Cook Talk

Hors D'oeurve Reception for 300
Sandra
08/30/15 		Hi...I am planning an hors D'oeurve/dessert reception for 300. Here is what I have planned:
pulled pork sliders - 450
pinwheel roll-ups - 600
mini chicken salad tarts - 600
meatballs - 450 bbq, 450 swedish
Pasta Salad - 15 lb.
Taffy Apple Salad - 6 gal.
Veggie Tray - 8- 25" trays
Mini cupcakes - 300
Mini eclairs - 300
lemon squares - 300

The wedding is at 4pm. There will be no pictures, so the reception will begin right after the wedding. I am unsure if I have the quantities right. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated....Thank you.

ellen
09/01/15 		Sandra, because the reception is over dinner time, you are looking at 8-10 bites per person per hour, so I need to know how long the reception will last, and what is the age of the crowd? For example, how many kids and college age (big eaters ) vs older family relatives. Also, some menu tweaks. This plan is very meat heavy, so what are the guests who don't eat meat going to eat? I would be looking at adding at least fruits, cheeses, and some dips. Is that feasible? Write back.
Sandra
09/01/15 		Hi, Ellen. The crowd will cover a wide age spread, but mostly middle age to older I would say. The bride and groom are older. A large family. There will be kids, but that would be a small percentage. The wedding is in the beginning of October, so I wasn't sure what fresh fruits might be available at a reasonable price. Cheese and cracker trays are most certainly a possibility. I am open to any suggestions. Not sure how long the reception will go. It is being held at the church, so there is no contractual time like there would be at a hall. But since it is not a sit down dinner, I would say things would wrap up at about 3 hours. Thanks for your time.
ellen
09/03/15 		OK, 300 people, 3 hours, over a mealtime=24 to 30 bites per person= 7200 to 9000 bites. Right now I would ballpark your plan at maybe 5000, with not enough meatless choices, nothing gluten free.

pulled pork sliders - 450
pinwheel roll-ups - 600
mini chicken salad tarts - 600
meatballs - 450 bbq, 450 swedish each 10 pounds takes 3 quarts gravy or sauce
Pasta Salad - 15 lb. ??? for 300 people, 1/2 cup (4 bites) is 9 1/2 gallons, or 70+ pounds, 1/3 cup is 6 gallons and a quart. Could do a rice or potato salad for part, but suggest you allow at least 1 serving per person
Taffy Apple Salad - 6 gal.; 1/3 cup per person is 6 gallons and a quart

Veggie Tray - 8- 25" trays
Ranch style dip, 2-2/12 gallons
3 gallons humus
This is where I would also augment with dips and spreads, cheese trays, and for sure fruit
1 pound assorted chips per 12, 1 pint salsa or dip per pound (fancy dip such as 7-layer Tex Mex would be lovely)
20 pounds cheeses, some can be logs or spreads, 12-15 pounds crackers or toast bites
2 deluxe fruit trays for 100, see the fruit tray page. You can use grapes, dipped apple slices; dried dates, figs, apricots, if fresh are in short supply

I recently enjoyed a cream cheese and fruit dip with ginger snaps and lemon snaps as the dippers. Very nice!

Mini cupcakes - 300
Mini eclairs - 300
lemon squares - 300,
OK, but I would go 400 unless there is also cake; people will take 2 of the favorite and try 1 of each of the others

If this saves you time, trouble, or money, especially if this is a paid gig, please make a donation, maybe a dime per guest, to support this site. Thank you.

Sandra
09/04/15 		Thank you, Ellen! You have been most helpful!
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