Cooking for 50 teens - portions

[Familyof4lovesDW]

I agree with this - and i will say picky.. as I am one of them. I wouldn't eat half the stuff being served, neither would my kids (they are 21 and 18). We don't like all the sauces and toppings. Can you keep it simpler with stuff on the side for those that want it.

I agree. I’m reading this menu and thinking how hungry I would be. I also do not eat sauces. Maybe have plain rolls or bread with butter on the side. I would think that would be fine since all the other items are gluten free.

 

[Bianca and Bernard]

You could also change from baby carrots to regular ones. It would require some scrubbing and cutting, but you would get more bang for your buck, and IMHO, they taste better; maybe do some baby carrots for those not wanting cooked.

You could do chicken thighs, cut into strips. Easier to portion, easier to cook. I would skip the

You do need something starchy. Roasted potatoes, a rice pilaf, or some polenta would work well here.

A fairly simple dessert, that you can make gluten free is apple crumble.


I do like the idea of a taco bar. it's so simple to do for large amounts of people, and inexpensive as well.

 

[Alan1972]

In my opinion the menu is fine ,takes all allergies into account and that is what’s important. You are not a short order cook, can not accommodate picky people with bland boring palates who can just scrape things off if they don’t want them. Never hurt any one to try new things too

 

[DisneyHardin]

I commend you for attempting a dinner like this on a budget and to meet all the dietary needs. This menu sounds fantastic to me now, as a 41 year old adult with a much expanded palate.

When I was 15 and in youth group and saw that we were having "Italian Night" as our youth group dinner - I would have been REALLY disappointed to get there and find roasted chicken thighs and carrots. I would have been expecting something more like spaghetti or lasagna. Hopefully the teenagers in your youth group have more adult palates, but I just can't imagine them really digging into chicken and carrots.

 

[TwoMisfits]

I commend you for attempting a dinner like this on a budget and to meet all the dietary needs. This menu sounds fantastic to me now, as a 41 year old adult with a much expanded palate.

When I was 15 and in youth group and saw that we were having "Italian Night" as our youth group dinner - I would have been REALLY disappointed to get there and find roasted chicken thighs and carrots. I would have been expecting something more like spaghetti or lasagna. Hopefully the teenagers in your youth group have more adult palates, but I just can't imagine them really digging into chicken and carrots.

Well, they know the actual proposed menu, not just the theme...so hopefully the cooking will mean they aren't too disappointed...

 

[sjrec]

I think your menu sounds delicious. Maybe some rolls for the picky eaters? And you’ll have the fruit and rice crispy bars? That should appeal to everyone. I like the idea of offering smaller portions-it might encourage someone to try a dish they are not familiar with.
I get in a tizzy cooking on special occasions for 8-10 people, so I am very impressed with what you’re doing!

 

[Southernmiss]

I like the menu. And there may be others who are eating healthy that are not known.

I am impressed with the work and thought going in to consider so many food challenges.

I am a mom to a daughter who really needs to eat healthy for her own better health, but she is 18 and it's so hard when there are only the usual cheap eats available at teen functions.

 

[DisneyHardin]

Well, they know the actual proposed menu, not just the theme...so hopefully the cooking will mean they aren't too disappointed...

That's good. I must have missed where you said they would know the actual menu - I thought they were just being told it was Italian Night. Sorry about that.

 

[LovesTimone]

I commend you for attempting a dinner like this on a budget and to meet all the dietary needs. This menu sounds fantastic to me now, as a 41 year old adult with a much expanded palate.

When I was 15 and in youth group and saw that we were having "Italian Night" as our youth group dinner - I would have been REALLY disappointed to get there and find roasted chicken thighs and carrots. I would have been expecting something more like spaghetti or lasagna. Hopefully the teenagers in your youth group have more adult palates, but I just can't imagine them really digging into chicken and carrots.

I saw this and totally agree... kids are going to be expecting most likely spaghetti or ziti. They are kids, and they like it simple... I have to agree that the menu caters much more to the adults...

 

[LovesTimone]

In my opinion the menu is fine ,takes all allergies into account and that is what’s important. You are not a short order cook, can not accommodate picky people with bland boring palates who can just scrape things off if they don’t want them. Never hurt any one to try new things too

That's the thing... " Scraping things off if they don't want them"... this is wasteful in food and in cost... when cooking like this for a larger group, and you are budgeting every penny to get the most out of it... Looking at the big picture using your resource to the fullest, and taking allergies into consideration are the top priorities... So keeping things more simple, that will be eaten by everyone...plus these are kids, cooking what they will enjoy is important as well...

 

[TwoMisfits]

For now, I'll thank everyone for the feedback and report back in a few weeks.

Who knows - maybe it will be a big failure...or maybe teens will surprise and love it as something different. At least their expectations are set going in, and that's usually the most important thing (after having enough food, and actually making it taste good). I'll also report how I did against the budget (and where I shopped) and if I had food leftover and/or trashed and how many refused toppings or wanted fully plain...

