Feeding the 5,000; Catering for Crowds at Your Church

Potluck lunches after church are great, but sometimes special occasions call for something more. Whether it's a wedding at your church, or just a special occasion for the church to sit down together and break bread, catering for large groups of people can be exhausting and confusing. However, there are some hints and tips that can make your catering fiasco into a catering pleasure.

Grocery Store Helpers

I may be preaching to the choir on this one, but there's no shame in using the occasional pre-made ingredient from the grocery store. Pasta sauces, salad dressings, bakery breads and more can make some of the most complex dishes into easy, less preparation dishes without sacrificing taste or quality. Be aware, however, that sometimes pre-made or prepackaged items, such as precut vegetables, can cost more than the actual cost of preparing the item yourself. However, items such as pasta, spaghetti sauce, and prepackaged items such as shredded cheese, can really make a meal go a lot easier and won't lighten your wallet too much. Look for specials and sales, and stock up when you can on items that have a good shelf life, such as canned items, dried pastas, and bakery staples such as flower and sugar. You'd be surprised how fast you can go through them!

Allow More Time

Rome wasn't built in a day, and that lasagna for 150 you're planning won't be either. Remember to allow extra time when catering for large crowds. It's usually best to get a lot of the preparation done the day before the event. Also remember that the larger an item is, the longer it tends to take to cook. For instance, we all know that, at Thanksgiving, an 18-pound turkey takes a lot longer to cook than a 12-pound turkey.

Ask for Help

Just because you're the local recipe maven in your community doesn't mean you can take on large projects by yourself. Grab a friend or two, and make it fun! Too many cooks in the kitchen may spoil the soup, but not enough cooks in the kitchen, and the soup won't get done. Even if you ask one friend to come and prepare all the vegetables for you, that will save you time and effort that you'll need in the long run.

Keep It Simple

I know you've been dying to try the newest gourmet recipe you've come across, but changes are, the more complex it is, the less chance there is of you getting it done for such a large crowd. Save your recipes that have 20+ ingredients for another day, when you can focus on making a small, perfect batch of it. Don't worry about whether or not your recipe is "fancy" enough. Simply prepared, flavorful food doesn't have to come from hours of stirring over a large pot.

Enjoy It!

No matter how hard you work, and how much preparation you put into it, cooking won't be as rewarding to you and those around you if you can't have a little fun with it. While you want to make sure everything comes out right, the most important thing is to not take it too seriously. Have a little fun, and get a little messy in the kitchen.