Narrowed down the menu...

[clh2]

We had about 100 people at DD's party last year. Don't forget - some people party hop - so not everyone of the 100 people will be eating a full meal.

We had 20 pounds of meat. 5-BBQ pork, 5 BBQ chicken, 5 pounds of sliced ham, and 5 pounds of a pulled beef (I don't like BBQ). We had very little left over. I only made the beef. The rest we picked up from a much less expensive catering/deli place than yours, got to pick it up hot, so didn't need to store it prior to the party. (The 5# pans were between $30 and $40 each, i.e. the ham slices were less expensive than the pulled pork). We also got 10 pounds of fruit salad from the same deli/catering. I'll do a lot of things - cutting up a ton of fruit isn't anything I enjoy - cuz I do not like most fruits, so a good move on my part.

If you aren't having coleslaw...I will not be coming (Just kidding). Coleslaw is the easiest-peasiest thing to make. Just start with a bag of pre-cut cabbage/carrots (near the precut lettuce). Then just dump in bottled coleslaw dressing. Put it in a ziplok bag - shake it up a little bit - do that the day before. Honestly - it costs about $5 or $6 to make this. If you belong to Costco (or other similar store) they have really big bags of the shredded coleslaw. This only takes 5 minutes to make.

And - while you are at Costco (Sams Club or whatever warehouse is near you) get the veggie trays. Costco's are $10, we bought 2, only went through 1.

I "had" to make a homemade German Potato Salad (20 pounds of potatoes) as it is an old family recipe. THAT WAS A PAIN. But - really I just had to suck this one up.

While you are at Costco, Sam's etc - pick up a "big-big-big can of baked beans or two. The really big cans that look like they are for restaurants. These are about $5 each (at the warehouse stores). If you only go through 1 can - donate the other one to a food pantry. (I was a little shocked by this - our food panrty LOVES the big cans of stuff for the big families they serve).

We also picked up 2-medium cheese trays (as opposed to 1 large) so I could keep one in the fridge until we needed it. Got this from a local cheese store - as in us Wisconsinites love great cheese!

HAVE FUN! If you are cooking your own meat - start it the week before, pull and shred it and then freeze it until a day or two before the party. Try to get as much done the day or two before - so you can relax a little bit before your party so you can enjoy it too!

I just saw your note that you don't have a Costco near you. Bummer....

 

[mjantz]

It's funny- we just went to a grad party for kid from our church- we are close to his family. His mom is Syrian, and she made all of the food. It was mostly Syrian food- kibi, spinach pies, meat pies (all little labor intensive morsels-), plus flank steak, pulled chicken, and numerous salads, hummus, etc., that she all made homemade. I figure I can make some pulled pork without much of a problem. At least I am not forming, stuffing, and frying kibi! (I think that is how it is spelled?!)

'Kibi' is spelled 'Kibbie'. It is amazing & one of my favorite things to order at our local Lebanese restaurant.

 

[lizabu]

'Kibi' is spelled 'Kibbie'. It is amazing & one of my favorite things to order at our local Lebanese restaurant.

It's kibbeh

 

[mjantz]

Huh. I just checked the menu at the Lebanese restaurant (run by a Lebanese family) & it's listed as Kibbie. Maybe it's a regional variation. However you spell it, it's yummy!

 

[lizabu]

Huh. I just checked the menu at the Lebanese restaurant (run by a Lebanese family) & it's listed as Kibbie. Maybe it's a regional variation. However you spell it, it's yummy!

When you say the word it sounds like kibbie. The Lebanese restaurant probably just sounded it out. I love kibbeh too. It's my favourite. It has to have pine nuts though. My sister in law once made me kibbeh made with mashed rice on the outside instead of the meat/bulgar mixture most commonly used on the outer crust. It was filled with meat and pine nuts and deep fried. It was probably the best thing I've ever tasted.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kibbeh

 

[Anna114]

We are having our son's party July 13th. I've already done all of the cooking and put them in half trays in our chest freezer. The day before his party I will make rice pilaf, tomatoes and mozzarella, roast beef in au jus and lastly cole slaw. I cooked last month while the temps were cooler. I have 10, 1/2 trays in my freezer. I also do after party food. My Linkletter cousins do NOT know when to go home so I will have hamburgers and hot dogs for later on. My parties usually last about 12 hours. It's a very long day.

 

[ksjayhawks]

Since it is an open house and people will come and go, most won't eat a full meal. Plus, besides the pulled pork you are having hot dogs and meatballs and lots of sides. I would figure 1/4 lb per person, so 25 pounds should be enough.

