Buying a LOT of Jumbo Shrimp cocktail in NYC

[vicki_vale]

I'm throwing a big party for 100 people and looking for recommendations where to buy a lot of frozen (or freshly steamed) well-priced jumbo peeled shrimp -- the stuff for making up platters with cocktail sauce.

Normally I buy raw seafood from Chinatown but I can't face de-veining them all of those myself. The pre-cooked colossal shrimp(16-20 size) cost $24/lb freshly steamed at freshdirect, which would set me back almost $300 for this amount.

Any first-hand recommendations for fishmarket wholesale, or better sources? If I get pre-cooked frozen shrimp, do they need to be blanched to be revived for eating, or simply thawed?

Thanks hounds!

[jenniebnyc]

costco in lic

[Lettucepray]

Whole Foods has great sales on cleaned, cooked shrimp.
Maybe you can work out a bulk-price with them.

[vicki_vale]

Thanks for the excellent suggestions -- the lemon & dill toss especially. I suddenly remembered I have a carp-shaped aspic mold, and will start freezing & collecting some decorative ice blocks with lemon slices or other floating things in it this weekend!

[tigerwoman]

trader joes and costco both sell frozen peeled and deveined shrimp - either raw or pre-cooked.

If you use precooked get the largest possible - they seem to work better - let them defrost in the fridge overnight and toss with some fresh lemon juice, finely chopped fresh garlic & chopped fresh dill.

the restaurant supply places like Restaurant Depot and Jetro (cousin stores) sell cases of 4 x 4 or 5# frozen blocks - which if they are running a sale are quite cheap.

Size wise look for at least 25-30's (that's 25 - 30 to thebpound - they are bagged like that eg jumbo 10-12)

this will also help you figure out quantities.

another thought is to do peel and eat shrimp
pros - make your guests do the work and slow down their comsumption
cheaper and pretty to for presentation

cons
messy
might look cheap or cheesy unless presented right (do a whole nautical theme with life preserver, homemade ice sculptures (see martha stewarts old entertaining books - using jello ring mold with flowers or sea shells encased in the ice.

also when displaying and leaving out for a length of time, make sure you display on ice or in cool setting - don't want your guests to get upset tummies or worse...

[erica]

Tigerwoman, where is Jetro, in Hunt's Point?

[john]

I would call the lobster place and see how much they will charge you.

[djk]

check out central fish on 39th and ninth or sea breeze (think that's the name) on 40th and ninth av. very good sort of wholesale markets with good quality seafood.

[susan1353]

Costco has great seafood.