wedding reception buffet/meat quantities
sharon
scf_bingo@hotmail.com
01/14/06 		Ellen: Love your site and have read almost every page. Will be catering my daughters wedding reception in June for approximately 150 people. Wedding is at 1pm. I have 2 questions. When you go to your big pots recipes, are these quantities assuming you are serving other dishes? Second, the bride and groom want the following. Do I have too much meat. (There will be lots of college kids)
50lb boneless ham; 40lbs italian meatballs; 50lbs pulled pork; 50lbs chicken wings. I will also be having potato salad, pasta salad, coleslaw, baked beans etc. Thank you for your help.
ellen

01/14/06 		This is a LOT of meat- you could easily go to 40 ham/30 meatballs/40 pork and still have plenty- the chicken wings will go in unlimited quantities. Total amount for sides is 1 gallon for each 10 people.

The quantities assume they are the only entree. I usuually suggest that if you are using two that are about equally popular, you use 60 percent of each, 3 about 40 percent, as people eat more with multiple meats. Unless you know that there is one much more popular (roast beef and liver, for example).

sharon
scf_bingo@hotmail.com
01/21/06 		Ellen, I had planned on putting all my meat (ham, pulled pork, meatballs, chicken wings, baked beans) into 5 different Nesco 18qt roasters to keep everything warm while the wedding is going on. I have been reading your site about things sticking to the bottom of the roasters because the coils are underneath the bottom of the pan. Would it be ok to line the bottoms of the roaster with heavy aluminum foil to keep things from sticking? Thanks!
ellen

01/21/06 		Suggest lots of nonstick spray and keep at 300. Also, if you preheat the wet meats and beans on the stovetop, and preheat the roasters just before you add this hot stuff, the coils will heat leass and you will be less likely to have scorch/stick.the roasters will not heat so long or hot.
teresa
z71fx20@cox.net
01/28/06 		I need to know how many pieces of fries chicken it takes to feed 50 people
ellen

01/28/06 		If you are buying by the piece, you want 2 pieces per person. If you are frying yourself you want 35 pounds raw.
Lynda Lavorini
06/09/06 		We are having a full bar at a reception for 230. I have no idea how much coke/pepsi buy for mixed drinks and drinking plain. Can you help me? Thank you.
ellen
06/10/06 		I think this is covered on the beverages table. If you need more help try greatpartyfood.com