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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think beige buffets get a raw deal and have their place?

185 replies

Iceplater · 30/08/2026 20:02

I recently went to the funeral of an elderly relative and the wake was in a working mens club. The buffet came out and it was a sea of beige - sausage rolls, quiche, open sandwiches, vol a vents (which I have seen for years), jam tarts, Mr Kipling. And it was glorious.

I moved away from my home town and I’ve become a terrible middle-class fanny. This took me right back to the 80s and Sundays at my Grandparents when they put on a “spread”.

I wouldn’t want it every day but it was amazing (despite it being a funeral). AIBU?

OP posts:
Fibonaccithesequel · 30/08/2026 20:52

Are you Scottish @Iceplater ?

Original poster
Iceplater · 30/08/2026 20:52

Nightnova · 30/08/2026 20:40

What do the oh so superior MC serve on their buffets then?

Whipped feta. Cured meat. French cheese, with a token cheddar on a board. “Nice” bread.

It’s not oh so superior.

OP posts:
nomas · 30/08/2026 20:51

I can definitely go for a cheap beige buffet (hell on the wheat and dairy sensitivity though) but people can still get it wrong. I was happy to see one at a party at a working man’s club but most of it was soggy. 😔 Not worth the stomach ache.

TomatoGlut · 30/08/2026 20:50

MrsPapillon · 30/08/2026 20:35

I can’t eat gluten so I hate buffets where everything is encased in pastry, bread or breadcrumbs. I’ve been to parties where there’s literally not a single thing I can eat. If you’ve got to have a beige buffet, at least throw a few extra bits of salad or meat and cheese.

Would a cling peach filled orange jelly served in a small paper dish meet your requirements?

User0311 · 30/08/2026 20:49

Sounds wonderful! Been years since iv seen a beige buffet

TwoLeftSocksWithHoles · 30/08/2026 20:49

I'm a bit more taupe, myself. (For buffets)

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 30/08/2026 20:48

We had similar for my Mum's wake ( couldn't do for Dad as it was COVID)
The place did a good line in Funeral Teas and it was reassuring that it was what people wanted ..
sandwiches, cakes, scotch eggs , shortbread, meringues.
Cups of tea and coffee and a drink to toast the departed.

TomatoGlut · 30/08/2026 20:47

Iceplater · 30/08/2026 20:38

Confirmed - there were scotch eggs. And pork pies (large one sliced up).

Show quote history

Thank you. The absence of scotch egg (scotch mist?) would have spoiled my week.

AitkenDrum1970 · 30/08/2026 20:46

It’s called a ‘golden banquet’ in our house 😂 not that we have one that often!!

NeedAnyHelpWithThatPaperBag · 30/08/2026 20:44

I think Iceland are doing a public service with their prices.

Nightnova · 30/08/2026 20:43

purpleme12 · 30/08/2026 20:42

I didn't know there was anything wrong with them 😳

No me neither. I think it's just another thing for MN to sneer at.

XenoBitch · 30/08/2026 20:43

Nightnova · 30/08/2026 20:40

What do the oh so superior MC serve on their buffets then?

It is all about massive charcuterie boards for them 😅

purpleme12 · 30/08/2026 20:42

I didn't know there was anything wrong with them 😳

EppingIsFun · 30/08/2026 20:41

BitterTits · 30/08/2026 20:40

To second, 'a terrible middle class fanny' is such a wonderful description. Please can this become a MN idiom?

We'd be using it on most threads tbh.

AbzMoz · 30/08/2026 20:41

Sounds absolutely glorious!
Needs to have some tokenistic fruit or salad to be truly authentic. Of course everyone will ignore it. But it needs to be served.

TheEarlofButties · 30/08/2026 20:41

What did they have in the line of crisps? Were there wotsits or skips?

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 30/08/2026 20:41

I absolutely love a beige buffet.

We have one every NYE regardless of whether we’re having people over or not. Whatever’s on 3 for 2 at CoOp!

BitterTits · 30/08/2026 20:40

To second, 'a terrible middle class fanny' is such a wonderful description. Please can this become a MN idiom?

Nightnova · 30/08/2026 20:40

What do the oh so superior MC serve on their buffets then?

XenoBitch · 30/08/2026 20:40

TheEarlofButties · 30/08/2026 20:37

I’d also need a Sara Lee gateau, recently defrosted and still on the cardboard

And still a bit frozen in the middle.

EppingIsFun · 30/08/2026 20:40

MrsPapillon · 30/08/2026 20:35

I can’t eat gluten so I hate buffets where everything is encased in pastry, bread or breadcrumbs. I’ve been to parties where there’s literally not a single thing I can eat. If you’ve got to have a beige buffet, at least throw a few extra bits of salad or meat and cheese.

Gosh yes, that's unfortunate. I do think potato salad is called for in a beige buffet.

Original poster
Iceplater · 30/08/2026 20:38

TomatoGlut · 30/08/2026 20:32

Just reread your OP.
In the name of all that is holy, were there no scotch eggs?

Confirmed - there were scotch eggs. And pork pies (large one sliced up).

OP posts:
TheEarlofButties · 30/08/2026 20:37

I’d also need a Sara Lee gateau, recently defrosted and still on the cardboard

MrsPapillon · 30/08/2026 20:35

I can’t eat gluten so I hate buffets where everything is encased in pastry, bread or breadcrumbs. I’ve been to parties where there’s literally not a single thing I can eat. If you’ve got to have a beige buffet, at least throw a few extra bits of salad or meat and cheese.

Nightnova · 30/08/2026 20:34

I love a beige buffet. I am a bit of a pleb though. I can't be doing with a poncy buffet.

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