How many lbs of raw rice to feed 30 people?

It's impossible to give an exact amount of rice needed for 30 people without knowing more about the situation. Here's why:

* Portion size: Are you serving rice as a side dish, or is it the main component of the meal? People eat different amounts of rice.

* Appetites: Some people eat more than others.

* Other food: If there are other substantial dishes served alongside the rice, people might eat less rice.

* Cooking method: Rice expands when cooked. The amount of raw rice needed will vary depending on the cooking method.

General Guidelines:

* Side dish: Plan for roughly 1/2 cup of cooked rice per person.

* Main dish: Plan for 1 cup of cooked rice per person.

Example:

Let's say you're serving rice as a side dish and want to provide 1/2 cup of cooked rice per person. You'll need:

* 30 people x 1/2 cup cooked rice = 15 cups of cooked rice

* Since rice expands roughly 2-3 times when cooked, you'll need around 5-7 cups of raw rice.

Always err on the side of having a little extra. It's better to have leftover rice than to run out!

To get a more precise estimate, consider:

* Type of rice: Long grain rice cooks up fluffier and expands more than short grain rice.

* Recipe: Different recipes use different amounts of rice and water.