French for Negotiating Event Catering: Business Terms and Polite Requests
Learn French phrases to discuss catering contracts for events, from requesting quotes to negotiating terms, with formal register and regional notes.
By MarcusFood & cafés · Yapr Learn
When you arrange catering for a corporate event or private function in French, the language shifts from casual market haggling to structured business negotiation. You will need to discuss menus, guest numbers, budgets, and contracts with a caterer or event coordinator. This lesson focuses on the specific vocabulary and polite formulas used in professional French-speaking contexts, helping you sound competent and respectful while protecting your interests.
By the end, you can…
- request a catering quote and specify event details in French.
- negotiate price, menu options, and terms using appropriate business register.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
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Je souhaiterais recevoir un devis pour un événement de cent personnes.
I would like to receive a quote for an event of one hundred people.
zhuh soo-eh-tuh-reh ruh-suh-vwahr uhn duh-vee poor uhn ay-vayn-mahn duh sahn pahr-sun
Use 'souhaiterais' (conditional) to sound polite and professional when making an initial request.
Quel est le prix par couvert, service compris ?
What is the price per head, service included?
kel eh luh pree par koo-vair, sair-vees kohn-pree
'Par couvert' is the standard term for per-person catering cost. 'Service compris' means tip/service charge is included.
Pouvez-vous nous proposer un menu végétarien en alternative ?
Can you offer us a vegetarian menu as an alternative?
poo-vay-voo noo pro-po-zay uhn muh-noo vay-zhay-tah-ryen ahn al-tair-nah-teev
Use 'en alternative' to ask for a substitute option without rejecting the main proposal.
Nous aimerions négocier une remise pour un engagement ferme.
We would like to negotiate a discount for a firm commitment.
noo zay-muh-ryon nay-go-see-ay ewn ruh-meez poor uhn ahn-gahzh-mahn fairm
'Engagement ferme' signals you are ready to sign, giving you leverage for a discount.
Est-ce que les boissons sont incluses dans le forfait ?
Are drinks included in the package?
ess-kuh lay bwah-son son tan-klooz dahn luh for-fay
'Forfait' refers to a fixed-price package. Ask this to avoid hidden costs.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
To make polite business requests in French, use the conditional mood: 'Je voudrais' (I would like), 'Nous souhaiterions' (we would like), 'Pourriez-vous' (could you). For example, 'Pourriez-vous nous envoyer un devis détaillé ?' (Could you send us a detailed quote?) is more professional than the imperative 'Envoyez-nous un devis.' Add 's'il vous plaît' for extra politeness, but in formal writing it is often omitted.
When to use it
Use this formal register when dealing with caterers, event planners, or hotels. In contrast, at a market you might say 'C'est combien ?' (How much is it?) or 'Vous pouvez baisser le prix ?' (Can you lower the price?). For business catering, prefer 'Quel est votre tarif pour...' (What is your rate for...) and 'Serait-il possible d'obtenir...' (Would it be possible to get...). These formulas show respect and keep the negotiation professional.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Bonjour, je vous contacte pour la restauration d'un séminaire de deux jours. Pourriez-vous m'établir un devis ?
Hello, I am contacting you for catering a two-day seminar. Could you prepare a quote for me?bon-zhoor, zhuh voo kohn-takt poor la res-to-rah-syon duhn say-mee-nair duh doo zhoor. poo-ree-ay-voo may-tah-bleer uhn duh-veeBonjour, avec plaisir. Combien de participants attendez-vous et quelles sont vos dates ?
Hello, with pleasure. How many participants are you expecting and what are your dates?bon-zhoor, ah-vek play-zeer. kohn-byan duh par-tee-see-pahn ah-tahn-day-voo ay kel son vo datEnviron quatre-vingts personnes, les 12 et 13 juin. Nous aurions aussi besoin d'options végétariennes.
About eighty people, on June 12 and 13. We would also need vegetarian options.ahn-vee-ron kat-ruh-van pair-son, lay dooz ay trez zhwan. noo zoh-ryon oh-see buh-zwan dop-syon vay-zhay-tah-ryenTrès bien. Je vous envoie une proposition avec un tarif par couvert et les suppléments éventuels.
Very well. I will send you a proposal with a per-person rate and any additional costs.tray byan. zhuh voo zahn-vwa ewn pro-po-zee-syon ah-vek uhn tah-reef par koo-vair ay lay soo-play-mahn ay-vahn-twelA little context goes a long way
In France, business catering negotiations often involve a formal written quote (devis) and a contract (contrat). Verbal agreements are less binding than in some cultures; always request a written devis. In Belgium and Switzerland, similar terms are used, but 'couvert' may be replaced by 'par personne' in some regions. In France, service charges are legally included in displayed prices ('service compris'), so tipping is optional and reserved for exceptional service.
One thing to watch for
Using 'demander' for making a request, as in 'Je demande un devis.'
Try this instead: 'Demander' is direct and can sound abrupt in business. Use 'Je souhaiterais' or 'Je voudrais' instead: 'Je souhaiterais recevoir un devis.' For questions, 'Pourriez-vous...' is more polite than 'Pouvez-vous...'.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How would you ask for a quote for 150 people in a polite, professional way?
Show a sample answer
Je souhaiterais recevoir un devis pour cent cinquante personnes, s'il vous plaît.
This uses the conditional 'souhaiterais' and specifies the number. 'Pourriez-vous m'envoyer un devis...' is also correct.
2What is the French term for 'per-person price' in catering?
Show a sample answer
Le prix par couvert.
'Par couvert' is standard in France. In some regions, 'par personne' is also used, but 'couvert' is more specific to catering.
3Translate: 'Are drinks included in the package?'
Show a sample answer
Est-ce que les boissons sont incluses dans le forfait ?
'Forfait' means package. You could also say 'dans l'offre' or 'dans le prix global'.
Use conditional forms and specific catering vocabulary like 'devis', 'couvert', and 'forfait' to negotiate professionally in French. Always confirm details in writing.
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