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Cooking for 100
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Hilary
07/06/07
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I'm getting married on 9/22 and I'm having a BBQ buffet for my reception. We have 100 guests to cook for, and I am BBQing chicken breasts and carne asada. How do I calculate how many lbs I need of each type of meat?
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ellen
07/07/07
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Caterers in the USA usually allow 5 ounces cooked, boneless ready to eat beef PLUS 3 ounces cooked, boneless ready to eat per person party size portions. 2 pound raw boneless beef serves a bit over 4 people 2, Plus 1 pound raw boneless, skinless chicken breast serves about 4 people. So, you want almost 50 pounds beef PLUS 25 pounds chicken breasts.
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tank
08/21/07
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cooking for 250-325
how many pounds of roast beef do I need to feed about 250-325 people.We will also be serving bake potatoes green beans .how do I buy
in bulk
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Cook
08/21/07
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I am throwing a surprise birthday party. I am thinking around 75 people will come. I am having a taco theme with all the fixings. I do I calculate how much to cook?
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ellen
08/21/07
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Tank, roast beef can be anything from pot roast to steamship round to standing rib roast. Depending on the type of meat and service at the event, the amount varies. For example, for a family dinner with modest servings, you need 2 pound boneless raw for 5 people, but for bone in prime rib party servings you need 1 pound raw for each person. Use the plan for 100 meat section and add 10% for buffet style service. Having a line server to carve and serve the meat helps to limit the amiunts taken in buffet style service- if it is completely self serve, add anoher 10%. Green beans about 20 pounds ready to cook per 100. Baked potatoes 1 each- depends on the size- they are sold by count in wholesale cases. Look under wholesale grocers, produce, or restaurant suppliers in your yellow pages.
Cook, interestingly, you need the same amounts for a taco bar as for a baked potato bar. See the baked potato bar button at the top of the main cook talk page and do a search for taco for a bunch of recipes on this site.
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sandi mitchell
09/10/07
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This year at our ACS Relay For Life event I am the Chair person for the Survivior. So I need to plan a very inexpensive meal to serve 100 surviviors. Any suggestions?
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ellen
09/11/07
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Replenishing fluids and electrolytes with the meal would be great.
If this is a fall event, I would consider a hearty soup, chili or stew with fresh cornbread or other good bread, appropriate spread such as low fat cream cheese logs, and a marinated veggie salad. It would help if you suggested your cooking situation and whether you will be able to keep hot at service time.
Hot weather? What about gazpacho?
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carol worek
09/12/07
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how much of ingredients for 100 people for lasagna and salad
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Lauri
09/12/07
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We are planning to do our food, buffet style, for our wedding in May. Approximately 200 people. We have people willing to help, but I want to be sure to have enough/not too much food. Cabbage Rolls, Turkey (already cut & sliced and frozen until time), Ham (same as Turkey) Rigatoni, and Chicken (fried) When looking at food for 100, I'm unsure how to judge ... do I divide amounts by 5 because there will be 5 main foods? Salad, Veggie Trays, Cheese Trays, Fruit Trays, and potatoes, etc. are already taken care of.
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ellen
09/13/07
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Carol, salad is on the plan for 100 page, as are casseroles. Lsagna specifically is on the spaghetti page. Buttons at the top of the main cooktalk page.
Lauri, splitting the entrees this many ways for 100 is absolutely the hardest calculation in the kitchen. This is how I would do it:
1 piece of chicken per person
1 cabbage roll per person
2 ounces each deli sliced ready to eat ham and turkey; allow 3 ounces each if thick sliced
Rigatoni, 1/2 cup per person (it will be treated as a side dish by most, especially with the potatoes)
This may sound like a lot, but when you have this many choices, people usually try to eat some of everything, and the waste is higher. You will probably have some meats left over-
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Julie
09/17/07
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We are having a neighborhood party for 100 people. We have many salads and snacks. We plan to make shredded beef to put on a bun. How much beef do we need to make?
Thank you
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ellen
09/18/07
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30 pounds raw boneless chuck will make about 22 pounds cooked. With sauce, that is about 100 sandwiches, add a fudge factor if it is self serve.
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Sherry
09/24/07
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I need an easy recipe for spaghetti sauce (no meat added) which will use canned tomatoes, canned tomato sauce and puree that can be converted to feed approximately 150 people.
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ellen
09/25/07
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Sherry, you need about 1 1/2 cups per person. I would not make it with just those items, so as to this recipe you are on your own A #10 can holds 12 1/2 cups.
