Ep 16. Cooking for a Crowd

In Kitchen Boss season 2 episode 16 titled "Cooking for a Crowd," Buddy Valastro takes on the challenge of feeding a large group of people. Buddy has catered for weddings, graduation parties, and holiday events, and in this episode, he shares some of his tips and tricks for cooking for big crowds.

The episode begins with Buddy showing off his new catering business by preparing food for a fundraiser event. He explains that cooking for a large crowd requires a different approach than cooking for a family or small group of friends. For starters, the food needs to be easy to prepare, easy to transport, and most importantly, it needs to taste good.

Buddy's first dish is his signature penne alla vodka, but with a twist. He explains that he uses a base sauce that he can make in huge quantities, and then adds the penne just before serving. This allows him to cook the pasta fresh, ensuring that it's hot and tender. He also shows how to make a big batch of his creamy vodka sauce, which can be used on a variety of dishes.

Next up, Buddy prepares his famous meatballs, which he describes as the perfect crowd-pleaser. He shows how to make a large batch of meatballs using a combination of beef and pork, and then serves them with his homemade marinara sauce. He explains that meatballs are great for serving at parties because they are easy to eat and can be made ahead of time.

To go with the meatballs, Buddy whips up a big batch of garlic bread. He shows how to make the bread in advance, and then reheat it in the oven just before serving. He also shares his secret for making the garlic butter, which he says is the perfect balance of garlic and butter.

For dessert, Buddy prepares his classic tiramisu. He shows how to make a big batch of the mascarpone mixture, which is the base for the dessert. Then, he assembles the tiramisu in individual cups so that they are easy to transport and serve. He also shares his tips for making the perfect espresso, which is a key ingredient in the recipe.

Throughout the episode, Buddy offers tips and tricks for cooking for a crowd, such as using disposable pans and utensils to make cleanup easier, and preparing dishes in advance to save time on the day of the event. He also emphasizes the importance of testing recipes ahead of time to make sure they are perfect, and being prepared for any unexpected situations that may arise during the event.

Overall, "Cooking for a Crowd" is a helpful episode for anyone who is planning a big event and looking for tips on how to feed a large group of people. Buddy's recipes are easy to follow and delicious, and his insights into catering make the episode both informative and entertaining.