Ellen's Kitchen

ELLEN'S KITCHEN Cook Talk

How much needed?
Sara 03/28/07	Hi! I'm having a party for roughly 100 people. Most are adults. The theme is picnic and the main foods served will be hot dogs, hamburgers, potato salad, macaroni salad, and cole slaw. How much of eat will I need to purchase? And how much condiments should I prepare for the burgers and dogs? Thank you so much!
ellen 03/28/07	Sara, the foods and even condiments are all covered in the plan for 100 and sandwich event pages- be glad to check your estimates after you pull them together. I always suggest you consider Polish sausages instead of regular hot dogs if it is mostly adults- really preferred and not much more expensive.
Sara 03/29/07	Okay, I think I have an alright guess. For a party that has about 100 guests and starts at 1pm: 3 veggies trays that serve 25-30. 1 each hot dog and hamburger per person including rolls. 6 lbs each cole slaw and macaroni salad. 8 lbs potato salad. 8 lbs tossed salad. Condiments and deviled eggs but someone else is worrying about that! (phew!) Cake that someone else is making. 2 fruit trays that serve 30-35 (as an alternative to the cake but the cake will be the main focus dessert) 6 bags of chips. 6 gallons of iced tea. 150 cans of soda. 1 keg of beer. 175 9 inch dinner plates 175 7 inch dessert plates 250 each forks, spoons and knives 500 napkins 250 cups Does that sound like enough? Not enough? Too much? I'm obviously not an entertainer. HAHA! Thanks for your help!
ellen 03/30/07	You want 4 gallons of potato salad, 2 1/2-3 each of mac and slaw. Other than that, it looks good. Good work!
Beverly 04/01/07	How much needed ham is needed for 17 people? We are having a dinner with 17 people how big of a ham is needed.
kathi pierce 04/02/07	how much potatoe salad for 150 servings
ellen 04/02/07	Beverly, bone in ham, uncooked, buy 14-16 ounces per person. Fully cooked, ready to reheat boneless, 8 ounces per person is plenty. Kathi, for 150 people, I allow 6 to 6 1/2 gallons. For 150 1/2 cup side servings, about 5 gallons.
Lisa 04/02/07	I checked out the big pots page to determine how much potato salad, coleslaw, green pea salad, jello salad for 100 for a funeral with fried chicken, brownies & cookies. Looks like 4 gal potato, 2-3 gal slaw,pea salad, jello salad. But how do you tell gallons vs. pounds. At the store they sell coleslaw in pounds not gallons, what is the conversion and how many pieces of brownies,cookies do I need?
ellen 04/02/07	Good job. If you are buying the shredded cabbage and adding your own dressing, you want about 20 poubds of vegetable for 100 people. If it is ready to eat, just ask the deli to fill and weigh a one pint container for you- this varies from store to store- 1 gallon is 8 pints. Cut the brownies fairly small, and allow 1 of each type for up to 4 types- more than 4 types, allow 3 to 4 pieces per person. That is the old fashioned regular size cookie, not the big/ giant ones sold today.
eva brown 04/03/07	I need to know how many sandwhiches for serving 150 people for a Wedding reception at 1:30 daytime. 3 varieties of sandwhiches,chicken salad, ham and cheese & cucumber. also how much vegie trays and fruit trays will I need. Also how many gallons of punch for this 150 people would you recommend. Coffee and water will be served also. Thank you so much eva
ellen 04/04/07	Eva, you might want to read over my tea party and sandwich event pages. This really does resemble a formal afternoon tea- you may even want to add small scones with marmalade and preserrves. 2 whole sandwiches worth per person, cut ibto about 7-8 fingers or shaqpes. But use thin-sliced bread and only a layer of filling as deep as the slice. This reduces the amount of filling almost 1/2 over regular sandwiches. Trust the veggie tray page and the fruit tray page on those amounts, you want to end up with about 7 gallons of cut up fruit. Tea (10 gallons), coffee (10 gallons), and punch (15 to 20 gallons): do 5 to 6 gallons of each to start, then set up to make 2.5 gallon batches to replenish. The punch should be a light, mild choice, not too sweet. Sugar, honey, lemon, whole milk or cream, soy milk creamer and artificial sweeteners
Cindy 04/04/07	What size leg of lamb do I need to purchase to feed 8 adults and 4 children?
ellen 04/06/07	You need about 10 pounds as purchased- two of the same size would work.
Lisa 04/09/07	How many pans of sour cream potatoes do I need to feed 60 people? How many jello salads in 9/13 pans do I need to fee 60 people. How many dinner rolls do I need to feed 60 people? How many cookies should I plan on for 60 people?
cheryl 04/10/07	Planning a reception for 400 people how much shredded turkey, potato salad, fruit salad, buns, vegetables will I need.
ellen 04/10/07	Lisa, 6 9x13 potatoes, 5 9x13 jello, 70 rolls, at least 2 cookies- you need 1 of each kind per person, up to 4. Cheryl, see the plan for 100 and the sandwich event page, plan a basic menu and post it and I will check it for you. You need to specify time of day, buffet or plate service, etc. Salads are very well covered, differnces in amounts for reception time versus meal time, etc.
Lauren 04/15/07	I am cooking for 40 people and I need to make 20 meat balls. How much ground beef will i need for that?
lauren 04/15/07	Also, how much tomato sauce will be enough for 40 people?
ellen 04/16/07	Normally You would want 4 ounces of meat per person, plus fillers, made into 1 to 4 meatballs- 1 is really big, 4 are almost cocktail size. I am not sure why you only want 20 meatballs, or what size; if you are making only 1 per person, you should go for about 5 per pound. For sauce, it depends on how thick. Thicker, you use more. See the estimates on the lotsa pasta page.
