So sorry Sabbah....bean feed is not a term I've ever heard before.
Caterers book months if not sometimes a year+ out....
Offsite events can be at a center with a total maxed out kitchen or in an open field with NOTHING....playing the menu accordingly matters....knowing the amount of staff to provide food/service defines a menu....budget is pretty much # 1 consideration.....
You could have been providing food for cubscouts or vegan group...
You may be from the South where jambayla is the fundraiser staple, or from the midwest where pork
steaks or brats are the go to dish, or west coast which would be heavy on veg.....
So politicians....well hotdogs, brats, cole slaw & baked beans seems like a winner.
Low cost "higher end" would be risotto, filled pasta dishes, Mediterranean or SE Asian. But whatever you're comfortable making makes more sense than going out on a limb with 400 guests.