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How Many Trays of Food Do I Need for 100 People?

Planning food for a large gathering can be overwhelming, especially when trying to figure out how many trays of food are needed to feed 100 people. Whether you’re hosting a wedding, corporate event, or family celebration, ensuring there’s enough food without excessive waste is key. In this guide, we’ll break down portion sizes and serving recommendations to help you calculate how much food you’ll need.

Understanding Portion Sizes Per Person

Before determining how many trays you need, consider the typical serving sizes for different types of dishes:

• Main Dishes: 6–8 ounces per person
• Side Dishes: 4–6 ounces per person
• Salads: 1 cup per person
• Appetizers: 3–5 bites per person
• Desserts: 1 serving per person

With these portions in mind, let’s look at how many trays you need for 100 guests.

How Many Trays Per Course?

1. Main Entrées

For a buffet-style meal, each person will consume approximately 6–8 ounces of the main dish.

• A full-size catering tray (chafing dish) holds about 20 servings of a protein-heavy entrée like chicken, beef, or pasta.
• For 100 guests, you’ll need 5 full trays of a main dish.

Example:

• Grilled Chicken: 5 full trays (20 servings each)
• Pasta Dish: 5 full trays

If you’re serving multiple main dishes, split the portions. For example, 3 trays of chicken and 2 trays of pasta.

2. Side Dishes

Each person will typically eat 4–6 ounces of each side dish. A full catering tray serves about 25 people for lighter sides or 20 people for denser sides.

• For 100 people, you’ll need 4–5 full trays of each side dish.

Example:

• Rice or Mashed Potatoes: 4 full trays
• Roasted Vegetables: 4 full trays

3. Salads

Leafy salads require about 1 cup per person, while heavier salads (potato, pasta, or coleslaw) require 4–5 ounces per person. A full tray serves about 25–30 people for leafy salads and about 20–25 people for heavier salads.

• For 100 guests, you’ll need 4 trays of leafy salad or 5 trays of heavier salads.

Example:

• Caesar Salad: 4 full trays
• Pasta Salad: 5 full trays

4. Appetizers

Appetizers depend on variety, but typically, guests eat about 3–5 bites per person. A full tray can serve 20–25 people, depending on portion size.

• For 100 people, plan 4–5 trays of appetizers.

Example:

• Cheese and Charcuterie Board: 4 full trays
• Meatballs or Sliders: 5 full trays

5. Desserts

Most guests will eat one serving of dessert. A full tray holds about 20–25 servings of cakes, brownies, or cookies.

• For 100 guests, you’ll need 4–5 full trays of dessert.

Example:

• Mini Cheesecakes or Brownies: 5 full trays
• Assorted Cookies: 4 full trays

Final Catering Tray Breakdown for 100 Guests

Food Type	Approx. Servings Per Tray	Total Trays Needed for 100 Guests
Main Dishes	20 servings	5 trays
Side Dishes	20–25 servings	4–5 trays per side
Leafy Salads	25–30 servings	4 trays
Heavier Salads	20–25 servings	5 trays
Appetizers	20–25 servings	4–5 trays
Desserts	20–25 servings	4–5 trays

Pro Tips for Planning

• Variety Matters: If serving multiple options, adjust tray amounts accordingly.
• Consider Guest Preferences: Offer a mix of vegetarian, gluten-free, and protein-rich dishes.
• Account for Seconds: Some guests may go back for more, so slightly increase portions.
• Use Half Trays: If serving multiple sides, using half trays allows for greater variety.

Final Thoughts

For 100 people, expect to serve 5 full trays of mains, 4–5 trays of each side, 4 trays of salad, 4–5 trays of appetizers, and 4–5 trays of dessert. Adjust as needed based on your menu and guest preferences. With this guide, you’ll have the perfect amount of food for a successful event!