Party catering - please help

[ZanyMobster]

Hi

I have just found out that the caterer at the venue I am hosting a party will be on annual leave the weekend of my party so I either need to hire outside caterer (I imagine hugely expensive) or take my own.

I wouldn't be able to make all the food myself so possible option would be party platters from M&S, Waitrose, Morrisons or somewhere like that.

There will be 150-200 guests, I have no idea on where to start, how much I would need etc, how many sandwiches, how many snack bites and so on. Would it be better to do meats, cheeses, pate, breads, crisps and mini desserts rather than a full buffet or is that totally crap on a night of lots of alcohol etc. Need to make sure there is plenty to eat really to soak up booze. Any ideas would be much appreciated.

TIA

I think party platters from the supermarkets you mentioned, for the amount of people you mentioned would cost more then an outside caterer. Can you put a post on Facebook asking for recommendations from your family and friends for a caterer or even ask the venue if they can recommend someone?

I did pate/bread/dips/olives/meats/cheese for my 30th.Thought it would make a nice change, but a lot went to waste. In my experience. sandwiches/chicken/ribs/pork pies etc seem to go down a treat when there is alcohol involved. Hope you get sorted.

I'd probably buy platters from one of the supermarkets then do some stuff myself.

Main problem I'd have with doing stuff myself would be fridge space.

Thanks, I think the platters sound good as they come all sorted on the plates so makes it nice and easy. It's always tricky getting the amounts right isn't it, never want to run out but don't want too much waste.

Will definitely ask on facebook also though

I think it depends on the timing for amounts.

Party starts 730, food will probably be available from 830pm so think we will need plenty as people may eat later in the evening. Guessing most people will eat before coming though as they are aware it's a buffet not sit down meal

Morrisons are good and far cheaper than M&S or Waitrose. They also give guidance for quantities on their website although I'd do a quick check myself (numbers of sandwiches etc per person) as I think the quantities suggested are quite generous, so you might get away with catering towards the lower end of guests, especially if you have a lot of light or fussy eaters coming.

Costco might also be worth a look.

Guessing most people will eat before coming

I doubt it to be honest. I wouldn't eat dinner at home if I was off to a party with a buffet that evening.

Actually formerbabe you I probably right. I wouldn't but thought I was unusual. Clearly not lol

Could you renegotiate price with venue, if you've booked on the basis of in-house catering?

Well it's partly my fault I guess. I booked last year and they said catering prices available in the new year. I didn't think there was a rush as party not for a few months and now they have said the caterer is on leave that weekend. Don't think I can query it really.

I would raise with the venue and definitely try and negotiate discount notwithstanding your post. You booked it on the understanding there was an in house caterer. It is also probably worth speaking to a couple of caterers so you get quotes. Prices can vary significantly. Even if it is too expensive, they will suggest menus and amounts etc which will help you.

Thanks for the advice, that's really helpful. I will see what they say. So annoyed I didn't contact them early Jan. I had my band cancel this week too. Feeling it's not meant to be . . .

Rather than doing sandwiches, could you buy baguettes & put them out along with plenty of butter, meats, cheeses, pate etc? I don't know how it would compare cost wise but would be a lot easier.

I should have read the OP properly, I see you mentioned doing what I said I definitely think it sounds easier & more chance of people getting something they like (speaking as someone who does not like most sandwich fillings as they tend to contain mayo/mustard/ketchup or similar)

I would definitely push this back to the venue and ask them to speak to caterers about what they would advise. I'd get them to suggest numbers of sandwiches etc and also any other help they can offer in an advisory capacity even if away for your actual do.

I would order in pakora, samosa and Baku from an Indian outside caterer. They’ll bring mounds on nice trays and will be less expensive than sandwich platters.

Baji, not Baku

What sort of party is it? Could you get a catering van to come and serve something like tacos or pizzas? That might work quite well if there is an outside area for them to park on. If I were organising a relaxed party for that many people I would do something like that and maybe an ice cream van too?

I would love to just hire a catering van but the venue has security so I suspect people going out for that will be an issue.

Can't have hot food in the venue they said, no facilities apparently.

It's actually an amazing venue, I am just pissed off both at myself for not sorting earlier and for someone daring to take leave on my 40th birthday

Great idea re asking the venue for advice though. That's the least they can do.

Try a local caterer, some offer buffets from £7 a person- with staff that’s cheaper than doing it yourself maybe?

Surely it's up to the venue to proved an alternative caterer if they took your booking knowing catering would be required? Definitely push back, you are not at fault here.

If there are no facilities for warming things I’d go back to the big cheese boards, crackers, pickles, olives, cold meats, nuts, crisp idea. I think so many of the pastry/Indian/Chinese/chicken party platters are really bad cold. If the foods got to be cold serve stuff that’s meant to be cold.

I often host but there's no way I'd feed 200 people without outside catering.

Your only real cold food options that would be nice are charcuterie platters but that would be really expensive. You'd do better to get hot food delivered.

Definitely can't have hot food so it has to be a cold buffet. Happy to get outside caterers but wondered if it's worth it for a cold buffet that I could get from M&S all prepared, made to order for the exact day that was all.

It's a weird one with the venue as it's just an extra you can have, it's not part of the booking as such but I will go back to them regardless.

Someone mentioned upthread that cheeses/pates etc didn't do down that well with loads left other but I wonder if we do that plus plenty of meat, bread plus a few other nibbles it could work. I wonder if its that people can't be bothered to eat stuff they can't just pick up quick with their fingers.