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Original poster

Soup at parties/gatherings

26 replies

AtleastitsnotMonday · 27/07/2019 22:02

Please can I state before we start, I’m not criticising anyone or meaning to cause upset, this is merely a question. What do you think of serving soup at parties/gatherings? I only ask because it often comes up on threads whee people ask for catering ideas for feeding a crowd. (Buffet style not as a starter to a meal).
Now, I’m not being funny, I don’t mind a bowl of soup for lunch but it wouldn’t occur to me to serve to others, other than say bonfire night. But now I’m thinking maybe it would be ok. But I’m really not sure at all. Opinions please!

OP posts:
Camomila · 27/07/2019 22:07

Soup doesn't strike me as a very buffet-friendly food. I always think of buffet foods as things you can eat standing up.

I've been served cold gaspacho in a shot glass at a wedding before but millions of tiny shot glass soups sound faffy for a party at home.

BishopBrennansArse · 27/07/2019 22:08

Messy.

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 27/07/2019 22:10

Bonfire night in cups -yes
Any other time - odd

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General food
CherryPavlova · 27/07/2019 22:16

Never for a buffet but I wouldn’t usually do a buffet.
Soup as a starter or in mugs for Bonfire night or after a bracing walk. Soup for lunch perhaps but not for very large numbers.

Freddolin · 27/07/2019 22:25

Why on earth would anyone be upset?

Depends on the meal. As a starter/ late supper after an event/ whatever - totally fine.

As a stand-up buffet - impractical.

Original poster
AtleastitsnotMonday · 27/07/2019 22:31

Freddolin I think most regular MNers are more of than aware that on MN people can get upset about just about anything.

OP posts:
Gingerkittykat · 27/07/2019 22:32

We have a family bookclub, up to 20 attending and each bring food to share. Even though it is plated food soup has never went down well, maybe because everyone is eating on their knees and not a table.

Tingface · 27/07/2019 22:33

Soup parties.

Never mind living the dream, you’re pretty much spanking it’s soupy arse.

BarbaraofSeville · 27/07/2019 22:56

If it was nice home made soup with good bread I'd be pleased because I love soup and that's a filling meal and I eat more for breakfast and lunch anyway so soup and bread for dinner is a regular occurrence for me anyway.

Don't worry about what MNers can get upset about, that's a wide range of weird and wonderful bonkers non issues.

Mysterian · 27/07/2019 23:08

Sounds like you're talking about a soupover.

From about the 40 second mark.

SexFarmWoman · 27/07/2019 23:11

I love soup, but it's not very celebratory.

Congratulations! Now let's get some soup!

Said no one ever.

notso · 27/07/2019 23:19

I'd rather soup than the standard buffet fodder.

DeRigueurMortis · 27/07/2019 23:20

I love a good homemade soup but no, I wouldn't generally serve it as part of a buffet simply because I think it's hard for people to eat unless sitting down (and ripe for being spilt on small children dashing around or on flooring).

It's nothing to do with snobbery, simply practicality - though I would be more than happy to serve it (and have done) on bonfire night in a mug as you mentioned OP, just making sure it's not too thick/chunky as it makes it hard to drink.

I did a cauliflower cheese soup in mugs one bonfire night and served it outside (kept it warm on my fondue burner) with breadsticks wrapped in Parma ham to dunk in it. That went down really well as I recall. It sort of part cooked/warmed the ham without the breadsticks getting overly soggy and still having a bit of crouton like crunch. I just let guests ladle the soup into mugs and loaded the wrapped breadsticks (and unwrapped for veggie friends) on a platter for people to help themselves.

I always think of buffet food as a selection you can eat with a plate and your fingers or just a fork. Everything should be bite sized (well maybe two bites, but you get my drift) simply to make it easy to eat.

Gingerkittykat · 27/07/2019 23:49

I need to try cauli cheese soup one day, any chance of a recipe?

Those breadsticks sound fantastic too.

DeRigueurMortis · 28/07/2019 02:02

No problem Ginger.

I've just taken a photo of the recipe I used - hope you can read it. It's from Sophie Grigson.

I made a quadruple batch as we had a crowd - with veg stock (I'd normally use chicken but we had veggie guests and I couldn't be arsed to make two different soups).Blush

Did have to go on a hunt for vegetarian smoked cheddar but found it readily available In Sainsbury's in the end, but tbh I think it would be fine with standard cheddar and if you wanted to add "smoke" then I think some smoked paprika would work well (but maybe cut back the cayenne pepper a bit, though it does need that bit of a kick imho).

Re: breadsticks they were my own idea to quell the carnivores (DH..) I just wrapped the top half so you had a "handle" you could still eat without getting messy/sticky from the Parma ham.

Soup at parties/gatherings
EileenAlanna · 28/07/2019 03:04

I'd be 100% behind it. I love a good soup & it's ideal for going back to again & again. A few different selections of bread would be a nice touch but to be honest it wouldn't bother me one way or the other. I'd be just enjoying a get together with friends.

GlamGiraffe · 28/07/2019 03:20

Soup lovely.
Buffet, No.

  1. Keeping it hot
  2. Potential spillage while people transport it to their eating places.
  3. Putting down bowl of soup mid conversation and it getting knocked over.
  4. Speaking and slurping simultaneously.

All are fine but on my own. Especially the slurping and speaking 😁.
I love a whole cauldron of home made soup.

Gingerkittykat · 28/07/2019 03:23

@DeRigueurMortis

Thanks, the recipe looks great.

BlueSkiesLies · 28/07/2019 08:48

People often have a cat of soup in the go for those ‘drop in Christmas afternoon at home’ style parties where people are coming and going and you can grab a bowl of soup, some crust bread and cheese and sit down to eat it.

BertrandRussell · 28/07/2019 08:54

I’ve done little cups of strong clear chicken soup at buffets. I think it has to be drinkable- so no bits.

A pot of soup is good for bonfire night, or a Christmas party or an informal lunch. But it has to be in small portions and in something with a handle.

GreenPillows · 28/07/2019 08:59

I recently hosted a thing where everyone brought one dish and there were about 30 ppl. Someone brought a giant soup and it was awkward. I didn’t have enough bowls for soup + dessert so ended up having to do some frantic dish washing between courses which was a pain. Although the soup was delicious...

BertrandRussell · 28/07/2019 09:02

I’ve also made soup for a beach party. That was fabulous.

Cwtches123 · 28/07/2019 09:03

At my church, we often have lunch after a service, soup and sandwiches is a popular choice. We usually have two or three types of soup and it is very popular! (it's also very cheap to make)

Original poster
AtleastitsnotMonday · 28/07/2019 15:27

Ok, this thread has made me think I’m not loopy in my original thinking that soup is not buffet food. I’ve realised one of my biggest things is that I cannot drink soup. Soup has to be in a bowl therefore totally impractical. Plus it is just soup. I will continue to enjoy the odd bowl for lunch or bonfire night but won’t be adding it to any of my party menus soon! Thanks for all your posts.

OP posts:
KatherineJaneway · 28/07/2019 15:29

I love soup but it's not a buffet dish. Buffet to me means you get to put lots of pieces of dishes on your plate. You can't do that with soup

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