How many adults should I cater for at my birthday party?

[NoMoreDribbling]

Im having a big birthday end of July and expecting 70 adults and 10 kids. I told my friend this and she advised we cater for 60 adults only due to number of drop outs and some people not eating. I know at least 3 won't eat but catering for just 60 seems a bit risky ?

It rather depends on a bit more detail

namely, what does catering per adult look like to you?

Depends on time of party, distance travelled by guests, and crucially how much food per person is being allowed as a serving - the hardest to know if a caterer!

I would rather over than under cater.

I’d cater for 75 because i’d count a child as a half portion. Minus 3 that you said wont eat and that makes 72. If you think a couple will drop out make it 70 but no less. Better have too much than not enough

70% of final number if buffet- this is my background!

I’d cater for the number you’re expecting, so 79 adults and 10 kids. Depending on kids ages some may eat as much as an adult. I’d rather have too much then too little.

I always cater for more rather than less. I’d be embarrassed if people were left wanting more and couldn’t have it.

The kids have their own menu sorry so it would be 70 adults and 10 kids buffets we'd pay for.

60

Really ? That seems so low!

In that case 55

Party is evening from 7pm and most guest travelled under an hour.

55 adults and 10 kids ?

Yes
55 or possibly 60 adults plus the kid’s buffet you mentioned.

What are you serving? Fingerfood is less filling than a hog roast/hot meal. Is it self-serving or do you have people handing out the mains?

On average I would say invitees minus 10%. So if you go for 70 minus the 3 non-eater = 67 *10% = cater for 60 if it is a proper meal served by a caterer.

If you do self-serving then I would cater for more as people tend to overfill their plates.

Have some extra bread/cheese/charcuterie available for a later snack and plenty of nibbles.

Its sandwiches, salads, pizza, goujons etc

We had a party with 50 guests for DH’s 40th and everyone that RSVP-ed turned up. I think it’s a bit of myth that everyone is flaky as fuck and personally I’d rather have leftovers than leave anyone hungry.

Will the children be in the same room and taking from the buffet? If so count them as adults plus the children's menu. Adults will normally take some of the childrens' food as well.

If they are separate I would cater for 75 adults. Children: The number coming plus 2 or 3 (unless they are under 6 yo). 7+yo children will normally take more food than expected.

Do not put all the food out at once. Approx half at a time.

I have worked for catering companies and hotels for over 13 years in the past.

The kids will have a separate food table.

Cater for the full number of people. And with pizza and goujons also cater for 10 children unless they are all toddlers.

I find sandwiches are getting quite stale and dry out very fast. With hot food they won't be the first choice, I would swap them against a DIY option with bread and fillings and people can help themselves.

Ask the caterer what a portion for 1 person would be as this can vary and go from there.

I would do mine 70 as people tend to go to the food table at least twice for that type of food and some items will be more popular than others.

Exactly

without knowing what a portion for one adult looks like… it’s impossible to answer

If it’s sandwiches, pizza etc. why is there a separate kids buffet? Surely they will just eat off the adult one anyway unless it’s being policed?

The venue provide a cheaper kids buffet? Not really sure

I would cater for the number coming as I would far rather have too much food than not enough. Unless there’s a financial issue which is understandable.

And yes to putting it out in stages for a second round.