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Published Jul 5, 2017
Last summer, you thought putting together the new picnic table would be the hardest part ofhavinga cookout. Turns out, it was actuallydetermininghow manyhorsd’oeuvresto buy. (Word to the wise:Fiftydeviled eggsis far too many for a mere 17 people.)We’ve crunchedafew numbers to help you nail it this yearso that you never end up with a summer’s worth of leftoversagain.
Twenty20
How Much Food Should I Have Ready?
When it comes to the eats, planto get 20 percent less food than the number of peopleattending. So if 40 people responded that they’re coming to your backyard shindig, you’ll be safe if you have enough for 32. If you’re having yourparty catered, think in trays: Half a tray typically feeds eight people, so realistically you’llneed onlyfour trays of the main course.
Commit tomemory:(Guestsx0.8) x (2) =Portions to Buy
Twenty20
And What About Hors D’oeuvres Specifically?
Guests need something to snack on while they wait forthegrill to heat up. Serving foods that are light and bite-sized is not only an adorable approach butit also makes counting quantities a lot easier. You’ll need an average of six “pieces” per person over a two-hour period. So if the party starts at 3 p.m. and you’re serving dinner at 5 p.m., make sure you have 192 hors d’oeuvresfor 40 people.(The 20 percent rule also applies here.)
Commit tomemory:(Guests x0.8) x (6) = Horsd’oeuvresto Pass Around
La Marca
How Many Drinks Will I Need?
It’s pretty safe to assume each guest will have four drinks over a span of three hours. Make things easy on yourself and stock coolers with mini bottles ofLa Marca Prosecco. Each one is equivalent to about two glasses, so since you’reexpecting 40guests, you’ll want to have at least four cases ofLa Marcaon hand (24 mini bottles to a case). To make your partyreallysparkle, jazz up theproseccowith fruity ice pops for a sweet and summery co*cktail.
Commit tomemory:(Guests x 4) / (3) = Drinks Needed Per Hour
LeoPatrizi/Getty Images
What About The Napkin Supply?
Think for a minute about how many napkins you personally use at a party. There’s the one you wrap around your drink, the one you use to shield yourself from the juicy burger and the one you use to blot out the barbecue sauce that inevitably drips onto your skirt. On average,people use three napkins, but since there’s always a spill or two, overestimating is a good idea. Four napkins times 40 people is a solid160.
Commit tomemory:Guests x (4) = Napkins to Buy
Terrain
Can We Talk Dinnerware?
Forty plates for 40 people, right? Not so much. Since some will be going back for seconds and even thirds (thatnewburger seasoningwill definitely be a hit), you should be prepared with about three disposable plates per person. For larger parties, paper plates are the way to go. For a smaller bunch, consider melamine plates that aren’t so precious you’ll be worried about them breaking. For those, you’ll need two per person:one for dinner and one for dessert.
Commit tomemory:Guests x (3) = Disposable PlatesandUtensils
Director, Branded Content
Cristina Polchinski is a director of branded content at Gallery Media Group. She produces sponsored content campaigns across all verticals and platforms, in addition to...