How many pounds of shrimp as appetizers for 80 people?

Appetizers of shrimp are a classic and crowd-pleasing dish. To determine the amount of shrimp needed as appetizers for 80 people, it's important to consider the portion size per person and any other contributing factors such as the size of the shrimp, the variety of shrimp, and any additional ingredients included in the appetizer.

Basic Calculation:

To calculate the approximate amount of shrimp needed, you can use a standard portion size of 1/4 pound of shrimp per person for appetizers.

For 80 people:

1/4 pound of shrimp per person x 80 people = 20 pounds of shrimp

Factors to Consider:

Depending on the nature of the event, the portion size might vary. For a more substantial appetizer, you might want to consider increasing the portion size to 1/3 or 1/2 pound per person.

The size of the shrimp also plays a role. Larger shrimp may yield fewer pieces per pound, so you might need to adjust the quantity accordingly.

If the appetizers include additional ingredients like sauces, toppings, or vegetables, you might consider adjusting the portion size of the shrimp to ensure there's a balanced presentation.

Example:

If you're serving shrimp cocktail as an appetizer and using medium-sized shrimp (around 50-60 shrimp per pound), here's how the calculation would look like:

1/4 pound of shrimp per person x 80 people = 20 pounds of shrimp

Since medium shrimp yield around 55 pieces per pound, you would need approximately 1100 shrimp (20 pounds x 55 pieces per pound).

Presentation:

When serving the shrimp appetizers, consider the presentation. You can display the shrimp on platters, trays, or individual serving plates, adding garnishes like lemon slices, parsley sprigs, or cocktail sauce for a visually appealing presentation.

Remember that it's always better to have slightly more food than not enough, especially when catering for larger events. Having a little extra shrimp on hand ensures that everyone enjoys the appetizers without feeling deprived.