How much food?

[vkfan]

I'm having a significant birthday party and catering an afternoon tea for it (with help).

How many sandwiches / cakes / scones would you expect per head? Adult and child (10yo and as young as 4).

I don't want to overdo it or under do it!

I’d two two rounds of bread with filling, ie one sandwich, per child. And maybe two cakes per child. I’m assuming you’ll do crisps etc too.

I would expect people to eat at least 4 triangles of sandwiches each, two different cakes and a full scone. Count children as eating the same quantity as adults (because they will!)
I’d also include some extra savouries for the ones who don’t like cake, and possibly a fruit platter.

I'd eat 3-4 triangles and probably a scone or cake, and would happily eat some crisps and tomato and cucumber slices if available. Obviously some people have healthier appetites so I'd cover that and do 4 triangles, a scone and slice of cake per person. If you feel it's too much, you can keep a few sandwiches in fridge (so if you don't need them on the day, they'll be fresh for next day) and scones can be frozen if it doesn't look like they'll be eaten.

If the only savoury offering is sandwiches, assuming that you will be cutting the crusts off I would allow 1 round of sandwiches per person regardless of age. Those that will eat more will be countered by kids that might eat less. But I guess it depends a little bit on the guests, how far they have traveled and when about in the afternoon will it be served.

How many people are you inviting?

Yes how many are you inviting- weirdly as the numbers go ip the amount you need to do gets lower!

I do finger sandwiches, quiche scone and cakes. 4 finger sandwiches each, on sliver of quiche, a scone cream and jam and a mini cup cake. This would leave me stuffed. I do smoked salmon and lenkn cream cheese, cheese and chutney, hame and grain mustard and egg maynnoaise. Cut of the crusts and into fingers then arrange on a platter and cover with a completely wrung out layer of damp kitchen paper and thoroughly cling film and they will be delicious the following day - thank you marry berry! They actually taste better like this.