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?

I call it "nibbly bits".

Snacky Plate!

Scraps. When I was little we got asked at school what we did for Christmas. It was tradition to have a load of M&S buffet food but I couldn't remember the name so I said "we had scraps"
The name stuck

We call it a mix up, have it probably every other day! Mum was very confused when the kids asked for a “mix up” for tea!

We call it a party. Normally sausage rolls, pizza, mini sausages, dip etc. All the traditional stuff from a kids party you help yourself too.

Ifits in our house if the response to "mum what's for tea?" I reply "ifits. If it's there you'll eat, if it's not you won't."

It depends on the type of day for us rather than the content - if it included sandwiches and was late afternoon it would be tea, if it was lunchtime then lunch, or evening - supper. I wouldn't think of a meal at home as a buffet unless there were lots of people (not sure why!)

Round our house it's a 'Flatpack tea' or or 'Ikea'. Because of all the Self-assembly required.

Amazing

My family called it picky bits but I have opted for the far more aspirational 'cold collation'.

We call it a pick n mix tea

I think my gran would have called it a Cold Spread, we call it Brotzeit.

Picky tea.

Picky bits

Help self in this house

A picky tea or party tea if it's on the table. A picnic if it's on the floor

A Party Tea

Snacky dinner here.

Pick and Mix. DS brought the expression home from nursery, I'm not sure if that's what they actually called it, given that he also used to eat "Jam Poly Roly", "Julie yogurt", "Red soup" etc..

NC for this as it's a source of amusement in my family and I doubt anyone else calls it this. But for as long as I can remember we've called it "pickles on a plate"

Party tea here. Regardless of the time of day, or whether there is a party going on.

Personally, I wouldn’t call it anything, but I know what you mean. There’s a local coffee shop that sells a ‘picky plate’ for kids: toast fingers, cheese, fruit, veg sticks and crisps.

I’ve heard of people calling it an empty plate dinner, because you choose what you want yourself.

It’s called bits and pieces or picky bits in this house.

@Choccyp1g I make red soup at home

Picky tea here too. I'm from Manchester so maybe northern.

Picky bits or party food

Picky bits makes me feel sick. I imagine picking bits of a scab off.