HINTS FOR HOSTING a CROSS COUNTRY PASTA PARTY

Host/Hostess______________________________  Phone_____________________________

Helper____________________________________           _____________________________

          _____________________________________          _____________________________

          _____________________________________          _____________________________

Getting Organized

Call your helpers and assign them what to bring, when to come, and what to help with that night,  or set up a planning meeting to discuss these things together.

Invite your helpers and spouses to eat the meal and mingle with the runners and coaches.

Your own son/daughter should be an integral part of the welcoming and hospitality process!  Call previous hostesses to get an idea on quantities used and amount left over.

Pasta

Amount:          5-6 people per pound of dry pasta (adjust if serve lasagna or casserole)

                        Have angel hair pasta (uncooked) on hand as a back up if need more.

Preparation:     Cook in advance that day or night before!! Add olive oil to the water.

                        Drain, rinse with cold water and store in large Ziploc bags to refrigerate.

                        Allow more time than you think to cook this amount and change water.

Serving:           Heat a large kettle with strainer of water (takes over 30 minutes to boil).

                        Dunk the steamer with cold noodles into water about 3 minutes. 

                        Team owns a kettle, borrow from Coach Hugill or other hosts.

Sauce

Amount:          Allow  ½ cup per serving.

Preparation:     Heat up the sauces and serve out of borrowed crock pots on warm.

Serving:           Have both a meat sauce and a vegetarian sauce.

                        Alfredo sauce or lasagna are also liked, but up to you!

Drinks

Amount:          Allow about 12 people per gallon of lemonade/Gatorade.

                        Also have a big container of cold water.

Serving:           Use big paper/plastic cups!

                        If you don’t have dispensers, have your runner arrange with the coach

                        to borrow the two large coolers from school and return ASAP.

                        These leak so place outside where it won’t damage the floor.

                        Remember the ice!

                        Use light colored drinks, so spills won’t stain as easily on the carpet.

Other Items

Paper Products:  Heavy (not flimsy) dinner plates and dessert plates

                           Extra Garbage bags

                          Large cups

                          Napkins/Dessert table napkins too

                          Plastic forks-sturdy type

Miscellaneous:     Soft Butter for bread

                                Parmesan cheese shaker

                                Salad Dressings (a few may come)

                                Lots of serving utensils & adapter for multi-plug in of cords

Website Information                                                                                      

                             Include a map from Coronado to your home, with landmarks.

                        Have your address and home phone number clearly displayed.

                        Remind each class what to bring (see assignments on schedule.)

                        The set time is 5:45 pm, include that too, as well as the date.

                        Have your runner remind teammates to check the website throughout

                         the week for food assignments.

Estimating numbers

                        This season we are starting out with 90 runners plus coaches.

                        Check with the hostess of the previous week’s party,  then guess.

                        Be aware of other school events/tests/etc. to predict the numbers.

                        Have extra jars of sauce and angel hair pasta on hand if needed.

                        You can nicely freeze leftovers.

                        You do not need to invite all the parents.  They are welcome to come in

                        for dessert (or leftovers) when picking up their student.  Maybe there are

                        certain parents (or last year’s parents) you personally want to include.

                        That makes Coach happy!

Other Thoughts

                        Expect some kids to come early, and some kids to straggle in later on.

                        Have lots of trash cans and extra sacks available and in sight.

                        Assign one helper with a bread knife and cutting board to cut the bread.

                        Have one helper laying out the salads, etc. with serving utensils.

                        Feel free to put several salad bags into one large bowl.

                        Have one helper heating the noodles and watching over the sauces.

                        The hostess should stay available to keep things flowing, etc.

                        Try to get a count of how many attended, and call next week’s hostess

                        with estimates on amount served, leftover, etc.

                        Feel free to have them leave their shoes at the door upon entry!

THANKS!!!  Feel free to call us with any questions or suggestions.

Joni Ratliff   593-8426     joniratliff@q.com

Barb Rayer    532-9171    Bubba7866@Gmail.com