Catering for a Party

Be the host with the most with our easy guide.

Food

Party planning is partly art, partly science. But just follow these simple guidelines to plan how much food you need for your event. If you’re entertaining during meal hours, ensure you have enough food for your hungry guests. But don’t forget the importance of having food at any time that alcohol is being served.

Some easy suggestions for hors d’oeuvres include tomato bruschetta, chicken skewers, or corn chips with dips or cheese plates. Also, younger men tend to eat more than women and seniors, so if your guest list includes a football team, add a few extra items to your menu!

Drinks

It’s a question we’re often asked – “How much alcohol should I purchase for my party?” Consider that on average each guest might enjoy two drinks in the first hour and one each hour thereafter. Quantities will depend on the length of the party, the strength of the beverage, the day of the week and the size of your party. But a few simple guidelines will help you decide how much to purchase.

  • A bottle of wine has around seven standard drinks, a stubby of beer around 1.5 and a one-litre bottle of spirits yields approximately 22 mixed drinks, so if you know how many guests are attending and what kind of bar you are going to have, you can easily figure it out.
  • As well, to accommodate those not drinking cocktails or beer, remember that Whites tend to be more popular than Reds, particularly in warmer weather.
  • If you plan to have a toast with Champagne, you obviously need to purchase additional bottles so that everyone has a glass to raise – one bottle fills seven regular Champagne glasses.
  • Most importantly, make sure there’s plenty of chilled water and soft drinks on hand – vital so that you’re catering for those who are driving, as well as keeping everyone else well hydrated.
  • Garnishes are relatively inexpensive and it’s always smart to buy extra; plan on a half a lemon and half a lime and two olives, cherries and onions per guest. And, depending on the drinks you plan to serve, fruit and herbs (like mint) could also be included.
  • And last of all, don’t forget to organise lots of ice – to serve with drinks and to chill the bottles.

Quantities

Choosing the right quantities for your party is not an exact science and depends on the kind of event you’re throwing, and knowing what your guests are likely to prefer. The quantities below are the suggested basics for a 3-hour cocktail party for 15 people and for 40 people, with each person, on average, having about four drinks during the party. The clever host strikes a balance between generosity and being mindful of sensible volumes. You may be more comfortable over catering, rather than running out of beverages – remember, you don’t have to open everything you buy! As always, Dan Murphy’s promotes the responsible service of alcohol. (If you’d like more information on safe alcohol consumption visit www.alcohol.gov.au.)

Party for 15 people…

  • Wine x 4 Bottles
  • Champagne x 2 Bottles
  • Beer x 16 Stubbies
  • Punch x 3 Litres
  • Light Beer x 16 Stubbies
  • Soft Drinks x 6 1.5L Bottles

Party for 40 people…

  • Wine x 4 Bottles
  • Champagne x 2 Bottles
  • Beer x 16 Stubbies
  • Punch x 3 Litres
  • Light Beer x 16 Stubbies
  • Soft Drinks x 6 1.5L Bottles

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