Posted by Sam Sears, CEC on September 03, 19100 at 17:30:55 :
In Reply to: ISO ideas for large crowd /no kitchen posted by Cflower on September 03, 19100 at 11:10:16 :
: I am looking for a possible menu to cater for 200 for a Xmas party that will be in this company's new building. No kitchen facilities to speak of and only a microwave. I do have a small convection oven I take to parties like this for 1 or 2 appetizers (in this case I would probably use it for just one). I cater out of my home so I do not have a commercial kitchen and the equipment to transport the food and keep it hot from my kitchen. Looking for items that can be served room temperature or cold. I will probably use the Parmesan Bacon Wraps of mine as the item I do in my oven. Also a hot spinach dip that I heat in the microwave and transfer to chafing dish. Was thinking of cheese board with nuts/dried fruits and of course veggies. If I do something like Brisket on Dollar Rolls, I usually keep that hot in electric skillets at the site. Any help appreciated. Also, what do you think of using green/red plastic or Xmas paper plates. If I rent china, not sure if the kitchen is even big enough to clean and put dishes back in racks. This is a casual party by the way. Thanks
I'm going to assume you are a licensed caterer in a locale that allows catering from your home & you are inspected & insured...I wouldn't like giving advice to those who are not following the statutes & laws......but here it goes....could you rent "cambro" carriers that keep food hot for several hours, small tabletop burners (butane) work great to heat & cook items for receptions..you mentioned a small covection oven, you could purchase another, I've found they are invaluable & worth the investment.....but there are several "cold" or "room temp" hors d oeuvres.....such as interesting dips & spreads, (fiesta, tabbouleh, tahini, spinach/waterchestnut, eggplant "caviar", chicken liver pate' or mousse, hummus ect, ect...w/ interesting crackers/breads - pita points, parmesan crisps, homemade water wafers, blue or red flour or corn tortillas, pumpernickle/rye (party sized)...how about chilled tenderloin of beef w/ sauces & accompaniments, anit pasta trays instead of fresh veggies, fruit & chez kabobs drizzled w/ honey & sliced roasted almonds, miniature sweets & xmas cookies....lots of ideas, if absolutley no areas to rinse & rack rentals, use high quality disposables & charge for them...hope some helps.....sam sears, cec