Buffet Quantities

[Needanewname42]

If you were doing a buffet dinner for 12 people how do you decide on quantities of food?

I'm thinking, Quiche, Sausage rolls, chicken drum sticks, pizzas, pasta, salad, type things.

A piece each of quiche. Maybe 2 pieces of pizza. 2 drumsticks each, about 4 sausage rolls each, couple of spoonfuls of salad each.

It's tricky, it's not going to be a hard and fast rule but instead depend a bit on your guests, their appetites and how many items you have on the buffet. In general I'd prepare for guests to want at least 1-2 helpings of each item, so dividing quiches and pizzas into 8 slices you'd want at least 2-3 of each. If you have different fillings and toppings though people may want a bit of each so then at least a couple of each variety. Sausage rolls and drumsticks again I'd be looking at about 24 of each unless your guests have particularly dainty appetites. People often pile up more at buffets and you'd rather have some leftover than not have enough. If you have vegetarians or those with dietary needs ensure food is either kept aside for them or you over-cater for them to ensure that all the other were guests don't scoff the suitable food and leave them without.

I always over cater. I allow for everyone to have some of everything, and usually more than one of whatever it is. I like to provide a variety of things, as you are doing, and there is always too much.

Looking at the suggestions above, they seem to be about the quantities I would serve, and that is always too much. I make sure there is plenty of salad though, as a) I like it and b) if anyone is trying to diet it means they don't have to go hungry!

I always over-cater too. Re food that vegetarians can eat - this will be food that probably most people attending will also want to try. Most people are omnivores, not carnivores. If there's anyone attending at all who doesn't eat meat and fish, I would cut right back on meaty options and that way there should automatically be enough vegetarian food for everyone, not just the vegetarians.

I might buy or make one quiche lorraine and one spinach and ricotta quiche, for example, rather than one big quiche lorraine. One pepperoni pizza, one with mushrooms and peppers, say. Big cheeseboard (although some cheese is not vegetarian - depends on whether animal rennet is on the ingredients list).

Always over cater, guests can always be sent home with a foil parcel of food. IME people eat much more at a buffet than a normal meal as well. I would think about how much you would normally eat at a buffet and then times it by about 16-18 or so to allow for some bigger appetites.