How Much Food for a Party?
Great Question! And there are a lot of things to consider.
Some things to think about up front are:
The age and gender of your guests.
Your handsome high school and college age male guests are still learning that a party is a social event, rather than a culinary event. You almost cannot get enough food in the house for them. At least double all quantities for them unless you're serving something made of squash.
Any gray in the crowd? Most of the senior generation will just nibble, so you can cut their quantities accordingly.
Surprisingly, count the chairs. If there are plenty of seats, most people will just sit and chat, and eat only a little. Conversely, if your guests are standing and milling around, a lot more food will be eaten.
The queue matters. Just like the bar, the accessibility of the food has an impact. If the goodies are easily available, such as spread on an open table, a lot more will be eaten. If you put the food in a corner, consumption will go down by 1/2.
Supplies have an impact. If your guest has lost her plate, fork, and napkin, and doesn't see any more, she'll retreat. Have plenty, and replenish regularly.
Time of day makes a big difference. Right at lunch or dinner hour will bring hungry mouths; mid-afternoon or after dinner, much less so.
Suggested Guidelines - Apply Your Equivalents
"Typical" 2 Hour Party:
A total of 22 - 24 ounces of food per person with these possible divisions:
Note: Choose 2 from this first group.
3 Oz. Meat or
3 Finger Sandwiches or
3 Meat Hors d'oeuvres or
2 chicken tenders or
4 shrimp etc.
3 Oz. of Variety of Cheeses
2 Oz. of Crackers with 2 oz. dip or spread or
2 Oz. of Specialty dips or spreads with 2 oz. bread or crackers.
3 Oz. total of Vegetables
Broccoli, Carrots, Tomatoes, Cauliflower, etc.
3 Tablespoons of Vegetable Dip
1 Cup total fruit
Grapes, melon, stawberries, pineapple, blueberries, etc.
3 Tablespoons of fruit dip
1 Slice of cake, tart, eclaire, etc.
Remote bowls of nuts , trail mix, etc. 1-2 Oz.
"How much food for a party?" has many more answers. We'll address other parties below.
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"How much food for a pizza party?"
Important Factors Are:
Age
Gender
Type of Party and Time of Day
For youngsters junior high and younger, 2 to maybe 3 pieces. For high school and college ages, 3 pieces for girls, 4 for boys. If the party is for an extended time period, add another piece. For adults, 2 pieces for women, 3 for men. Figure your needs and then add 10% for a safety margin. The simpler pizzas, such as pepperoni and cheese always go the fastest.
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