wedding reception for 300
Suzy
08/29/09
Hi Ellen! I have a reception for 300 @ 4pm, would you please check my numbers?

125 lbs pork loin w/
8 40oz. bottles of BBQ sauce
and 1 gallon of pineapple juice
125 lbs of meat balls w/
4 gallons of tangy sauce
40 lbs green salad
3 gallons of dressing
30 lbs cucumber/tomato salad w/
6 qts of dressing
30 lbs.dinner rolls
12 lbs. butter
20 lbs. of potato chips
**
30 lbs veggie tray
6 lbs pretzels
40 gallons of strawberry lemonade
10 gallons of ice tea
10 gallons of coffee
(the guests need to move to the lawn area so the room can be turned for the reception, so I will be offering ice tea and lemonade, veggies and pretzels at two different stations)
also, I plan to use Necco roasters, how many do you think I need? Six to eight is what I was thinking.
Thank you so much! the last time you helped me out the numbers were perfect! Blessings to you!!

ellen
08/30/09
Hello, Suzy,

As I have said repeatedly on the bulletin board, this is for home/volunteer cooks, not pro caterers, and it sounds like you are in the second category. For pros, I recommend the boards at chef2chef.com or cheftalk.com.

That said, this is what I would tell a family cook about your plans:

Overall, you have enough food for a mealtime, which means you will probably have a fair amount of leftovers.

125 lbs pork loin w/
8 40oz. bottles of BBQ sauce- I use shoulder, it is juicier and shrinks less. I make at least one day ahead and store in sauce so it flavors it and bulks it up a little. See also roll note below.
and 1 gallon of pineapple juice
125 lbs of meat balls w/
4 gallons of tangy sauce- probably more popular in a traditional marinara, unless they are toothpick hors douvre style

40 lbs green salad
3 gallons of dressing OK see table for assorted dressing recommendations
30 lbs cucumber/tomato salad w/
6 qts of dressing OK I would put out a side dissh of crumbled feta 10-15 pounds

30 lbs.dinner rolls- if you intend people to make sandwiches, you need larger rolls, at least 4ounces per person
12 lbs. butter= OK

20 lbs. of potato chips- need dips
30 lbs veggie tray- needs dip, is only 139 servings, see veggie tray page
6 lbs pretzels- I use 6 pounds per 100

40 gallons of strawberry lemonade probably way too much, I use 8 gallons per 100 plus ice, see beverage planning page
10 gallons of ice tea- plenty, have both sugar and sweeteners available, consider one of the new fruited teas
10 gallons of coffee- at least 1/2 decaf at this time of the afternoon, see notes about cream, sugar, etc, have real half and half. You will have some left.

Nescos only hold about 20-25 pounds meat (60-70 servings) each, safely.

Suzy
08/31/09
Hi again Ellen, I guesss my terms sound professional, but only because I work as a server in a hotel, and have for many years. I can make a room look pretty, or a buffet table, but purchasing and preparing food for weddings is something I do for friends at church once every year or two(and swear that I will never do another!:)Lol! Thanks again for your help!!
ellen
09/01/09
Good luck, then, you will need help and lots of refrigerator and freezer space.