Cooking For a Crowd

Lesson 4: Beverages, Help & Food Safety

Advice on Help

For any party of more than 10 people, it is extremely useful to have arranged for help, even if just to do the dishes. There is nothing better, after a party than, to look around at a clean house. For help guidelines, I have generally found the following to be realistic:

• For any party over 10 guests, you should have someone who is comfortable putting food in and out of an oven. For over 50 people, it is good to have two full time people in the kitchen.

• Additionally, you will need all-purpose people to pass trays, check on whether platters need refinishing, do last minute kitchen chores, and wash the dishes. For a 10-20 people party, one person is sufficient along with the cook. Over 20 people, you need at least two people.

• While these people do not need to be professionals (teenagers are excellent), one of these helpers should be capable to be a “gofer”. This person should be able to drive and able to rush out for any last minute item that has been forgotten.

• Especially if you’re having a full bar, it is advisable to have a bartender. Not only will a bartender provide portion control, but also he can alert you to any concerns about whether some guests might be too drunk to drive. Please remember that any drunk driving accident will be the host’s liability.

  Also remember that various areas have different restrictions on who can serve alcohol. If you’re using teenagers under 18 to help, it is probable that it is illegal for them to be opening wine bottles or refilling glasses.

• If you’re having a party with children, it can be a lifesaver to have one person assigned to entertaining them and keeping track of them – their parents will have a much better time.

• Volunteer help can be tricky. Some people love to have lots of people in the kitchen helping out and others do not. If you’ve hired a cook, they will not want to have people in the kitchen. However, there are great uses for a volunteer away from the kitchen, i.e. to be a second set of eyes watching whether there is kleenex in the bathroom, whether coats are placed inappropriately, and all the other little details.
  Print this page
  
  

    1  2  3  4  5