Cook Talk

Wedding, 250 guests..Amounts?
Nora
07/30/15
So, we are planning a wedding dinner at church for 250 guests, including around 60 children. Plan is salmon, chicken thighs, rolls, fruit salad and assorted other salads, including pasta salad, broccoli slaw, green salad and a marinated veggie salad.
We are thinking 60 pounds of salmon and 250 thighs. Does this sound right? Another BIG question really is how many servings of each salad should we prepare? I know it's a bit hit and miss, as preferences vary. How many servings would you prepare? Would you make more pasta salad for example than broccoli slaw? It seems like it. I appreciate any input!
Thanks, Nora
Nora
07/30/15
I should have mentioned the meat will be served either/or. Guests can choose chicken or salmon.
ellen
07/31/15
Nora, this is not a particularly child friendly menu, and with 60 kids, that matters. Also, with 250 people, you will have some non-meat eaters, and no entree for them... The simple addition that would go very nicely with this menu is a pasta/cheese casserole such as macaroni and cheese, ziti, etc.

salmon, 60 pounds, plenty
chicken thighs, 250 plenty
If it is a summer wedding, poached chilled salmon would be very appropriate and save you oven time while avoiding overcooking.

rolls/bread, 30 pounds, get good ones!
butter, 7 pounds

pasta casserole, 1 pound pasta per 12, 1 quart sauce per pound, 1/2-1 pound cheese per pound

fruit salad, Consider fruit trays, prettier, hold better, leftovers more usable, see the fruit tray page. 2 times the deluxe tray for 100 would be plenty, could be part of the appetizer plan, see recommendation below

pasta salad, start with 15 pounds dry pasta
broccoli slaw, 6 gallons
green salad, use plan for 100 page, 2 1/2 times amount for 100
marinated veggie salad, 6 gallons

Please consider an appetizer plan and here is why:

A self-catered buffet is a real challenge to the organizers, and things don't always come together as smoothly as hoped. By planning and setting up an appetizer area or "nibble table" which is ready when the guests begin to arrive, the cooks and servers have time to complete the arrangement of the dinner buffet. This is especially critical if there are children among the guests, or there is a wait before dinner, as at a wedding reception.

This does not have to be complicated. Three items, plus a punch, or two if one is alcoholic, are sufficient. Typically, include a fruit tray, a cheese tray and an attractive dip or spread; or you can go with a dinner theme such as TexMex with chips, salsas, Texas caviar and guacamole; Italian with bruschetta or antipasto; maybe shrimps or other cold seafood, if budget permits.

One appetizer service area serves about 100 guests.

You will need about 3 people in the kitchen and 15 out front to set up, serve, and clean up the party. Some will not attend the wedding, they will be serving. Also, please read the wedding dinner article to help with your planning.

Hope this helps. If this saves you time, trouble, or money, please make a donation, maybe a dime or quarter per guest, to support this site. Thanks.

Nora
08/02/15
Wow! Thank you for this amazing input... This is very helpful for a Newby!
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