with the Chefs of ChefsLine.
Her menu includes Fried Chicken, Small Meatball subs, macaroni salad, baked beans, baked potato wedges, cookies and cake. The menu is filled with her daughter’s favorite foods - the majority of which are available for purchase at your local grocery store or bulk stores, like Costco or Sam’s Clubs.
With such a large party and the need to reheat, we recommend:
Chips 1 bag for every 10 people
Sodas & Drinks 20 - 2.5 liter bottles
Ice 1 pound per person (bring ice buckets to store to buy, so water doesn’t get all over you car, better yet have it delivered!)
Meatballs 40 pounds
with Sauce 6 large cans (#10 cans, available at Costco or Sam’s Club)
Sub rolls 125 small sub rolls (usually a half-size roll)
Mozzarella Cheese 5 pounds, shredded
Chicken Pieces 175 pieces chicken (mix of cuts, more breasts)
Baked Potato Wedges 10# bag of potatoes or frozen (don’t forget ketchup or ranch dressing)
Macaroni Salad 15-20 pounds (or if no potato wedges, than 30 pounds)
Baked Beans 3 large cans (#10 cans)
Cake 1 large sheet cake, store bought
Cookies Tray from store to serve 120-130 people- (consult with bakery as cookie sizes can vary greatly)
Some Tips from The Chefs
- You will be reheating your chicken anyway, so reheat in a big aluminum buffet tray and serve in that tray.
- Bring your food out in waves so that it’s not all sitting out at once i.e., bring out a tray or two of meatballs at a time and have next ones reheating and ready to serve when needed.
- Designate several helpers!
- Purchase light aluminum inserts for chafing dishes. They usually come in a package of 10.
- Or, use 1 pkg of half size trays and put beans in one side and potatoes in the other so they can stay fresher through service.
- Do not forget the sterno and chaffing dishes.
Fact is, you might be able to do ALL of your shopping at a food club and save a LOT of dollars so do consider this as an option. While determining quantities is challenging for anyone - pulling off a smooth and successful party is even harder.
Anyone looking to throw a big party should consider at least one thirty-minute ChefsLine phone consultation with a ChefsLine party expert. For just $15, you will work one on one with a chef who will review your menu and make dish suggestions, instruct you about do-ahead options and offer you their professional cost and time saving tricks. Should you need a personalized cooking schedule, equipment prep list, shopping list, or live coaching advice the day before and of your party, just upgrade your subscription online. We want to bring out the hostess in you!
