Cook Talk

Graduation Party
Hope
04/15/16 		Working on a quote (my first ever) for a friends graduation party for 50.

The Menu
Chicken Salad Sandwiches
Pulled Pork Sliders
Pasta salad with salami, ham, pepperoni, assorted peppers and italian style dressing.
Green salad
Specialty Salad with corn, tomato, and feta.
Fruit Tray.

For the fruit tray I was calculating 14lbs of various fruit; grapes, strawberries, watermelon, honey dew, cantaloupe, and pineapple. My estimated cost $54.00 (x3 for labor) = $162. Is this close or am I way off?

This is my first question of many, I'm sure but wanted to make sure I was somewhere close before I proceeded. Any thoughts or comments are welcome to all other food as well.

ellen
04/15/16 		Hope, I don't do price estimates- there is way too much variation region to region and even store to store.

Traditional caterers generally have charges that are at least 3 to 4 times the actual food cost depending on the added services.

Be aware that in most states it is illegal to prepare food for sale in your home; only in the client's home or a licensed/inspected kitchen.

Also be sure you have liability insurance. If a worker is injured or anyone claims the food made them ill, you are personally liable.

Hope
04/17/16 		Ellen, thanks for the response. Can you tell me what portions I should be estimating for with the menu I have? For example, I am thinking, I would estimate my main sandwiches not for 50 but something different since I have two main proteins? Same for the three salads?
ellen
04/17/16 		Chicken Salad Sandwiches
Pulled Pork Sliders
I figure 2 sliders per woman, 3 per man. A pound of pulled pork makes 10-12 sliders, a pounds of chicken salad makes 10-12 sliders or 8 regular sandwiches, which you would cut into halves or quarters.
7 pounds ready to eat pulled pork, 4 pounds chicken salad
2quarts sliced pickles, 3 pounds sliced onions for the pork sandwiches, and consider adding a gallon of cole slaw

Pasta salad with salami, ham, pepperoni, assorted peppers and italian style dressing. 50 teens, 4pounds dry pasta to start; adults would be 3.

Corn Salsa, 5 quarts

Tossed salad, 1/2 the amount for 100 from the plan for 100 list

Fruit Tray. 7-8 pounds ready to eat, enough.

Consider adding 3 pounds chips, 3 pints dips.

Hope this helps. Now I need to ask for your help in return!
We've got major changes in the works to remodel EllensKitchen.com and in order to fund the new website, better searches and more help for your events, we need to raise nearly $20,000 within the next three months! For years, I've been helping make weddings & other large events a success and I've loved every minute, and now its time for the next phase.
Even if you can only afford $5-$10, every gift helps. Fyi, a pro event like this has will have a consult fee of $.25 to $.50 per guest.
Please click the masthead at the top of the page to visit www.EllensBigPots.com and help me keep helping you.

Hope
05/03/16 		Dinner Party
Dinner-ish party for 15 ladies (light eaters). Sliders, salad, and an appetizer. I was thinking 2 sliders per person but since its over mealtime, maybe 3? How much salad? Thanks.
ellen
05/03/16 		Hi again, Hope,

2 is plenty, some will have only one.
Do a scant 1/6 of the amount of salad for 100.
Consider doing 2 1/2 quarts of an attractive pasta or potato salad.

Hope
05/10/16 		Hello again,

For my graduation party for 50 I am making 3 different salads, should I go by the salad for 100 and do half for all three or should it be more skewed? Also for the pasta salad how much meat and cheese for 4lbs of dry pasta?

Thanks

ellen
05/12/16 		You do a green salad at 1/2 the amount for 100. Then for the others, for 50, do 2 gallons potato salad, 1 1/2 gallons pasta salad or other interesting salad such as marinated beans or vegetables.

You can write back. Now I need your help!
For years, I've been helping make weddings & other large events a success and I've loved every minute. We've got major changes in the works to remodel EllensKitchen.com and in order to fund the new website, better searches and more help for your events, we need to raise nearly $20,000 within the next three months. To make a gift, just click on the masthead at the top of the page- even if you can only afford $5-$10, every donation matters. Help me keep helping you!

Baseballmom
05/12/16 		planning beef and chicken kebabs for grad party. Can you help me estimate amounts to purchase? Thinking 65% chicken and 35% beef. Plan on serving 150 people.
ellen
05/12/16 		The beef will disappear first-

You want 50-60 pounds raw boneless meat for your kabobs, since it is a grad party, teen eaters, I would go 60 and be sure to have some serious side dishes

You can write back. Now I need your help!
For years, I've been helping make weddings & other large events a success and I've loved every minute. We've got major changes in the works to remodel EllensKitchen.com and in order to fund the new website, better searches and more help for your events, we need to raise nearly $20,000 within the next three months. To make a gift, just click on the masthead at the top of the page- even if you can only afford $5-$10, every donation matters. Help me keep helping you!

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