Cooking for a large group isn't easy, which is why many people choose to go for a potluck or to hire a caterer when their guest lists get long, whether they're planning a holiday dinner or a big party. On top of the amount of prep work and the cooking time that cooking for dozens of people can take, it can be difficult to find recipes that work because most cookbooks are not designed to have their recipes scaled up four, five or more times. The cookbook Food for Fifty is specifically designed to help those who are looking to get started in the catering business, but can also be a good reference if you simply want to be able to cook for really large groups yourself.
This is the 12th edition of a book that has been around for nearly three-quarters of a century, evolving to suit consumer tastes and technological advances in the kitchen as time goes by. The book goes into great depth when explaining all the basics of large scale food preparation, from different cooking techniques and timetables to guides to menu planning and wine/drink selection. There is also a good deal of information that pertains to shopping in large quantities and food storage both before and after the food has been cooked. The recipes include dishes in all categories so there will be something to suit the tastes of just about any group, although they can be adapted to suit different tastes or simply used as a template for new flavor ideas.
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