Bagel Catering Guide

So you’ve decided you want bagels at your next get-together. Now what? First, congratulate yourself. You’ve chosen the absolute best option for your guests! Below are a couple things to remember while you’re setting up for a truly fabulous shared meal.

How many bagels feed ___ people?

How many bagels should you buy? Our rule is simple: one bagel per person. Slice them in half and lay them out, and a NY Dozen® (13 bagels, a baker’s dozen) feeds 13 people. So for 30 guests, order three dozen; for 50, order four. If Gotham is the whole meal, round up so nobody goes without. If there’s plenty of other food on the table, about one each is enough and you can round to the nearest dozen. Kids love bagels as much as anyone, so don’t count them short.

How much cream cheese should I get?

If you know your guests well, you probably already know the answer to this. If you’re catering an event for acquaintances or strangers, a good place to start is three 8 oz containers of cream cheese per dozen bagels. That’s what we suggest with every NY Dozen®, and it works out to nearly 2 oz per bagel, with room for the person who likes a thick schmear. Mix the flavors: one plain and two of something else is a crowd-friendly split. It might also be a good idea to check with your crowd for vegans or dairy-free (read: lactose troubled) guests. Vegan tofu-based spreads are widely available and will help everyone feel included at your party. And don’t forget about butter as a spreadable option as well!

How much lox do I need?

A classic element in any bagel eating event is lox. Also known as cold-smoked salmon, it is beloved brunch fare best enjoyed thinly sliced and piled atop a bagel. Plan on one pound (16 oz) of lox per dozen bagels: that’s exactly how our Riverside Park platter is built, with a NY Dozen®, 1 lb of lox and two 8 oz spreads, and it feeds 13. Lean a little heavier if you know you have fish lovers in the group.

Add some extra fixin’s to your bagel brunch!

Other inclusions

Your brunch table will already be looking well-furnished with fresh bagels, copious cream cheese, and luscious lox. Besides that, there are a couple of trimmings that are almost mandatory with salmon: red onion, capers, tomato, lemon. Including arugula, cucumbers, or fresh dill can add a little splash of green to the table as well. Other great ideas for your event include whitefish, tuna salad, herring, pastrami, turkey, cheese, mustard, and of course, pickles. Feeding a morning crowd? In Chicago and Lake Geneva, a half pan of scrambled eggs or bacon serves 12, and a box of coffee (cups, sugars and creamers included) serves 10.

Gotham Bagel’s Crown Heights pastrami platter.

Gotham Bagel’s Westchester whitefish and tuna salad platter.

Display and storage tips

To maintain maximum freshness, buy your bagels whole and slice them a couple of minutes before your event. Lay them out either in rows on a platter or heaped in a basket. The cream cheese, lox, and vegetables should be kept as cold as possible before serving. If you want to have your buffet available for over 2 hours, put your cold serving trays over a container of ice for holding. Generously stock your table with utensils (tongs, spreaders, knives, forks) to minimize cross contamination, pile up some plates and napkins, and you’re good to go. Consider displaying or orally conveying any allergen information for your guests. This is a good practice anytime you cater anything. You never know who you might help!

Order it from Gotham

Ready to skip the math? Our bagel and deli platters come with a NY Dozen® and serve 13, and the catering estimator turns your headcount into an order. See bagel catering in Chicago from our Gold Coast (Dearborn & Division), Lakeview (Lincoln & Diversey), South Loop (Printer’s Row) and Magnificent Mile (Streeterville) shops, bagel catering in Madison from the original shop at Capitol Square, or order from Lake Geneva (Wrigley Drive).