Cook Talk

Wedding dinner for 300
Jennifer
07/06/13
Hi! I am preparing a dinner for 300 people with 50 kids roughly. Dinner will be at 7 in the evening outside with dancing to follow, do 2-3 hour event. The BBQ is being prepared by professional catering group. I am in charge of the rest. Here is the menu and quantities I am thinking...
Baked potatoes - 150-200 small.
Potato Salad - 60lbs
mayo - 1 1/2 gallons, eggs - 6 dozen, onions - 4-5 cups, mustard,relish (not sure how much)
Fruit Salad - from a can into bowl
Tossed bag salad - 9 lbs
chopped cherry tomatoes - (don't know how much)
Croutons - 1-2 gallons
Cheese - 10 lbs ( for both salad and baked potatoes)
Watermelon - 10? she wants some sliced and some to be in watermelon boats
Hot Dogs - 50 for the kids
Green Beans - 10 gallons ( don't know how much bacon)
Tea and Lemonaide - 24 gallons

I basically wanted to know if you think this is accurate? I am doing this alone and starting to freak out a little bit. Any suggestions would be wonderful!!!

ellen
07/06/13
Jennifer, bluntly, you can't do this alone. For 300 people, allowing the BBQ people are doing only the BBQ, day of you will need at least 4 people handling the buffet and other tables, and about 15 people to set up, serve, and clean up the party.

Hot Dogs - 50 for the kids- these are a true choking hazard for small children- if you feel you must have something, do chicken fingers or chicken nuggets- 1 pound per estimated 4 kids.

Baked potatoes - 150-200 small- don't go too small, it looks poor on the plate. You want at least 85 pounds

Potato Salad - 60 lbs do for 200
mayo - 1 1/2 gallons, eggs - 6 dozen, onions - 4-5 cups, mustard,relish (not sure how much) There are over a half dozen recipes for 100 on the site.

Fruit Salad - from a can into bowl- why? Use frozen fruits and melon balls, much tastier, much prettier; 1 pound per 5-6. You could even put some in the watermelon boats. See the fruit tray page

Tossed bag salad - 9 lbs- no
chopped cherry tomatoes - (don't know how much)
Croutons - 1-2 gallons
Not nearly enough. See the plan for 100 page do 2 1/2 to 3 times the amount for 100

Cheese - 10 lbs ( for both salad and baked potatoes). This is only 1 1/2 tablespoons total per person. I would increase. Need butter, at least 4 pounds per 100, and I would add 18 pounds of sour cream

Watermelon - 10? she wants some sliced and some to be in watermelon boats- At least 1 pound per 3 with the other fruit

Green Beans - 10 gallons- 12 gallons ( don't know how much bacon)- Make some meatless, use diced tomatoes and onions, for the non-meat eaters, which you will have in this size crowd

Tea and Lemonade - 24 gallons short- 30 gallons add water and ice, add dinner level coffee with dessert

If this saves you time, trouble, or money, please make a donation, maybe a dime per person, to support the site.

Jennifer
07/07/13
Thank You Ellen! This will help tremendously. I will in fact make a donation as I really like this sit and information!
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