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Graduation Party Food Calculator

Graduation parties often land around a hundred guests and a long afternoon. This preset uses 100 guests, four hours, and a full bar with standard buffet rates.

Use the controls below for drinking share, toast, and food weights. Download a PDF with shopping rows and a supplies checklist.

Estimates only. Serve responsibly.

100 guests · 4 hours · Full bar · 75 drinking · 25 not drinking

CategoryNeededBuy
Beer150 drinks7 cases
Wine112.5 drinks23 × 750 ml
Spirits112.5 drinks8 × 750 ml
Main protein (cooked serve)33.0 lb cooked33.0 lb on the plate
Main protein (raw purchase)33.0 lb cooked48 lb raw at the store
Sides50.0 lb total50 lb
Appetizers1500 pieces1500 pieces
Dessert110.0 servings111 servings

Assumptions

  • Drinking share: 75% of headcount (75 drinking guests)
  • Duration: 4 hours → 5 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 — 8 bags (20 lb each)
  • Cups — 200 (2 per guest)
  • Napkins — 300 (3 per guest)
  • Mixers — 16 L
  • Garnish (citrus, olives, cherries)
  • Serving utensils and bar tools
  • Coolers and ice tubs

Estimates only. Adjust the per-guest rates for your crowd.

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