(My) retirement party menu...would appreciate some input pls

14 years ago

It's time!

After 36 years of teaching special needs high school students, I'm retiring!

Hubs is throwing me an afternoon luncheon-type party and here's what we've worked out for the menu (below)...I think we'll have from 35 to 45 people, and I told them all to come hungry! I'm of Italian descent (both sides of the family, all 4 grandparents born & raised in Italy), so it's abbondanza and mangia!

I'd appreciate suggestions or comments! I know some of the items may not "go" with the other stuff, but we're hoping to appeal to all guests, including the vegetarians. Thanks in advance!

Smiles,

Sooz

Chex Party Mix

Pretzels

Chunky salsa and chips

Spinach artichoke Parmesan spread w/assorted crackers

Italian salami (one of my faves!) and crackers

Peanut butter rice krispie treats

Fruit salad - bags of frozen fruit mixed with fresh fruit

Tossed green salad with bleu cheese & candied pecans & dried cranberries

Vegetable "primavera" salad (lots of raw and blanched, chilled veggies in a light vinaigrette)

Mozzarella, basil, and Roma tomato "stacks" (Caprese salad stacks)

Chicken & apple sausage bites with roasted red pepper strip & half a sun-dried tomato

Meat Lasagne

Vegetarian Lasagne

Meatballs (crockpot)

Water, soda, beer

Cherry cheesecake

Chocolate mousse cake

Key Lime pie

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Comments (10)

caliloo
14 years ago
Sounds awesome!

I think I would add small torpedo type rolls for anyone that wants to make a meatball sandwich, but other than that I think you have a fantastic selection.

Congrats and enjoy your day!

Alexa
lindac
14 years ago
Sounds lovely....but I tbhink you have too many "things" for 25 to 35 people...
You are having 6 appetizers
4 salads
2 main dishes
And 4 desserts.
I have no objection to the appetizers and the 2 lasagnas, but think 4 salads is too much as are 4 desserts. Youw ill need to have enough of everything for eavry one to have at least 1/2 a serving and that means 2 or 3 cheesecakes, 4 pies and at least 2 mousse cakes.
I would have an appetizer table and put on it the salami, the artichoke spread, the meatballs, caprese stacks and the sausage bites.
then have a "dinner station" and have the 2 lasagnas, the tossed green salad, and the marinated veggie salad and the rolls or bread.
Then a dessert station with the cheese cake and the key lime pie...I would skip the chocolate mousse cake....and the fruit.....and perhaps some rice krispie treats....but that seems strange with the rest of the menu....but I guess it's a favorite.

2 salads, 2 main dish casseroles and 2 desserts ought to be lots....with all the appetizers.....and you really could cut out an appetizer or 2.
I hope you're not doing all the cooking!!!
Linda C
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annie1992
14 years ago
LOL, LindaC, in my family you would be run out of town for heresy. There's no such thing as too many desserts. My family would say that we didn't need a green salad, the vegetable salad AND the caprese skewers. (grin) Never cut out anything chocolate, LOL.

Sooz, there are a lot of items there, especially if you are doing all your own cooking. Please tell me you'll have help, since several of those items cannot be made and stored much in advance.

However, the menu sounds delicious, and the only thing I could add, as Alexa mentioned, would be some type of bread.

Congratulations, and enjoy your retirement.

Annie
doucanoe
14 years ago
Well, first of all let me congratulate you on your retirement! 36 years of teaching is quite an accomplishment!

I like all your menu items, but I agree with Linda C. To me there are too many, and that's an awful lot of food for a luncheon-type party. I'd be ready for a long nap after that much food! LOL

I categorized them below, as I see it.

APPETIZERS
Chex Party Mix
Pretzels
Chunky salsa and chips
Spinach artichoke Parmesan spread w/assorted crackers
Italian salami and crackers
Chicken & apple sausage bites
Meatballs (crockpot)

SALADS
Fruit salad
Tossed green salad
Vegetable "primavera" salad
Mozzarella, basil, and Roma tomato "stacks"

ENTREES
Meat Lasagne
Vegetarian Lasagne

DESSERTS
Peanut butter rice krispie treats
Cherry cheesecake
Chocolate mousse cake
Key Lime pie

I think I'd narrow it down to:

*4-5 appetizers (Somehow the salsa and chips don't fit
with the rest of menu)
*one veggie salad and a fruit salad
*two lasagnes as main dishes
*two desserts

I would also add some type of rolls and butter.
Just my 2 cents because you asked. I am sure whatever you decide, it will be a wonderful party!

Linda
dgkritch
14 years ago
You might also want to look at the options for complete vegan. Most of the dishes have either meat or cheese/dairy.
Can you leave the dressing off the green salad and provide a couple of options?

Use soy or other non-dairy cheese in the Veggie Lasagne?

I also think you could cut down just a little for simplicity!

Deanna
jimster
14 years ago
Every Thanksgiving, Aunt Teresa bakes 5 pies for 10 people. There is ice cream with the pie. I can't tell you how many appetizers and sides there are, as I have no idea. I do know there is turkey, ham and beef.

And Aunt Teresa isn't even Italian!!!!

I think sooz has planned a modest little menu. Go for it, sooz!!!!

Jim
User
14 years ago
I sure hope you don't have to cook all the food for the retirement party your DH is throwing for you!!!

Not much of a retirement if you do.
coconut_nj
14 years ago
Skip the Chocolate Mousse Cake???? Are you insane? LOL.. No Way!! I think the 3 desserts are great. I'd consider the rice krispie treats as a sweet appetizer...lol.. And meatballs are not an appetizer. This is Italian. They're food! Entre worthy. In other words, I love your menu. Quite diverse. I agree you need some half torps or mixed dinner rolls. Whatever your favorite italian bakery specializes in. Ours makes nice dinner rolls out of the italian bread dough and you can get them mixed, meaning some with sesame, some with poppy seeds and some plain. Very nice for something like this.

Personally I'd probably be putting my salami [my fave too] on a half a small roll with some salad for appetizer. Then a nice hunk of veggie lasagna and a meatball or two with some salad for main course, maybe the mozzarella stack.. can't resist mozzarella. Chuckling... Um.. I skipped lunch today and now I'm starving... can you tell? LOL Thank God I have some sketties for supper or I'd have an Italian withdraw fit.....

Congratulations on your retirement and thanks for doing such good work for so many years. Many people burn out so I truly mean thanks.
sooz
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks, all, for your good wishes and your input!

I should have mentioned we're hoping for lots of leftovers! ha ha! One of my friends, a 71 yr old bachelor, already called dibs on some lasagne to take home!

As for the chips and salsa, well, we have a variety of non-Italian people coming too, so that's something familiar to them, so they can experiment with the other foods as well, but have the "standby" chips and salsa. Three guests are vegetarians (but no vegans). Adding rolls or some kind of bread for meatball sandwiches is a good idea!

Again, thanks! After 36 years in special ed, I'm glad I'm still standing!!!!!
jimster
14 years ago
Good for you, sooz. Your menu is a bit sparse, but I'm sure you can come up with a few more items to fill it out. Greens and beans comes to mind right away, but maybe that's not in your tradition. Don't skimp on the salami. Get the best.

I understand 36 yrs. in special ed. That's a heck of an achievement. You deserve a bronze plaque, or gold ear rings, or something (hint to hubby). Maybe a sausage and pepper sandwich would do it. Anyway, CONGRATULATIONS and enjoy your retirement to its fullest.

I lift a toast to you. *clink*

Jim

(My) retirement party menu...would appreciate some input pls

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(My) retirement party menu...would appreciate some input pls

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