Mel 04/16/07	Hi I am organising a Traditional Burns Supper for 120 guests and was wondering how much haggis, potatoes (to be mashed) and turnip (to be mashed)I would need?
ellen 04/17/07	45 pounds of potatoes, about 25 pounds of 'nips; but you are on your own on the haggis- I would allow about 1 pound for each 3 people- expecting you have a bit of other meats-
Debbie 04/17/07	I am doing the food for my DD's evening wedding reception for 200 people. We want to serve sliced boneless ham, twiced baked potato casserole( kind of like mashed potatoes), green beans, rolls, lettuce salad and possibly a jello salad. My main concern is how much ham to buy and how many roasters I will need for the ham and the potatoes.
ellen 04/17/07	Allow about 1 pound boneless ready to eat ham for each 3 persons if thin/deli sliced, about 2 pounds for each 5 if thicker. 2-3 roaster for the ham. Usually a roaster holds about 50 people worth of whatever- they are rated for 18 quarts, but if you aare filling full for casserole, you want to keep depth of food to about 4 inches to simplify reheating, about 10-12 quarts. A serving is 3/4 cup per person. about 5 people per quart, so you will need 4 pans worth. I might put out 2, keep the pans for the other two in the kitchen oven and swap out the pans as they empty.
michaelle 04/18/07	i am having kiabasi and sourcraut and macc salas and potatoe salad we are having up too 60 people so how much would i need including buns
Tina 04/18/07	I am helping with a fund raiser dinner to feed 200 people and am having difficulty figuring how much food we need. We are serving plates that consist of 1 beef enchilada, 1 beef taco (and all the trimmings), refried beans, rice and salad. How much do we need to feed this amount of people? Thanks Tina
Patti Ratley 04/18/07	I'm having a outdoor wedding reception and trying to keep the prices down so we are making hamburgers for everyone. I was wondering how much hamburger we would need for 30 and any ideas on sides and how much
ellen 04/20/07	Michaelle, you posted twice, I answered on the other one. Tina, Since the usual serving for tacos and enchiladas is 2, and you are serving 1, use a recipe for tacos that serves 100 and a recipe for enchiladas that serves 100. I have some of each posted. The beans rice and salad take thye amount for 100 on my planning page, or any of the rice for 100 or beans for 100 recipes, and use 2 times for 200.
ellen 04/20/07	Patti, if you are on a tight budget, please consider a beautiful baked lasagna- much easier to serve, probably less expensive if homemade, it is made ahead and goes in the oven covered at 275 when you go to the church/ceremony. Or a chicken casserole, ditto. Or even BBQ chicken quarters. The problems with burgers are, they have to be cooked fresh or they are not so good, and you need at least 2 pounds of raw ground beef for each 5 persons, plus the buns and condiments, which gets quite expensive. When you add in the sliced tomatoes and other condiments and the side chips, beans, etc, it adds even more to the price. A green salad is obvious, but consider a three bean salad, or an antipasto type mix with artichoke hearts, olives, carrots, celery, cauliflower, etc, as an attractive alternative. They can be made ahead. If you do something besides the burgers, cheesy or garlicky French bread is a delicious filler. With a chicken casserole I might add a rice dish.
Emily Waclawski 04/20/07	I have a graduation party. I need to know how many bbq wings I should plan per person. There will be approximately 70 people. My menus consists of 4 sandwich rings BBQ wings Pasta salad chips dip salsa bean salad veggie tray spinach dip/pumpernickel bread Please advise ont eh bbq wings. Thanks
ellen 04/21/07	I usually allow 4 wing pieces per person with other foods- that's about 2 pounds raw wing pieces for every 5 people-
Dee 04/24/07	Our church group is having a chicken fry. We are planning on 400 meals. How many pounds of french fries and slaw will I need to purchase.
Nick 04/24/07	I will be having a event where I am making nacho's for 50 people. My ingredients are: Chips-5 LB Bags Sour Cream- Nacho Cheese Sauce-6 LB Can Salsa-64 OZ Refried Beans-7 LB Can or Chili w. Beans- 6Lb 12oz Can Can you please advise me as to the quantity of the items I need to purchase to feed these 50 hungry people. Thanks Nick
joan smith 04/24/07	I am feeding 40 people lasagna. how much hamburger do I need? How many servings can I get out of a 9 x 13 pan?
ellen 04/25/07	Dee, see the plan for 100 page for your items. Nick, there is a recipe for nachoes on site, which will give you your guidelines. 5 pounds chips should make plenty for 50 people. The chili with beans is too wet unless you drain it, consider refried with about 8-10 pounds regular ground beef cooked up with taco seasoning. Don't forget the sliced jalapenos. Ypu might look at my layer dip/appetizer as an alternative- you don't have to put every tray in the oven at party time, a big plus. Joan, see my bulk lasagna recipe on the lotsa pasta page. 8-10 servings per pan- it depends how deep the lasagna is- thinner makes less, but heats up faster.
zulma 05/01/07	how much ziti and sauce i need to make baked ziti for a school festival i need to know how much ziti and how much sauce do i need to buy for 100 people
ellen 05/02/07	Take a look at the mostaciolli and sausage recipe for 120 on the lotsa pasta page. If you leave out the sausage, you will get about the right quantity for 100.
