What do you call this type of meal?

[tectonicplates]

I had never heard the term "picky tea" before joining MN.

I'm talking about the kind of meal where you have some slices of bread, a selection of vegetables and dips, cheese, and often some leftovers and things so it turns out a bit random. You put all the food in the middle of the table and everyone helps themselves.

What do you call this meal in your family?

Pick 'n mix here

My brother when he was little called it a picky tea, as you could pick what you want.

Various combinations of the words snacky, picky, bits and tea. (am also Northern if that's relevant)

When the dc were little we called it 'grown up dinner party' which they loved.

Random leftovers

Nibbly plate

We call it tapas even thought it's not lovey Spanish food. I've made sure that the kids know not to call it that with people outside our family so they don't think we are weird 😂 eating Spanish food isn't weird btw- I don't want people thinking I'm too stupid to know what tapas really is.

Think it's too late to switch to a better term. We call nicking chicken off the roast chicken carcass after dinner pickies.

I'm in Hull and we call it a buffet or a spread. I think if I said picky bits around here they would think I'd gone all posh!

Bits and pieces on a plate but it's a picnic lol

This for me is an 'if its' dinner...if it's in the fridge, freezer or cupboard you can have it.

Husband calls it a picky tea

Picnic or buffet tea

Picky tea

We don't call it anything other than breakfast/lunch/dinner.

We have these. I call them an "eclectic mix", or a "selezione" to make it sound posh, otherwise "leftover night".

@unshriven

So if any one asks “what’s for dinner?”

You always respond “dinner”? And not.... fajitas, lasagne, salad, stir fry, etc?

Casual lunch or a light supper ? Never heard picky tea outside of MN, either - makes me think of someone being overly critical of the scones on offer at an afternoon tea !

After dinner pickies... Tell me this is a joke?

@Sodamncold my dm always has

We call it “everything on a plate “ . I don’t know when it started but you just grab a bit of everything and pop it on a plate 😂. It’s my dds favourite meal but is basically just a packed lunch of sorts

Just called a help yourself or party tea

call it Picnic plate but only dd2 age 7 has it.

Snacks bits

Picky tea in our house. DD's love it when we do a picky tea. It's a great way of using up left overs and stuff you only have a little bit of and can't use for a full meal.

Sonichu, well aren't you just a ray of fucking sunshine on a light hearted thread?!

Picnic, carpet picnic or blanket tea here when DC was small, as preferred position was on a blanket in the living room. Or anywhere that wasn't the table!

Now it's a snacky tea or sort yourselves tea.

I call it by whatever time of day it is, so lunch or dinner. I'm American so we don't have a meal called "tea" unless you are in a fancy hotel restaurant with pretensions to afternoon tea.

Gosh I don't think I have a name for this! Leftovers...?