Need advice on food for a party (Update post 13)

[mommytoe]

I never have large parties, but this one will be.

I have around 30 rsvped as coming and some I have not heard from. I am planning food for 40 to be safe.

I have no idea how much food will be needed. The party will start at 6pm and the food will only be out for maybe an hour due to other activities. The party is outside at a friend's farm and followed by an Eagle Court of Honor (why the food has to be cleared away so nobody trips over anything and because the Scoutmaster wants everybody to stay in their seats during the ceremony)


Will this be enough or should I order more? Some of the 40 are children.
I don't want to have many or any left overs.

Chick-fil-A Chicken Salad Sandwich Tray Small Tray – 18 sandwich Thirds
Chick-fil-A Nugget Tray Medium Tray – 120 Nuggets
Chargrilled Chicken Cool Wrap Tray Large Tray – 14 Wrap Halves
Spicy Chicken Cool Wrap Tray Large Tray – 14 Wrap Halves

Chips, homemade candy, and drinks (water, sodas, lemon aid)

 

[Christine]

I don't think you have enough. First off, 6PM is "dinner time". People are getting hungry. If it was 2PM, it'd be a different story

So you have 30 people and you have 46 pieces of "real" food. That's enough for everyone to have one type of sandwich (and not even a full sandwich) and some chicken nuggets. Some people might get two (and believe me, people will take two things or more--they want to sample it all).

I would probably up your sandwich stuff by 50% at least. You want to have enough that each person can take two of the sandwich items giving them a full sandwich.

 

[H&Hmommy]

My scouts can eat me out of house and home!!! I think you will need a lot more due to the fact that it will be dinner for most.
Kim

 

[pearlieq]

I don't think it's enough either, especially since Eagle Scout = teenage boy! (Assuming I'm thinking of the correct event).

The event is for dinner and you only have 20 full sandwiches and enough chicken nuggets for 15 people (assuming 8 nuggets per person, which balances out kids who will eat 5-6 and adults who could eat 10 or more).

That's only an entree for 35 people and lots of people could eat more than one. Especially chicken nuggets--those disappear fast! Since you're only serving chips as a side, people will eat more of the entrees than they would if the sides were heavier.

I agree with the PP--order at least 50% more.

 

[disneyhand]

You"ll need more if there will be lot's of teenage boys in the group!

 

[lovemygoofy]

You have 30 rsvpd but how many invites were sent out in total? Out of the total invitations sent, how many do you realistically think will be attending?

I don't think you have enough food. Because you are having it at dinner time and having what is seeming like real food, I would up the amounts. I'm not big on seeing families go home "full" at these type of events but they are going to want to be fed and some people will take 2-3 sandwhiches or wraps. I try to count 2 sandwhiches person. I would order at least one more nugget platter and another wrap platter if possible.

 

[mjkacmom]

Too little. Since the sandwiches are coming from a FF restaurant, they're probably smaller than a deli sandwich (we don't have one, but my kids can all down a Subway footlong). My DH would be taking one of each. Also, how about some sides? Green salad? Potato salad? They would take up room on the plate, and people (especially teen boys) tend to fill up their plate.

 

[ahutton]

If you were looking for a quick way to amplify the food without a lot of extra expense, I would look a large crock pot of baked beans (canned are fine), and large bowls of potato salad or cole slaw. I would do a crock pot with hot dogs keeping warm in water. Maybe a crock pot of chili too - could go on taco chips or on hot dogs, or be eaten by itself.

I've ordered from their catering menu before and I found it to be light on how many people it served. With extra sides and adding hot dogs you should be fine.

 

[TinklednPants]

Not enough and I sure hope everyone likes chicken!!!!!!!!

 

[MIGrandma]

Not enough and I sure hope everyone likes chicken!!!!!!!!

I was thinking the same thing. What if a few people don't like chicken?

I think you should offer some alternatives to all the chicken trays.

Maybe a tray of slivered ham/turkey/cheese, buns and condiments so people can make their own sandwiches.

Someone said big bowls of potato salad, cole slaw, etc. is a good idea.

And more finger foods, like a veggie/dip tray, crackers/cheeses, etc.

I don't think you have nearly enough food planned for 40 people, with some being teenagers, and at the "dinner hour."

If it were me I would rather have leftovers, instead of people cleaning everything up and still being hungry.

 

[hegsag]

I think that you already got great advice from the other posts. I agree with another post that said people like to fill their plate. I would definitely add potato salad, green salad, pasta salad or something filling. I also agree with a crockpot with warm hotdogs - very cheap alternative! GL and have fun

 

[dumboiu]

If there are any vegetarians in your crowd, they will be going very, very hungry!

And I agree with everyone.......you need a lot more food!

 

[mommytoe]

Thank you all for your help. I don't know how I would put this all together with out your help.

I will order more of the nuggets and wraps.

I will add a large fruit tray and a large vegitable tray. I will also add hot dogs and sandwitch meat style sandwiches. I can also do dips and slasa for the chips.

I am trying to keep this finger foods.

I think I will also ask my mil for help. She is always planning big meals for groups. I just was trying not ask for her help, because she is still recovering from a stroke.

 

[ahutton]

If there are any vegetarians in your crowd, they will be going very, very hungry!

Vegetarian Chili would serve two purposes - hot dog topping and a meat free dish. Some good multi-bean chili would be great, especially if it is cooling off where you are.

 

[Katy Belle]

I think if you offer fewer 'main dishes' food goes farther. What I mean is with your first menu most people would take a wrap and a sandwich and some nuggets. I would probably do just the sandwiches and nuggets, but more of each. Probably 200 nuggets and 80 sandwhich thirds. Adding large veg and fruit trays is a good idea.

I'm assuming its your son who is becoming an Eagle Scout!!! Congratulations!! What a great accomplishment! Have a great party!

 

[lovetoscrap]

Check out this website: http://www.ellenskitchen.com/bigpots/index.html I love it for when I need to plan for a large number. Even though you are ordering much of your food you can really get an idea of how much you need, and it will help with drinks and sides and veggies etc...

 

[smiley]

I think I will also ask my mil for help. She is always planning big meals for groups. I just was trying not ask for her help, because she is still recovering from a stroke.

Rather than thinking of this as impositioning her, look at it as if you are helping her on her road to recovery. As long as you take care not to overwhelm your MIL, she will probably view you asking her to help as being needed and therefore valued.

 

[TwingleMum]

Pasta is economical and most people I know really enjoy it. Why dont you make a big pan of ziti. Get 2 or 3 boxes of ziti pasta, 3 bottles of jarred spagetti sauce and a big bag of shredded mozzerella. If you want you can add a big container of riccotta cheese. If you don't know how to make it I'll step you through the process. I hope you don't take offense. I usually make sauce from scratch but to make it easier and faster just buy either your favorite jarred sauce or whats on sale.

Baked Ziti ~ Cook ziti according to box directions, drain and put in a large full throw away sheet pan (easy clean up just throw away ). Heat up spagetti sauce while ziti is boiling.( in micro is fine) after ziti is drained and in pan add sauce a few cups at a time till as moist as you like. I add a container of riccotta and a cup of parmesan cheese. put a little more sauce on top , top with shredded mozzerella. bake in oven for 30 minutes at 350 and serve. The extra spagetti sauce I heat up and serve alongside if anyone likes extra sauce. I also get a few loaves of italian bread and make garlic bread. This can be stretched to serve alot.

Easy, cheap and most people love ziti. Hope this helps.