party planning 101: per person ratios

With the 4th of July only a week away, parties are being planned! Check out these simple rules when deciding how much food and drink to buy in preparation!

• For grilling meat:
  • The consensus of barbeque caterers seems to be that the standard is between 1/2 and 1/4 lb. per person. For simplicity, call it 1/3 lb. per person, but remember to ask yourself: is it 12 of your old athletic team buddies, or is it 12 of your 14-year-old daughter’s friends on the guestlist?

• For platters:
  • 2 to 3 oz. of deli meat per person (remember: 16 ounces = 1 lb.)
  • 1 to 1.5 oz. of cheese per person
  • about 1/2 cup of potato/chicken/tuna salad per person
  • about 1/2 cup per person of fresh fruit
  • 4 to 6 pieces of vegetables per person
    • 1 lb. of broccoli = about 16 florets
    • 1 lb. carrots = about 65 sticks
    • 1 lb. celery = about 55 sticks

• For drinks:
  • 8 oz. per person.  Also: check out this ultra handy calculator at Table & Vine for alcohol ratios!

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Photo credit: Ramon grosso dolarea