If there are fewer than I think 5 passengers this is always a problem and doesn't deviate by sample size (on this occasion). Increased meal load is only triggered when you get > 4 passengers IIRC so the worst situation to find yourself in, is in a cabin with 3 other people.

I think the meal numbers should rise in a more incremental way (perhaps every 2 additional passengers after the first 2 would be better).