Help with catering

[Givemeallthegin8]

I need some help please!
Will be having a small get together for a celebration in a couple of weeks. Unfortunately it’s my busy time at work and won’t have a lot of prep time
There will be 10 adults, 2 kids

No vegetarians or food allergies

I was thinking doing an afternoon tea type thing with the tiers .
I can make scones with cream, butter jam
Small iced buns
Crossiants filled with meats& cheeses
A cheese board
Cold meats board
Nice variety of breads
Few punnets olives
Small brusetta (spelling?)
Pasta salad

OR

Something like lasagne/salad/ garlic bread
Chicken curry / rice/ naan

I would prefer the cold option as I don’t have much prep time and i can’t fit 12 people around my table so a kind of more relaxed, sit were you like is what I was aiming for

Any suggestions?! If going Witt afternoon tea, should I add or take away anything ?
Should I go for more of a meal type food?!

Time will be lunch time and there will be Prosecco, wine, tea/ coffee/ soft drinks

Am so indecisive, I can’t think straight until my children are back in school

I would find the hot options quicker and easier to make than an afternoon tea/cold buffet. A chicken curry in a slow cooker takes care of itself, the sauces for the lasagne can be made in advance, then you just need to assemble and bake it on the day.

Personally I’d find a hot option way easier to prepare and serve and clear up after than a cold tea with a dozen components, people faffing around buttering scones etc. Especially if it was a couple of trays of lasagna that just go in the oven and you can make it ahead and freeze it. Add a bowl of ready made salad, job done. Or something like curry/chilli with rice can be eaten one handed on a “sit where you like” basis.

Hot will be easier.
Your idea of afternoon tea seems to clash a bit with olives and bruschetta. I’d go one or the other. Afternoon tea with dainty sandwiches, small savoury pastries (mini quiche, sausage rolls, Brie and cranberry puffs etc) and then small cakes and scones.
Or French bread, cheeses, cold meats, pickles, olives etc, maybe a quiche.

(I have to admit though that when I last hosted such an event I just bought Waitrose platters and delegated a relative driving past anyway to stop and pick them up. Not cheap but very easy!)

I would go for one hot option but make it something that's not too messy so you can eat it in the lounge. A warm quiche (could be a naice bought one) new potatoes and salad.

Thanks so much !
Yes it does seem that the hot would be easier , I could even premake and freeze lasagnas I suppose
I can do a very simple strawberry cheesecake for dessert which I can do the night before

Perfect I think I’ll go with the hot option ! Mumsnetters to the rescue again 🙏🙏