Calculators
Party Food and Drink Calculator
Hosting means buying raw weight at the store, not cooked portions on the plate. This calculator shows both protein numbers — cooked serve weight and raw purchase weight with the shrink factor named — plus drinks, sides, and appetizers.
The worked example uses 50 guests over three hours with a full bar. Use the controls below for every per-guest rate.
Estimates only. Adjust rates for your crowd.
Browse themes and presets, then come back here to download.
50 guests · 3 hours · Full bar · 38 drinking · 12 not drinking
| Category | Needed | Buy |
|---|---|---|
| Beer | 60.8 drinks | 3 cases |
| Wine | 45.6 drinks | 10 × 750 ml |
| Spirits | 45.6 drinks | 3 × 750 ml |
| Main protein (cooked serve) | 16.5 lb cooked | 16.5 lb on the plate |
| Main protein (raw purchase) | 16.5 lb cooked | 24 lb raw at the store |
| Sides | 25.0 lb total | 25 lb |
| Appetizers | 600 pieces | 600 pieces |
| Dessert | 55.0 servings | 56 servings |
Assumptions
- Drinking share: 75% of headcount (38 drinking guests)
- Duration: 3 hours → 4 drinks per drinking guest
- Bar split: 40% beer, 30% wine, 30% spirits
- Pour sizes: 5 oz wine, 1.5 oz spirits, 4 oz sparkling
- Ice: 1.5 lb per guest (60% chilling, 40% serving)
- Mixers: 2 L per 750 ml spirits bottle
- Main protein: 0.33 lb cooked per guest
- Raw purchase weight: cooked ÷ 0.7 shrink factor
- Sides: 2 × 0.25 lb per guest
- Appetizers: 6 pieces first hour, 3 per hour after
- Dessert: 1.1 servings per guest
Supplies checklist
- Ice — 4 bags (20 lb each)
- Cups — 100 (2 per guest)
- Napkins — 150 (3 per guest)
- Mixers — 6 L
- Garnish (citrus, olives, cherries)
- Serving utensils and bar tools
- Coolers and ice tubs
Estimates only. Adjust the per-guest rates for your crowd.
The Handy Pages · thehandypages.com
More party presets
What you need at the buffet table
- Disposable plates and cutlery sets for self-serve lines (opens in new tab)
- Insulated beverage dispensers for punch, water, or iced tea (opens in new tab)
- Aluminum catering pans with lids for oven-to-table service (opens in new tab)
Find these on Amazon (opens in new tab)
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Full affiliate disclosure