Quick Cold Cuts Question:

[Knicke]

Only partially a "cooking" question, but I'm not sure where else to put it.

I'm headed up to the mountains for the weekend with a bunch of friends. As this is a working weekend (most of us are part of a band, and this is ostensibly "band camp"), we're not getting fancy or involved with the food. Riiight. Of course, I wouldn't be me if I didn't overthink it...

I've been asked to provide sandwich stuff for one meal: rolls, condiments, lettuce, deli meats and cheeses. Pretty painless, right? The staples of many a mediocre catered lunch...However, I rarely eat this stuff myself, so I have no idea how much meat/cheese I should buy per person. Some leftovers OK, but not too many, otherwise I'm going to have to give them away (they won't get eaten if they come home with me). I'll also bring crudites and dip, chips, and brownies for dessert - it won't be just the sandwiches.

Any guidance on how much meat/cheese I should plan for? Suggestions for the breakdown/varieties?

I also thought about making a soup or two - nothing too challenging for me or others (we'll have some non-picky foodies and some who are unknown to me regarding their pickiness and preferences). Overkill? Worthwhile? Suggestions for soups that are 1) not fiddly 2) don't take too many ingredients 3) appealing to many? I've been cooking for my adventurous self for so long, I don't trust myself not to weird folks out.

Edited January 27, 2006 by Knicke (log)

[thursdaynext]

Hi Knicke!

Check out Ellen's Kitchen for all kinds of great catering info.

[rooftop1000]

A good deli sandwich should have about 1/3 of a pound of filling - same usually for stuff like potato or mac salad....1/3 pound per person.

Easy soup creamy potato with bacon or cheese...or both

tracey

[Holly Moore]

With cold cuts 1/4 lb is a lot. I'm thinking two sandwiches per band member, each with 3 oz of cold cuts and a one oz slice of cheese. If you're talking roast beef or turkey, maybe 1/4 lb per sandwich. To be on the safe side figure every other person will have a third sandwich.

Wild guess, but maybe 8 sandwiches per head of lettuce.

The salads, I'd guess maybe a quarter pound, maybe a little more per person.

If you do the soup one sandwich per person should be enough.

[PicnicChef]

With cold cuts 1/4 lb is a lot.  I'm thinking two sandwiches per band member, each with 3 oz of cold cuts and a one oz slice of cheese.  If you're talking roast beef or turkey, maybe 1/4 lb per sandwich.  To be on the safe side figure every other person will have a third sandwich.

Wild guess, but maybe 8 sandwiches per head of lettuce. 

The salads, I'd guess maybe a quarter pound, maybe a little more per person.

If you do the soup one sandwich per person should be enough.

←

For a good soup, how about a good old cream of tomato! Can't go wrong. For sandwiches, I would say 1/4 lb per person.

[Knicke]

Thanks all! I was a little late in posting this, so I missed some of these helpful comments. However, this won't be the last time I'll need this information, so I'm filing it away...now. Thanks again for the assistance!