I have read your article on Food Party Planning, but have some questions. Please answer these for me.
Q: What you mean is that on a limited budget, a menu that suits everyone's liking can be made available. Please give me some idea how to do this.
Answer: Meat is the most expensive, but if the occasion isn't too formal, a hamburger is always a good option. Look for sales and bargains with other meat dishes. Chicken, pork, turkey, can often be bought cheaply at various times of the year. Buy in quantity when you see a good price. And don't forget the pasta. You should be able to drink in larger bottles, including soda and juice, for less money. Also, frozen juices that require you to add water are usually less expensive. And you don't need alcohol to have a good party. The spritzers add a nice touch to the juice.
Q: You mentioned asking guests if they have dietary restrictions or food allergies. I find it strange and I don't want to embarrass anyone. Any suggestions on how this can be done comfortably?
Answer: Yes. Put the question on your printed invitations. State "Please let me know of any food allergies or dietary restrictions." Then request an RSVP.
Jump To -
Easy Party Food - For Kids, A Crowd, Recipes, Ideas
Q: You suggest checking out several catering options, but my time is limited. Is it practical to do this without taking too much time?
Answer: Yes. Look for various local caterers in your yellow pages, but instead of calling them, type their names into Google and see if they have websites. Most do, and generally, you can learn a lot about the options they offer online. You can also type "local caterers" or "[your city] caterers".
Q: Do you have any more tips on hygiene and avoiding foodborne illness?
Make sure your vegetables are fresh. Plus, in addition to cooking the pork well in advance, use well-cooked eggs in salads or appetizers. Use fresh spices and keep them refrigerated until ready to serve and other cold dishes. Don't let them sit in the sun for long periods of time, or sit all evening at an evening party. Keep the pot covered.
Q: You suggest asking for help preparing the meal. However, I am afraid of being imposed on people. How can I get the help I will need?
Answer: One thing that works is to see from the start if you can ask others to co-host the party with you. If they agree, it should be understood that the preparation of the party, including the food, is a shared responsibility. In other words, this understanding is there from the beginning. Once again, I would like to emphasize that there is really no need to be shy about asking for help. Lots of people would be happy to pitch in, and if someone can't help, that's fine; Ask the next person.
Q: Can you help me calculate the amount of food for a big party?
Answer: The general guideline for a dinner party is one pound of food and 1/4 pound of snacks per person. 5 per hour per guest for the first two hours for appetizers and 3 per hour for each guest thereafter. This is only referring to the time before the meal unless the appetizers and drinks are on the full menus. Allow 2 sodas for each person or a 12-ounce punch for drinks. Plan a cocktail party to have 2 drinks for the first 2 hours and 1 drink every hour after that.
Q: You talk about time management and timeline. Please give more details.
Answer: Time management needs to be organized in which you give enough time to prepare everything for both yourself and your assistants without working under extra pressure. Establishing a timeline involves creating a written schedule for when and by whom everything is to be prepared. Be sure to double-check with your assistants to make sure your schedule is realistic.
Hopefully, these answers will provide enough detail so that your meal preparation is not stressful for you and will result in a menu that is both healthy and enjoyable for your guests.
Shannon Summers is an educator and food party planning enthusiast who is happy to teach others how to cast magic at their parties. Shannon's book Party Planning Magic - How to Plan a Perfect Party? There is an excellent detailed chart showing the amount of food to prepare for a large party. It shows meats (from roast beef to hot dogs), amounts of all kinds of vegetables, bread, cheeses, coffee, desserts, soups to nuts, and more.