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Dinner
for 70 - What to Serve
I need to serve 70 people for a rehearsal dinner please
help. I do not have any ideas where to begin the planning. Thanks
Thank you for visiting Chef-menus.com.
Wow! Are you doing all of the cooking? If have help (I highly recommend it), first thing to do is
meet with your "chefs" and brainstorm. Figure out who makes the best stuffed beef roast etc. Then decide whether the party will be buffet or
sit-down. I would say buffet is better for this sized crowd. Decide what dishes you can prepare or cook and freeze 2-3 weeks in advance.
See this article
with information on batch cooking.
Also decide if you need to hire additional help. Remember, during the party, someone has to set-up the food and
slice/serve, monitor the tables, clean (during and afterward) answer questions and
put out fires (the ones not in the kitchen!).
If you need more party planning ideas, the best advice I have is to look at these pages if you haven't already:
Menu
Planning
Party Planning Ideas
Cooking for a Crowd
I would also suggest that you follow this guideline. Serve: 3 TYPES of meat:
2 "whole" such as whole turkey, ham or roast and something like meatballs or
a "saucy" casserole type chicken; 2-3 types of starches (1 hot 1 cold); 2 types of vegetable dishes; 2 types salads; 2 types of
dessert.
Does this help? Let me know if you have any other questions. You can
do it! Chef Deb
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How
Much Alcohol to Serve
 We're hosting a couples' bridal shower dinner - casual with an Italian
dinner menu. We plan to serve only red & white wines and beer, but will have water and
some soft drinks on hand. I read your chart, but please advise
on beer and wine quantities I'll need since we're not providing mixed drinks. Only beer and wines.
Your site is super! Just help me with more detailed specifics on the booze!
Thanks for visiting Chef-Menus.com and thanks for the compliment on the site!
Have you seen chef-menus.com/alcohol.html
This page gives info on how much to serve and how much to buy, which includes wine and beer.
If you've already visited this page but still have specific questions, please let me know. Hope this helps.
Have fun at the party! Chef Deb
Baked
Rice
I am having a big party with about 60 guests. I want to make white rice as a side dish.
I heard you can make it in the oven in a big disposable pan. Do you know how
you would do this and what the measurements would be?
Hi, thanks for visiting Chef-Menus.com. Sorry to take so long to respond--I was having a great time in stormy Florida!
I have oven-baked rice numerous times. To me, it is the easiest way to prepare plain rice for a large crowd because you can bake and serve right from the
pan.
The following will yield about 1/2 to 3/4 cup servings; 10 to 12 cups respectively. If the rice is a side dish and you are serving other starches, 1/2
cup servings may be enough.
For 60 guests:
-10-12 cups of regular long-grain rice (about 5-6 pounds of raw rice)
-20 1/2 to 25 cups of liquid (water, chicken stock or combo)
-About 2 1/2 tablespoons of salt
Divide the rice into two equal amounts and place rice into two 13 x 9 x 2" aluminum pans (these dimensions may vary depending on what's available
in your area, so purchase whatever comes close). You can oil the pans if you wish.
Bring the liquid and salt to a boil. You need to boil the water in a
large enough pot first because it would take forever to boil in the oven and that would be a culinary
disaster waiting to happen.
Divide the liquid between the two pans and carefully pour it over rice. Stir to blend. Cover pans tightly with heavy duty foil and bake in 350F oven
approximately 1 hour or until rice on top is tender. Start checking after about 40 minutes.
Remove from oven and allow to rest, covered for about 10 minutes. Fluff well with fork. Serve immediately or keep warm, covered in a 200F oven.
For an easy tasty touch: Melt about 2 sticks of butter in a sauce pan until it is foamy and just becomes fragrant. Pour this over the rice just before
serving, do not stir. Sprinkle on about 1/2 cup fresh chopped parsley per pan and serve.
Hope this helps and thanks again for visiting. Chef Deb
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Gumbo???
How long does it take to make gumbo?
How long is a string? Seriously, thank you for visiting Chef-menus.com.
The actually cooking time can be less then one-half hour. It is the slicing and dicing of ingredients and
making the roux that takes the most time.
So let's say: 45 minutes to prep and pre-cook the
meats/seafood, and dice the vegetables and herbs (you may be faster or slower); 45 minutes to 1
hour to make the roux; 45 minutes to simmer. So I would round up for incidental mishaps and say 2 hours and 30 minutes.
Gumbo is well worth any time it takes! Chef Deb
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Chafing
Dishes
I am planning a party soon and have never used disposable chafing
dishes. Do you
have any advice on using? They seem scary to me, the fire and all.
Thanks
Thanks for visiting the site. Chafing dishes can be a little frightening
at first. Check out this article
and if you have other questions, please let me know. Brave cooking, Deb
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Fondue for 20
 I
am planning a 80th birthday party for a crowd of 20. I was thinking of a fondue (Chinese with beef and chicken) with the usual
trimmings (potatoes, 3 different salads, sauces - I guess 3-4 different
sauces for dipping the meat and baguettes. I would start the
meal with 3-4 different appetizers and end with a plate of special
cheeses and then dessert of course - coffee and tea.
My questions are: do you think this is feasible??? Do you have suggestions of appetizers
and also salads and desserts???
Thank you so much for your help. If you think fondue is not really feasible for a crowd
of 20, do you have any other suggestions???
Thanks again.
Thanks for visiting Chef-Menus.com. Fondue sounds great, fun and different. It sounds feasible
because I'm guessing you have 3-4 fondue sets, which you would need for 20. I just discovered this site:
www.bestfondue.com. For appetizers and dessert I would suggest something light for both, something that is not being used for the fondue. So no meat, no bread, potatoes...no dip. I don't like to repeat ingredients bc I like variety and to experience different tastes, but that's just me. How about something crunchy like veggies in olive oil and vinegar for appetizers and fruit and lace cookies for dessert?
Hope this helps
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Meat
and Potatoes for 30
Hi, how much hamburger would be needed to make meatloaf for 30 people.
Also how much mashed potatoes? Thank you
There is nothing better then meat and potatoes. You will need about 8-9 pounds of 20-25% fat meat and slightly
less for lean ground meat (any combination of meats). This could make 2 large loaves or 3 smaller. For the potatoes, about 10 pounds.
This way you will have enough for seconds or to freeze for later (takes the same amount of work).
Hope this helps
Quantity
Pasta and Potato Recipes
More Party
Planning Ideas
Party
Menu Ideas Questions
Cooking for a Crowd Questions
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