I have also found you won't need as much of the cole slaw and potato salad as you think you will. You can usually get a pretty good deal on these at a grocery store/walmart/costco/etc. You can usually double whatever the serving sizes say. Figure about 1/2 of number of people coming for the amount to buy (or make) of each.

 

[mickeyboat]

We went to a graduation party this weekend, and contributed two 8 lb pork butts. Once pulled, it filled a large crock pot to past the rim. The host also had hamburgers, hot dogs, beans, potato and pasta salad, cheese and crackers, veggie tray, and lots of desserts There were 60 people invited to the party. There was not a scrap of pork left. We could have probably done four butts and still not had enough. (Don't get any ideas, tag fairy )

I would err on the side of more pork.

 

[jen0610]

I think that this is going to be such a pain for you. You will need to prep and store ALOT of food for a 100 people. Do you have that much room in your fridge/freezer? How many days ahead of time do you plan to make these things? Are you going to have help? You are going to have a difficult time enjoying the party if you are constantly trying to replenish the food.

Are you having family in from out of town as well? Will you need to entertain them or even just cook for them?

You will spend quite a bit in just serving dishes for all this if you plan to serve the bbq warmed?

I know most will disagree with me but I think you are going to need a lot of pulled pork. That really is the main menu item. Some might eat a hot dog or graze a meatball but the pulled pork is the big item on your menu which means you will need a lot of it to feed your crowd. Will there be a lot of teens there? They are bottomless pits as you are well aware.

I would rework the menu to cut down the choices just to lessen your prep work and headache.

I know for us and most of our friends, the BBQ would be eaten by most all of the adults, some of the teens and almost none of the kids. The hot dogs would be the kid option.

I know the OP posted that her son invited about 20 of his friends, but from what we have heard from the parties so far this year and the last couple of years, the number of friends that the kid invites, it is usually 3 to 4 times that number that show up. A and B was invited by the OP's son, but C and D are party hooping with them, so they tag along to the OP's place after the hit one party and hit another. And, yes, even though the kids are party hopping, if there is something looking and smelling good on the food line, they will eat.

Is that pretty much the rule of thumb? About 1/2 show? I know people don't RSVP anymore, which is a bit frustrating. We have about 40 confirmed so far...party is July 13.

And I know what you mean about the cans. I need to think about this soon- sale ends Saturday and I can only buy 4 at a time. Need to send my friends in this week to help me out

Most everybody around here has, bottled water, cans of pop/soda, ice tea and lemonade as the drink options.

As far as only 1/2 showing up that you invite, that is not the case around here. We find that while you may have invited 100 people, 30 of those don't show, but several of the others may actually bring an extra body or 2 if they are party hopping and have teens that may have the boy/girl friend along for other parties they are going to.

 

[happygirl]

Since it a come and go thing, I would do all finger foods.

 

[scoutie]

I feel like no matter how long the list of what someone says they are serving their guests, someone posts that it's not enough and they need to serve other stuff

I know! I've read four food threads on the DIS, and all of the menus have sounded lovely (and provide more choices and items than any wedding/party/BBQ/luncheon I've been to), yet there are always people criticizing it. "Where is your vegan/gluten free/seafood/random obscure food item?" I would love to be invited to any of these weddings or parties.

 

[LSmith]

I know! I've read four food threads on the DIS, and all of the menus have sounded lovely (and provide more choices and items than any wedding/party/BBQ/luncheon I've been to), yet there are always people criticizing it. "Where is your vegan/gluten free/seafood/random obscure food item?" I would love to be invited to any of these weddings or parties.

So in that case, I would recommend people NOT coming on the DIS to ask what they think of their menus and ask what's missing.

 

[Social Worker Sue]

So in that case, I would recommend people NOT coming on the DIS to ask what they think of their menus and ask what's missing.

Exactly

The OP WANTS opinions on if she is serving enough or if she is missing anything. I don't see anyone "criticizing it". Just offering their opinions, which are welcome by the OP.

 

[Social Worker Sue]

.... yet there are always people criticizing it. "Where is your vegan/gluten free/seafood/random obscure food item?"

Someone suggested a salad

What's obscure about that?

 

[The Princess]

Menu sounds great!! Can you cook the pork ahead of time and freeze it?

Congrats and have a wonderful party!!! It is such a happy time!!!

 

[marcyinPA]

Menu sounds great!! Can you cook the pork ahead of time and freeze it?

Congrats and have a wonderful party!!! It is such a happy time!!!

