How many cases of pork ribs to feed 40 people?

It's impossible to give an exact number of pork rib cases needed for 40 people without more information. Here's why:

* Rib Size: Rib racks come in different sizes (usually 3-4 ribs per rack).

* Appetite: How hungry are your guests? Will the ribs be the main course or part of a larger meal?

* Side Dishes: More substantial side dishes mean you can get away with fewer ribs.

* Individual Preference: Some people eat more ribs than others.

Here's a general guideline:

* Average: Plan for about 1 rack of ribs per person, assuming they are the main course.

* Large Appetite: If you have a group known for big appetites, consider 1.5 racks per person.

* Smaller Appetites: If ribs are just part of a buffet, you might be able to get away with 0.75 - 1 rack per person.

To calculate the number of cases:

1. Determine the number of ribs per case. This should be listed on the packaging.

2. Multiply the number of ribs per person by 40 (your guest count).

3. Divide the total number of ribs by the number of ribs per case.

Example:

* You need 40 racks of ribs total.

* Each case has 6 racks of ribs.

* You would need 6.67 cases (round up to 7 cases to ensure you have enough).

It's always better to overestimate than underestimate. You can always freeze leftover ribs!