# Catering Quote Builder MCP. AI Agent Connect

> Catering Quote Builder MCP gives your AI client the math it needs to price events. It handles everything from ingredient costs and staffing expenses to equipment rentals and final tax calculations. Instead of manual spreadsheets, you use your agent to build complete, margin-aware quotes in seconds.

## Overview
- **Category:** finance
- **Price:** Free
- **Endpoint:** https://edge.vinkius.com/vk_preview_8kOJiHIJzlzPeVewBmlFajBmsI0a1OYF3AHRSCWw/ai-agent-connect
- **Tags:** catering, pricing, quotes, profit, event-planning

## Description

Pricing an event shouldn't feel like guesswork. This MCP gives your AI client the specific tools it needs to handle the heavy lifting of catering math. You can pull ingredient costs through get_menu_pricing to ensure your food margins are protected. When it comes to the human element, calculate_service_labor handles the math for your crew's hours and rates. You won't miss the small stuff either, because calculate_logistics_and_rentals accounts for the gear and delivery needs of the job. Once the numbers are set, generate_final_quote pulls every data point together into a professional quote that includes your target margins and local taxes. It turns your AI client into a specialized pricing engine that understands the real costs of running a catering business.

## Tools

### calculate_logistics_and_rentals
This tool handles the math for equipment and delivery needs. It calculates the costs associated with rentals and getting your gear to the venue.

### calculate_service_labor
Use this to figure out staffing expenses. It calculates total labor costs based on your crew size, hourly rates, and shift duration.

### generate_final_quote
This tool compiles all your pricing data into a finished customer quote. It applies your target profit margins and necessary taxes to the subtotal.

### get_menu_pricing
This tool retrieves specific ingredient costs. It provides the unit pricing needed to build accurate food cost models.

## Prompt Examples

**Prompt:** 
```
What is the cost for a salmon portion?
```

**Response:** 
```
The unit cost for the salmon portion is $12.50.
```

**Prompt:** 
```
Calculate labor for 4 staff members at $25/hour for 5 hours.
```

**Response:** 
```
The total labor cost is $500.00.
```

**Prompt:** 
```
Generate a quote for 50 guests with a $2000 subtotal, 15% margin, and 8% tax.
```

**Response:** 
```
The final customer quote is $2,592.00, with a total profit of $300.00.
```

## Capabilities

### Ingredient Costing
Your agent uses this to find exact pricing for menu items.

### Staffing Math
The AI calculates total payroll expenses for event crews.

### Logistics Calculation
Your agent determines the cost of rentals and delivery services.

### Margin Management
The tool applies specific profit targets to your subtotal.

### Tax Application
Your agent adds the correct tax percentages to the final quote.

## Use Cases

### Rapid Event Quoting
When a client asks for a price, you give the details to your agent to get a quote immediately.

### Margin Verification
Check if a proposed menu will actually meet your profit goals after labor and rentals are added.

### Staffing Budgeting
Determine exactly how much you can afford to pay your crew based on the event's total budget.

### Menu Costing
Update your menu prices as ingredient costs change to keep your pricing current.

## Benefits

- Reduces manual entry errors in pricing spreadsheets.
- Protects profit margins by calculating exact costs before quoting.
- Speeds up the quote turnaround time for new inquiries.
- Centralizes food, labor, and logistics math in one place.

## How It Works

Connecting this MCP to your AI client gives it immediate access to your pricing logic.

1. Connect your AI client to the Vinkius hosted MCP.
2. Provide your agent with event details like guest count and menu items.
3. The agent runs the specific math tools for food, labor, and logistics.
4. The agent generates a final, tax-inclusive quote for your customer.

## Frequently Asked Questions

**How do I use this MCP with my AI client?**
You connect your client, such as Claude or Cursor, to Vinkius. Once connected, your agent can see and use the pricing tools automatically.

**Can I set specific profit margins?**
Yes. The generate_final_quote tool allows you to specify a target margin to ensure your quotes are profitable.

**Does this handle labor costs?**
Yes. The calculate_service_labor tool calculates total staffing expenses based on the number of workers and their rates.

**Is this for large catering companies or small ones?**
It is designed for any catering professional who needs to turn event details into accurate quotes quickly.

**What happens if ingredient prices change?**
You can use the get_menu_pricing tool to pull the most current ingredient costs into your calculations.

**How do I calculate the total cost for my event?**
You can use `calculate_service_labor` for staff costs and `calculate_logistics_and_rentals` for equipment, then combine them with menu costs using `generate_final_quote`.

**Can I include taxes in the final quote?**
Yes, the `generate_final_quote` tool allows you to specify a `taxRatePercent` to ensure the customer quote is accurate.

**How is profit calculated?**
Profit is calculated by taking the customer quote (excluding taxes) and subtracting all internal costs like food, labor, and logistics.