Mindi 05/02/07	I am having a wedding reception for about 150 people. I am preparing hot turkey sand. and italian roast beef sand. How many lbs of meat of each will I approx. need?
debbie 05/02/07	I am planning beverages for my son's wedding. Can you tell me how much pop we need. We are having 280 guest and are serving beer, wine and water. Thanks for your help.
ellen 05/02/07	I allow 15 2 liters sodas per 100 people when there is a bar. About 1/3 diet/ sugar free, both colas and non-caffeinated.
Jean 05/03/07	We are preparing fruit trays for 320 people. Melons, strawberries, kiwi and pineapple. How much of each, presuming that the melons are mid-size, please. Also how many people is considered adequate for one romain lettuce heart?
Mandy Grace 05/03/07	I am catering my reception with the help of my family & friends. My menu is going to be: Boneless Chicken wings (w/ several sauces) Meatballs (same with servral sauces) Finger Sandwiches Pasta Salad Tossed Salad or Veggie Trays Cupcakes (insteadof the traditional cake) and cookies (diamond, bells, brides, grooms) and chips/pretzels for munchies I can find how much of the "meat" type things to make if you are ONLY making that (etc. meatballs you need 10 lbs)..But they have 3 choices does that make a difference??? I have approximately 140 people attending and have no idea about how much of the three to have. THANK YOU@@!!
ellen 05/06/07	If you have three things, you make a little less than half of Each of the three, so about enough for 70 of each.
ellen 05/06/07	Jean, see the fruit tray page for complete info on the fruit question. See the plan for 100 page for info on romaine salads.
Shannon 05/07/07	Hi there ... for my son's graduation we are sending out approx 100 invites. The menu is: Chicken Wings Sauerkraut and Kielbsa Swedish Meatballs Baked Beans Either Macaroni or potatoe Salad Vegie/Dip Tray. How much of each would be enough? Thanks
ellen 05/07/07	Shannon, just plan for 100, teens eat a lot, the folks who don't come will allow for the extra appetites. These foods are mostly covered in the plan for 100, appetizer planning and vaggie tray pages. For example, it tells you 4 gallons of potato salad and 3 gallons of beans for 100. Since I posted my tables I rarely do original estimates (too many reuqests) but if you use the tables to make your estimates and post it I will be glad to check it for you. You have to tell me if this is an afternoon party or a lunch or supper time. The amounts are about 40% different depending on time of day.
Margie 05/09/07	how much lettuce for 350 people
ellen 05/10/07	See the plan for 100 tables, The first section is all different kinds of salds, ceasar, tossed, etc.
LaShonda 06/01/07	I'm catering for a 150 people. I concerned about the correct number of gallons of tea and lemonade to prepare for. Could you help me please?!
ellen 06/01/07	LaShonda, there is a beverage planning page. This is for a single meal or less than two hour functions, add about 1/3 to 1/2 more for each additional hour. You want aboput 1 pound of ice per person.
Mel 06/17/07	I am having a family birthday party with 35 people, including kids. I want to have a meat tray so people can make sandwiches. How many pounds of deli meat do you think I should get? I was going to purchase, ham, turkey and maybe roast beef. I will also be having cheeses, american, swiss and provolone. Thanks!
ellen 06/18/07	There is a page for sandwich events. You want 1/3 of the amount for 100 people. It even details amounts for condiments. You can use the button at the top of the forum index page.
CYNDI 07/04/07	Planning a wedding reception from 2 until whenever...even though I have done this before, it's been many years. Cannot remember how much soda pop to purchase for 100. Your website gives a great list of everything but.
ellen 07/04/07	On the beverage planning page- 15 2 liter sodas per 100 people, including some caffeine free and some sugar free. This assumes there are some other drinks
Char 07/07/07	Help! For an imformal reception of about 100, we are planning a taco bar, rice and meat. We are also having Chicken, potato salad, fruit for the older crowd. I an quessing about: 20 lbs gr. beef w/seasoning 10 lbs chopped lettuce 10 lbs shredded cheese 8 lb container of salsa 2 lg cans nacho cheese w/ chips and of course the jalapeno, etc. Does this sound about right?
Lori 08/08/07	Making a tossed green salad for apprx. 150 people for a wedding reception, LOTS of other food will of course be there, how many heads of lettuce will I need to purchase, (will buy 2-3 kinds), bulk will be iceburg. Thank you!
ellen 08/08/07	Char, check the baked potato bar amounts- interestingly, the toppings for tacos and baked potatoes are about the same. If you expect 60 taco eaters, use 2/3 the amount for 100. Lori, see the plan for 100 table, the first salad section, and use just the amount for 100 for light servings for 150 people.
Judith 08/27/07	how much ham to feed approx 70 people Approximately how much or how large a ham do I need to feed approx 70 people. I also plan to have chicken as a meat. Thanks, Judith
Sue 08/27/07	Planning a benefit Beef & Beer and are expecting approx. 225 people. We'll have hot beef sandwiches, pasta and potato salads, baked beans, green beans and mashed potatoes (all from scratch)along with a dessert bar and misc. chips & dips. How many pounds of potatoes do we need for the mashed potatoes? Obviously, there's plenty of food to chose from and everyone isn't going to like everything... I've also been told that 15 pounds of macaronic salad is adequate. Is that right?
