Another turkey question - help me I'm a veggie!

[rushofbloodtothefeet]

Totally unfamiliar with cooking meat. Need a turkey to feed 10 adults and 2 kids - how big does it need to be, and will a crown be big enough (definitely don't want any leftovers)?

Can I cook it so it is done 2 hours in advance to free up the space in the oven for all the other stuff - can we keep it warm wrapped in foil and towels, or is that salmonella-tastic?

Please Help!!!!

Yes a crown would be big enough, something like this should be enough.

I always cook mine the day before as it easier to crave when cold, but yes you can do it so done earier, just cover with foil.

Thanks wheredidiputit, not sure I'll be craving a turkey

Are you sure that one will be big enough - it says serves 6-8. Do they come any bigger? I should point out the 10 adults will include 5 males of the hearty meat-eating variety, they won't be fobbed off with extra veggies!

you probaly have to get a whole turkey then. But you could do extra sausages in bacon and stuffing to fill them up.

You could get two crowns if that would be easier / less unpleasant than dealing with a whole turkey.

Also you don't need to make any effort to keep the meat hot once its cooked - so long as your veggies are hot and there's plenty of gravy, then the meat can be less hot and nobody will be bothered. Actually by the time you carve it and get it onto plates its never that hot anyway!

Yes Amum and actually leaving the turkey for quite a while after cooking is good 'cos it 'relaxes' making it better to carve and eat .Don't worry about it going off in a couple of hours (smile) cover with foil and T cloths to keep warm.
Or you (or someone) could carve it and then reheat. Good luck