Tools That Make It Easier to Feed a Crowd
When you're armed with a few key pieces of equipment, a fete of any size is possible.
Related To:
Photo By: Renee Comet ©2013, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved
Photo By: PMphoto
Slow Cooker
A slow cooker will do the majority of the work involved in preparing perennial crowd favorites like chili and pulled pork, but it doubles as a chafing dish, too, for foods that haven't necessarily been prepared in the slow cooker.
By Teri Tsang Barrett
BUY IT - All-Clad Gourmet Plus 7-Quart Slow Cooker: Williams Sonoma, $199.95
Rice Cooker
A big batch of rice stretches servings at any meal. Plus, the only method for perfect rice, each and every time, is a rice cooker.
BUY IT - All-Clad Gourmet Rice and Grain Cooker: Williams Sonoma, $199.95
Rimmed Baking Sheets
Think beyond the cookie! The rim allows the sheet to keep messes contained while also doubling as a large baking dish or roasting pan for anything from brownies to roast chicken.
BUY IT - Chicago Metallic Commercial II Baking Sheet: Amazon, $23.95 for 2
Toaster Ovens
These junior-size ovens can do anything a standard oven can do — with a much shorter preheating time, making toaster ovens ideal for quick tasks like toasting nuts or reheating appetizers.
BUY IT - Breville Smart Convection Toaster Oven: Amazon, $349
Chafing Dishes
Not everyone needs or has the space to indulge in this serving vessel, but if feeding large crowds is a house specialty, having a chafing dish on hand means hot foods remain hot without need of the oven or a stovetop burner.
BUY IT - Stainless-Steel Chafing Dish: Amazon, $122.08 for 4
Stockpot
These extra-big pots are great for making and holding big batches of soups and stews, but when it comes to cooking lots of pasta, that's where stockpots really shine: The extra room in these pots makes it easier to make multiple batches with enough water that the pasta cooks evenly and without sticking.
BUY IT - All-Clad Stainless-Steel Stockpot: Amazon, $199.5