How much food should I order to feed 30 people?

Question

I'm having a party for about 30 people, during the afternoon. I'm going to order trays of food but I'm not sure how much to order. I plan on some cold cut platters, bread, rolls and some hot dishes. I'm not sure how much of each thing I should order and how I should order it - full tray/half tray, per pound, etc.

Answer 1

it depends on the kind of food you are intending to serve. some dishes are lighter than others.
But as general rule think of 1 to 1.2 lb of food per guest including entrees and main dish or whatever you serve acting like entree or main dish. I dont know what kind of bread you are talking about but depending on the kind of dish you select, you are going to need like 1 or 2 small breads per guest (those individual breads that are the size of a muffin) for the main dish.
good luck

Answer 2

Just ask the deli manager of the place you're ordering from. That's what they're trained in and get paid for. He/she can help you put together your whole spread. And they ask you what time, what kind of event, are the people hearty eaters, etc, and then they come up with the best amounts of all the foods.

Answer 3

You should order about 2 trys full because you don't know if someone is bring somebody else with them and also If they are taking some food home with them after the partie's over.

Answer 4

Depends what kind of eaters they are; light or heavy?...rule of thumb always make an order for 10 over your guests.

Answer 5

Order for 20 people instead.

Too much food would be a wastage.
Too little food would be intepreted as stingy.

Fill your guests' bellies moderately.
This way, they won't be complaining their tummies over-bloated or under-fed.

Answer 6

I hear Jesus fed a tribe with only one loaf of bread.