catering a big party in a banquet venue

Lifestyle Parenting, Household Affairs and Cuisine corner
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Has anybody ever done it? Any tips? Any advice?

my family is doing party for about 150 people. Really confused about how much food to order and how to order if there alot of kids. also how big of a celebration cake to I order? Cake is symbolic but how much should I get when We are going to having other dessert? Is whipped cream better or buttercream?

We don’t want to order too much or too little food.

We will appetizers and pizza for the kids.

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question for binte Naeem

Binte Naeem…Once I had sent a detailed response to how much food to order. Could you pls give tips on many trays feed x amount of people . We will have about 150 people - lots of kids too.

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Re: catering a big party in a banquet venue

I’ve merged both threads to keep your question more cohesive…I remember seeing Binte’s post as well…I’ll search for you and link it here if Binte doesn’t respond

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Re: catering a big party in a banquet venue

Found it!!

http://www.paklinks.com/gs/household-affairs-and-cuisine-corner/550658-cooking-large-quantities-and-menu-suitability-for-large-group.html

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In the middle of something. Will write a detailed response later.

Is it a day time event or night time?

How many kids are going to be there? 4-12 years old

Are there going to be more men than women or equal number of adults?

Does the count of 150 include kids or is that just adults?

Appetizers will be for kids only or adults as well?

Are you guys planning on serving appetizers & pizza to the kids or the regular food as well?

Can you give me a vague idea of what kind of food were you guys thinking to serve?

Will there be one choice of dessert besides the cake or more than one?

Is the food being catered from outside or made at home?

Make sure the banquet provides a kitchen or food warmers & coolers.

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Re: catering a big party in a banquet venue

Buttercream.

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catering a big party in a banquet venue

Twinkle, I prefer whipped cream based frostings…they are lighter, fluffier and not as cloyingly sweet as buttercream.

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catering a big party in a banquet venue

this includes kids. Kids Older than 12 I consider them adults.

Event will be catered.

I will have pizza .

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Re: catering a big party in a banquet venue

Twinkle, if the event will be catered, the caterer should be able to guide you best as to how much food to order

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Re: catering a big party in a banquet venue

We have a lot of parties from 70-150 people…Most cartering places sale by the tray (desi places here in Houston do,) For example a rice tray will feed 50 people, so you order 2 of them since you will have other items as well.
Cake here in the US are sold by the slice size. Bakers will ask, or you can ask how large of a cake you should order for 100 people. If it is a desi party , not everyone will eat the cake and you will have to have a another desert (i have learned that from a friend and always keep that in mind.)

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Re: catering a big party in a banquet venue

I’ve catered lots of big parties and events, every year we sponser Iftar/dinner at our masjid for 200-250 people. In my experience, Restaraunts gage their quantities differently, but here’s how we usually end up ordering…20 pizzas for the kids…6 trays of biryani/rice/pulao (3 for the ladies side/3 for the men) 6 trays of salan…4 trays of kebabs/chicken tikka…4 trays of a sabzi, 2 trays of a salad/relish/condiment…2 big tubs each of chutney or raita

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Re: catering a big party in a banquet venue

Is the caterer on-site, meaning is he from the banquet hall? If so, then they will decide how much food and they were charge you per person.

If you have an outside caterer and you need to figure out how much of each dish you need, it depends on what sort of selection you have. If you have a limited menu (one salan, one rice and naan) then you would need more because the assumption is that almost everyone (with the exception of the kids) will be eating all the items. But if you have two salans, plus kebabs, plus vegetarian dishes, etc. then you would need less of each item because people will take less of each thing.

Can you give the posters a better idea of what your menu is going to look like?

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catering a big party in a banquet venue

We plan to do 2 to 3 appetizers 2 vegetarian and 1 Kabab item

Biryani, 2 meat salans, boneless chicken item.

2 desserts and 1 sheet cake.

there are about 120 adults and 50 kids.

the problem I noticed is you get the same amount of food if you order for 100 people or 115 people. The best way to go about that is to notice how many trays you need of each item. Ordering for the masjid is the best bet. I noticed its best to order per person rather than buy individual items.

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catering a big party in a banquet venue

thanks khattichic for that breakdown.

Binte Naeem would really appreciate your response. I don’t want to order too much Bc cleanup is very hard to do.

What are good appetizer items? I find that when ppl take appetizer then they take less food.

Also how many tea bags do you put for 110 adults for a perculator?

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catering a big party in a banquet venue

anyone make tea or coffee for large parties?

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Re: catering a big party in a banquet venue

Spring rolls…left overseas can be freezed and enjoyed later.

If you are making chai at home for 110 people, do it in a daikchi, 1 tea bag/cup. However, I would recommend let the venue provide the drinks.

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Re: catering a big party in a banquet venue

You have too many appetizers. Stick with 2 appetizers. (They can be both light vegetarian items).

1 rice, 1 meat salan, 1 BBQ/kabab/fry item, and 1 veggie item.

You can add more dishes, however, the more dishes you add the less quantity you will need for the side dishes. (I am assuming rice and meat salan are the main dishes).

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Twinklestar I have a lot going on. Been constantly out for the past 2 days. Apologies for not being prompt with my replies. Will write properly in the morning InshaAllah.

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catering a big party in a banquet venue

Def. understand and appreciate all your help. as far as beverages…I want to bring in bottled soda and refrigerate so it is cold. I hate the soda venues provide Bc it is syrup mixed with water. We don’t mind paying but most venue water down the soda. I’ve seen it happen at upscale places too. I can get a variety of sodas too this way. I just need them to serve.

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catering a big party in a banquet venue

@khattichic - I have noticed that also different restaurants give different quantities . It’s hard when you tell them headcount- you don’t want to expect. I know the person in our masjid that does the ordering is an expert by now and orders by the tray. Sometimes if you order for 100 ppl or 115 ppl food quantity is exactly tj same except for per piece items like samosas and gulab and Rasmalai