How much food is enough? Enter your guest count, how long the party lasts and what kind of gathering it is. You will get the number of appetizer pieces to make, how many different dishes to offer, and how many drinks, plates and napkins to have ready.
Appetizer pieces-
Different dishes-
Drinks-
That is about - pieces of each dish. Have - lb of ice, - small plates and - napkins ready.
Rules of thumb for planning. Round up for big appetites and long evenings.
Where the numbers come from
The plan is based on common catering rules of thumb: fewer bites per person when a meal follows, more when finger food is the meal, and less per hour as the party goes on. Children are counted as half a guest for food.
Make it work for your crowd
You know your guests best. Round up for teenagers, sports fans and late-night parties, and round down for an afternoon open house. A mix of two or three filling dishes with lighter bites keeps everyone happy.