* Appetite and Portions: People have different appetites. Are these adults, children, or a mix? Are you serving the fish as a main course or as an appetizer?
* Type of Fish: Some fish are more filling than others. A pound of salmon might feed fewer people than a pound of cod.
* Other Food: Will there be other dishes alongside the fish? A larger spread might mean people eat less fish.
General Guideline:
A common rule of thumb for a main course is to plan for 1/2 to 3/4 pound of fish per person.
To get a better estimate:
1. Consider the occasion: Is it a casual dinner or a formal event?
2. Think about the fish: Is it a dense fish like tuna or a flakier fish like cod?
3. Factor in other dishes: If you're serving a lot of side dishes, you may need less fish.
For a 20-person gathering, you might consider:
* Casual Dinner: 10-15 pounds of fish
* Formal Event: 15-20 pounds of fish
Always better to have too much than too little! It's always a good idea to err on the side of caution and have a little extra fish on hand. You can always save leftovers.