Planning a party but not sure where to start with your party food? We’ve got you covered with this list of everything you need to think about when catering for your guests. Don’t forget to have a look at our ultimate party planning checklist for more essential party planning tips and tricks.
Contents
- Best time to serve food
- Catered vs DIY party food
- Choosing a theme
- How much food do you need?
- Best party food ideas
It's all About Timing
Timing is one of the most important things to consider when deciding what food to serve your guests. If you’re party runs over a mealtime, you’ll need to make sure to provide plenty of food to keep everyone happy. No one has fun when their stomach is rumbling!
But if you’re hosting a casual afternoon get-together, all you’ll need is some snacks to keep people going. Avoiding mealtimes is a great way to cut costs, but don’t forget to check out our other tips to stay on budget.
Catered or DIY?
Your decision will mostly likely be based on how much you want to spend, and how much time you have. Are you going for a fancy sit down meal or keeping it simple with a buffet?
If you’re guest list is over 20, it could well be worth hiring a caterer to take the pressure off. But if you don’t fancy hiring a professional , there’s no need to do it all by yourself!
Asking your guests to contribute by each bringing a small dish can save you loads of time and money. If you’re struggling for time but don’t want to get your guests involved, plenty of local supermarkets offer buffet party food that you can order in advance and then collect on the day.
Narrow it Down
So now you know whether your going for snacks or a meal, and if you’re hiring a caterer or not, it’s time to plan exactly what party food you actually want to serve.
If you have a themed party, it’s always a great idea to tie your food in with the theme. Hosting a fiesta themed party?
Tacos, enchiladas, empanadas and nachos are all super easy to make in batches, and can be washed down with a tequila sunrise! Looking for some more party drink ideas? Have a look at our list of the 10 best party drinks. If you’re going for a beach party theme or even just hosting your party in the summer, get the BBQ out!
Looking for more theme ideas? Check out our list of the best 20 party themes.
And make sure you consider any food allergies or special requirements before picking your menu!
So how much party food do you need?
If you are hiring a caterer, they should be able to help you out with the amount of food you need. But if you are sorting out the party food yourself, things can get a little more complicated. Have a look at our guide below to find out how much of each popular party food item to serve per guest.
Food | Amount Per Guest |
Sandwiches | 1.5 servings |
Fruit and Veg | 3 servings |
Cupcakes | 1.5 |
Cookies | 2 |
Ice Cream | 1 cups |
Drinks | 1.5 per hour |
Crackers/ biscuits | 4 |
Pizza | 2 slices |
Salads | 1 cup |
Crisps | 1 bag |
Cold meats | 3 slices |
Cheese | 2 slices |
Bread | 1-2 slices/ buns |
Burgers | 1 |
Hot dogs | 1 |
Ribs | 3 |
Best Party Food Ideas
- Bruscetta
- Deviled eggs
- Chicken satay skewers
- Mini goat’s cheese and red onion tarts
- Crab cakes
- Halloumi and chorizo skewers
- Smoked salmon and cream cheese toasts
- Enchiladas
- Empanada
- Tagine
- Koftas
- Nachos
- Garlic potatoes
- Vegetable medley
- Soups
- Crab cakes
- Scallops
- Prawns with sweet chilli sauce
- Salmon pate and toast
- Calamari
So now you’ve got your party food plan mapped out, remember to have a look at our ultimate party planning checklist. Like our Facebook Page and follow us on Pinterest!