I have to prepare a buffet for 60 people for my husbands 40th birthday party.?

Question

How much of each food item would you suggest I would need in order that everyone has plenty to eat? Not 60 of everything surely?, or maybe more???

Answer 1

what foods?

Answer 2

When anyone starts this type of thing they always thingk along the lines of "everyone I know eats a lot" then over caters!

So take an average amount of food per person. Eg

1 filled roll
1 drumstick
1 sausage roll
A spoonfull of coleslaw/poato salad
A spoonfull of rice
A little salad
A small handfull of crisps
1 small merangue
5 strawberries with a touch of cream
3/4 of a bottle of wine (or equivalent)

I appreciate that the above is a pretty dull buffet with a 70's twang but just replace similar sized things - eg vol au vents for sausage rolls, or bruscetta for a filled roll etc.

Once you have a basic menu worked out for a person, multiply it by 60 :)

Answer 3

I would hire someone to "man" the bar-b-que and serve hamburgers and hot-dogs..You didn't say what type of food you wanted to serve so this is what I have done for 60 people in the past..You don't need to worry about all of the buffet pans, etc. this way......I made a big pot of Black Bean Chili (with no meat) the day before so a any person who came that did not eat meat could have something, too....Chili will go well with hotdogs (I mean good hotdogs not cheap ones)....and prepare salads...Go to CostCo and get the meat and already made salads and salad mix...They also have all the plates, plastic utensils, coffee cups, drinks, chips, cheese, onions, buns, condiments, napkins, and order a large cake while you are there to pick up the day before, or have a guest pick it up the day of and bring it to the party...You don't want to do dishes after the dinner so keep it simple...Having an outside event is fun and you can rent the tables and chairs or borrow from your kid's school or your church (if you go) ....you can even rent an awning to put up and put all of your food tables underneath....Even if it's inside, you can still have the bar-b-que outside, and have the burgers and dogs cooking while the people arrive.....Whatever you do, ask for help...or have it catered so you don't have to stress...!!! Most importantly, ENJOY~~!!!

Answer 4

I hold a new years eve bash every year for 50 people and have to say the first year i did it i had sleepless nights but have been doing it for nearly ten years and it gets easier!
First i work out who has been invited, they are obviously Friends and family, do they generally eat a lot,you don't need 60 of everything as some people won't like them.
My staples are
a whole salmon baked in the oven in tin foil
a piece of lamb and beef roasted
and 100 chicken legs ( brushed with honey and soy sauce ) and baked
three big bowls of fresh green salad
2 of potato salad
and 2 of coleslaw
you may want to do 50 sausage rolls and 50 vol au vents
i also make spring rolls and chicken and salmon satay sticks
Desserts are marks and spencers tortes and home made pavlovas and trifles.
all the stuff is pre preparable and leaves you time to enjoy the party.
Buy lots of ready made sauces bbq , salad dressings etc to save time. if someone offers help then accept it. Ask people you know can cook to bring a contribution and above all enjoy!
Another tip is to invite some friends round the following day to help tidy up and eat the leftovers.

Answer 5

First of all, figure out what your complete budget will be and then determine where and what time of day you'll be having your event. If you have your party earlier in the evening, then you are looking at serving appetizers and drinks. If you are having it later, then you're looking at dinner fare. Here are some ideas for a buffet dinner:

1. Hot Station: Baked ham for slicing ( 8 pounds min.)
Beef brisket for slicing (3 large)
2. Pasta Station: Lasagne with meat sauce
Fettucini Alfredo with chicken
Spaghetti with Marinara
3. Salad Station: Large green salad with 2 dressings
Spinach Salad
Large Fruit salad
4. Bread Station: Artisan breads and rolls with butter
5. Dessert Station: Cookies, brownies, birthday cake

Optional: Appetizer and condiment station to include olives, celery, carrots, ranch dressing, tortilla chips and salsa, pickles and salami.

You'll need to figure on 1 to 1 1/2 cups pasta per person as well as 1 cup salad, 1/2 cup fruit salad, 4 oz of meat, two rolls, and 2 dessert options. Not everyone will eat such a large amount, but some will eat more! Plan on at least two trays each of lasagne and spaghetti. You can get some great deals at places like Smart and Final, Costco, and Sam's. Plus, Costco makes terrific cakes for cheap!

You didn't mention what you all would be drinking, but I suggest a variety of chilled box wines, beer, sodas, and bottled water. Good luck!

Answer 6

It sounds like it is your first time. Thats ok. Just look at how much you would eat, add more for males. Put in a few varieties of food. You may wish to consider pre dinner drinks with appetizers, this helps with buffet, (not so much food). If you hit the finger food hard (snacks) You could probably get away with a red meat roast and white meat roast 3 veges and a salad. 2 deserts with tea and coffee and you will have food left over. Put each item in medium sized dishes and make more than one. As one finnishes bring out another.
Spread out the dinner over a few hours, the slower people eat the less they eat. They will be inclined to drink than eat, so it will be easy to over do it. but embarrassing if you fall short.
You may even find some could bring a dish of something, 2 of those and you are set. Relax, don't panic, if the food starts to look low on the night, offer more drinks. It works!

Answer 7

Now for a serious answer look in Mrs Beetons book of household management and adapt from that, but remember not everybody likes the same thing and some items will be more popular than others, Suggestion is trays of sandwiches sauage rolls and vol avants, plus satay ticks. Rice dishes and pasta dishes that can be spooned onto plates much of this can be prepared ahead of time and frozen.

Also lots and lots of cake because whilst people talk sour they all eat sweet. Lots of cream and chocolate Plus if you have to give alcohol to your guest keep it low key no spirits and wine only

Answer 8

It really depends on what kind of food you are preparing, If you are having a buffet, you can do a wide variety of foods, such as 3 or 4 meat items, potatoes, spaghetti, finger foods, veggies, noodles, breads, deserts,sandwiches,beans, their is a wide selection of foods you can proper, just make it simple, and easy on yourself. It will all pull together okay, just think of something easy, like cook out on the grill, you can make it into a buffet, Ive done it, and it went over great, not that expensive either.... Good Luck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 9

Start by going to your nearest large box party store like a Party City or similar. They have everything you need to serve, decorate and accessorize including often some games. You can purchase 60's music just about anywhere. Sorry I am not able to advise on your montage...

Answer 10

About 60 of each would be good or maybe a bit more. You cant be sure what people like so cater for both meat eaters and vegeterians. Also make lots of extra bits like salads, pasta salads with tuna and sweetcorn, vol-o-vants, sausage rolls. Youd make things a bit more interesting by maybe puttin cockatail sausages on sticks or chese and pineapple on sticks. Depends on your budget really!! Good Luck

Answer 11

hi there,

make 4 different large trays with veggies, cheeses and meats or cold cuts and fruits, meatballs filled with cheese, rolled asparagus with smoked ham, noodle salad, potato salad, coleslaw, pigs in a blanket, make a tower with donuts holes and drizzle your favorite sauce, different breads, different crackers,stuffed mushrooms, chocolate covered strawberries, turnovers filled with fruits or meats, lots of different dips and sauces,, well there are lots more just let your imagination soar
think about, that what ever you make, not everybody likes the same, so if you are short, people will take whats there, good luck and enjoy.

ps: don't stress, you can prep.most 1 or 2 days ahead, it's the quality and not quantity, decorate the trays with lots of herbs and season all well,