Office party. I need Ideas for food for an Office Party.?

Question

There will be around 50 people. I do not want to buy the food as I promised my bosses I would be cooking.


Thanks!

Answer 1

Wow - lots of people seem terrified to cook for 50 - but I would love it! :)

Assuming you like to cook (or you never would have volunteered for such a thing), Italian or Mexican dishes would be a really good way to go.

For Italian, you could do a lasagna, green salad, garlic bread ... things like that. Filling, impressive, yet reasonable to cook and transport for that many people.

For Mexican, try baked chicken enchiladas, a green salad, quesadillas, etc. Again, will fill people up, has an impressive presentation, but completely doable in one night.

Plus, if you genuinely like to cook, you can play with those cuisines a little ... do a butternut squash lasagna instead of a traditional one, or seafood quesadillas. Here is my favorite "new twist" on mac and cheese ...

2 pints grape tomatoes or cherry tomatoes, halved
1 lb pasta (like medium shells)
1 1/4 cups mascarpone cheese (from a 1-lb container)
1 cup finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
1/4 cup minced fresh chives

Put oven rack in upper third of oven and preheat oven to 400°F. Line a large shallow baking pan with foil and butter foil. Arrange tomatoes, cut sides up, in pan and sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Roast until slightly plumped, 15 to 20 minutes.
Cook pasta in a 6- to 8-quart pot of boiling salted water, stirring occasionally, until al dente, about 12 minutes. Reserve 1 1/2 cups pasta cooking water, then drain pasta well and transfer to a large bowl. Add mascarpone and stir until melted. Add reserved cooking water, tomatoes, half of parmesan, 3 tablespoons chives, 3/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper and toss well, then cool to warm.
Butter a 3-quart (13- by 9-inch) gratin or other shallow baking dish. Toss pasta mixture again, then spoon into gratin dish. Sprinkle remaining parmesan over top. Bake pasta until golden and bubbly, 18 to 20 minutes. Sprinkle with remaining tablespoon chives.
NOTES:
Can be prepared, but not baked, up to 3 hours ahead and kept uncovered at room temperature.
Serve the freshly tossed pasta without baking it. Sprinkle with remaining parmesan and chives.

Answer 2

Office Party Food Ideas

Answer 3

A baked pasta dish such as lasagna, or penne with a red meat sauce and lots of mozzarella and parmesan cheese, a big green salad, some rolls. Lots of appetizer type items such as shrimp cocktail, spinach dip & pesto torte with crackers. Some fresh fruit and killer desserts like raspberry cream cheese brownies, cheesecake and a white cake with a fruit filling with holiday decorations. Just remember it doesn't have to be super fancy just filling and above all taste and look good. The fact that you are cooking is nice at the time of year when everyone' s watch seems to run at double the normal speed. Most of these items can be made ahead of time and you'd just need to finish the pasta in the oven. A shallow hotel pan holds about 20 to 25 full portions of Pasta & two pans will fill up your oven.

Answer 4

Well thats going to be tricky, it'll take some time considering your probably using one range and there's one oven. I'd go with something easy but filled with flavor. I'd stay away from the giant sandwich, seems a little tacky, if your trying to approach it from a professional view then try something like a surf -n turf, or possibly Asian Cuisine of some sort. Good luck in your decision making and remember you want to pay close attention to flavor, and remember your cooking for 50 people so try to keep spices to a bare minimum. This could make or break you in either way, you cook very well and become noticed more, or you cook horribly and you get dogged.

Answer 5

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Office party. I need Ideas for food for an Office Party.?
There will be around 50 people. I do not want to buy the food as I promised my bosses I would be cooking.


Thanks!

Answer 6

Umm, are you doing ALL the food, or is it a potluck and you need ideas?

If you're doing it all, keep it simple...a big crock pot or 2 full of sloppy joe meat, or turkey and gravy to put on a bun. Buy chips and heat some beans in another crock pot. A couple jars of pickles, and some home baked cookies (from a tube, or a mix), and you're good to go.

If you just need a potluck recipe, dump 5 1# packages of little smokies in a crock pot, add 3 cups of chili sauce from jars, and 3 cups of grape jelly. These are always a big hit.

Answer 7

The cheapest answer is a big sandwich you know the 12 ft one they sell at the local deli that with some chips, salad, beverages,cookies and brownies would be simple and cheap. Also if you feel you can't cook for the party anymore check some of the local Chinese, Italian, Mexican and even the chain grocer for a catering menu - many of these places have deals you would not believe this time of year and all you have to do is pick it up. Good Luck!

Answer 8

Why CAN"T you bring a platter of sliced turkey and/or ham, with some homemade bread? .... How about a Spinach Dip (use the recipe on the side of the Knorr vegetable soup) and put it into a hollowed-out sourdough round; wrap in foil & refrigerate overnight. If you add some minced red bell pepper, it would be red & green then:) .... Or, put raw broccoli & cauliflower in a wreath shape (scatter some cherry tomatoes on top), with a festive dip in the center. You could even "tie a bow" on the wreath with strips of sun-roasted peppers

Answer 9

Don't think meals, think appetizers. Olives, Deviled eggs, crackers with toppings,chips and dip,little sausages on tooth picks. In fact, you can spear just about anything with a fancy toothpick and call it an appetizer. Buy pre-packaged drinks. The layout is important, but you can save money by purchasing trays from your local thrift store.

Answer 10

Greek Spinach Pie-- this recipe makes about 15 servings, so you would definitely need to make 4 or a 5 servings but everyone would absolutely LOVE you for this one! http://www.recipezaar.com/84770

'Hot Mamas'-- lol. Actually an appetizer but would be great if you served it along with chili or something meaty. http://www.recipezaar.com/98125

Chili-- A few batches of this may work and it would be great with the hot mamas.
http://www.recipezaar.com/94785