Surprsie Party 08/28/07	Please Help! I am throwing a surprise party. I have noted on the invite heavy appetizers and both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks provided. It is a party for about 50 adults and it's in the evening. I am planning on having Wings, Chicken bites (the round small pieces of chicken), pizza cut into small squares, turkey wraps cut up into bite size, Sausage Balls, a shrimp platter with plain and marinated shirmp, pasta salad, spin dip & salsa with chips or crackers, a veggie tray, cheese ball, and other chips, chex mix and nuts in other areas of the room. I am also possibly having a basic sald pre mixed in a bowl (not sure about that one). How much of each should I have? Some will stay an hour .. some will stay 5 or 6 hours. I have no clue how much of each to get?
alice womble 08/29/07	I am having the following for my daughters wedding. How much would I need of each to feed about 200 people? Chicken salad small croissants cheese balls - big homemade Crackers small wieners in sauce sausage balls fruit trays vegetable trays nuts
ellen 08/29/07	Judith, Ham, with the chicken, 1 pound raw boneless for each 3 people. Sue, 70 pounds of potatoes and 12 poiund dry pasta as the base for the salad- I think that is more than 15 pounds prepared. Suprise, skip the salad, go with veggie tray and dip (see the veggie tray page). You want 1 1/2 pounds of food total per person, so divide it up as you like, with that weight as a target. See the appetizer planning page for help and ideas. Alice, all these items are covered on these pages: sandwich event page (for the chicken salad) appetizer planniong page fruit tray page veggie tray page Do be SURE to read the article about wedding dinners/ receptions (see the button at the top of the main cook talk page).. When you prepare your initial estimate, post it and I will check it for you.
Karen 08/30/07	recipe On May 1st you responded to Zulma, Take a look at the mostaciolli and sausage recipe for 120 on the lotsa pasta page. If you leave out the sausage, you will get about the right quantity for 100. I cannot find this recipe, my question is the same.
ellen 08/30/07	go to the main cook talk page and press the button marked spaghetti. Have fun.
Jill 08/30/07	Hi Ellen: Great site. Thank you so much. We are having a 50th Wedding anniversary party for our parents. We are having on old fashioned pig roast. (4-H supporters). The pork dressed will be about 200 lbs. We opening the reception to all friends and family, and anticipate serving about 150 people. Have a huge family so leftovers shouldn't be a problem. We were thinking of one hot dish either Macaroni and Cheese or Scalloped Potatoes and one cold dish Potato Salad or Macaroni Salad. Baked Beans, Slaw rolls, and homemade cookies. Ice Tea, Lemon Aid and Coffee. How much of each should we prepared if we are serving such variety? Unless of course you would suggest a tastier and simplier menu. Thank you again.
ellen 08/30/07	This is a nice, easy menu, I hope you have a great party. I would do the hot starch and the cold starch opposite, one with pasta and one with potato. All these items are in the plan for 100 list, you would use 1 1/2 times the amount for 100. For example, it tells you that you want 35 pounds of potatoes or 6-7 pounds of dry pasta to make salad for 100. There is even a beverage page which tells you the different amounts for breakfast versus dinner coffee. There are good recipes posted for 100 for all these foods. An easy way to heat and plan, is, 1 electric roaster which you would fill about 2/3 full, holds 12-13 quarts or about 3 gallons. As far as the cookies, if you have several kinds, make them fairly small and plan 1 of each kind per person up to 4. The only thing I might add, in honor of the pork, is a great BBQ dipping sauce and maybe either some baked sweet potatoes or a fruit salad with plenty of pineapple.
Julie 09/03/07	I am having an outdoor luncheon for about 75 people... I am serving Sandwiches, chips salads, cold appetizers and cake... I am planning on cutting watermelon into squares... How many watermelons should I buy or pounds do I need? Also, is a gallon = to a pound? (I was reading other peoples questions and answers) Thanks Julie
ellen 09/03/07	For most dishes, a gallon is around 8 pounds; salad less, of course. For generous picnic type watermelon servings, I allow 1 pound per person. You could easily do 1/2 that and have plenty. Get seedless- much easier to clean up and eat, and they have been good this year, at least in Texas.
Shelly 09/04/07	I am having a 13th Birthday party for my daughter. There will about 70 kids. I want to keep the menu simple. We are going to have Pizza, chips, and cupcakes. I am not sure how much pizza to get. I would hate to not get enough but I dont want to be eating pizza for the next 2 months either. Thanks for your help, shelly
ellen 09/05/07	You ned 1/4 to 1/3 of a 12" piza per kid, depending on their size (13's can be kid size to man size...). I would add a veggie tray (pr at leat babby carrots, grape tomatoes and cuke sticks or celery sticks) with ranch dip for health and variety.
Sheena 09/05/07	Hello. I am throwing an 25th anniversary celebration for my parents. It will be from 1-4pm and I am planning on about 100 people. There will be a cake, plus other small desserts, and fruit and veggie trays. Based on the numbers given on the planning for 100 page I worked this up but am very unsure of it. I usually do too much but can't afford to in a case like this. Fruit tray: 6lbs cantaloupe, 2-10lbs watermelons, 8lbs kiwi, and 6lbs grapes Veggie tray: 5lbs carrots, 8lbs grape tomatoes, 3lbs broccoli, 4lbs of cauliflower Please let me know what you think. I really appreciate it. Thanks!
Cara 09/18/07	I need to know how much food i need to servere a hot turkey dinner to 200 people. i will serve turkey,mashed potatoes,carrots,peas,canberries,rolls and dressing. thanks
ellen 09/18/07	Sheena, I am sorry you did not start a new thread, I missed this question.. For 100 people, you want at least 1 pound edible fruit for each 4 people, so this is enough, but if you can afford it, choose other fruits for one of the watermelons- I think of srawberries and a fresh pineapple for color and interest. For the veggie traysI woud add one interesting vegetable, such as two pounds of snow peas and/or those beautiful new miniature sweet peppersthat are yellow, red and orange. Cara a complete guide to planning and serving a community turkey dinner is already posted at the top of the Big Pots index page.
