just want to know how many i should plan on .I also will have a veg platter and a cheese and fruit tray
any one want to help?party is for 150-200 its a open house at a fire station.

[Greg]

Depending on the item and your clientele, the general rule is 1.5 pieces per person.

[shroomgirl]

Is that all???? How many drinks?

[Greg]

It's a very general rule, learned from a chef with 30 years experience. Apps that are smaller (wings, etc.), people tend to take more of, larger items, less. Or not, sometimes. More well-known foods (Swedish meatballs, wings, quesadillas, etc.) sell better. Drinks? Not my forte'.

[shroomgirl]

Just don't want to keep running into the .5 in the dish.
Couldn't help it.

[Greg]

Good point! I'll have to be careful if I pass this along to a trainee cook. I can just picture a rookie cook trying to figure out how to halve a chicken wing instead of just rounding up.

Chef Phil:
How many in the party?
Serve 6-8 different appetizers. Those that you know are faves, make more. It's a nice rule of 1.5 per guest but not everyone has dinner before a cocktail party. For example, if you're making that special deviled-egg recipe, make at least 60 pieces total for 100 people. No matter who hollers the most, everyone eats those darned eggs.
If there's a simple tray, such as sliced cheeses & meats, that's 'grabber food.' That means grab & run. It'll go fast. And everyone loves a cold shrimp dish whether with cocktail sauce or a nice aioli.
As for drinks? Let's pretend you have a 65% showing out of 100. That means 3 cases of regular beer, 3 of light beer and 1 12 pack of non-al beer. Be sure to put it on ice 2-3 hrs. before the party.
Wine? Some recommend the box stuff. If your crowd will agree, go for it and get three 5-liters: 1 white zin, 1 chardonnay and 1 merlot. My crowds are usually bottle babies and I have to plan accordingly.
Booze? 2 vodka, 1 tequila, 1 scotch, 1 wishkey/bourbon, 1 rum. Gin is nice to have on hand. (My husband likes Bombay.)
Mixers? Buy 'em by the liter. 6 2-liters of Coke, 2 2-liters of Diet Coke, 2 2-liters of club soda, 4 2-liters of 7-up, 1/2 gal of cranberry juice, 1/2 gal. orange juice. 36 oz. of grapefruite juice and wine coolers are optional.
Don't forget the limes and lemons (6 @).
All quantities based on 70% showing and responsible drinking.

[cape chef]

alot depends on the hdo's your serving. I prepare for a cocktail party (no dinner)8 per person per hour.If dinner is to follow a reception I cut it back to 5 per person. The average reception with dinner is 45 minutes with out dinner 2 hours.

[m brown]

I was asked to do a reception for 60 pp. they want 15 doz hors d'oeuvres! don't know about drinks. I guess this is dinner for some
gonna do
cheese puffs,
cheese twists,
crab in phyllo,
veggie in phyllo,
veg, fruit platter.

Food that won't stain the carpet!

What do you charge per doz, per person or per hour??

Thanks guys!

[shroomgirl]

Per person. ala carte.....service, rentals, beverages all separate.