What is the best way to handle a family gathering with 100+ people?

Question

I booked a place but I want to do all the food myself. The event will take place in August indoors with AC. I want decent food but I don't want to go overboard with my budget. Any suggestions are welcomed.

Answer 1

Coscto has really nice party trays with meat & cheese and huge veggie trays. They have large quantities of chips, drinks, meat, etc. Their lasagna is really good and only about $9 for 2 big pans.

Answer 2

Make a couple of trays of baked ziti -- in fact, you can make them in advance and freeze them.

Also a spiral baked honey ham and a roast beef would take care of your meat requirements -- include plenty of rolls, sliced cheese, and condiments if people would rather eat the ham and roast beef as sandwiches. The rolls could also be used with the baked ziti.

For vegetables, a nice tossed salad will do, and another easy dish is that green bean casserole made with cream of onion soup and Durkee onions (you'll find the recipe on the Durkee can, if you're not already familiar with it.).

Also, another tasty dish is red potatoes cooked and cubed -- then shake the potatoes in the largest freezer bag you can find, mixed with a few cups of vegetable oil and about 3-4 envelopes of Lipton Onion soup mix. Next, spread the potatoes in a couple of large baking pans and cook in 350 degree oven until they are browned and crispy.

Last, to cover all different tastes, I always like to cheat a little and buy coleslaw from Chick Fillet (spelling) -- it's reasonably priced and delicious -- about 3 or 4 large containers should do the trick.

Remember to use disposable aluminum baking pans, and you usually can rent the sternos and chafing dishes to keep your food warm during the party.

Oh and let's not forget dessert -- buy a sheet cake and some butter cookies -- by this time, you've worked hard enough!

In summary, here's your menu:

Roast Beef (carved)
Spiral Honey Ham
Rolls, sliced cheese and condiments
Baked Ziti
Green Bean Casserole
Tossed Salad
Red potatoes with onion mix coating
Cole Slaw
Sheet Cake
Butter Cookies

If your guests leave hungry, it's their own fault!!

PS: If you feel the need to fill any gaps in the menu, a vegetable (crudite) platter, chips and salsa, and a bowl of fresh fruit are standard fare.

Hope your party is a success!

Answer 3

Wow, that's a lot of people. You sure you don't want a caterer? Are you allowed to use or store stuff in their kitchen the day of the event?
As above, definitely shop at costco!

Watermelon Punch
Salsa and Chips
Veggies and Dip or Hummus
Potato Salad
Macaroni Salad
Ceasar Salad
Beef Tenderloin
Cedar Planked Salmon
Grilled Marinated Chicken Kebobs
Pasta with sauteed veggies
Tomato Mozzarella and Basil with Balsamic Vinegar and Olive Oil
Some dessert with berries
Good Luck

Answer 4

for main meal try bbq chicken or pork or roasr lamb you could have them all if you like then you can have baked vegetables springkled with rosemary - its deleicious

Side dishes you could have simple things like alfredo pasta or mac and cheese. Or you could have a nice salad

you could serve a soup before or after the meal what ever suits you chicken and corn soup , tomato soup pumpkin soup with croutons vegetable soup sea food soup

you can set all the food up on a buffett it would be great and you can serve raw carrots and celery just to nibble on its great then after the meal you can bring out the desserts

rasberry pavlova creamy chocolate mousse cheesecake rio lemon chiffon pie black and white tie cookies glazed lemon pund cake

and for the drinks soft drinks for the children juice or cordial and for the adults you could have spirits and serve aswell you could make a margerita mix apple cocktails beer margerita pina colada icees white chocolate martini


ofcourse im not suggesting you use every thing here as you said you have a budget but just some ideas to think about you could do it yourself with the buffett and a bar at a low cost to help yourself out.

Answer 5

Big pans of potato salad, cole slaw, spaghetti, baked beans, pasta salad, mini corn cobbets, green beans, deviled eggs, macaroni salad, hot dogs, brats or polish sausage, hamburgers, and chicken pieces should do it. You can buy all the meats in bulk at warehouse clubs such as Sam's Club or something. All of the rest of the foods serves a lot of people for a small price if you buy in bulk. However, you'll need lots of aluminum pans and sterno ware. As for the desserts, I'd go pretty simple...a few store bought brownies, cookies, and cakes. In August, watermelon should be plentiful and cheap, get about 10 of them and slice them up.

Answer 6

Instead of trying to do it all yourself (You'd be too exhausted to enjoy the party!) pick the category of food you'd like to do yourself, i.e. main course, dessert, etc, then ask for help from family members. Potlucks are fun, and everyone usually has a dish they like to show off. If you assign equal numbers to the different courses, and have the non- cooks bring drinks & tableware, everything should turn out well. Enjoy your party!

Answer 7

since you have already booked the place, you need to call them and ask how much help they offer.

if they offer very little help, you can always hire college students for your event, if you're on a budget.

Answer 8

At our family gatherings the one hosting that year provides the meats and drinks everyone else brings side dishes.

Answer 9

plenty of booze ;)