Grandaughters 13th Biirthday Party Help Please

[tarinab]

Hope someone can help.
I have to cater for my Grandaughters 13th Birthday party, at first only about 30 guests, I could cope with that. But 13 year olds being what they are, the numbers have now risen to 100!! Just how much food do I allow for each person, it's just a buffet with finger food, and there is a kareoke-disco to keep them amused. I don't want to overdo it with lots of waste but I also don't want anyone to go hungry!!
Any tips or advice greatly appreciated.
Tarina B

[Curious Cat]

Oh my! that's a lot of 13 year olds!! Are you planning to buy pre done food rather than make from scratch? I was thinking that things like sandwiches if you make so many up and have unmade stuff on standby, you could always freeze unused bread. If you can do chips (not sure about your facilities) again you could have frozen ones, ready to do more if needed. Pizza usually goes down well, but better to stick to just plain cheese & tomato and again it depends on your cooking capacity. precooked sausage rolls and cocktail sausages generally go down well. Make sure there are plenty of buns and biscuits. I'd aim for 2 slices of bread or 1 breadcake per child, 1 or 2 slices of pizza each, 1 sausage roll etc.

I'm definately no expert so not sure if this is any help at all!! The most I've done was for 35 kids and it's generally the ham sandwiches that are always still left!!

cj :)

[beadsbydesign]

Holy cow! That's one heck of a party! I think you are very brave whatever you decide to do.
Personally I'd go for hotdogs. The buns can be slcied in advance and they are easy and quick to assemble

[sparklyshoes]

I just read the delicious mag on canapies for adults, and said to allow for 6 canapies for a buffet, 4 savoury and 2 sweet....

So perhaps if you imagine a plate for a 13yr old, 2 triangles of sandwiches (like a quarter triangle), 1/4 pack of crisps at most, a sausage roll, maybe some cherry tomatoes (like 3), one fairy cake or like some battenburg cake, jelly, doughnuts, brownies?

Maybe pizza although cooking pizza for that much is going to be huge - buy it in/delivery hot!) Now thats a pretty full plate.

It will also depend on the time of the party? ~If its after lunch, then most will have eaten already.

You can always have a jelly, crisps and mini sausages on standby and then chuck whats left over into the freezer for xmas! (maybe not the jelly)

Good luck!!! And don't forget that you need enjoy yourself too, so take shortcuts where you can!

[tarinab]

Oh thank you all so very much, the party is Sunday 4pm til 7pm so I'm hoping they've all had sunday lunch lol.
She's given me a menu bless her, pizza, garlic bread, sausage rolls, potato wedges etc. Just been on the Iceland website, the party packs of deserts etc are really good value just need to defrost. Most 13 year olds just nibble hopefully.
Again thank you all for your help, was feeling a little overwhelmed but more in control now.
Tarina B

[sparklyshoes]

good luck!

[Curious Cat]

Good luck with it. Open a bottle of something other than squash when you finish!!

cj :)

[tarinab]

Many thanks to everyone who gave me advice. The party was a huge success - nobody went hungry - and very little waste thankyou again.
Tarina B