal wishes in menu, décor and table plan. Also possible at your own venue or at home.
Anniversaries and weddings
For a 40th anniversary or a wedding with speeches, a seated dinner works better than a walking dinner. Guests can follow the speeches without looking away. We align the course timing with the programme: canapés during the reception, starter after the first speech, main course after the first dance, dessert at the late-night bar.
For smaller anniversary dinners (30 to 60 guests), we also cater at home or at a private venue. We bring the complete kitchen setup if the property does not have a professional kitchen.
Embassy dinners and gala evenings
For formal dinners at embassies and ministries in The Hague, we follow established procedures for kosher, halal and international menu requirements. Our front-of-house team and service staff are trained in diplomatic protocol: correct forms of address, table precedence and service order by rank.
As house caterer at De Grote Kerk The Hague, Sociëteit De Vereeniging and Escher in het Paleis, we also cater gala evenings at these venues. For other venues, we are happy to advise on venue selection and a matching menu.
This approach is equally standard for commercial gala evenings, corporate anniversaries and board dinners where restaurant-level service is required. For weddings, wedding anniversaries and family dinners, we apply the same service standard with room for personal wishes in the menu and table plan.
Seated dinner, walking dinner or buffet?
The three most popular dinner formats. The character of the event determines the choice.
Seated dinner
From €44.25 p.p.30 to 300 guests. Everyone sits, three to five courses served. Formal, suited to speeches. Lasts 2 to 3 hours.
Walking dinner
From €57.25 p.p.20 to 300 guests. Guests stand, staff circulate with six courses. Social, dynamic. Lasts 3 to 4 hours.
Buffet
From €28 p.p.15 to 800 guests. Guests serve themselves. Usually the most cost-effective option for large numbers.
Request your quote directly
Fill in the form and receive a tailored quote for your seated dinner within 24 hours.
Prefer to talk it through? Message us on WhatsApp or call 085 060 1678.
Frequently asked questions about seated dinners
What is the difference between a seated dinner and a walking dinner?
At a seated dinner, everyone sits at the table and three to five courses are served. Formal, suited to speeches and anniversaries. Lasts two to three hours. At a walking dinner, guests stand and staff circulate with six small courses. Social, dynamic, guests mingle more easily.
What does a seated dinner for 80 guests cost?
Basic three-course menu for 80 guests: from €3,700 excl. VAT (menu, service, equipment). Extended with wine pairing and decoration: from €6,100. Concrete quote within 24 hours.
How many guests can you cater a seated dinner for?
We cater seated dinners for 30 to 300 guests. We also cater for fewer than 30 guests. Above 300 guests, we recommend a walking dinner or food corners for better flow and interaction.
Can it be held outdoors?
Yes, with a tent and heating arranged through our partner network, we set up the complete outdoor configuration. We advise on venue layout, weather contingencies and power requirements.
Are wine pairing and digestif included?
A wine arrangement is available on request, curated by our in-house sommelier. From €19.25 per guest for a three-course arrangement. Digestif and coffee are included as standard in the menu.
Do you have experience with embassy dinners and gala evenings?
Yes. We cater seated dinners for embassies, ministries, anniversaries and weddings in South Holland. As house caterer at Nieuwe Kerk Delft, De Grote Kerk The Hague, Sociëteit De Vereeniging and Escher in het Paleis, we are well versed in formal dinner programmes.
How many service staff does KOM provide for a seated dinner?
We work with a minimum of 1 waiter per 10 guests for standard service. For formal or protocol dinners (embassies, ministries), we use a ratio of 1 to 6: simultaneous service, quiet delivery and maximum discretion. The on-site supervisor coordinates the pace of courses and the event programme.
Can you accommodate halal or kosher requirements for a ministry or embassy dinner?
Yes. Halal alternatives are available for every course as standard, provided they are notified in advance. Kosher dinners are arranged in collaboration with an external kosher chef, requiring a minimum of three weeks' preparation time. We align the menu and kitchen procedures so that guests at the table notice no difference.
Can KOM handle the on-the-day coordination, or just the food?
KOM provides complete, hassle-free management: kitchen, service and on-site coordination. Our supervisor acts as the point of contact for the venue, technical team and host, and keeps the schedule on track. You do not need to manage anything on the evening itself. We can also liaise with external parties such as speakers, musicians and AV suppliers if required.
What table layouts are possible for a seated dinner?
We work with round tables (ideal for 80 or more guests, gala dinner atmosphere), long or banquet tables (ceremonial, up to 60 guests) and U-shaped layouts (formal, up to 40 guests). We advise on the layout based on your venue, group size and type of occasion, and carry out a site visit in advance if there is any uncertainty.
Is a fully vegan seated dinner possible?
Yes. Our five-course chef's tasting menu is available as a fully vegan option: not an adaptation of the standard menu, but a standalone culinary concept based on seasonal vegetables, plant-based proteins and artisan techniques. The wine pairing can also be made vegan on request.