Phyllis Randle 01/09/08	How much potatoe salad and bake beans feeds 50 people and how may chicken wings feeds 60 people. Please let me know asap party is 1/12/08
ellen 01/09/08	1 3/4 to 2 gallons potato salad, 1 1/2 gallons baked beans. Chicken wings depends on whether they are whole wings or the individual pieces, but if you want a dinner size portion (not just an appetizer) allow 1 pound per person- more than half is skin and bone.
Kimmy 01/12/08	I need to know how much potato salad, macaroni salad, chips, salad mix, veggie trays, fruit trays, dinner rolls I will be needing for over 1,000 people ? For our Welcome Home Party for our Soldiers. Any help would be greatly appreciated for this huge amount of people. If you could please let me know asap ! Thank you and God Bless ! Kimmy
ellen 01/13/08	ALL these items are covered exactly in the plan for 100 page, the veggie tray page and the fruit tray page. Just multiply each amount times 10 to get 1000. May they all come home safe, and be able to stay here.
cheryl 01/14/08	How many spiral sliced bone in hams are needed for 200 people. Menu - baked eggs, ham, fruit, toast & juice. Thanks!
ellen 01/14/08	Assuming it is breakfast/brunch, you want about 1/2 the amount for a dinner serving, so same as dinner for 100. If you check the plan for 100 page, you will see that is (raw) 2 25 pound bone in hams, or 4 15 pound bone in hams. If they are already cooked, just to be rewarmed, you need about 80% of the raw weight-
Shawanna 01/16/08	Serving about 60 people and I need to know how much to get for each item, we will be eating at about 6pm the menu includes Chicken Meatloaf Macaroni Corn Cabbage Cornbread Spaghetti Mashed Potatoes w/Gravy Deviled Eggs Sweet Potato Pie Carmel Cake Banane Pudding
ellen 01/16/08	Shawanna, you can use my tables for 100 and use 2/3 of the amount for 100 for the single items. Use 1/3 of each for the chicken and meatloaf, and for the desserts see the dessert planning page. One recipe of the deviled eggs on my site would be fine for this party. If you prepare an estimate, I will check it for you.
Felicia 01/17/08	Could you please how much green salad would it take to feed 170,and how many bottles of Dressings?
Jessica 01/17/08	I'm chairing a spaghetti dinner for my daughters school and would like your opinion on quantity. Spaghetti noodles will be cooked before hand and reheated. How many pounds do you suggest for 150? Sauce will be basic Prego traditional with tomato sauce and diced tomatoes and of course some added veggies. Is 1 cup of sauce per person sufficent? Salad - How many 3lb. bags of salad mix would work for 150 people? Tomatoes and other veggies would be added for flavor. Also should we mix dressing into the salad before or let the guest serve themselves? Thanks so much for your extremely helpful website!
ellen 01/17/08	Jessica, see the instructions for spaghetti dinner for 50-60 on the lotsa pasta/ spaghetti page, and make 2 1/2 to 3 times the amount (larger if middle or high school, smaller if grade school or lesser crowd.) These items are covered exactly. There is also very specific info on reheating spaghetti.
ellen 01/17/08	I would not premix the dressing unless I were making a wilted salad. See the article for help on amounts and types of dressing.
Jan 02/05/08	How much chipped ham should I buy to make 70 Ham BBQ's.
ellen 02/08/08	18 pounds
helen 07/16/08	How much do I need of each item listed to feed 200 people? Also list the amount of ingredients needed for each dish. Collar Greens Potato Salad Macaroni & Cheese Baked Beans Sliced Ham BBQ ribs BBQ Chicken Roasted Chicken Seven Layered Salad Corn Bread Slice bread and rolls Watermelon Fruit trays Cakes Pop Water condiments Veggie trays Drumettes Cold Cut Trays Macaroni Salad Lemonade Pineapple Punch Sheet cakes
ellen 07/17/08	Helen, as you will notice when you read through this and other threads, I do not do the initial estimates on the requests. Because I have posted all the tables I use for quantities for 100, I ask my readers to make an initial estimate, post it, and I will review it and comment. It is also unclear whether you mean 200 of each type meat or you plan to serve all at once for one 200 person event. The exception I will make to help with initial estimates is when there are several meats served at the same time, and to help with this estimate I need to know the age range or type of crowd, whether this is all you can eat buffet or plated, whether it is included in an event fee or pay per plate, and about what you expect in terms of how many of each. All these affect the quantities people take. This varies from region to region and you know better than I. This looks like two separate meals and there are tables and recipes for all the foods on the site. You can write back.
Del Dempewolf 07/29/08	Cookies and cup cakes I am having a backyard wedding for my grand daughter. We will have approx. 125 people, she wants a desert table, or cookies and cupcakes,punch fountain,anc choclate fountain. Her cake will be a 3 tiered hexogon cake. Any suggestions how many cookies and cupcakes we should have. The wedding will be at 7 pm and most of the guest are college student ages. Thanks
ellen 07/29/08	With college students, I would allow 2 desserts per person. There is an article called dessert bars , just plan for about 200 portions, there is an article on chocolate fountains and their care and set up. There is also a beverage planning page. I think these will be what you need- when you have made some estimates, if you are still uncertain, write and post them and I will check for you. You might consider an ice cream sundae bar instead of a chocolate fountain, it offers more variety and is easier and safer to serve. All these articles have buttons at the top of the main cook talk page and links in the planning area of the Big Pots index page.