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Lisa
10/07/07
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Hi Ellen -- We are hosting our own wedding reception -- How many pounds of parsley potatoes would I need for 100 people -- wer are also having rigatoni, cabbage rolls, cabbage noodles, green beans, chicken, salad and dinner rolls. I am also unsure as to how many pounds of rigs we need because of the other food. Any ideas? Thank you
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ellen
10/07/07
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30 pounds with the other starches. About 12 pounds dry rigatoni should do it with the other dishes. Interesting meal. Get help- read the wedding dinner article.
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Avril Evans
10/13/07
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I'm making a buffet for a joint 21st/50th birthday party in November (approx. 100-150 people)
How do I calculate how much food to make i.e. sandwiches, sausage rolls, quiche etc etc.
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ellen
10/13/07
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Get closer to your actual count. Then use my plan for 100 tables, beverage planning tables, appetizer planning page, bbq and brisket page, spaghetti page, sandwich event page, tea party page, baked potato bar page, fruit tray page, veggie tray page, whichever apply, and make an estimate. If you post it, I will be glad to review it for you. Happy birthdays.
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Lisa
10/15/07
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How many pounds of prepared chicken salad will I need to feed 100 people? On average how many small crossiants can you get out of one pound of prepared chicken salad?
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ellen
10/15/07
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Depends on whether it is lunch or reception. See the sandwich event page for exact amounts for both. You want about 12 pounds of breads for 100 people for sandwiches.
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Dina
11/08/07
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Ellen,
I am doing an after work customer appreciation cocktail hour for 100 people. hours ar 6-8pm. I will be serving 4 hot finger appezizers, 2-3 cold finger appetizers, these will be passed. I will also have a vegetable and a cheese platter, tea sandwiches and possibly shrimp cocktail. Lastly, I will do assorted mini desserts. Help!!! How much of each should I plan?
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ellen
11/09/07
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Sounds elegant. Unfortunately, many of these folks will arrive NOT having eaten dinner and looking for enough food to fill themselves up, that is about 1 1/2 pounds each! Passing does decrease the amounts taken, usually. Do plan for a minimum of 12 bites per person per hour (I assume most will not be staying the whole time?) A bite is one mini quiche, 1 skewer of rumaki or kebab, 1/4 cup dip with chip/bread, 2 little tea sandwiches, 2 wing pieces, etc. Allow 2 ounces of cheese per person, 2-4 ounces veggies/fruit with dip.
For the desserts, make sure they are no bigger than about 2 bites and allow 1 of each kind per person up to 4 different kinds. Yes, people do eat a lot of dessert.
Shrimp cocktail is wonderful, expensive and very messy- if you are in yur store, may I suggest a crab mold or smoked salmon instead?
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scope415
01/02/08
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Cooking for 225
Daughter's wedding has gone to 225 confirmed guests. We are doing ordheurves and wedding cake as well as beer and wine. How do I even begin to calculate how many platters I need?
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ellen
01/02/08
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You don't mention the time of the reception or the budget you are working with, or the kitchen/venue at the reception site, all of which affect the plan. Besides reading the answer directly above, you need to consider several other things:
This is a VERY LARGE party to self cater, especially if you do not regularly do meals for 100 or more. You may need to cater part of the food- see the article on planning your wedding dinner.
If the wedding is scheduled at a time when people do not eat before they come, (such as 11 AM or 4-5 PM) people will be looking for a meals-worth of food, that is, about 1 1/2 pounds at the reception. So you would be serving an hor doeuvre meal, which is 3 to 6 times what is planned for simple hor doeuvres before a dinner. Please see the planning guide for appetizers for a place to start. For a meal type situation, you need to plan on about 12 bites per person the first hour and 6-8 each additional hour; discussion of what a bite is, is above.
Once you have settled on a menu, prepare an initial estimate and I will be glad to check it for you.
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Tonya
01/03/08
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I am organizing a church fundraiser and expecting 120 people. The menu is: Salad, Soup, and Desserts. I plan to have a couple of salad casseroles already made, plus I want to have a salad bar available. How much lettuce and other items should I have available on the bar? How many gallons of soup should be available? I want to have chicken noodle, bean soup, chili soup (and maybe one more...vegetable beef). Is that too much of a variety? For desserts I will have pies and cobbler.
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ellen
01/03/08
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For 120 people, you would do fine with 3 soups, and one should be vegetarian- maybe the pea/ bean soup, or that could be a vegetarian minestrone type instead? As far as the salad bar, there is an article on salad bars which should help- see the veggie tray section- you should count the number of servings in the casseroles, then subtract from 120, then add back 15 and make that much tossed salad.
I allow 7 1/2 gallons per 100 people. Fpr 120 with several choices, allow 10 gallons, 4 of the main and 3 of each of the others.
What you don't have that you need is a good hot bread. I suggest the simple cornbread on the chili page, with butter, jam, and honey to serve on the side.
