How can I figure out how much food to order for a 1st B-day party?

We'll probably end up with around 50-60 or so...

Re: How can I figure out how much food to order for a 1st B-day party?

Usually when you get something catered per head they give you a big tray of food for every 10 people. So I would order 5 trays if you are having 50 people and so on. For my son's christening we had 50 people and 5 trays which were spaghetti and clam sauce, salmon, penne ala vodka, a steak plate, and a chicken plate. We had more than enough food. I would also ask your caterer because they know how big their trays are. I hope this helps.

Message edited 1/24/2008 12:58:55 PM.

Re: How can I figure out how much food to order for a 1st B-day party?

DH has a spreadsheet to figure out how much food for amount of people. He even has variables of whether it's daytime or nightime and weather conditions. (Actually, it helps, but I still make fun of him.)

The main thing to think about is whether it's a daytime or nightime function. Also, if it's summer, will it be outdoors? Reason being: People will eat more at night (dinner time) in the winter (must stay inside where the food is) than daytime in the summer. (When people get to go outdoors in the daytime in the summer, they will wander instead of having a second plate of food.) Also, if it's more informal daytime you can get away with a 3-6 foot hero in place of a more formal dinnertime tray(s) of food.

You now know I'm nuts. But our parties have almost always been 50-60 people. When we first started we actually asked the place that catered what we needed for that amount of people. Our last party was evening during the fall. We started with some very light appetizers. (cheese, crackers, veggies, chips and dips) We had a 6 foot hero. We also got 1 1/2 trays chicken parm, 1 1/2 trays baked ziti and a full tray of sausage and peppers. (We have figured out to stay with the basics) Included was a full tray of salad and full tray of garlic knots. The hero was demolished! We were left with a half tray of ziti and almost a half tray of chicken parm.

I hope this helps! This is what I get for coming on here while DS is napping.

Message edited 1/24/2008 1:14:32 PM.