Expert: Steve Hanagan - 1/10/2006

Question
When preparing Roast Beef for a large number of people is there a formula to determine how much beef is needed to feed x number of persons?  

Answer
A good rule of thumb is that where Roast Beef is the main course, and your crowd is 50% men and 50% women, you should plan on about 1/2 of a pound per person uncooked. Cut your slices relatively thin to begin with and let them come back for seconds if they want.  I typically will only serve about two-thirds to 75% of the beef initally and keep the rest of the beef in reserve.  That helps avoid letting several uneaten pieces go to waste on peoples' plates when other would like to have some more.

Hope this helps.