Have to get going on the food situation for DS' 1st bday

Location: Hoyt Farm (outdoor covered pavilion, bathrooms, playground, sprayground. NO refrigerator, oven, stove, microwave, etc. There are BBQs, but there's a sons of italy party the same day and i don't want to compete for space.)

I'm expecting 50-60 ppl (just family), and the party is lunch time (12-4pm) on 8/1. aka HOT.

I had his baptism catered by Uncle Giuseppe's - it was very good and $1000 fed 80 people with leftovers, but I don't want to do the same thing for his birthday.

I'm thinking the best thing would be heroes and cold salads, with maybe a couple of hot dishes mixed in (maybe a pasta, my grandma's famous rice, definitely chicken and fries for kids, things like that.) Maybe wraps, if they're affordable.

For dessert, we'll have a cake and chocolate chip cookies.

I'm hoping to keep overall cost DOWN - anyone have any suggestions and/or recommendations for places in the Smithtown/Commack/Kings Park/Hauppauge area?

Thanks!

Re: Have to get going on the food situation for DS' 1st bday

I don't have any recommendations for caterers, but just wanted to say that I had DS2 1st birthday party at hoyt last year on August 1st! The heat was bearable, but at one point all the adults even took a quick walk through the sprinklers!

I also want to add that it was fully booked last year as well, and no one had any problems with getting a grill (even close to them). As far as getting the spot(tables) you want (we picked the tables closest to the playground, since we had a lot of kids). I(and my mom) arrived at the gates at 7:25am and was the second person on line to get into the park. If you are specific with the spot you want, pull all the way down by the bathrooms to the five minute loading zone, walk to the spot you want and wait for the park attendent to give you your paperwork. Once you have your spot, just put your tablecloths on(a staple guns works the best!) and then you can leave and go do the rest of the stuff you need to for the party!

Sorry I rambled but HTH!

Re: Have to get going on the food situation for DS' 1st bday

Thank you - I appreciate the BTDT advice!

I just don't want someone "stuck" in front of the grill on such a hot day. My DH burns everything so i most definitely do not want him doing it (we live in an apt and only have an electric grill!), and I don't think it's fair to stick it on my dad or brother.

Did you have to bring garbage bags? I haven't been there in a long time, I'll have to go there soon just to check things out.

Re: Have to get going on the food situation for DS' 1st bday

Nope. There are plenty of garbage cans. At least three by the tables you are assigned, well at least for the amount I booked for. I think I only booked for a 100 people, that gave me 5 rows of three tables, so fifteen tables. I had a roll of that plastic tablecovers and rolled and stapled. Done! If I still have my checklist, I can FM it to you. Not sure I still have it though!

It was a great day and there was so much for the kids to do. You guys will have blast!

And smart on your part to not have someone stuck on the grill. My dad was stuck last year! But, it gave him a good excuse to bail early from the party(parties not being his sort of thing!)

As for catering, for DS2 Baptism we used Anderson's deli in KP. They did a great job, delivered and all, and wasn't expensive. But that was also two years ago!

Re: Have to get going on the food situation for DS' 1st bday

I used to work in Hauppauge and we used to order from The Garage Eatery - here is a link to their website

the food is amazing.

But I am not sure about pricing for catering. I'd definitely give them a call.

eta - I know they used to deliver our lunch so maybe they'd delivery to Hoyt Farm? Worth a shot asking. One less thing to have to worry about is always a good thing.

Message edited 7/1/2010 4:09:41 PM.