I have to serve 500 people HELP!!!?

Question

i'm having an event where i'll have to serve plates & beverages to 500 people. i'm having food catered & set up with the aluminum pans & the "sterno" heaters to keep everything hot, but we're charging for each plate served.

How do I serve & fix the plates for the people and organize it so that they pay when they're served their plate? i'm trying to set it up so things do not get chaotic & to make sure everybody pays for the plates & beverages they get.

should i make a "line" set up?

Answer 1

ok ummmm im not an exxpert but see if your closest friends can help. Then have little stations where the ppl get the food/drinks ect. This would probally be the lease chaotic way.

Answer 2

have someone at the start of the line.. take the money for the plate and drinks.. and give a ticket to the guest.. (this is a little table before the food tables).. then they walk up to the food table and theres a host/hostess there, takes the coupon and the next person offers them the plate.. so goes with the drink coupon..

if no coupon, no service.. simple...

Answer 3

When they pay, give them a ticket.  Let them redeem the ticket for a plate at the start of the buffet line.

Have people serving them the food, to make sure you don't run out.  You will also need people waiting behind them to swap out pans w/ more food in them as the pans get used up.

Put silverware and napkins (or kits) and drinks at the end of the line, so people don't have to hold them as they are juggling a plate.  To make it go quickly, I'd suggest having cups of ice prepared, then pouring beverages a bit ahead, so they can walk up and get a freshly-iced/poured coke, tea, lemonade, or whatever.

And realize by the time you serve the 400th person out of 500, the 1st-100th people will probably be finished eating, so have plenty of garbage cans ready and waiting, AWAY from the serving tables.

Answer 4

I suggest at least 2 lines set up.  Have them purchase their ticket at a separate table close by.  Have people stationed at the front of each line. They give a plate for each ticket.

Answer 5

I would go around them and have them pay in advance, and issue them with a ticket.

That way, you will be able to satisfy their need to be fed quickly and not have to waste time making change for them as they pay for their meal.

At the bar they just pay as they drink.

Get an adequate number of cash reisters so you can keep the coins and note separate.

You will need a float, so you can make change for the first few people and a reserve so if you run out, you can add more.