Cooking for Groups

Whether preparing food for a family reunion or a church dinner, people who are great cooks at home don't necessarily know how to safely prepare and store large quantities of food for large groups.

Learn About the Risks

Cooking for groups presents special problems for volunteer food handlers. Food that is mishandled can cause serious foodborne illness. However, by following some simple steps, the event can be safe and a success!

Helpful Resources

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has created a free brochure to help you. Cooking for Groups: A Volunteer's Guide to Food Safety is a 40-page, colorful guide that will take you through the steps necessary to safely plan and serve food for a large event. The food may be prepared at home and brought to the event, or it can be prepared and served at the gathering.

For other food safety fact sheets, visit the Food Safety and Inspection Service website.