Cook Talk

Summer Party for 40
Margaret
07/22/15
Hi Ellen,
I love this site! I am cooking for my son's graduation party. We will have 35 adults (40yrs old and +) and 10 young adults ranging from 18-22yrs old. He would like to have chips, salsa, hummus, and vegetables to start. Then I was going to do bratwurst and hot dogs in a slowcooker, pulled pork , penne vodka, lasagna, and chicken picatta. Followed be a 1/2 sheet cake etc. how much of each entree should I make? Thank you for your advice.
ellen
07/22/15
With the teens, I would just estimate this at 50.

chips, salsa, 4 pounds chips, 4 pints dips and salsa
hummus, 2 1/2-3 quarts hummus
vegetables, 5 pounds ready to eat

bratwurst and hot dogs in a slowcooker,
pulled pork ,
lasagna, and
chicken picatta.
For 50 people, this is very many entrees, and thus quite difficult to estimate without a lot of leftovers, I suggest you limit to at most 3 entrees, and since you are headed in an Italianesque direction, omit the pulled pork, which requires buns, slaw, onions, pickles, etc. Then skip the hot dogs, and consider just doing lasagna, chicken piccata, and either brats or sausage and peppers. If you did this, I would suggest:
8 pounds sausages, equal weight peppers and onions
4 9x13 lasagna, one meatless in case of any vegetarians
12 pounds boneless chicken, small pieces

penne vodka, you will use less because of the lasagna. 3 9x13 pans

Urge you to add a salad, see the plan for 100 salad section and use a scant 1/2 the amount for 100; and consider 6 pounds of good bread or rolls and a pound or 2 of butter, and possibly either roasted veg, 10 pounds, or a fruit tray.

1/2 sheet cake etc. 1/2 single layer cuts 30 pieces, you might consider a 2 layer and have some leftovers.

I hope this helps. If I have saved you time, trouble, or money, please make a donation, a nickel or dime per guest, to support this site. Thank you.

Re:
Name:
E-Mail: (optional)
 
Message
Body