Paula 10/02/08	Hello! we are have a church lunchen and need to know how much Ham and turkey is needed to feed 70 people also haveing potato salad, baked beans will use the small style hamburger bun. Many Thanks Paula
ellen 10/02/08	You want about 4 ounces ready to eat turkey plus 3 ounces ready to eat ham for each person. There are yield tables for the turkey in the holiday cooking section at the top of big pots. The ham is 1 pound ready to eat for each 5 or 1 pound preheat yourself for each 4.
Niyati 11/04/08	We are making bean salad for 200 people. How beans do I need? Dry or canned? THanks!!
ellen 11/04/08	It depends on what KIND of bean salad. You want about 12 cup per serving and about 120 servings for a self service single salad. I like a 4 bean mix with short cut green beans, red kidney beans, white beans or black-eyed peas and garbanzos. Sometimes I add drained niblet type corn, and I like slivered celery or bell pepper, too, for taste and appearance; about 2 parts of each of the beans and 1 part of each of the additional items. Then about 1 part of a good Italian dressing or vinegrette. 1 #10 can is about 12 cups drained and rinsed.
ellen 11/04/08	Also, 1 pound of dried beans makes 6-8 cups. Make sure they are soaked, drained and well-cooked; garbanzos take about twice as long as other beans.
Louise 12/01/08	Ellen, I am serving 70 people a bone in ham roast along with a chicken breasts w/ artichoke and olive dish. How much of each will be needed as part of a full meal? There will be appetizers served before hand. Thank you!
ellen 12/01/08	Hmm. This is a little tougher than usual because the chicken dish is exotic. Assuming buffet service, I would make 3 ounces ready to eat ham PLUS 4 ounces ready to eat chicken breast per person to allow for choice. That would be about 15 pounds raw chicken breast and about a 20 pound bone in ham.
Julie 12/03/08	Hey Ellen, thanks for the info on the pork. Your website is fantastic it is saving so much time! So Now I need to know how much chicken to buy (in pounds) to have shredded chicken salads. It's a tex-mex style with beans, rice,lettuce, and chicken. The lady I am working with on this wants to use chicken breast because she thinks it will be easier than whole chickens. So that is what we will probably use. Thanks
ellen 12/04/08	Boneless skinless thighs are moister and more chicken-y than breast, and cheaper. I would allow 1 pound raw for each 3-4 persons.
Nikki 01/08/09	I am planning a wedding and the guest list is over 300 but I am planning on only about 150 to show up. I was wondering how much pop I should buy for that many people and when should I buy it? Cans or 2 liters? There is going to be beer, coffee and lots of mix drinks. Please help!
brenda 01/08/09	how much fruit salad do I need foe 400 people?
ellen 01/09/09	Nikki, see the beverage planning page for discussion. Also, that is a very optimistic estimate- are you SURE that half the people invited won't come? Brenda, see the quantity tables on the fruit tray page and the salad section at the top of the plan for 100 page.
Rachel 01/11/09	Im having a baby shower for about 70 people. I was wondering if 4 (2lb pans) of ziti would be enough.
ellen 01/11/09	If this is the only entree, no. If you go look at the weight and the serving estimates on a family-size stouffers frozen mac or lasagna, you will see how much you need for 70 people.
Stuart Hendry 01/25/09	Service suggestion Hi I'm catering for 132 people and they having Haggis , Turnip , mash potato as a starter . I'm the only chef but i have kitchen porters to help i need fast rapid technique to get 132 portions out the kitchen fast i have some ideas but i don't think they will be that fast . Please help Stu .
ellen 01/25/09	You make a double row with the items down the middle of the table in the order they go on the plate. One server each side for each item plus a wiper at the end of each line to clean up the plate. You should be able to plate this in about 20 minutes. Servers take out a tablefull at a time- classiest and most likely to stay hot if you have the plate covers. You either have those folding tray holders that the server can set the large tray on to serve, or you have to have two servers- one to hold the tray while the other serves. This just about doubles the number of servers you need. Most people don't like haggis, hope these are small portions...
Karen Cunningham 02/08/09	How much Johnny Marzetti will it take to feed about 85 people? How many oz. of lb. noodles? How much sauce? Your response would be greatly appreciated. I haven't cooked for a group this large since the 1980's. Thanks, Karen
ellen 02/08/09	There is a recipe called sausage and mozzarella bake for 120 on the spaghetti/ lotsa pasta page. If you use it as a quantity guideline for the sauce, meat, pasta and cheese, you can use 2/3 the amount and come out just about right.
Amanda 02/16/09	I am having a wedding and need to know how to make chex mix for 200 people for the favor boxes... how would i convert this? I believe that we will be having a serving size of 3/4 cup per person. thanks if you can help
ellen 02/16/09	The only way I can suggest to estimate this is look for the volume and weight on a box of chex mix (it is sold ready-made these days) and figure out the weight of a serving of the size you want- then you will be able to estimate how much to make.
Joyce 02/16/09	How many turkeys and ham is needed to feed 75 guests. They want the 2 meats.
Olivia Williams 02/18/09	I will preparing for a wedding guest list of 200 and will be serving baked ziti, mixed green salad and fresh bread. How much of each will I need?
CASEY 02/18/09	you have too many carbs ....
ellen 02/19/09	Joyce, this is discussed in detail in the article on planning and shopping for large holiday meals in the holiday cooking section at the top of big pots. Olivia, you can estimate salad and bread from the plan for 100 lists. The ziti depends on whether it is the only entree, one of several entrees, or a side dish and whether or not it contains meats. Send more info, or look at the pasta estimating table at the bottom of the plan for 100 lists.
