Expert: Kay Cole - 2/20/2011

Question
QUESTION: I am self catering my wedding reception and have decided on an appetizer buffet. The time is in the afternoon about 3:30 for reception (wedding at 2:30).  I should have 6-8 different appetizers along with fruit tray, veggie tray and cheese tray.  How do I figure servings per person?  I should have about 65 people.  And how do I figure servings on beverage - soda, coffee, tea, water?  Thank you so much for your assistance

ANSWER: Hi ~

Smart time of the day for the reception....guests will have had lunch and will not be expecting an hors d'oeuvre buffet heavy enough for a meal.

Keep in mind that you want plenty of each type that you are serving...I would think 10 total pieces per person would work with your fruit, cheese, etc. I suggest spreading that among 6 types. If one of your appetizers is something that might be very popular, you might increase that particular item to 2 pieces per person.

When placing items on the buffet...put the vegetables, fruit and cheese first...let them have something on their plate before they approach the appetizers. Then place the appetizers in order of what might be the most popular with the crowd...most popular at the end.   Let's say you had a beef tenderloin hors d'oeuvre, and had it right after the plates...I approach with an empty plate, I might selfishly grab three...if I already have cheese, veggies, and other appetizers on my plate, there would only be room for one or two at most.

If on the day of...you get nervous or find extra people have shown up...have the person putting out the food for you - hold something back in the kitchen. And, if something runs out, they can replenish with a new item....watching the buffet, if they see they are not going to get into trouble, they can go ahead and put it out.

How are you going to serve the beverages?

My best,
K

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you so much - so just to clarify you think 10 total pieces per person and this includes my cheese, veggie, fruit, meatballs, mini-quiches etc...is do-able?

Beverages. . . well I have not given much thought - We are having coffee, tea, sodas and water.  The venue is providing 2 additional attendants to heat and serve my food, set out beverages etc...  So I was thinking cans and bottles for soda and water and the venue has a coffee and ice tea maker that they will keep replenished - so cups for coffee and tea.  

However I could pay for an additional attendant to do beverage duty and everything except water goes in a cup.  

Thank you again you are a relieving a huge load off my mind with your advice.

Answer
Hi again, I was thinking 10 per person EXCLUDING the fruit cheese and veggie trays. Meatballs would be one of those items that I might add a few extra to the count to be safe that I previously mentioned.

I see about the beverages....does the venue provide the tea and coffee - or do they just make it and replenish and charge you as consumed?  If not and you can provide own - they could keep up with that with only 65 people - or should be able to. Amount will depend when the reception is...summer afternoon, you would not have many coffee drinkers and more ice tea drinkers.

If you are buying the canned soft drinks/soda/pop/cokes -depending on what part of the country you are from - if you have some time...watch sales at grocery stores - I just saw something like 5 - 12 pk cases for 10 dollars my my grocery store - anyway, I would imagine you would use something like 36 each of cola, diet cola, and a 7-up sort of thing...you might take a few more of cola and diet - and can have someone load up for you to return home.

I would also think about giving these servers a diagram of how you want the food laid out - and if I were you, I would have a close friend that is not a bride's maid, etc...or aunt or such oversee the food placement, etc.  Just to make sure that they are doing what you want done...food buffet can last longer with some thought into the presentation and service. Ie: I walk up to a buffet and see a hundred little quiches piled up in a large chafing dish...I might take two or three...I see 15 attractively displayed single file on a silver tray...I take one. I am not saying that putting out 15 at a time is wise...you could run two servers to death trying to keep up...but, just remember the concept. However, with no direction in advance, the servers might load up the buffet at the "get go" to make it easier on themselves.

If the soft drinks are out there with something like a large punch bowl of ice - it should be pretty much self service - are these servers provided by the venue? As in - familiar with the kitchen, location and have done a million functions at this place? If so, you should be fine with the two...with maybe a back up friend/family overseer.

I hope these thoughts help you...feel free to run any thoughts by me...happy to offer advice!
K