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stephanie
01/16/08
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I am catering a 15th birthday party, there will be 200 guests.. I am making potato salad,mexican rice and carne guisada... I have catered smaller parties,but have no idea how much food I need to get for this one.. Can you please help.
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ellen
01/16/08
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Teens eat a lot. See the plan for 100 list and double for the amounts. For the guisada, use your recipe with about 35 pounds meat per 100. For the rice see my Spanish rice recipes for 100, you want about 8 pounds dry rice per 100. If you prepare an estimate, I will check it ofr you.
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Karen
02/06/08
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Dessert Buffet for 150
We are wanting to set up a dessert buffet of bite size desserts. It will include a chocolate fountain with fruit, pound cake etc. for dipping along with other bite size desserts. How much food do we need to plan per person. This is for a Ladies' Retreat. Thanks
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ellen
02/08/08
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Please see the dessert planning page and the choclate fountain page. Do be sure to cut small portions- 2 to 3 bites- in pretty little cups or doilies so everyone can try several different ones.
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Doreen Power
03/31/08
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cold cuts,rolls, cheeses, verggie tray, fruit tray
I am doing a buffet for 60 people (dart players) and having assorted cold cuts, cheeses, veggie tras, fruit trays, shrimp tays crackers condiments, pickles etc. no sweets I figure 12 lbs assorted meats but not sure on the chesses etc
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ellen
04/01/08
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First, I would add a bit more meat; 12 pounds is just 1 slim sandwich each, I would go with 15 pounds if sliced deli thin, 18 at least if thicker.
Cheeses are at least 2 ounces per person if sliced as for sandwiches. I usually allow 20 pounds for 100 people.
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Laura
04/02/08
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we are cooking for my wedding reception. We are having chicken,rigatoni with meatballs red skin potatoes, rice salad and rolls. How many pounds of rigatoni do I need seeing as this is one of the main dishes? And how much chicken?
Thank you for your help.
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ellen
04/02/08
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Laura, you don't even say how many people. Use the plan for 100 pages, make an estimate and post it, then I will check it.
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Leda
04/07/08
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I am doing a wedding reception for 100 the menu is
pulled pork
bar b qued chicken
potato salad
pasta salad
baked beans
vinegar slaw (for the barbque we are in north carolina)
I figured 50 lbs of boston butt
120 pieces of chicken
40 lbs of potatos
7 lbs of pasta
6 cans of # 10 beans (using your recipe)
does this look about right?
also appetizers are
meatballs 300
little smokies 300
cheese 6 lbs cubed
veggie tray (having trouble with the amounts)
cheese ball 6 lbs
crackers
do the amounts sound right on this?
I just want a basic veggie tray, cukes, peppers, tomatoes, carrots and broccoli
not sure how much to buy of each
please help.
thanks
Leda
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coco
04/07/08
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4/9/08
Hi,
I am searching for two sources of info.
#1)How much ground beef is need to make 120 burgers for a camp for children?
#2)I am also looking for a jambalaya recipe for 120 people, mostly children at a camp.
Thanks for your help with this.
CoCo in Covington, La.
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ellen
04/08/08
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Easy first. Coco, assuming almost all kids and a few counselors, you would make the patties 4 to the pound. Unless they are junior high or above, you nee only 10% extra above 1 each.
Jabalaya has MANY recipes. Basically for 120 with a lot of kids, you want a recipe with 8-9 pounds of rice as the base.
Leda, you actually probably have more food than you need for 100 people, unless this is a six hour/allday type party. 40 pounds of pork and 100 pieces of chicken, 4 #10 cans of beans. I would use lots of veggies in my pasta salad.
Do look at the sandwich condiment table on my sandwich event page. Do get one batch of Boca burger or Morningstar vegetarian sandwich patties. In 100 people you will need an entree for vegetarians.
Appetizers are plenty. You might consider adding a second cheese ball.
Did you look at the relish trays and veggie trays in my veggie tray section? If those amounts don't help, write back.
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Leda
04/08/08
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thanks so much for your quick response! and i went back and checked you app page, thanks!
have changed the apps because produce cost in my area are so expense right now and trying to keep cost down for the happy couple
200 meat balls
180 crescent wrapped smokies
spiral tortilla slices w/ cream cheese filling
120
6 lbs cubed cheese
5 lbs chips
2 quarts of dip
does this look better?
thanks so much for your help
also adjusted the main course amounts
44 lbs boston butt bone in (this is already pulled and in the freezer and will be reheating this in a carolina bar b que sauce (very thin watery sauce)
100 pieces of cut up chicken, par boiled grilled the day of and held briefly in roasting pans on very low
40 lbs potato salad
6 lbs pasta for pasta salad
4 number 10 # cans beans
4 large heads cabbage for vinegar slaw,
no need for meatless entrees as there are no vegetarians coming.
thanks so much don't know what i'd do with out your site :)
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julie
04/08/08
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please give me a receipe for chicken and rice casserole that could serve 100 people.
