Catering For Large Groups

Catering Ideas For Big Groups And Crowds in 2024

Catering for a crowd of people, be it a family reunion, a thanksgiving party or a tailgating event is a task that requires a lot of time, planning, and understanding of your guest. There are many factors that go into success for these types of events, but the most important thing to understand is the needs of your guests who are attending.

One of the first steps in catering for any type of gathering is determining what you want to serve. The next step would be deciding on how much food will be needed. This can vary greatly depending on the size of the group as well as their dietary preferences. It may also depend on whether they have children with them.

Some groups require a certain type of food, usually because of allergies or religious restrictions. Others may need a vegetarian option because many of the members of the group are vegetarian. For event attendees who are vegan, gluten-free, or diabetic, it is important to have a plan in place to ensure that they are not left hungry.

Once you know exactly what kind of food you want to provide, you must decide where it will come from. Will it be brought by someone? Or do you already own enough ingredients to make everything yourself? 

You might even consider having some items made ahead of time so that everyone has something familiar when they arrive. 

The last part of catering for an event involves making sure that the space being used is clean and ready for use.

When planning meals for these large events, it is also important to note that many people have food preferences and allergies.

Top 10 Tips For Self Catering Events 

1. Confirm Guest Numbers 

Planning ahead is the key to success for any large-scale project. The most important thing is to nail down your guest numbers as firmly as possible – that way, you’ll be able to decide on a menu that will satisfy them.

2. Consider The Event Style 

Do some research to figure out if your guests will be standing or seated at the party. This will help you choose a menu that is suitable for the occasion.

If you are hosting a formal dinner party, then sausage rolls and party pies might not be the best option.

Is it an outdoor picnic for a crowd and can you serve a boxed lunch?  A big crowd at a tailgate party will want different styles of food altogether.

Big Family Picnic
Catering For A Big Family Picnic

Do not only think of the food, but also the number of plates, sets and tables for example.

Also using disposable table liners will help with the cleaning up.

3. Create A Menu 

When planning a party, it’s best to stick with foods that everyone’s hungry for. While you might love oysters, they may not be on top of everyone’s list.
If you’re hosting a big get-together, chances are that you’ve got a few different kinds of eaters among your friends and relatives. 

That’s why it’s vital to determine which dishes each person likes best. If you’re hosting a such an event, chances are that you’ve got a few different kinds of eaters among your friends and relatives. 

 Taking that into account – who knows some guests may even offer to bring their own favourite dish – especially if it is a family reunion or similar.

The cheapest food to cater is any rice or noodle-based cultural cuisine.

Dessert should never go unmentioned during parties. Desserts add flavor and sweetness to a plate of food. When choosing desserts, remember to include items such as cakes, cookies, brownies, ice cream, pie, pudding, cupcakes, and more.

4. Can I Prep Some Meals Ahead Of Time

Can you prep a few meals ahead of time? The answer is yes! You can buy some groceries, cook up a few things, freeze them and then have them ready when the time comes.

When getting ready to prep a few meals ahead of time, there are a few things to keep in mind.

First of all, if you are going to prep a few meals ahead of time, you need to have the freezer space. It is also a good idea to look over your meal plan for the week and prep things that will fit in and not take up too much space. You may also want to prep protein as it typically stores and keeps well.
We have a whole article on meals you can make ahead of time.

5. Stick To Popular Dishes And Crowd Pleasers 

When organizing an event for a crowd – stick to popular dishes that you know the majority of guests will like – Popular recipes and plates of burritos and onion rings, it’s hard to know which to choose!

 It can be a tough decision, but it’s best to stick with popular foods because you don’t want everyone to be hungry and leave disappointed!

6. Work Out All Your Recipe Amounts

Family Thanksgiving - catered For by you
Family Thanksgiving – catered For by you

Once you have your guest list confirmed and have chosen your recipes, it’s time to get your calculator out to calculate the quantities of ingredients you will need.

7. Keep Your Event And Serving Space In Mind

When organizing an event for a crowd – stick to popular dishes that you know the majority of guests will like – Popular recipes and plates of burritos and onion rings, it’s hard to know which to choose!

 It can be a tough decision, but it’s best to stick with popular foods because you don’t want everyone to be hungry and leave disappointed!

