Expert: Teri Davis Newman - 7/2/2008

Question
My husband is retiring from the navy after 26 years, and we are having the reception/party at our home after the ceremony. We have a friend cooking Ribs, and fajitas (steak and chicken) and he knows how much to cook for 125 - 150 people (Sailors). BUT, i don't know how much other food. we are also having 15 people in our home for a week following the party so leftovers are not a problem, i am concerned about not having enough. this is what we have planned

party starts at 3pm
confirmed 93, 60 no rsvp yet ( but they are military and getting invites through the command still)
Ribs for 75
fajitas for 50 (50 each steak and chicken)
hot dogs 50
   (yes its a lot of meat, but we are talking about sailors in texas)

what i need help with is the trays and salads. i have planned...
3 veggie trays, 2 cheese trays, 2 meat trays, 2 fruit trays,
potato salad and pasta salad.

HOW much cheese and meat should i be getting to make sure there is enough!!

and then the sides for the fajitas. how much tomato/salsa, lettuce, cheese, sour cream and guac should i have to make sure i do not run out!

The ribs/ fajitas will be ready to eat about 5 or 6 and most people will be at the leaving their house to head to the ceremony at 11AM and some even earlier so i have to have trays for the people  who are starving from  the actual retirement.

I hope you can help me, i would rather eat leftovers  for a few days then not have enough. again, 15 people will be living in my house eating for a week after, so leftovers from the party mean less cooking for me!

thank you so very much in advance!!!!!!!

Answer
Here's the rule of catering as to how much you will need per person for just the party. If I were you, I'd just double it so that you will have enough to feed the Navy! My hubby works for the Army so I know how much they can eat!
8-10 ounces of cooked meat entree
4 ounces of each side dish up to 3
3 ounces of salad greens
1 4 ounce dessert serving
6-8 appetizer bites per person
16 oz of non-alcoholic beverage
2 oz of salsa per person
2 oz of guacamole per person
2 oz of sour cream per person
2 oz of chips per person
1 oz of dip per person
Multiply the ounces times the number of guests and then divide by 16 to give you pounds of food and the beverage by 128 to give you the number of gallons of beverage you will need.
Let me know if you need further assistance and I'll be glad to help you!