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Post by happyOCgirl on Jun 30, 2014 3:20:27 GMT
I used to cook for my Dad's Mason group once a month. It was between 50 - 70 men. Before that, I cooked a weekly Sunday dinner for a homeless shelter. This really helped me get quantities, prep, and timing down for when I did it all by myself. I use a lot of crock pots and turkey roasters! When I was in college, I also cooked for a lot of private parties and then did wedding coordinating. It was hard work, but it really helped me not be intimidated by hosting/cooking large parties. I thought it would be great experience when I became an 'adult', but it's just me. I think that's pretty funny!
I plan on 1 1/2 times the number of people for the main course. If you know you have people like all my uncles who love to eat, I'll add a little more. 1 1/3 times the number of people for sides (unless it's a family favorite, then I increase that...someone will always finish it off!). 2 - 3 times the number for drinks for a holiday party (we go through gallons of iced tea here so it's easy to make). I'm sure there will be lots of people that will want to help you! I put post-it's on the food in the refrigerator that's for the party - it makes it easy to remember what has to go out (and not left in the refrigerator because I was too busy talking and didn't pay attention!).
Have fun!
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Post by tenacious on Jun 30, 2014 3:31:48 GMT
400 +
I run a seasonal catering business.
I recommend making lists, keeping things simple, prepping as much as you can ahead of time, and buying some parts of the meal, if you can find something that would be as good or better than what you can do on your own (ie-I sometimes buy good bakery rolls so I don't have to make them myself).
Then, envision yourself throwing a great party and be confident!
Good luck. :-)
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Post by airforcemomof1 on Jun 30, 2014 10:54:17 GMT
I cooked for 30 and took to my office to celebrate a co-workers milestone birthday. I, too, was worried about how much would be needed because it was a surprise and I didn't know how many would eat. It's not something I intend to ever do again!
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Post by hop2 on Jun 30, 2014 11:29:09 GMT
I have an annual party with 14-26 guests.
My mil brings 3-4 desserts so I gave up making desserts
I might do steamers for an appetizer but mostly stick to chips and dips so my kids can be in charge of that. They've been doing that since they were 9&7.
Sides I make huge bowls if garden salad, then I get the 2 lb containers of side salads from the store. I get at least 4 or 5 kinds ( potato, cole slaw, etc ) There is always too much. I make a pan of baked beans ahead.
I pre bake my chicken so I just need it warmed and crisped with sauce on the grill. I usually figure 1 burger and 1 piece of chicken per person but there are always a bit more due to package sizes. ( our butcher makes a 20 pack of burgers which works well. I do less of the hot dogs and brat worst and whatever else I make probably just over half. So if I was expecting 16 I'd figure 10 minimum on those. But my party is at the beginning if summer so I will over buy those on sale and freeze what we don't use for later in the summer. So it's there if I did need to grill it. But I've never had to.
Enjoy your party !!! Have fun. You can do it. You've chosen a wonderful menu for easy prep.
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Post by LovMelrose on Jun 30, 2014 12:03:32 GMT
I'm going to say around 30. Nothing fancy or formal. We'll have about 15 over on the 4th & 5th and I still need to figure out the food!
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styxgirl
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,875
Jun 27, 2014 4:51:44 GMT
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Post by styxgirl on Jun 30, 2014 12:04:56 GMT
About 6 years ago we had about 160 people over for a huge Fourth of July party. We grilled burgers, hot dogs and brats. That was fun. NOT! LOL
The party was too big. I didn't get to really visit with anyone. I was just running around taking care of people that needed things.
The next few years we scaled it back to about 60 and it was much better! (That's still a lot though)
ETA: I only cooked the meat. Everything else was pot luck.
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Post by kimnyy on Jun 30, 2014 12:08:00 GMT
About 35-40 people. We host Christmas Eve and the 4th of July at our house. The 4th is easier bc we grill hots, hams and sausage and lots of easy salads. Christmas Eve is a lot of apps and the traditional sausage and deep fried turkey late at night.
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Post by zishisak on Jun 30, 2014 14:16:31 GMT
Thanksgivings for out smallish family, 14 total. It still stresses me out every year even though it's not a ton of people.
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sassy
Shy Member
Posts: 37
Jun 28, 2014 19:22:31 GMT
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Post by sassy on Jun 30, 2014 16:16:46 GMT
I did meals for 90 youth kids on a weekend retreat. We cooked out of a travel trailer and outdoor kitchen set up. It was crazy and fun but we got the job done and the kids ate real food instead of doughnuts, cereal and pizza like they would normally have.
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Post by cannes on Jun 30, 2014 16:42:23 GMT
Most of the big events I've had, we've brought food in so I don't really count it as cooking. We're going out of town with two different families this summer and the grand total of us will be 15. That includes kids - one who is a picky eater and two with food allergies. Each family is going to be responsible for one day of food (breakfast, lunch and dinner). It'll be the first time that I've been responsible for making meals for that large of a group. (That I can remember, anyway)
It's really stressing me out!
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Post by Katiepotatie on Jun 30, 2014 20:46:27 GMT
50ish. We host a lot of BBQs for college students. And we have a big Christmas part each year with appetizers, drinks, and dessert. I've got it down!
My best advice is to make a list of what you need to do. Make and freeze as much ahead ad possible. For example, I make up hamburger patties, marinated chicken, etc. and freeze it til I need it. For fresh stuff, do your chopping and prep work days ahead.
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Post by ctpea on Jun 30, 2014 20:51:07 GMT
Probably about 50 - the 17 seven year olds included! Yeah - not such a bright idea. I never thought all the parents would drop off their kids and run for the hills. That was the last time we invited that many kids. Some even dropped and never told us if their kids could swim.
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