Sandwich Platter Calculator

When sandwiches are the main meal at a lunch, allow 3 rounds (sandwiches) per person. For afternoon tea, allow about 1.5 rounds per person — that is 3 to 4 finger sandwiches, since each round is quartered into fingers. For a buffet where sandwiches are one of several items, 1.5 rounds (the catering "golden rule" of roughly 1.5 sandwiches per head) is plenty. Each round is 2 slices of bread with filling.

Allow approximately 50g of filling per sandwich. This covers options like cheese (40-50g), ham (40g), egg mayonnaise (50-60g), tuna mayo (50g), and chicken (50g). For premium fillings like smoked salmon, 30-40g is usually sufficient.

For a standard sandwich platter, offer 3-5 different fillings. A good mix includes one meat, one fish, one cheese, and one vegetarian option. For groups of 20+, 4-5 varieties work well. Always include at least one vegetarian and check for allergies.

For afternoon tea, finger sandwiches (cut into 3 or 4 rectangles) are traditional. For lunch platters, triangles (cut diagonally) are standard. For buffets, either works well. Finger sandwiches look more generous on a platter and are easier to pick up.

Sandwiches can be made up to 12 hours ahead if covered tightly with cling film and refrigerated. Avoid wet fillings like sliced tomato which make bread soggy. Egg, chicken, and cheese fillings hold up best. Lay a damp tea towel under the cling film to prevent drying out.