I really would appreciate it. It is for the homeless shelter.
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Tanya
04/08/08
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We are having a neighborhood Cinco de Mayo Festival. We are planning on about 15 people. How many pounds of already marinated Carne Asada beef should we get? Also, can you give me an estimate on refried beans and rice?
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Tanya
04/08/08
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PPLEASE DISREGARD MY PREVIOUS POSTING, I PUT THE INCORRECT AMT OF PEOPLE...
We are having a neighborhood Cinco de Mayo Festival. We are planning on about 150 people. How many pounds of already marinated Carne Asada beef should we get? Also, can you give me an estimate on refried beans and rice?
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ellen
04/09/08
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LEDA DO NOT PARTIALLY COOK AND HOLD the chicken, if that is what you mean by parboiled it is NOT SAFE. Once chicken is taken out of refrigeration it must be cooked to 150 internal temp before eating or rechilling.
Now the only two suggestions I have about the appies are, you REALLY need at least 15 pounds (12 at the absolute minimum) of cheese and cheese balls.
2 quarts of dip is is less than 1 1/2 tablespoons per person. The usual for 100 people is at least 6 quarts. You need something vegetablish or green; at the very least, make a spinach dip using frozen spinach or use salsa/ picante as one dip.
Julie, see the basic budget entrees sections on the Big Pots index page. Your recipe will need 8 pounds of rice and 60 pounds of chicken pieces.
Tanya, if this is raw beef, at least 1 pound for each 3 people- and with that you would need to grill in some peppers, onions, etc. There are quite a few recipes for rice and Spanish rice for 100 and beans for 100 already posted on the site- don't miss the recipe for borracho beans, the tradional side dish with carne asada. Basically, for both rice and beans, 7-8 pounds dry raw for each 100 people.
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Jeff
04/09/08
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We're getting married in a couple of weeks and have decided to have a buffet. We are buying all the food pre-made. We are having trouble figuring out how much to buy, pounds of food. The reception will around 5p-5:30p. We are expecting 60 adults and 16 kids, so we are planning for about 90-100. Here is our menu
Pulled Pork BBQ
Baked beans
Potato salad
Meatballs??
Chips
Veggie tray
Cheese tray??
Buns
Tea / Coke
Keg
PLEASE HELP / THANK YOU
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ellen
04/09/08
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Well, Jeff, you have left this a bit late... usually I say, make an estimate using the tables, the I will check it, but I will make an exception for you.
BUT, do go read the wedding dinner article- link at the top of the main cook talk page.
Count this as 100 people- it is dinner time and people will be hungry.
You need some appetizers, ste up to keep people busy for the hour after the ceremony while you do pictures, change clothes, etc.
SEE APPETIZER PLANNING PAGE_ COVERED IN DETAIL
Meatballs
Chips 6 pounds potato or 8 pounds corn- need dips
Veggie tray
Cheese tray-yes
DINNER
Pulled Pork BBQ-120 sandwiches- about 40 pounds
Baked beans- 3 gallons (4 #10 cans plus fixings)
Potato salad 3 1/2 to 4 gallons
Buns-120
Need 1 pack veggie burgers of some kind for the non-pork eaters
Need condiments- see sandwich event page- pickles, lettuce, etc
Add slaw 2 1/2 to 3 gallons
BEVERAGES- see the beverage planning page
Tea / Coke
Keg
Need some kind of non-caffeinated drinks for the kids
Consider coffee with the cake
If the cake is NOT ordered already, get to it!
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Leda
04/10/08
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thanks Ellen, oh no i'm going to parboil the chicken to keep the flare to a minimum when grilling. thanks i'll adjust my apps! your a great help!
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Carol Lou Reiff
04/21/08
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Cooking for 150
I need to know how many turkey to cook for 150 people and scalloped corn
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ellen
04/22/08
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Go to the planning and shopping article in the holiday cooking section at the top of big pots. Covered in detail.
There is also a whole article on corn side dishes fopr large ghroups.
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Diane
04/22/08
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I am doing a chocolate fondue for 100 teenagers. they want bananas, pineapple and strawberries. How much of each fruit should I purchase?
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Diane
04/23/08
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I am serving a fondue fountain for 100 teens. They want pineapple, bananas and strawberries - can you please suggest amounts of each?
How much chocolate will I need?
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ellen
04/23/08
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Diane, there is an entire section on chocolate fountains and the related dippers, button at the top of the main cook talk page. You would be SO much better off with chafing dishes and a true dipping fondue- read the article and see why.
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