retirement party
martha ann
10/28/08 		HELP!I am planning a retirement party for my husband.
We are serving meatballs(marinara & alfredo) cocktail weiners, grilled chicken tenders,, pasta salad, cheese spread, artichoke dip,pizza dip, cheese assortment,grapes, and pesto cheese cake.Punch and water. Dessert's.
4p to 6p.How much of each of these foods and punch do I need for around 150-200? I have the desssert figured out.
ellen
10/28/08 		Because of the time of the party, many people will come prepared to eat their supper from the appetizers, so you will hit that "way more than I expected" level.

To have plenty for everyone, you will want 8 ounces of meats per person, I would probably do 2 ounces of each of the 4. You will not have any chicken left over.

Cheese total, including dips, spreads and chunks, 20 pounds per 100. People eat a bit less if they have to carve their own, a bit more if it is sliced or cubed. And the chunks are easier to save if left over.

Dips, 1/4 cup each per person, you picked 2 popular ones. Crackers are 6-7 pounds per 100, but you don't have many bulky items and I would probably go with part good breads- about 10 pounds per 100- Italian chunks are good with cheese, pizza dip, meatballs, etc.

I would add strawberries to the grapes and plan 2 strawberries and 3 ounces grapes per person.

Pesto cheese cake? Count as part of the cheese weight.

Pasta salad, 1/2 cup per person.

Beverages, see the beverage planning page. At this time of day, consider adding dinner coffee to your punch, especially if you are not serving alcohol.

martha ann
10/29/08 		Thank you so so much. This info will be such a help. I now have guidelines.
You mentioned alcohol. After 6 we plan to serve beer and wine and have music for a couple of hours. Will this make any difference in quantities?
ellen
10/29/08 		The estimates are just for the 2 hour party from 4-6, if it will extend, you need about 6 "bites" per hour for the estimated crowd- see the appetizer planning page for more info.