I was thinking about it today, and I think I am going to do this. Also, my mom has one of those portable electric roasters, so I can probably cook 2 butts in my oven and one in the roaster, and repeat the next day. My neighbor offered up her oven too I think it is coming together!

 

[SharonZ]

Wow, I'd definitely reconsider the caterer. Way too much work and you won't be able to enjoy your company will all of the prep, serving and cleanup you will need to do.

 

[minkydog]

Wow! You're ambitious, I'll give you that. We had a going away party for Christian last year. We had lots of finger foods--chips &dip, salsa, watermelon, strawberries, pineapple chunks, veggie trays. DD made over 175 cupcakes. We ordered at least 15 pizzas, the only thing I didn't make. Plus, we had soft drinks, lemonade, iced tea, water & coffee. With decorations, tableware, and ice I think I spent close to $300 total.

A much prep as I had (3-4days) I can't imagine having such a large menu as the OP.

 

[marcyinPA]

An update on our party!

It was a huge success!! Of the 100 people invited, 61 showed. Most stayed the entire time.

I had roasted five pork butts, cooked 48 hot dogs, and cooked 8 lbs of cocktail meatballs in chili sauce/grape jelly. We had pasta salad, cole slaw, potato salad (my father's fiance' made this and it was AWFUL. Mental note not to let her make anything for a party again. It was SO BAD that it was embarrassing!!). We also had baked beans, a veggie tray, fruit tray, Philly soft pretzel tray with cheese dips, and 2 HUGE cheese trays (the grocery store sold these to my father- who said he needed cheese for 60 people. Well, we barely put a dent in one tray. 60 people?? Yeah, if they are eating cheese for a main course! What a waste!!). We had chips and cheese balls.

For dessert, we had the 7 dozen cupcakes I special ordered, and my awesome neighbors brought mint chocolate squares, peanut butter tandy cakes, chocolate chip cookies, and three other types of cookies.

I had a big 2.5 gallon jug of lemonade, 16 bottles of various Coke products, and 4 cases of water.

OK- so, we could have easily gotten away with only 3 pork butts. We had a ton leftover in the warming pan, plus an entire pan untouched in the fridge. 1 package of hotdogs would have been plenty. The 6lb bag of meatballs would have been enough. The baked beans, and fruit tray went. Lots of pasta salad left (my mother made three boxes of pasta!!) I made 2 bags of slaw- could have done one and had no leftovers. Lots of veggies left, but she cut a ton!! The Philly pretzel tray was the first thing to go!! I came home with a lot of desserts, and 2.5 dozen of the cupcakes. The potato salad, needless to say, sat there, and I tossed it when everyone left.

Which leads me to this question: If a guest makes something for your party, and it is HORRENDOUS, do you keep it out on the table, or do you get rid of it? I didn't want to hurt her feelings, but I was embarrassed to serve it. She made it with vinegar and oil and garlic, but the oil tasted rancid. BLUCK!!!! I left it on ice, but I really REALLY wanted to dump it!!

Nobody drank much soda. Have 8 bottles left. We don't drink the stuff, so...
People mostly drank water, and the kids drank the lemonade.

All in all, though- it was a great party. I am glad I did the cooking. People were raving over my pork, which made the work totally worth it.

Nobody asked about a tossed salad.

 

[marthachick]

An update on our party!

It was a huge success!!


Which leads me to this question: If a guest makes something for your party, and it is HORRENDOUS, do you keep it out on the table, or do you get rid of it? I didn't want to hurt her feelings, but I was embarrassed to serve it. She made it with vinegar and oil and garlic, but the oil tasted rancid. BLUCK!!!! I left it on ice, but I really REALLY wanted to dump it!!

Nobody drank much soda. Have 8 bottles left. We don't drink the stuff, so...

Glad the party was a huge success.

If I have someone bring something nasty, I usually go around and let everyone know who made/brought it. lol. Oh yeah, Susie made the potato salad. My dad's family has a reunion every year. Two of the siblings are responsible for decorations, drinks & paper goods on a rotating basis. One year when it was dad & his sister's turn, she brought generic sodas. She (or her kids - my generation) could have afforded name brands. We ALL hate generic sodas. I will drink water instead. We (Mom, DSis & I) were so embarassed. I went around telling folks we did the decorations & paper goods & dad's sister got the drinks. LOL Yeah, I'm bad, but it's all in how you say it. Bless her heart.

Leftover soda can be stored for a while or donated to a VBS or Scouts or some other group that has meals or parties often.