Norene 04/06/09	Dear Ellen, I am helping my daughter with her wedding reception. It will be an evening reception. She is wanting me to make my shrimp macaroni salad. I would like to know the amount of macaroni to purchase to make this salad for about 250 to 300 guests. The other ingredients will be tomatoes, chopped olives, baby shrimp, cucumbers and green onions. If you could help my by let me know how much I need to purchase it would be greatly appreciated.
ellen 04/06/09	6 pounds macaroni per 100 if this is the only starchy salad, somewhat less if there are other starchy salads. But shrimp is so popular, I would probably use the 6 pounds.
Fox Kapoor 04/14/09	Hey Ellen, I will be cooking for a polynesian luau and I wanted to know how much chicken thigh's will feed about 1,000 people?
ellen 04/14/09	See the plan for 100 page, chicken section, use 10 times the amount- has all the difeerent pieces and types. Mahalo.
Vivian 04/28/09	I need to feed 70 people refriend beans..The man at the taqueria claims I will need 2.5 Gallons. Is this true?
patrice 05/18/09	how much dry pasta do you use to make 20 lbs of pasta salad
ellen 05/18/09	Vivian that is about 2/3 cup per person, a usual estimate for a heavy serving. Patrice it doesn't figure in that direction- a pound of pasta salad can be double in volume another recipe, depending on what else and how much else is added, type of dressing etc. How many are you tying to feed, or what volume are you trying to reach?
Robbie 05/19/09	We are planning a 50th wedding anniversay party for our parents. We are having the food catered for the party. Should we have fruit or veggie trays? We are planning for around 50-60 people. Any ides would be appreciated!
ellen 05/19/09	Fruit trays are more popular. With this age group, if I were doing a veggie tray, I would do a relish tray with marinated and braised veggies- seniors aren't big carrot stick enthusiasts.
kathy 05/28/09	How many lbs. potatoes How many lbs potatoes for potatoe salad for 200
ellen 05/28/09	See the plan for 100 page, first item.
patty 05/31/09	I am planning a wedding reception with 100 guest. We are having chicken and reoast beef, how much meat should be calculated per person?
ellen 06/01/09	Estimating this is discussed in some detail on the entree chart of the plan for 100 page. At a buffet service party, you need 5 ounces cooked ready to eat beef PLUS 3 ounces cooked ready to eat chicken to allow everyone their first choice. You need 2 pounds raw boneless beef to get 5 5 ounce servings.
Rachel 07/21/09	I have to cook Lasagna for the women's ministry meeting in August. I have to make enough to feed 40 people at least. could you please tell me ... how many pans I need, how much hamburger meat, ricotta cheese, noodles, spegetti sauce and chedder/mozerella cheese I need? thanks rachel
ellen 07/21/09	See the spaghetti page. Make for 50. You will have plenty.
Kelly 07/27/09	My son's first birthday party is coming up, and we have decided to do ziti, meatballs, peppers & onions, garlic bread and tossed salad... how much of everything do I need to make?
Kelly 07/27/09	sorry, that is sausage w/peppers & onions.
ellen 07/28/09	Kelly, I can't do any estimates when you don't say how many people. However; the bread and salad are covered in the plan for 100 lists and the spaghetti/ pasta in the spaghetti page. I usually allow 3-4 ounces meatballs PLUS 2-3 ounces sausage, 2 ounces bell pepper and 1-2 ounces onions per person for these meats. The ziti, 1 9x13 for 8-10 people (depends on how big of eaters they are.
Kelly 08/10/09	Sorry - 60 people... we bought the deep dish aluminum pans/trays to make the ziti in - I think they are like 13x20 and 3 inches deep. We bought 2 trays - will that be enough??
ellen 08/10/09	Yes, each of these holds 3 9x13 pans.
Karen's homemade 08/13/09	How much needed? for 200 I am catering an event with 2000 ppl in attendance. I am in need of proper amounts for the sides because I do not want to over buy. The menu is as follows: Hot dog- 1 pp Brat- 1 pp Burger- 1 pp pasta salad potato salad baked beans cole slaw bag of chip- 1 pp Thank you for all you help! Karen's Homemade meals
ellen 08/13/09	Caterers estimate you need 10-11 gallons of sides like these for each 100 people. I usually break this down to 3 1/2 to 4 gallons potato salad, 3 baked beans and 2 1/2 each slaw and pasta salad.
Lori 08/20/09	Hi, Im having a birthday party for my son, there will be about 40 people there, We are having Sub Sandwiches, Corn on the cob & I want to make mac & cheese, I was wondering how many pounds I should make???? Thank you
ellen 08/20/09	It depends on your son's age; 1 pound for each 8 for teens and early 20's, 1 pound for each 10-12 for adults.
Diane 08/24/09	This is a wonderful site, and I am bookmarking this to my favorites! Can you please check my menu and quantities? We have confirmed 75 headcount, with another 25-50 flexible headcount that may show.....so we are gaging between 100-150 attendees. It's a casual outdoor picnic/bday party, and below is the menu, but we need to verify quantities: We are roasting a 200 lb pig (some used as pulled pork for sandwiches). PLUS we'll have: Potato Salad (homemade) - 30 lbs potatoes? Cole Slaw (homemade) - 3 heads? Buns (for sandwiches) - ~200 buns? Fried Chicken - 50 pieces German Meatballs - 10 lbs Applesauce - 2 gal? Baked Beans - 2 gal? Veggie/Relish Tray - fresh from gardens 5 Bean Salad - 1.5 gal Fresh Fruit Mix (Melons, Berries) - 20 lb Beverages: Iced Tea, Lemonade, Water, Pop Chips / Condiments Cakes - 4 large sheet cakes Thanks - appreciate any feedback!
ellen 08/25/09	You did a great job. You will have a LOT of meat left- the usual allowance is 1 pound whole hog per person- get the extra to the fridge ASAP and don't let it stand at room temp, or it will not be safely save-able. cole slaw- I would do 2 1/2 gallons- 18 to 20 pound assorted shredded veggies baked beans-3 gallons, unless they are really not very popular with your crowd cakes- a full sheet cake cuts 100 modest pieces, about 60 more generous; if these are full sheets, you could have a lot of cake left. You can get help with the beverages on the beverage planning page. You might consider using fried apples, they are so good with pork and much more interesting than applesauce.
