Bulk cooking

[pap rika]

Personally I would miss the rice, have you considered cooking the rice and vacuum packing or sealing in waterproof plastic bags, which are kept chilled to be reheated using the Sous-Vide or similar method or reheating

Regards pap rika

[chewytikka]

ED
If your just thinking about doing this, have you thought about the logistics
of making it a successful event, obviously utilising the Pubs  kitchen would be a must.

Hypothetically I would do the rice in any case (a cheap filler) and its the starch element,
or you could bulk up Bombay Aloo, Masala Wedges, Balti Fries etc

[bobsbeer]

What about using a cooler box?  They also keep things hot if you put hot stuff in there.  How do Sikh temples keep rice warm?  They cook for hundreds in some of them.  Any temples near you that you could ask for advice?

[Naga]

...How do Sikh temples keep rice warm?  They cook for hundreds in some of them.  Any temples near you that you could ask for advice?

Great post! Innovative thinking at it's best!