Should be a nice experiment, anyway...and in good news for me, I know going in there has been disappointment from the leader with this year's meals...and the kids (thus, their parents) pay nothing for the meal (it's just a bennie of stopping by middle school youth group), so free and previous events also help expectations...

 

[Alan1972]

That's the thing... " Scraping things off if they don't want them"... this is wasteful in food and in cost... when cooking like this for a larger group, and you are budgeting every penny to get the most out of it... Looking at the big picture using your resource to the fullest, and taking allergies into consideration are the top priorities... So keeping things more simple, that will be eaten by everyone...plus these are kids, cooking what they will enjoy is important as well...

There is no such thing as kid food and adult food in most countries ,that is a myth a lot of people in our country believe. Nothing here a middle schooler can’t eat.

we don’t have a picky eater because we just don’t allow it, kid eats what we eat.has a friend that is picky and none of the kids want to invite them to any food function because all they do is complain about the food

 

[mjkacmom]

There is no such thing as kid food and adult food in most countries ,that is a myth a lot of people in our country believe. Nothing here a middle schooler can’t eat.

we don’t have a picky eater because we just don’t allow it, kid eats what we eat.has a friend that is picky and none of the kids want to invite them to any food function because all they do is complain about the food

I have 5 kids, now that they are teens/young adults, they eat pretty much anything, and I’m an adventurous cook (I’ve never been lucky). However, they weren’t all born this way, Dd18 just started eating shrimp last year after trying it a lot (got her to eat a snail at Christmas). My oldest was the least picky, I couldn’t understand why #2 didn’t enjoy Lima beans, tofu and avocado when he was a toddler. It’s nature and nature.

OP, your menu seems fine, a bit bland. I’d switch out the carrots for a salad, to go with your theme, plus most kids eat salad. Team dinners here usually consist of a pasta, chicken, salad and bread, cookies/brownies for dessert. It’s always Italian night here since everyone is Italian.

 

[LovesTimone]

I have already posted

Last night I kept thinking about it... So I called the woman I use to do all the church youth dinners with... She has been in charge of the Church kitchen for over 40 years... So I asked her what she thought... and here's what she offered up...

1) That you can not make everyone happy... the more you try the bigger your cost gets....the more work create... and still you can not make everyone happy...

2) Food allergies must be taken into consideration... which means you have to budget for a separate meal - Not food choices, like Vegetarian or Vegan, or whatever the case may be... the job is to provide a blanket meal... not take everyone personal food preference into consideration...

3) Simple good food - that will be eaten - no waste

4) offering a protein, starchy ( filler upper), veggie and/or salad, and some type of simple dessert...

5) This is one meal at a church function... take it for just that 1 meal at a church function....

6) Kids want kid food... if its a dinner for the kids then serve kid friendly options...

7) Keep the waste down, clean up simple, stay in budget, Serving size control... ask for donations

8) see number one...

Here's her favorite go to for Italian night...

Make a basic Marinara sauce - large pot to be divided, adding meatballs or meat to one half, choice of sauce ..
Choice of Pasta or Zoodles - Zoodle's are zucchini and/or summer yellow squash, using a spiralizer to create the noodles out of the squash... steam or blanch till al dente'
Green basic salad choice of 2 dressing
Garlic bread or rolls - getting the appropriate bread offering for people with GF or DF is much easier... Bread or baked good store as well talk to a local bakery and see what type of pricing they are willing to do... for mixed rolls
Ice cream sandwiches, Ice pops, Popsicle, Ice cream bar - Finding ice cream for other with DF needs is easier...

**Local produce companies...or farmers markets - normally fresher, and better price..

**Same with local meat companies, or grocery store.. a case of chicken will be much less than at packaged out price's..

 

[LovesTimone]

There is no such thing as kid food and adult food in most countries ,that is a myth a lot of people in our country believe. Nothing here a middle schooler can’t eat.

we don’t have a picky eater because we just don’t allow it, kid eats what we eat.has a friend that is picky and none of the kids want to invite them to any food function because all they do is complain about the food

I get it... but those are your children and you are raising them the way you see fit... not everyone is so enlighten as you are...and other people are raising their kids the way that they see fit...

As well everyone has different taste... adults and kids alike...

My point was making something that all the kids will like, and not wasting the budgeted money or food that will go in the trash...

Making a outcast of child because they are a picky eater... is pretty harsh...
Instead possibly being more welcoming to this child showing some kindness possibly he or she might become less resistant to new foods they are not familiar with.. just breaking down what is actually in a dish sometimes is helpful, as well maybe the child had never been exposed to such a expanded palate as the one you have...
Leading by example...
Helping the your kids and or the other kids understand it's okay not to like something, or not be familiar with it maybe they have not had the opportunity to be exposed to different cuisine...