Diane 08/25/09	Oh Yum! Fried apples sound so much better than applesauce! Thanks for the suggestion on the pork - we'll definitely put some away in the fridge and do a quick reheat if needed. Thanks so much for your review and help!!
Diane 08/25/09	Ellen - Do you have a fried apples recipe on here? I found some on a couple of other sites, but was wondering if I can pre-cook these, and then keep them in a slow cooker or electric roaster during the party? Also, how far in advance can I prep this?
ellen 08/25/09	I just use my crockpot or roaster oven to keep them warm, it works great. heat to desired temp on the stove hold at 185 in the roaster or high in the crockpot. You can do a couple days ahead and reheat day of; it gives the cinnamon and ginger time to sink in. Using frozen applejuice concentrate instead of all water really kicks up the apple flavor.
Diane 08/26/09	Perfect - thank you again so much!
Steve 09/21/09	How many pounds of french fries will I need to feed 60 people for a fish fry. There will be kids and adults.
ellen 09/21/09	4 ounces per person is the equivalent of the small pack of French fries at McDonalds. That would be 15 pounds. I would probably do 20, especially if it was self serve depending on the other dishes.
Cindi 10/02/09	Hi Ellen, How much ziti must I make for 35 adults, we are also having salad and rolls. Thank you for your help.
ellen 10/02/09	Check out the sausage mozzarella bake on the spaghetti page, use the quantities as a guideline (1/3 the amount would be about right) and adapt to your favorite ziti recipe.
Joann 10/04/09	Hi Ellen, I'm doing a Ocktoberfest menu for 25. 13 adults,(at least 6 big eaters), 7 teens & 2 kids. I think I have the amounts right from reading here but just want to double check with you. A 12-lb. boston butt for a braised pork roast,4 1/2 qts potato salad, 4 qts red cabbage, 6 qts vegtable soup (small servings as an app.)and 3 apple stack cakes. Other people will be makeing appitizers & and macaroni gratin, & possible some greens. One more question if you don't mind. I will be making everything ahead & bring it to the function. Thought I'd go ahead a chop up the roast, mix it up with the gravy and cover & re-heat it in maybe 325 oven for how long? I don't want it to dry out, although I think the gravy will prevent that. What do you think?
ellen 10/05/09	I would count this as 25 people, 1/4 of 100. You will not have any meat left-it is very close- so I might stand and serve that while letting people help themselves to everything else. An hour tightly covered on the meat, check temp in the middle of the pan, it should be 180 degrees. If it is a small deep pan it will take longer.
Joann 10/06/09	Thank you Ellen. I've decided to do 2, 10lb. boneless roasts instead. Does everything else sound likes it's enough? Thanks
ellen 10/06/09	yes, the rest looks like about what I would estimate.
Chris 10/07/09	How much sauerkraut would I need to feed approximately 400 people at a food tasting?
ellen 10/08/09	About 1/4 cup per person. A #10 can holds 12 1/2 cups.
Patrice 10/09/09	If I am making 36 turkey hoagies on foot long rolls, how much turkey and cheese do I need?
ellen 10/09/09	5-6 ounces of turkey per sandwich (1 pound each 3 sandwiches), 2-3 ounces of sliced cheese.
Debbie 10/12/09	helping a friend cook for her wedding reception for around 250 peaple menu is as follows:spaghetti with meatballs and sauce they don't want this to be mixed. crawfish fetticine but with bow tie noodles this will be mixed together green beans, corn, ceaser salad, and garlic bread.
Debbie 10/12/09	Hi Ellen I just submitted my menu but didn't ask a specific ??. Need to know how much of the noodles, sauce and meatballs, how much crawfish and bow tie noodles. Also the garlic bread, and ceaseer salad.
ellen 10/12/09	Unsauced spaghetti cooked ahead and held withoput reheating? Not very good. Talk to them about putting the sauce on and serving the meatballs separately. You need to look at the spaghetti/ lotsa pasta page for discussion on holding/reheating pasta. For 250 people, I would make spaghetti and meatballs for 175-200, see the spaghetti dinner for 50-60 on the same page and make 3 times thes amounts. For the crawfish, you will also need about 150 people's worth probably; people with think it is shrimp, and they basically inhale anything shrimp on a buffet. When you have multiple entrees, people tend to take more and some of each. The rest is all covered in the plan for 100 tables, you would use 2 1/2 times the amounts for 250.
Mildred 10/27/09	How much turkey, ham, mashed potatoes,and stovetop stuffing do i need to serve 2000 people
ellen 10/28/09	See the article in the holiday cooking section at the top of big pots, on planning asnd shopping for large holiday dinners. All this is covered precisely.
Sue 11/16/09	how much turkey do I need to serve 70 people on thanksgiving, it is the only meat I'm having, but, i'll also have the tators, stuffing, veg, roll, dessert
ellen 11/16/09	I suggest 1 pound raw whole per adult. 3/4 pound raw whole is the minimum, there won't be anything but scraps left. Turkeys under 18 pounds are easier to cook and have better meat. 3 would be good, 4 would be beaucoup plenty.

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