Catering for 20 People Sydney: A Practical Guide

How many empanadas for 20 people?

For a 20-person event in Sydney, the answer depends on whether empanadas are the main, a substantial canape, or one course among many.

• Empanadas as the main: 4 per person, so 80 empanadas total. That's a Party Box plus a Family Box.
• Empanadas as a generous canape or shared lunch: 3 per person, so 60 empanadas total. That's exactly one Party Box.
• Empanadas alongside other catering: 2 per person, so 40 empanadas. That's a Treat Box.

For a deeper breakdown of headcount maths across every event size, see our how many empanadas per person catering guide.

The most common 20-person order in Sydney is a single Party Box of 60 empanadas. Three per head, mixed flavours, no awkward "we ran out" moment.

What's the best catering option for 20 guests in Sydney?

The Party Box is the right answer for the vast majority of 20-person Sydney events. It's purpose-built for the headcount, the flavours arrive mixed for variety, and the price-per-head lands between $14 and $16 depending on whether you go frozen or baked.

Order the Party Box baked if you want trays of warm, ready-to-serve empanadas delivered straight onto your event table. Order the Party Box frozen if you want to bake in your own oven and serve hot, which costs less and gives you control over timing.

For 20 guests with bigger appetites, or if empanadas are the centrepiece of the meal, add a Chef's Box (16 empanadas) alongside the Party Box. Total 76 empanadas, roughly $364 to $404, comfortable for 20 hungry guests with leftovers for lunch the next day.

Should I get a Party Box for 20 people?

Yes, with one caveat. The Party Box at 60 empanadas is the right anchor for 20 guests, but the right size depends on what else is on the table.

Scenario	Recommended order	Empanadas total	Price
20 guests, empanadas only, no other food	Party Box + Family Box	90	$411 frozen / $451 baked
20 guests, empanadas + drinks + light sides	Party Box (60)	60	$279 frozen / $319 baked
20 guests, empanadas as 1 of 3 catering items	Treat Box + Chef's Box	~56	~$267 frozen
20 guests, big appetites or long event	Party Box + Chef's Box	76	~$364 frozen

What's the cost of catering for 20?

Argentum catering for 20 people in Sydney typically lands between $11 and $20 per head, depending on format and how many empanadas you serve per guest.

• Party Box frozen ($279) for 60 empanadas: $13.95 per head at 3 per person.
• Party Box baked ($319) for 60 hot-and-ready empanadas: $15.95 per head at 3 per person.
• Party Box + Chef's Box ($364 to $404) for 76 empanadas: $18.20 to $20.20 per head.

That's well under the Sydney average for office catering, which sits around $25 to $40 per head for hot catered lunch. Sydney metro delivery is $10 flat on top, or free pickup from our pre-arranged Bondi locations.

For larger comparable budgets at scale, our guides on catering for 50 and catering for 100 show how the price-per-head drops further when volume goes up.

Baked, fried, or frozen for a 20-person event?

This is the most common question we get for 20-person Sydney catering. Each format has a clear use case.

Baked Party Box ($319)

Delivered hot, fully cooked in our Bondi kitchen, ready to serve. The right choice when you have no oven access or when you want zero work on the day. Common for office lunches, baby showers and engagement parties.

Frozen Party Box ($279)

Delivered frozen, you bake in your own oven 18 to 22 minutes at 190C fan-forced. The right choice for home events and casual dinners where you control timing. $40 cheaper than baked and the pastry comes out crisper because it's just out of your oven.

Fried in beef tallow (markets and catering only)

Available for in-person catering at venues that can support a fryer station. Fried in beef tallow the traditional Argentinian way. Speak with the team via the contact form if you want a fried option for a 20-person sit-down or cocktail event.

How do I cover dietary mix at 20 guests?

Across 20 Sydney guests you'll almost always have a mix of meat-eaters, vegetarians, vegans and at least one or two halal or dairy-free guests. Argentum's five active flavours cover most of that with a single Party Box.

• Carnivore, slow-cooked grass-fed beef brisket. No olives. The default crowd favourite.
• The Athlete, chicken with green olives, curry, and a wholemeal dough. High-protein, lighter.
• The Classic, cheese vegetarian. The vegetarian option that doesn't feel like a compromise.
• Patagonia, vegan with a green dough. Full-flavour vegan, not an afterthought.
• Habibi Yalla, open-top Middle Eastern beef. The fold is exposed so the spice caramelises in the oven.

For events with strict dietary requirements, a Vegan and Halal option is included on request. Gluten-free is available for large catering orders on request, with about a week's notice. Note our halal catering in Sydney guide for the full halal sourcing detail.

What's the lead time for 20-person catering in Sydney?

The minimum lead time for a 20-person Argentum catering order is 48 hours. We can sometimes move faster for repeat clients or last-minute office lunches in the Eastern Suburbs and CBD, but 2 to 3 business days is the safe window.

For events with custom dietary needs (gluten-free at scale, fully halal across all flavours), book at least 7 days out so the kitchen can source and prep cleanly.

If you're catering recurring office lunches, see our dedicated office catering in Sydney guide for weekly delivery options and standing orders. For weddings and bigger life events at 20 to 30 guests, our wedding catering planning guide covers the canape-tier set-up that works for small ceremonies.

Can Argentum cater a 20-person office lunch?

Yes. 20-person office lunches are one of the most common Argentum catering orders across Sydney CBD, Surry Hills, Pyrmont and the Eastern Suburbs.

The standard 20-person office order looks like this:

• 1 Party Box baked ($319), arrives hot at your office between 11:30am and 12:30pm.
• Mixed flavours, including vegetarian and vegan, no awkward dietary gaps.
• $10 Sydney metro delivery flat. Total around $329 for 20 staff.
• ~$16 per head, well under the Sydney office catering average.

For Corporate clients running fortnightly or monthly catered lunches, the catering collection includes the Corporate Box ($499), which scales to ~30 guests and is the next step up from the Party Box. For office orders specifically, use the contact form and the team will quote and confirm same business day.

Frequently asked questions

How many empanadas do I order for 20 people in Sydney?

60 empanadas (one Party Box) at 3 per person is the safe benchmark. Bump to 80 (Party Box + Family Box) if empanadas are the only food, or drop to 40 (Treat Box) if they're one of several catering items.

How much does catering for 20 people cost in Sydney?

Argentum sits between $11 and $20 per head depending on whether you choose frozen ($279), baked ($319), or add a Chef's Box on top. Sydney metro delivery is a flat $10.

Can I get baked empanadas delivered to my Sydney office?

Yes. Order a baked Party Box and we deliver hot to any Sydney metro office in the standard delivery window. Book at least 48 hours ahead.

Do you offer vegan and halal options for 20-person catering?

Yes. Patagonia is fully vegan, The Classic is vegetarian, and a Vegan and Halal option is included on request when you book through the contact form.

What's the cheapest catering for 20 people in Sydney?

A frozen Party Box at $279 plus $10 delivery is $289 total, or ~$14.50 per head. You bake in your own oven 18 to 22 minutes at 190C.

How far in advance should I book catering for 20?

48 hours minimum across Sydney metro. 7 days if you need gluten-free at scale or a fully halal flavour mix.

Does Argentum cater intimate dinner parties at home?

Yes. The Party Box frozen or baked is the popular choice for intimate dinners at home for 15 to 20 guests, often paired with a Chef's Box if there are bigger eaters in the room.

Can I see how the menu scales for bigger events?

Yes. See our catering for 50 people Sydney and catering for 100 people Sydney guides for the larger end of the ladder.