Party for around 50 teens - food?

[Mama1980]

As title says I’m throwing a post a level party for 50 teens all 17+. Big group of lovely young adults.
How much food do you think it need? I am thinking pizza delivery or fish and chip van - maybe some sort of pudding thing….? Any ideas greatly appreciated. 😊

You’re brave OP! 🙈

I’d go for pizzas - relatively cheap and it’ll keep everyone happy. Maybe worth asking the guests to bring some crisps, dips etc with them to help out.

pizza is probably better as they are easier to procure in large quantities (chip vans tend to be really slow serving). Do lots of sides including salads, garlic bread, chicken, falafels yourself if watching the budget

Are you doing it at home / in a hall?

I'd borrow some slow cooker and make a few curries / chilli etc. You could dump a load of hot dogs into 1 too?

Greggs / Costco doughnuts for dessert? Or an ice cream van?

Thanks all. Pizza is a good shout - how many would you order do you think? And good point about the food needing to be served fairly quickly.
I’m holding it at home, with a tent thing in the garden.
I hadn’t thought of an ice cream van…..off to google local options.

I'd do nacho type thing. You can do beans then lots of sides and people can choose there own toppings.

If you go with pizzas you need around 40.

We did something similar and just did sausages and burgers on the BBQ, crisps and (the most popular by far!) boxes of donuts. Good luck!!

All I can say is I'm always amazed how much teenagers hoover up! So get more than you think you need!

Krispy Kremes are your friend

If you're happy to cater it then agree, pizza probably best. Make sure you pre-order with the pizza place though which might also help you get a discount.

I had a smaller number of friends for a party at around that age - I think we were about 25 people - and my mum, sister and I made a bunch of lasagnas and then lots of salads. But I think 50 is materially more complex.

Sounds amazing whatever you decide. I wish I would have had the space to do something like this for my daughter and her friends. Something they will always remember.

Surely half a large pizza each would be enough? If you did sides (lots of garlic bread, chips and dip, salad) yourself and if anyone wants to bring additional sweets etc.

What’s the budget? We had 20 teens for a party and they ate huge amounts.

For 50 I would pre order pizzas and bulk out with some easy savoury sides as they love to pick at beige food.

Oh I hasn’t thought of Krispy Kreme’s! That’s a great idea. Thanks everyone for their thoughts - much appreciated.
Honestly I’m not too fussed about the budget (I realise I’m very very fortunate) I just want to make sure I order enough - you’re all right teens eat a ridiculous amount…..I’m looking at you ds 1 who has just eaten his body weight in pasta 🤣

Are we talking mix of girls and boys? I think you should assume at least 1/2 Large pizza per person, and because I HATE there not to be enough food, I'd add a couple on top. I'd far rather have leftovers myself.

Actually, I'd go for 1/2 pizza per person, but then I'd add garlic bread/dough balls, and I'd have had loads of crisps, dips, and other nibbles out for them in advance. I'd probably also make it quite nice as it doesn't sound like budget is an issue - so perhaps lots of little mouthfuls that you can heat up in the oven like crispy prawns, and little mini pies etc. Plus olives, some charcuterie, bread, maybe pate. Whenever we host or attend a big gathering I find the teens love all those bits and it makes it nice vs just piles of crisps.

Thank you…all great ideas, my son and his friends do love those mini pies usually. I’m taking notes 😊

Could you get a caterer in to do a BBQ? I suppose ds knows his friends and their preferences.

When my son was 17 he'd eat a whole large domino's. Not all would be like that obviously. But 50 teens I'd say 30 pizzas delivered.
Or maybe 25 and get chips dips etc

Or if you have costco nearby those huge pizzas are like a tenner ish. And go a long way compared to domino's.
They also do sandwich platters , and various things.

My teen boys and friends would easily eat one pizza each.
they often surprise me by eating carrot and cucumber sticks too.
i get loads of mini magnum and mini solero type ice creams and fill the freezer with them.
are they having alcohol? I used to get the little stubby french beers, they find them annoying but I think they naturally drink less.

Whatever you decide, do it in two waves - pizza at 8pm and then a burger van at 11.

mixed groups are really tricky because the boys eat so much and the girls so little.

if you’re not worried about budget I’d get caterers in - even 40 pizzas delivered create a whole lots of mess.

I would get a catering firm in as the food would be more varied than just pizza and the people can eat as much or as little as they wanted. It would be a lot less hassle for you.

Colourful jugs pf Sangria went down very well at a teen party we did and added to a fun atmosphere.

Keep the mess outside- bbq.

Pizzas are generally great, however I would say be mindful of those with a dairy intolerance as anecdotally my late teen son has a few friends, mostly girls but one boy that cannot eat pizza as dairy intolerant. I found this out when hosting his 18th.

Thanks all 😊 I think we are going to go with pizza, I spoke to a local company today. I have hired guys to provide the music so don’t really want caterers in as well.
also going to have mini pies, cheese and pineapple (which my son loves 🤣) chips and dips, carrot stick and humous, dough balls etc.
I’ve asked son to check on gluten free/allergies etc.
still toying with the idea of an ice cream van or maybe just filling the freezer with magnums, solero etc.