 

[DisneyHardin]

Should be a nice experiment, anyway...and in good news for me, I know going in there has been disappointment from the leader with this year's meals...and the kids (thus, their parents) pay nothing for the meal (it's just a bennie of stopping by middle school youth group), so free and previous events also help expectations...

I feel like it is kind of rude that anyone, especially the youth group leader, to be complaining about the meals. The church is asking for a volunteer to cook dinner for 50 people on a shoestring budget and then they are getting complaints from the leader about his/her free meal.

 

[TwoMisfits]

I feel like it is kind of rude that anyone, especially the youth group leader, to be complaining about the meals. The church is asking for a volunteer to cook dinner for 50 people on a shoestring budget and then they are getting complaints from the leader about his/her free meal.

Well, to be fair to him, the disappointment has been getting any volunteers til the absolute last minute...and then having no time to share plans with the kids, so dinners have been haphazard (so it's more organizing disappointment than with the actual eventual volunteer)...and b/c the volunteers are so late and have to just do what they can and are shopping/prepping/planning very last minute, it hasn't usually been the desired type of meal that's been the advertised idea (protein/starch/veg and homey/healthy), nor has it accommodated the kids needing accommodating...

I stepped in, even though my age-level kid doesn't go to this group b/c it's Lent, and I know I can do it, so it's my sacrifice (and I figure I'll pick up April, too, if March goes well). I'm the 1st person all year to step in before it's just 2 days before after the 5th request...

But yeah, feeding 50 is a big lift solo...and that may be worth bringing up for next year's planning b/c the high school youth group has teams of 3-4 adults to do the same type meals...and they don't struggle with volunteers...he also is in charge of that youth group, so it's probably hard for him to figure how the weekly group never has issues meeting this challenge, but the less frequent monthly one does...

PS - And he's new and young (it's only his 2nd year), so he's still figuring stuff out.

PPS - And that's my final post on the thread til we have this meal.

 

[kymom99]

I get it... but those are your children and you are raising them the way you see fit... not everyone is so enlighten as you are...and other people are raising their kids the way that they see fit...

As well everyone has different taste... adults and kids alike...

My point was making something that all the kids will like, and not wasting the budgeted money or food that will go in the trash...

Making a outcast of child because they are a picky eater... is pretty harsh...
Instead possibly being more welcoming to this child showing some kindness possibly he or she might become less resistant to new foods they are not familiar with.. just breaking down what is actually in a dish sometimes is helpful, as well maybe the child had never been exposed to such a expanded palate as the one you have...
Leading by example...
Helping the your kids and or the other kids understand it's okay not to like something, or not be familiar with it maybe they have not had the opportunity to be exposed to different cuisine...

When I was a kid my parents had our godparents and their families for our birthday dinners. My godmother, who was my aunt, had a son who would only eat chicken and peanut butter. So every year for my birthday we had to have chicken. Which was ok but it’s just something I remember.

Back to the OP, chicken is a fairly blank canvas. Put the toppings on some and leave some more plainly seasoned. That gives a choice and doesn’t add any more work or cost. I still would miss a starch but otherwise the menu seems fine.

 

[mjkacmom]

If you are doing pasta, I’d suggest a box of gf pasta over making zoodles for 50. Last night was the winter track dinner, at a restaurant, Dd was able to eat the salad, potatoes, fries and sausage and peppers, so it was fine. She couldn’t eat the pasta vodka, chicken, chicken fingers, bread, or fried calamari. As long at there is something she can eat, she’s happy.

 

[Brandilla]

Well, to be fair to him, the disappointment has been getting any volunteers til the absolute last minute...and then having no time to share plans with the kids, so dinners have been haphazard (so it's more organizing disappointment than with the actual eventual volunteer)...and b/c the volunteers are so late and have to just do what they can and are shopping/prepping/planning very last minute, it hasn't usually been the desired type of meal that's been the advertised idea (protein/starch/veg and homey/healthy), nor has it accommodated the kids needing accommodating...

I stepped in, even though my age-level kid doesn't go to this group b/c it's Lent, and I know I can do it, so it's my sacrifice (and I figure I'll pick up April, too, if March goes well). I'm the 1st person all year to step in before it's just 2 days before after the 5th request...

But yeah, feeding 50 is a big lift solo...and that may be worth bringing up for next year's planning b/c the high school youth group has teams of 3-4 adults to do the same type meals...and they don't struggle with volunteers...he also is in charge of that youth group, so it's probably hard for him to figure how the weekly group never has issues meeting this challenge, but the less frequent monthly one does...

PS - And he's new and young (it's only his 2nd year), so he's still figuring stuff out.

PPS - And that's my final post on the thread til we have this meal.

I know you're not posting again, but I've been reading this thread and just wanted to say that I love your spirit! You are getting shot down left and right on here, but you have a plan you and confident in and not letting anyone get in your way. I love it! I hope your meal is a big success and can't wait to hear how it goes!