Serving the Washington DC and Baltimore metropolitan regions of Maryland, MD and
Virginia, VA, including: Montgomery County, Howard County, Prince George’s County,
Frederick County, Anne Arundel County, Baltimore County, Alexandria Old Town County,
Arlington County, Fairfax County and Fall’s Church City. We offer quality catering
and personal chef services, a delightful fusion of world cuisine, integrating only
the freshest all natural and organic seasonal ingredients, purchased from our local
farmers markets. We specialize in weddings, cocktail parties, dinner parties, social
catering, corporate catering and party planning. In addition we offer a wonderful
selection of specialty desserts and made to order cakes. Gift boxes for all occasions
and our cookie collection lines, are available for order within the continental united
states. Please call for order information. Additionally cooking classes and cooking
demonstrations are available to the general public. Please note all prices are subject
to change without notice. Photos by Matthew Lyons © Copyright 2009 and Dixie D. Vereen
© Copyright 2009. Copyright info. Updated cocktail party hors d'oeuvre planning
page 4/9/09.
home
catering
specialty desserts
classes
newsletter
about
site map
contact
site search
Copyright © 2009 www.AlchemyCaterers.com Carla Hall
HORS D’OEUVRE PLANNING
What are hors d’oeuvres?
Hors d’oeuvre is French for “outside the work,” i.e. before the main dishes. Although
the word hors d’oeuvre is both singular and plural in French, In English the plural
is often written as hors d’oeuvres and pronounced with the “s.” In Italian cuisine,
the hors d’oeuvre would be called Antipasto; in Middle Eastern cuisines, Meze; and
in Spanish cuisine, Tapas. Regardless of the cuisine, these one- or two-bite snack
foods, are served as the guests arrive and before the main meal to stimulate the
appetite. The terms hors d’oeuvre and appetizer are often used interchangeably, but
there is a difference. Hors d’oeuvres are the small savory bites, typically finger
food served before a meal. Appetizers are served as a first course at the table as
part of the meal.
How many hors d’oeuvres should be provided per person?
The number of hors d’oeuvres needed often depends on how long the cocktail “hour”
is, the time of day, and if a meal will also be served following the cocktail hour.
For a two-hour cocktail party plan for:
- 10 – 12 bites per person
- 20 bites per person if the hors d’oeuvres replace dinner (e.g. party starts at 7pm).
When hors d’oeuvres are served before a meal plan for:
- 5-7 bites when served before a light meal
- 3-4 bites when served before a full dinner
Other considerations:
- Your guests will tend to eat more during the first 90 minutes. After two hours, consumption
picks up again - especially if hors d’oeuvres are served in lieu of dinner.
- Young people eat more than an older crowd, and guests eat more at casual events than
at formal functions.
How many different items should be served for an hors d’oeuvres-only party?
- For 25 guests, plan for 5-6 different hors d’oeuvres
- For 25-50 guests, plan for 9-10 different hors d’oeuvres
- For more than 50 guests, plan for 10 or more different hors d’oeuvres.
- If hors d’oeuvres take the place of dinner, include more substantial items such as
a carving station or an Antipasto display. Additionally, be sure to include several
bites of sweets per person.
- Remember to provide a variety of foods to please everyone - poultry, beef, vegetarian,
fish, seafood. Having a selection of both hot and cold items also helps to keep everyone
grazing happily.
How do you calculate the number of each type of hors d’oeuvre to order or prepare?
The number of bites desired per person times the number of guests divided by the
number of different hors d’oeuvres being served. For example: A cocktail party for
25 guests will need 10 bites per person, and it’s been decided that 5 different kinds
of hors d’oeuvres will be served, therefore prepare or order 50 of each type of hors
d’oeuvre. Please see chart below.
Should hors d’oeuvres be served for breakfast or lunch?
Hors d’oeuvres are not needed for breakfast or brunch. However, 2-4 light hors d’oeuvres
can be served per person for lunch, if desired.
