Have you ever hosted a cold luncheon/Graduation party for 125 people?

[Misty89]

I am hosting a graduation party for my DD -it is an open house type party, set for 12:00 noon -? - people could very well eat lunch and dinner if they stay most of the day.
we are expecting about 125 people, the menu includes:
a sandwich bar with shaved deli meats - (ham, turkey & roast beef) and cheese ( cheddar, swiss, provolone & co-jack)
the rolls/buns will be the small dinner roll type, and mini crossiants ( sp?)
we also will have fruit salad, pasta salads, veggie tray w/ dip, cake and bars.

I am trying to figure out how much deli meat i need without going to overboard - figuring 2-3 sandwiches per person, and that each pound of meat will feed approx. 5 people. So 40lbs or so, and 12 lbs of cheese ( sliced for small sandwiches) 40lbs would give me 200 sandwiches, give or take.
does that seem like enough?
How much meat did you use? how much cheese did you use?

I really do not want to have to send someone out for more meat halfway through the party, but i also do not want 20 lbs of lunchmeat left over

thank you

 

[golfgal]

I know that the meat markets and Deli's here are VERY helpful with getting the appropriate amount of food for graduation parties. I would suggest talking to them. We are serving pulled pork sandwiches and I just told the meat market that is preparing that for us how many people we expect and left it up to them. Our grocery stores even have event days for graduation planning where you can go in and sample food so you can pick what you want. They give you all the information you need to buy the appropriate amount. We didn't go because we knew we were not getting food from there. They also would get all your paper plates, napkins, etc ready so you just go in the morning of your party and they have everything boxed/bagged and ready to go. It is quite nice actually.

 

[Misty89]

that is a great service

 

[powellrj]

I think I would split the difference and go with 10 pounds of each, so you would get 30 pounds. I always think shaved meat goes farther than sliced because people don't usually take as much.

We did DSs last year and and I should have written down how much of each we used. I know the pulled pork was the most eaten, but we did go through lots of meat too.

We had lots of teen aged boys, but we also had lots of people that were party surfing and had eaten at other places.

 

[clh2]

I know that the meat markets and Deli's here are VERY helpful with getting the appropriate amount of food for graduation parties. I would suggest talking to them. We are serving pulled pork sandwiches and I just told the meat market that is preparing that for us how many people we expect and left it up to them. Our grocery stores even have event days for graduation planning where you can go in and sample food so you can pick what you want. They give you all the information you need to buy the appropriate amount. We didn't go because we knew we were not getting food from there. They also would get all your paper plates, napkins, etc ready so you just go in the morning of your party and they have everything boxed/bagged and ready to go. It is quite nice actually.

Wow - I wish they had something like that near us!

My DD will be graduating in 2 years, and i keep an eye on these threads - because eveyone has such great ideas!

My thought to the OP - if you are doing an open house, people will be eating more if they are there at the beginning and at the end. The people who stop by in the afternoon, may not be "eating lunch" although they may have cake and snacks. The kids invited will most likley be "party-hopping" so they may be entirely "full" by the time they get to your house! Of course, I deal more wtih teenage girls, NOT teenaged guys.

 

[mjkacmom]

We just hosted a cold luncheon for the teachers, and we had pre-made sandwiches and wraps. I don't know how well cold cuts would fare sitting out for hours. ETA, what is shaved meat? Around here, our deli's just ask how you want it sliced - thick, regular, thin, extra thin, etc., and hold up a sample for your approval. They will also ask for a head-count, and let you know how much you need.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

An Open House type party and luncheon meats are tricky. Into the evening they become less appetizing.

Plus dollar roll/crossiants are not as appealing as sourdough and rye bread. I would have an assortment of breads with that much meat and cheeses.

Since it is an "all day" open house, I would probably just do luncheon meats for lunch (noon-2pm) and then grill hamburgers/hot dogs for the dinner hour.

But that is me. I could not do luncheon meats for all day, I know my teens would hate that into the evening hours. Gotta grill.

 

[Kimberle]

If you have to much lunch meat leftover, you can freeze it. Ham, turkey, etc freezes nicely!

 

[MrsPete]

If I were doing an all-day thing, I'd consider something along the lines of sloppy joes instead of sandwich meat. Sandwich meat must be kept cool, while sloppy joe meat can be kept hot (and safe) in a crock pot. I'd prepare the meat ahead of time and put it in the refrigerator in one pound ziplocks. When necessary, I'd pop another one pound into the crock pot. Whatever's left at the end of the party could go into the freezer.

You could still keep the same side items: chips, salad, desserts. This change wouldn't alter the casual tone of the party.

Also, ground beef is cheaper than sandwich meat and you wouldn't need mayo, mustard, etc.

 

[Misty89]

thanks all - i did go into the store and talked to them...we are all set with the right amount of food.