How much food do I need for 11 adults and 10 children

[tortoisefairy]

Please? I am doing a buffet lunch and then everyone is staying on until early evening for sandwich tea with leftovers
I was thinking...

1 large beef joint (how large?)
1 large ham joint (how large)
Bowl(s) of pasta (one being supplied, not sure how large)
sausage rolls (again what quantity should I provide for)
2 bowls of cous cous
coleslaw
2 quiches
large bowl of mash (how many lbs of potatoes do I need?)

puddings....

cheesecake
trifle
Large chocolate cake bake
selection of cheeses

Please can someone help my day be a success?

Any tips on food or additions very, very gratefully received.

TIA

I'd go for a 2kg - 2.5kg piece each beef and ham joint to give you enough left over for sandwiches. If you're serving 2 quiches you only need provide 2 or 3 little sausage rolls each. If you've got pasta and cous cous you don't need all that much mash.... cook 15 - 20 potatoes and that should be enough. Lighten up all the pastry and starch with bowls of cherry tomatoes and plenty of green salads. Crusty bread or garlic bread is another good way of filling up your guests so that they don't eat too much of anything else. :) Relishes, pickles and condiments are always good on a buffet.... onion marmalade, cranberry sauce, chutneys etc. Have fun.

Many thanks for taking your time out to help me

No problem. I usually over cater - Northerner with pathological fear of anyone going hungry! - and there's always loads left on the buffet table at the end :) For your sandwich supper I'd also have plenty of eggs around. If the leftover meat doesn't quite stretch, a little egg mayo is pretty easy to knock up. Crudites/crisps/breadsticks with dips are quite popular, especially with children. And a lot of children (plus a few grown-ups) will go easy on the savouries if there are whopping great chocolate cakes and trifles visisble!

I was going to say 5kg each for the meat!! (Greedy northerner over here !

I would be tempted to do wedges instead of mash, easier to cook, keep warm and eat. 12 wedges out of one decent sized spud so maybe 10 potatoes?

Agree with garlic bread or petite pan with butter, then people can make sandwiches if they want.

I would go easy on the cous cous because I hate the stuff but would be tempted to make a pot of chicken curry or chilli or even a pan of homemade soup to keep on the hob.

Maybe some dips?

Is the ham and beef hot or cold? If cold could you do potato salad and if hot do aunt bessies roasties?
tbh it doesn't sound enough to me.
Picture in your mind what a persons plate will look like with say, a slice of ham and a slice of beef, few pots and couscous??
I'd be doing soup and bread and another couple of bits and pieces depending on whether a hot or cold spread.
I wouldn't do wedges as mine go soggy if not eaten immediately (any tips to keep crunchy gratefully accepted)

I cut wedges up, put them in a big bowl, drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with paprika, pepper and rock salt, cover. When ready to cook preheat a baking tray, cook for 30mins @ 170, and 20 mins @ 200

I wonder if mine go soggy as I part cook mine in the microwave first for 5 mins then just blast them in oven for 20 at 200??

Oooh that might be it. Oven all the way, mostly low then high to brown them

I'll try ovening next time. Am usually not organised enough to have them in the oven in time!