Baptism menu...Cooking vs. Catering help please!!!

Natalie - posted on 03/29/2010

lol you welcome i must say this my fav community!!

Francesca - posted on 03/28/2010

That sounds like a great idea! Its easy and when you get home from church its all ready to go, I might have to steal this idea for my daughters baptism party! Thanks for the idea! LOL

Natalie - posted on 03/27/2010

THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR IDEAS.I WANT TO LET YOU ALL IN ON MY DESICION I DECIDED TO COOK .WE ARE ACTUALLY HAVING A TACO BAR O BUFFET.WE ARE GOING TO MAKE CHICKEN GROUND BEEF AND SAUSAGE CUT UP LETTUCE TOMATO ONIONS CILATRO AND HAVE ALL THE SAUCES SOUR CREME GUACAMOLE.mAYBE MAKE SANDWICHES .I THINK ITS SIMPLE AND QUICK IM GONN DO EVERYTHING THE DAY BEFORE AND VOALA LOL.WELL THANX AGAIN AND TELL ME WHAT YOU TOUGHT OF MY IDEA!!

Amanda - posted on 03/27/2010

We had a ton of people and since it was after church in the morning, we did brunch for both of my son's baptisms. We could make all the stuff before church, throw it in the oven, and when we got home, take it out and it was done.

We had:
bacon (put in crockpot)
cinnamon scones
fruit salad
brunch lasagna
southwestern egg bake
cheesy hashbrowns
spiral cut ham
blueberry french toast bake w/ blueberry sauce
banana bread
sausage links (crockpot)
punch

Nikki - posted on 03/26/2010

We did a roast in the crock-pot, very easy to put together and little clean-up with baked potatoes and salad.

We did this at a baby shower for about 70 people and it went over great.

If you buy a chuck roast you can really cut down your cost, too. Since you're making it in the crock pot you don't have to worry about it being the most tender cut. It will fall off the bone!

Collette - posted on 03/26/2010

Whenever I have a gathering I make one dish Italian meals baked ziti meat, meatless or both, sausage,peppers and onions with crusty Italian bread and roasted garlic butter, romaine salad with parmesan curls and grape tomatos, pesto with bow tie noodles. Also www.recipezaar.com is great for planning meals you can print out shopping lists and instantly double/triple recipies there are also suggestions for most recipies

Holly - posted on 03/26/2010

What ever you want is fine. But it's stressful enough, cater it and make it easier for yourself. You need to enjoy the day too. Chicken is alway easy to cater. Have the food catered and do homemade sweets and pastries.

Kristy - posted on 03/26/2010

do whats easier for you on one hand then the other is saying do whats cheaper? well try the outlook for cooking, you dont really need meals unless it is lunch or dinner and the best i reckon is homemade biscuits cakes meat platters and coffee. its a family thing with other kids. try brownies and cheessecake slices. different meats and cheeses. then again you can do the meal option and hire or buy a hot box/bain marie for casseroles and stir fries with bread rolls. let your creative side come forth!

Chris - posted on 03/25/2010

It's up to you which you do, but with us we did a ham & turkey with the trimmings. Not only was it less expensive that day, but just think of extra food for other meals after words. This year I have 2 grandchildren being dedicated so I'm going to talk to my girls & see if we can rend a hall for the meal since we have a rather large family (10-13 every Sunday for lunch) and extended family. Till we get the aunts & uncles & their families we should have almost 30 people & my house will not hold that many. I'll cook everything here and just heat up whereever we have the meal. Most catering companies want $7.00 a plate minimal so if you spend even $50.00 on food you're saving a bundle

Natalie - posted on 03/24/2010

loving the meatball idea thank you!

Jessica - posted on 03/24/2010

I'm having over 70 people so I have to have it out in a catering hall however if you are having a at home affair you can maybe cook some easy dishes like meatballs, salad and baked ziti then cater the main dishes.

Natalie - posted on 03/24/2010

thanks for all your ideas i have a big family so its going to be almost 45 people i know its a lot but you know families if you dont invite them all they make a big deal out of it.Either way you guys have any menu idea.aAlthough melissa that sounds like a great idea

Felicia - posted on 03/24/2010

we did sloppy joes in a crock pot and other cookout style foods deviled eggs fruit cookies chips ham rollups ect. went over very well. good luck

Mellissa - posted on 03/24/2010

I prefer to cook for my occasions but sometimes, it is easier to cater. It depends on the number of guests you are having. You can do casseroles or you can do a lunch menu with sandwiches and salads and finger foods. Sometimes I use the cooking process as a bonding moment for me and my family. Kids love to help make little finger snacks and cheese and sausage trays. My 4 year old niece wanted to help so badly that I let her role the pigs in a blanket and she did a really wonderful job. If you want no fuss don't want to worry about the food on the big day then have it catered. Hope it turns out nice either way you go!

Stephanie - posted on 03/24/2010

We had less than 20 people there so afterwards we just went out to a restaurant. It was a lot easier to plan and everyone could get what they wanted.

Kimberly - posted on 03/24/2010

It all depends on how many people you are serving. Home cooking is always better and more appreciated. Catering is easier and no mess to clean up , which lets you spend more time with your guests. If you find a good caterer it should be just like home cooking but with dishes that you normally wouldn't have time to prepare

How many people are you planning?

Mel - posted on 03/24/2010

i just did a whole heap of casseroles i could freeze and then heat on the day. or you could just have a bbq