Party food ideas for 100 people

[Namefornumber3]

Throwing a festival style party for my husbands 40th and trying to think of the most cost effective, yet easy and yummy way to feed the guests. Was thinking of hiring a hog roast company….. what other ideas do you have for me!! Thanks

Street food trucks?

Hire someone to make pizza

Sausage rolls?

A million of them??

My only advice would be not to do it yourself. Catering for 100 people is massive, never mind the plates, cutlery, mess.

Hog Roast, Burger Van, Pizza Van, local caterer with a big BBQ, Fish and Chips...

Online costco membership then get platters and their giant pizzas and chicken?
I agree, 100 people it alot! Do you have the space, tables, cutlery, hands to help even lay it all out and refrigerate as required???

External company would be easier, unless multiple friends/family are willing to be working as staff!

Where are you hosting? Is it a venue with kitchen facilities?

I would be looking at getting an external company to do the main bits - hog roast or street food, or a big BBQ

Yes this is definitely an external caterer job! We have a big garden so space isn’t a problem - just want to had it all over to someone. Have had a look at some trucks too.

Some of the smaller ice cream companies will rent you an ice cream van or ice cream bike and an operator for the day/afternoon, which would take care of puddings if you had somewhere to park it that was only accessible to guests.

I'd do a pizza truck!

The problem with pizza vans is that it takes a long time to get everyone fed when there's a large number of people. Been there, done that and wouldn't pizza without something else as well.

you either hire caterers or do it yourself.

If I was doing it - Morrisons food to order would be my go to. Sandwich platters/pizzas/platters/quiches/crudites /dips & chips

or if you can get someone to work the BBQ that is an easy one.

or you could basically place a huge order at your local Chinese and have it delivered around 8:30 ish

same with a dominos!

I'd do it myself but then I catered my own wedding.

Slow cookers with a meat chili, a vegan chilli (also gf), pulled pork, tray(s) of bbq chicken drumsticks. Salads, coleslaw, wraps, grated cheese, sour cream, guacamole, nachos.

I've done this for 80 with no issues at all. All done before guests arrive except chicken which is in oven. Use paper plates and bamboo forks.

Add olives etc if you want but the above is fine, perhaps add plain chicken nuggets and trays of oven chips if kids are coming that are fussy

Ask any good local restaurants if they do catering? The best party I went to with about 100 guests in a garden was catered by the local Indian restaurant. So many curries and sides, lots of veg options, I still get hungry thinking about it.

Getting some initial quotes back from vendors - eye wateringly expensive!!!
A burger van with extras was £1300!
A hog roast £700!
I might have a look into the mass ordering of Dominos.... Might be a good shout!!

£700 is £7 per head. Yes it's a lot of money, but feeding 100 people isn't going to be cheap. You could order sides, salads, puddings, etc from a supermarket.

How much did you think it would be? £7 ph is very reasonable.

Imo dominos is usually way overpriced for what it is!
Have you thought of dietary requirements as well? Hog roast is great but gf buns, vegetarian alternative?

Wouldn't it take too long to serve 100 people out of one van?

And the vegetarian alternative always needs to take into account the meat eaters who will want some too.

I’m am ex vegetarian and although I eat meat now I still generally prefer the veggie option. I’m also gluten free hence thinking of both those dietary requirements!

Yes - exactly! It’s really annoying to go to an event where they’ve provided just enough veggie options & not realised that they need to either cordon them off or much better, provide enough for everyone.

I would consider approaching your local Indian restaurant. I went to a party where they had done this and the food was amazing. From what I remember there were three main curries, one chicken, one veg and one Dahl. Rice. Naans, popodoms all the chutneys and salad bits and lots of mini samosas and bhajis. Everyone commented on how good the food was. They supplied it in big trays which were kept warm over little burners. I remember thinking it must have cost a fortune but my friend said it was actually cheaper than what they had been quoted for a fairly standard cold buffet.

Dominos will be more than £7/ head assuming you’re planning to give people more than one slice

Costco is your best bet. Lots of catering sized platters, desserts and snacks available.

The smell of Domino's pizzas makes me feel nauseous. I think I would need to leave if you bought enough to serve 100!

I think you need to work out your budget first then work from there. For 100 I would expect to spend £10 per head as a minimum. Some supermarkets do sandwich platters etc and can be good value. I did a mix of Morrisons and Marks for my 50th.

We had a local Thai restaurant cater - they brought all the food warmers, plates etc