8. What Equipment You Have And Will Need

After you have planned your menu, chosen your recipes it is time to consider what equipment you have already at hand. Do you need to buy some?  Could you borrow it from friends or family?  Perhaps you could rent it. These are all things to consider when looking at what equipment, appliances, seating, and plates do you need for your event.

One great tip to make your meals go further is to use or rent smaller plates, so the serving sizes are a little smaller, not too much, but it will make a more budget friendly food event. 

9. Plan Your Serving Order And Timing

Keep dishes warm, when to serve them and in what order need to. be planned, and if you are having people help you write this down on a big sheet of paper with a permanent marker so everybody knows what to do when.  That way your food will come out in the right order.

Make sure there is enough space for people to move around.

If you plan on hosting a large group of people, then ensure that there is plenty of room for them to mingle and socialize. 

It may seem obvious, but if you have limited space, then you might find yourself running into problems later on.

10. Do Not Be Afraid To Ask For Help

When organizing a family reunion or a gathering for a large group – do not be afraid to see if some family members may be happy to help.  You just may be surprised how eager they are.  Many will also offer to bring something, lend some warming appliances or even bring an extra BBQ or a smoker!

Catering Ideas For Large Groups – See Our Extensive List Of Resources Below 

Make Ahead Apple Sauce Recipe

Make-Ahead Apple Sauce: A Time-Saving Delight

Savor the taste of homemade apple sauce with Chef Jim’s easy, make-ahead recipe, perfect for busy lifestyles and families.

Hash Brown Recipe For a Large Group

Effortless Sheet Pan Hash Browns: A Recipe to Feed a Large Group

This guide provides clear instructions on crafting mouthwatering, crispy hash browns that can be tailored to any taste or dietary preference. Additionally, explore helpful tips on advance preparation, cooking techniques, and creative serving ideas for catering to a crowd with ease and finesse.

How to Shred Pulled Pork

Shredding Pulled Pork

Learn how to shred pulled pork like a pro with these easy tips and tricks. Your next BBQ will be a hit!

Bacon

Bacon History and Statistics Like What Is the Most Popular Bacon In America

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Best Tomatoes for Burgers

Best Tomatoes for Burgers

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How Much Gravy Per Person for a Large Group Exact Chart

how many cups of gravy per person

Thanksgiving is one of the best holidays of the year, but it can also be very stressful. If you’re in charge of planning food for a large family group, take a quick look below to find out how much gravy per person you need to prepare!

How Much Pizza Per Person

How Much Pizza Per Person

How Much Pizza Per Person – 14 in pizza – 16 inch pizza how many slices – and a handy table with exact amounts for 10 to 100 people

How Much Popcorn Per Person

How Much Popcorn Per Person

How Much Popcorn Per Person- How much popcorn for a big group?
How much popcorn is needed for a popcorn bar?

How Much Salmon Per Person For A Party

How Much Salmon Per Person

How Much Salmon Per Person For A Crowd, Family Gathering or a BBQ? We have a handy table with the exact amounts for 10,20,50,75 and 100 people it guests.

How Much Baked Beans to Get for Large Groups

How Much Baked Beans to Get for Large Crowds

You can find the answer to this question in our special Southern barbecue baked beans recipe! You’ll want to make enough for all of your guests, but if you’re not sure how much to cook, we’ve got a handy calculator for you!

How To Make Scrambled Eggs for a Crowd

How To Make scrambled eggs for a crowd

This is a tasty recipe for scrambled eggs that is perfect for a crowd or large group. I like to make these scrambled eggs for breakfast on Sundays or for brunch.
This is a great recipe because you can make large batches of scrambled eggs and then reheat them as needed.
Add in your favorite ingredients and enjoy.

How To Warm Corn Tortillas

How to Keep Taco Shells and Tortilla wraps Warm for a Party?

Keep Tacos and Tortillas warm for a big group or crowd is hard – We show you 5 ways to master this and keep them warm

Making Lasagna for a Large Group

Lasagna For A Large Group

Find out How To Calculate the exact amount of lasagna to cook for a large group like 100 people – or how many people does a 9 x 13 tray of lasagna serve? We also give you a lasagna recipe for a large crowd.