I've been told to plan 3-5 hors d'oeuvres per person for a cocktail party. Is that 3-5 per person for each appetizer I'm making or overall count?

myzuk
  • Posted by: myzuk
  • November 28, 2010
  • 1707 views
  • 4 Comments

4 Comments

myzuk November 28, 2010
Thanks everyone! This is a huge help.
 
ChefBourinaris November 28, 2010
People love the snacks & hors d'oeuvres more than the food! since they are eating them first I would plan on at least 8 - 10 per person and always put out some other items as fillers such as dips, chips, or other snacks.
 
lastnightsdinner November 28, 2010
Will there be other food served at the party, or is this an hors d'oeuvre-only affair? If there will be a light meal served, then 5-7 pieces per person is good, if a full meal, 3-4 is sufficient. If it's hors d'oeuvres, only, Daniel Bouloud recommends 6-8 pieces per person, per hour (http://www.foodandwine.com/articles/hot-hors-doeuvres/sidebars/1), but I've also seen recommendations of up to 10-12 pieces per person. I personally always err on the side of caution - there's nothing worse than sending guests home hungry!

 
phyllis November 28, 2010
Overall count, but I think, unless these are large hors d'oeuvres, the number should be more like 5-7.
 
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