I have a few weeks to figure this out, but I have been informed that I have to provide a dinner entree for a drama potluck for 60 teenagers. That is not a typo-- 60!!!
The school will not allow home cooked foods. I can bring things that were reheated at home, but nothing from scratch.
What on earth do I do? Do any of you have any ideas of a single dinner entree that would be cheap, not need to be prepared in my own personal kitchen and would feed 60 kids? Can you tell that I am already stressed out? I struggle enough trying to keep 5 of us fed. Any and all suggestions are welcome!
1|1|Frozen Lasagna-jumbo sized from costco or grocery outlet|hudge4|hudge95@yahoo.com|18:24:37|01/08/2010|
That;s what I'd do. Its filling and most everyone likes it. I'd check Grocery Outlet before Costco if you have one. They usually have crowd sized lasagnas (various brands) for about $10.
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http://www.refundsweepers.com/dcforum/feedback/1021.html 2|1|they expect you alone to provide a store purchased or restaurant purchased entree for 60 teenagers????|kellysp6637|frugalk76@aol.com|18:28:51|01/08/2010|
I'm not sure if I read that right...but if that is the case...I would certainly tell whoever gave you that charge, that you are not able to fulfill that expectation...I would tell them that I would be willing to "help" with another parent(s)..but would not be responsible for everything....
That being said......if I was responsible for bringing an entree...I would most likely go to a local italian restaurant and purchase a pan of lasagne or ziti (or you could buy large pans of lasagne at BJ's)....and I would think if two or three other parents each bought a pan you could have a large tasty entree.....but there is no way one person should be soley responsible for feeding 60 kids a main entree. 5|2|Ha! We sure had the same opinion! I think that is totally unrealistic!|saint6811|waylan@comcast.net|18:30:51|01/08/2010|
" You'll get what's coming to you ... Unless it was mailed."
8|2|Thanks! I emailed the Drama teacher and asked for clarification...|sunriver|lithiasalt@cheerful.com|18:55:49|01/08/2010|
Husband took the call from the other drama mom, so I am just hoping that it will be like what Joy described. I can handle getting a pan or two of lasagna to feed maybe 10 or so, but 60 has my heart racing. LOL!
I hope to be back on here soon reporting that my DH does not take messages well!!!
V
3|1|I think the first thing I'd do is ask if there is anyway more parents could be recruited to share in the responsibility of the entree...I think that's a bit unrealistic for the group to expect ONE parent/family to provide enough food (and not homemade, ie EXPENSIVE) for 60 people....|saint6811|waylan@comcast.net|18:29:05|01/08/2010|
" You'll get what's coming to you ... Unless it was mailed."
4|1|The only thing I would be able to come up with if it was me, would be the party subs at Subway....but dang, those probably arent exactly cost-effective either.|saint6811|waylan@comcast.net|18:29:47|01/08/2010|
" You'll get what's coming to you ... Unless it was mailed."
6|1|For example, Vanessa.....our varsity football team has a team dinner every Thurs night during the season...from what I understand, SIX families share the meal each week (different SIX families each time)....and that is for about 40 people....usually three go in on the main item alone. And they generally have simple meals like spaghetti, sloppy joes, etc.|saint6811|waylan@comcast.net|18:32:58|01/08/2010|
" You'll get what's coming to you ... Unless it was mailed."
7|1|ideas inside|brainyblonde|brainyblonde@prodigy.net|18:42:29|01/08/2010|
You can find the large, large bag of meatballs at Sam's Club for about $10. Heat in the crockpot. The large can of pizza sauce is around $4. If you can't cook spaghetti (which would be cheap) what about small dinner rolls for little meatball subs? Go with parmesan cheese instead of mozzarella to keep the cost down.
Frozen, pre-cooked wings kept hot in a crockpot with bottled BBQ sauce.
Big bag of salad greens from Sam's topped with canned chicken, bagged croutons and bottled caesar dressing.
I would also check out Stouffer's frozen mac and cheese prices at the warehouse clubs.
Hot dogs and fixings. Hot dogs in the crockpot always smell soooo good!
Debbie 11|2|Those are great ideas, BrainyBlond|hudge4|hudge95@yahoo.com|01:25:20|01/09/2010|
I will keep those in mind when I am asked to bring for a crowd.
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http://www.refundsweepers.com/dcforum/feedback/1021.html 9|1|maybe you read this wrong.|petunia1|sweetpea39@comcast.net|19:00:33|01/08/2010|
did they say you had to do it for all 60 OR
did it say to provided an entree for 60 kids. I would take that as meaning they want you to bring "an" entree. and there are others bringing things too.
I would call and check on this. It would be a shame if you showed up with a ton of food and then others brought stuff too. I agree that this is too much to expect of one person, especially when they do not know if you can afford something like that or not. really not fair 10|1|what about a baquet meal?|aliciamk|ohiogirl279@yahoo.com|19:16:04|01/08/2010|
did i spell it right? there were a bunch of $1.00 and $1.50 off coupons out there not to long ago and my walmart has them for .98 and my krogers has them for 10 for 10 all the time plus there are coupons in the box you can use or trade.and get the cheap loaves of bread or rolls or french bread that go on sale for .50-99 or get the cheap frozen loaves out of the freezer section.but if the ladies here can help here i will look through my stash and see if i have anymore of the baquet meal coupons and mail them to you.oh and chick fil a does party trays too and last month they had a free gallon of tea coupon to go with it.someone said if you ask they might take expired coupons at chick fil and they did for me last time i asked.hot dogs,cheap cans of sauce,cheap chips,cheap pop.and those oncor meal things are cheap they have what 5-8 pieces of meat in them you can have hot sandwiches?chili from a can,crackers,and peanut butter or cheese sandwiches?or you can make tacos in a bag chips,cheese, lettuce, and canned meat, and salsa or tomatoes those are a hit a the ballgames around here?or buy cheap pizzas. 12|1|I love that man, but he is not focused on kids activities....|sunriver|lithiasalt@cheerful.com|11:37:37|01/11/2010|
He tries and I can tell he wants to be (which is why he went to the parent meeting) but I imagine they told him what they needed and he was thinking about this game he has been playing online (or some other unrelated thing) and he heard "for 60 kids" and not that several parents will cover each night, so each brings enough for 6-8 kids. Whew! I can handle that and your ideas all really helped too.
I am so glad I emailed the drama teacher for clarification. I was trying to imagine just trying to get that much food over to school and was overwhelmed (car is not running, so I am on foot). So, thankfully this is something do-able!
:0)
13|2|So glad that worked out :)|couponshelmd|couponshel@comcast.net|13:13:50|01/11/2010|
My hubby is the same way, especially with his mother... he will tell me a message from her and I think "oh brother, what did she really tell him" and have to figure it out from there!
Glad you don't have to feed/$$ all the kids by yourself :)
Hugs,
Shel
15|2|I figured that was what they meant|petunia1|sweetpea39@comcast.net|13:26:36|01/11/2010|
>..LOL...glad you got it straightened out 14|1|LOL, glad it all worked out Vanessa. It did sound crazy, but I'm glad you got it clarified. |Ranalt|ainebailey@gmail.com|13:25:30|01/11/2010|
Life is like a cup of tea,
It's all in how you make it.
Lisa