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Original poster

Quick Buffet Poll (Help please!)

135 replies

Buffetornot · 22/05/2024 19:33

OK everyone, quick poll here.

Hosting a party for about 50 people next week. It's at a venue and the time is from 7-9pm so not over a meal time.

Not many drinkers, so providing tea and coffee, cash bar if anyone wants a drink.

I have a large cake, brownies, selection of crisps, a sweet station so everyone can make a pic n mix. Is this enough, would you expect a full buffet?

YABU- Yes, provide some sandwiches and sausage rolls you miserable git.

YANBU- Everyone will have eaten already, snacks are fine.

OP posts:
ApolloandDaphne · 22/05/2024 20:21

What sort of party is it? 7-9 for adults with mostly tea and coffee doesn't say party to me.

Original poster
Buffetornot · 22/05/2024 20:21

It's not a full blown party, more like a gathering I suppose. Everyone will be driving so no booze required.

It will end at 9 and I'd expect some to head away before then.

As I've said before I'll get some sandwiches, sausage rolls and other savouries too.

OP posts:
GoodAfternoonGoodEveningAndGoodnight · 22/05/2024 20:20

Buffetornot · 22/05/2024 19:45

Looking to keep it simple. The guests will have eaten their main meal by this time.

I'll get some savouries too. Sandwiches, wraps, sausage rolls, small quiche or similar.
Followed by cake, coffee /tea then sweets to take away.

It doesn't follow that the guests will have had their main meal by that time - if you're invited to a party, a lot of people will assume there's some food on of some sort so won't have eaten much beforehand

WitchWithoutChips · 22/05/2024 20:19

You absolutely need to provide savoury food and to have enough for everyone as you have scheduled your party for literal dinner time. If you want the timing to signal that you won’t provide a meal you need to go for 5pm (cocktail hour) or 9pm.

HoldingTheDoor · 22/05/2024 20:18

Even my primary school children haven't had diner by 7pm. Unless they are in hospital, I don't know any adult who has diner by then either. So a group of 50 people?

Plenty of adults, including me, eat before 7. I don’t know why so many people on MN are puzzled by the fact that so many people eat at a different time from them. I know that many people eat later than I do but it doesn’t perplex me.

Though to me you feed people at a party regardless of what time it is as it’s just a basic part of hosting so yes I’d definitely include savoury options.

RaininSummer · 22/05/2024 20:18

I think you need you need some savoury foods ideally with a bit of protein in them as a lot if people cant eat crips and cake without making themselves unwell. A few sandwiches or little pastry things with tuna, cheese, meat maybe?

Pineapplewaves · 22/05/2024 20:18

It doesn't sound much of a party if it starts at 7pm and ends at 9pm - what is the occasion? Hot drinks and cake sounds like something that would better held in the afternoon.

Will it come to an abrupt end at 9pm? Maybe everyone will head out to a restaurant to eat afterwards?

I would be expecting a buffet not just tea and cake.

Its2024happynewyear · 22/05/2024 20:17

Unless you specifically told me otherwise then I wouldn't wag beforehand because I'd assume I'd need to save room for the buffet 😜

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 22/05/2024 20:17

7pm is prime time to expect an evening meal. Regardless, your buffet has far too much sweet stuff. Rein that in, and add a something robust and savoury stuff. Baguettes, quiche etc

Original poster
Buffetornot · 22/05/2024 20:16

@SpeedbirdSquawker didn't mean to laugh at yours, was supposed to be the weird thread post!

OP posts:
GoodAfternoonGoodEveningAndGoodnight · 22/05/2024 20:16

A party at that time it's definitely normal to have a buffet.
YABU

Original poster
Buffetornot · 22/05/2024 20:15

SpeedbirdSquawker · 22/05/2024 20:14

Sandwiches, pork pies, quiche and cocktail sausages would be a lovely addition. I wouldn't stay if yoy just fed me cake and crisps. I'd be hungry and tired!

😂

OP posts:
Hoolagan · 22/05/2024 20:15

What’s the event? I feel like tea and coffee and cake is afternoon.
in the evening you want soft drinks, alcoholic drinks and then proper food like mini bowls of mac and cheese and or pizza or evening nibbles etc. is this a kids party?

BCBird · 22/05/2024 20:14

if I was going to an event at 7 I would save myself for the lovely buffet😅 woukd expect a good feed

SpeedbirdSquawker · 22/05/2024 20:14

Sandwiches, pork pies, quiche and cocktail sausages would be a lovely addition. I wouldn't stay if yoy just fed me cake and crisps. I'd be hungry and tired!

PossumintheHouse · 22/05/2024 20:13

CrinklyButternutSquashChips · 22/05/2024 20:08

This thread is really weird.

If you think this is weird... God help you if you go browsing, especially on a weekend.

Original poster
Buffetornot · 22/05/2024 20:13

OK,

Sandwiches, wraps, sausage rolls, some other savoury (quiche etc, does pizza not just go cold and horrible?) crisps.

Tea, coffee, cake

OP posts:
Comedycook · 22/05/2024 20:13

I do love sweet food but my heart would sink at that op. You need some proper food.

Imatorturedpoet · 22/05/2024 20:12

Definitely definitely provide sandwiches and sausage rolls and maybe some fresh fruit, veg with dip, etc because not everyone can handle gluten!

nupnup · 22/05/2024 20:12

Besides the point of the thread but does anyone else absolutely veto the word quiche?!

Especially small quiche (boak)

I'll get my coat...

JMSA · 22/05/2024 20:11

I mean, I have a big sweet tooth. But you absolutely must provide some savoury stuff!

StripedTomatoes · 22/05/2024 20:09

So does sandwiches, sausage rolls, wraps, crisps, cake sound OK for a couple of hours?

Add some pizza slices and now you're talking! I'd be absolutely raging if I went to a party at 7pm and all there was was crisps and cakes!

CrinklyButternutSquashChips · 22/05/2024 20:08

This thread is really weird.

worcesterpear · 22/05/2024 20:08

Assuming it is for adults and not a children's party, most people would prefer savoury food at this time. I agree it depends what the invite says, but I usually eat beforehand nowadays unless I know there will be substantial food provided. Either way, I would at least do some nice sandwiches, maybe sausage rolls, crisps, plus a few cakes etc. I doubt most adults would be bothered about sweets.

QuillBill · 22/05/2024 20:02

I don't know any adult who has diner by then either.

Me neither.