how many should I cater for

[blakeyz]

I am having a 40th birthday party in a large hall with approx 170 guests.I am having cold buffet(sandwiches,pies,sausage rolls,chicken drumsticks etc.) How many people should I cater for

[rja211077]

without wishing to seem facetious, it would seem to me that catering for 170 would be eminently sensible.

[zgma]

Blakeyz, are they all confirmed by RSVP? If so, you should expect a few not to show up, and cater for about 160. If that is just an estimate based on how many you invited, I would say cater for about 140 - there are never as many people as you think there are going to be. Of course, it IS better to have too much food than not enough. If you're not worried about money and you don't want to stress about having enough food, cater for 170 and get people to promise to take some home at the end.

[blakeyz]

many thanks zgma . about 160 have confirmed and so your answer seems most sensible.as you say not all will turn up and i don't want to be left with a small food mountain which has happened to me in the past.many thanks

[kaz35]

169