TS,
I am not sure what is offered in the 3K package for the 25 photos, but I would think it is a little too many to ask for, if your budget limited you in outsourcing. However, if the package comes with a consultative approach then, it is definitely more than what any business could ask for in return of some atticing food shots because this is "the nectar to the bees" in your business.
From the business aspect, you could use another approach, most food business would have their key dishes, and I believe likewise you would have yours. It could be 5-10 depending, then again, your budget does play a part. If so, I would suggest you focus your attention on food presentation instead of roughing against the challenges which you definitely faced during the photo shoot. And it is also not neccessary to get the top pg for food to do your job if your food presentation is enticing, nevertheless it gives the most optimal results.
In each business domain, there are fundamentals which are important and most are realized through time and establishment of working relationship with vendors. As photography comes to play a more important role in business needs, there is a further importance to start from small, and build mutual trust likewise, in event of an urgency, you know you won't be turned down. Believe it or not, by the time you could afford it, XYZ may not have the time to handle your project, worst to say, take your job and deliver moderately. Of course, it doesn't mean there is totally no problem when outsourcing, the fact is, I have also experienced top qualified PG using high end equipment offering sub-standard work for instance "distorted products" but because we started with them, we know we won't be using them a next time even if they fix the problem through offering a complimentary reshoot session.
In conclusion, if you start outsourcing a portion of your job, you may obtain the best of both world in budget and quality photos, likewise it would also help you identify if the photographer is serious with your business. But before you do sign any agreement, do read clearly on the terms and conditions in case they don't even offer a complimentary reshoot session which would result in monetary and time loss. This would be the worst for any business to experience.
From your salad shot, I think you could spend more effort in presenting the food although the salad is suppose to be a mix but that doesn't mean you mix the salad, it could also be a neat arrangement as such you present each variety and ingredients of the salad in their tip-top freshness for instance "use some droplets of water on cabbages". There are other tricks as well, but if you are still keen to DIY it, I suggest you spend at least a couple of hundred on magazine to see what works for the majority. Just remember, the photos you present would represent the type of price it demands, the customers it brings and the quality of the dinning depending on how you scale your business.
Anyway, your entrepreneurship is admirable, and I wish your restaurant would take off well in the shortest sprint. Good luck!