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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:
RitzyMcFee · 22/05/2024 20:00

Who goes to a party at seven in the evening and wants a pick and mix!

Chanelbasketballandchain · 22/05/2024 20:00

The guests will have eaten their main meal by this time.

are you sure? Are people having a ridiculously late lunch or something?

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?

I agree with everyone about the savoury options needed.

Original poster
Buffetornot · 22/05/2024 19:59

Thanks everyone.

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

OP posts:
CrinklyButternutSquashChips · 22/05/2024 19:59

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.

Stupid question but how do you know they will have eaten their meal by this time?!

Mnetcurious · 22/05/2024 19:59

Unless it’s a party for children, 7pm is a meal time and people will probably expect something to eat. Pizza slices? Crudités and dips. That sort of thing at the very least, in addition to what you’ve already said.

BigPandaTinyDragon · 22/05/2024 19:58

It doesn't sound like much of a party, why are you so keen to keep it simple? Are people travelling far? I’d be a bit surprised to turn up and that’s all that was on offer. What else is happening? Music/speeches/games etc?

midgetastic · 22/05/2024 19:58

I would probably ask what you planned

I would normally eat beforehand

I think the best thing is to just tell people what you plan

I would prefer a few sausage rolls to all the sweet stuff

GalileoHumpkins · 22/05/2024 19:55

I wouldn't have eaten my main meal if I was going to a party, I think most people will expect a savoury buffet.

PARunnerGirl · 22/05/2024 19:49

It probably depends a bit on what the invite said and who is going. For me, I wouldn’t have eaten yet and I imagine most adults (especially if they have been at work) wouldn’t have either. I also think most adults would want something other than cake and sweets. If it’s a party mainly for kids, perhaps slightly different but I still think you need some food of substance in there!

AliceCallous · 22/05/2024 19:48

Do you have a sweet tooth yourself, OP?

It's all sounding very sugar based, like giving people sweets to take away. Some of us are primarily keen for savoury flavours.

FTPM1980 · 22/05/2024 19:45

I think it depends on age/demographic
You say not a lot of drinkers so is it older people or kids maybe.
7-9pm may not be everyone's mealtime but younger working people may not normally eat till. 6.30-8pm....and if getting ready to go to a party may skip dinner to save time planning to eat there.
But retired people or families will probably eat first.

Original poster
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.

OP posts:
Itsthedress · 22/05/2024 19:45

What is the event for, by the way?

Cup of tea and a brownie for 50 people seems a bit unusual? Is it a fundraiser or something, hence wanting to keep costs down?

CrinklyButternutSquashChips · 22/05/2024 19:42

YABVVVVVVVU

NextPhaseOfLife · 22/05/2024 19:42

Itsthedress · 22/05/2024 19:41

I would also put out:

Cheese and french bread

sausage rolls & veggie rolls

Pizza slices or quiche

Vegetable sticks / olives

variety of crisps.

Edited

This.

Sorry OP. A buffet is needed for this time.

Your suggestions are more afternoon.

NamechangeMay24 · 22/05/2024 19:42

How far will people have travelled? If they are all 15 mins away, say you are only providing pudding, but maybe have cheese as well. If over 15 mins, I think you should provide more food.

PickledPurplePickle · 22/05/2024 19:41

What’s your budget?
How far are people travelling?
What did the invite actually say?

RogueFemale · 22/05/2024 19:41

It's all sugary aside from the crisps. Not what adults will want at dinner time, i.e. 7-9pm.

Itsthedress · 22/05/2024 19:41

I would also put out:

Cheese and french bread

sausage rolls & veggie rolls

Pizza slices or quiche

Vegetable sticks / olives

variety of crisps.

PossumintheHouse · 22/05/2024 19:39

I'd definitely expect a bit more given the time, especially on the savoury front. I'd add some sandwiches, sausage rolls, scotch eggs, veg batons and dips, samosas, a potato salad, cheeseboard and meats/fruits. Easy party food.

JaceLancs · 22/05/2024 19:38

We eat at 7.30/8 so absolutely a meal time - I would expect plenty of savoury options
If you don’t want a beige buffet what about cheese, pate, cold meats, with bread and crackers, salad, crudités and fruit

Cadela · 22/05/2024 19:38

You definitely need to provide something other than cake!

Make the sandwiches

Jiski · 22/05/2024 19:38

7-9 is a standard meal time for adults…

goingdownfighting · 22/05/2024 19:38

Bar snacks at a minimum. Can you stretch to Costco platters?

Fuckitydoodah · 22/05/2024 19:38

If I was invited to a party at that time, I'd expect there to food. More food than you've described.

Tea, coffee and cake is what I'd expect at an afternoon event.