Beta Beta — hiring neighbors on Papalocal is new; what you see here is real, and it's still growing.
Serving and event help Beta
Hire a neighbor to serve food, refill drinks, clear plates, run the buffet or help plan the details of a party or gathering.
- How often
- One-off
- Where the work happens
- Meets you in person
- Who it suits
- Can suit a teen working alongside an adult
These open your Papalocal account. You'll be asked to log in or sign up first.
Event help is an extra pair of hands while the event is running: keeping the buffet stocked, passing appetizers, refilling drinks and ice, clearing plates, washing dishes, greeting guests or watching the gift table. Some helpers also help plan, building timelines, checklists and shopping lists.
Hosts of dinner parties, open houses, showers, rehearsal dinners, memorial gatherings and holiday parties hire help so they can talk with their guests instead of hiding in the kitchen.
A neighbor helper can stop by beforehand to learn your kitchen, knows the local stores for a last-minute run, and can be booked again for the next family gathering.
Also called: party servers for hire, event staff for a house party, help serving at a party, buffet attendant, dinner party help, event planning help.
What's usually included
- Setting out food and keeping serving dishes full and tidy
- Refilling drinks, ice and napkins
- Clearing plates and wiping tables
- Washing dishes and loading the dishwasher
- Helping plan the timeline, shopping list or seating
- Packing leftovers and tidying the kitchen at the end
What to ask before you hire
- Which hours are needed, and what should the helper wear?
- Is there a menu and a timeline for when food comes out?
- Will alcohol be served, and who pours it?
- Do any guests have allergies the helper should know about when serving?
- Is a meal or a break included for the helper during a long event?
Staying safe
- If alcohol is served, the host decides who pours, and no one should serve a guest who is underage or clearly intoxicated.
- Keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold, and don't leave perishable dishes sitting out for hours.
- Know which dishes contain common allergens, and send guests' ingredient questions to the host when you aren't sure.
Serving and event help by town
Questions people ask
Can a teenager serve at a party?
Teens can pass food, clear plates and wash dishes with a parent's OK and an adult in charge. Anything involving alcohol should be left to adults.
Is event help the same as catering?
No. The host or a caterer provides the food; the helper serves it, keeps things tidy and helps the event run smoothly.
Can you help plan the event too?
Some helpers enjoy planning timelines, shopping lists, seating and vendor checklists. Say what you need and ask whether they offer it.
How many helpers will I need?
It depends on the guest count, the menu and whether food is served buffet-style or plated. A helper who has worked events can suggest a number after hearing your plan.
Thinking of offering this yourself?
- Arrive early enough to walk through the kitchen, find the trash bags and learn where everything goes.
- Dress neatly in simple dark clothes unless the host asks for something else.
- Set an hourly rate after seeing what local catering staff and event helpers are paid; on Papalocal the price is yours to choose.
- A host who loved your help will want you for the next holiday or graduation, so leave a way to reach you.
- Planning is its own skill: offer checklists and timelines if you're good at them.
