Catering for 400 guests
Carol Guedes
11/25/11 		Hi Ellen! First of all just wanted to thank you for this helpful site!!
I'm catering for 400 people and since this is my first big event I can use some help pls.

Event:
Reception (1 hour) - buffet table w hors d'ouevre 8 pp
4 open bars set around the foyer

Dinner (1 1/2 hour) - sit-down dinner w wine - serving cold appetizer (Melon soup), eclectic salada (Cucumber and tomato salad w feta, dried cranberries and toasted hazelnut), a beef entree (Grilled filet mignon served w a purple potato gratin) and chocolate torte w espresso ganache on top.

After dinner - ballroom dancing (2 hrs) --> 2 cash bars open.

Questions:
How many wait staff for the reception and to delivery dinner, beverage, do I need?

How many prep/cooking staff to prepare the whole menu for 400 people (7 different appetizers -3 hot fried and 3 cold, soup, salad,entree, desert).

Thanks a lot for your help!

ellen
11/26/11 		Carol, this is a site for family and volunteer cooks. You need to join and post to the pro boards:

chef2chef.com
cheftalk.com

You are talking at least 30 people on the floor and 8-12 in the kitchen, not counting the bars, and that is if you have experienced servers. You will also certainly need an experienced floor manager.

You MUST have a vegetarian entree- many people do not eat beef.