What’s your idea of a picnic/buffet style foods?

[iamsoreadyforbednow]

Myself and my friend have organised a surprise baby shower for our mutual friend, however said friend is now having a bit of a tough time with her own return from maternity leave looking and feels a bit blue and a bit stressed. So I don’t want to pester her and out anything else on her plate (pun not intended)

But it now means I have a lot to sort of food wise, we decided on a simple picnic style buffet - but I’ve also got a 2 year old, a 4 week old and am recovering from a c-section 😂

I know what you’ll say, ask others to help. We have asked for volunteers and no one else has come forward so I need ideas on quick bits that are ways to make - especially sandwich flavours that will suit all. I just want to make sure no one goes without.

I was thinking Ham, cheese and onion and egg mayo sandwiches? - or maybe swap out egg Mayo for tuna/sweetcorn?

Things like sausage rolls, quiche, cheese and onion rolls can be brought already made and just cut up/laid out.

but what else?! There’s approx 30 people to feed.. how many of each sandwich would you make?

Crisps are always good. And maybe something sweet - cupcakes?

In your situation, I'd order platters from a supermarket or similar.

Example...
my.morrisons.com/foodtoorder/browse/party-nibbles-platters/party-platters

Have a look if anyone does graze boxes near you. That’s not Graze the snack company.

It’s often picnic type food and an independent business. Less stress for you all. Also, I would avoid foods that you can’t eat when pregnant but they can probably cater for that.

Re the asking for help thing people are often much better with specific asks:

E.g. I need a 3 volunteers to bring something sweet, 3 to bring drinks and 4 to bring crisps/quiche/salad.

Also worth considering just bringing a bread board, a load of cheese and meats and freshly baked bread and let people make up their own sandwiches.

If not, cream cheese and cucumber with mint or chives for interest is a classic afternoon tea type sandwich or smoked salmon with cream cheese and lemon (though more expensive).

Second the Morrisons suggestion. Everything you need, perfectly nice and not too expensive.

Just pick a balanced selection of sandwiches, nibbles, cheese, add some crisps etc.

Pick plenty of vegetarian options as just about everyone eats food like egg or cheese sandwiches or onion bhajis and too many buffets are a bit 'processed pork five ways'. You don't need all of ham sandwiches, sausage rolls, pork pies, scotch eggs and mini sausages as they're all very samey and obviously none are suitable for vegetarians or anyone who doesn't eat pork. Just get one or two of these.

Unless you buy in platters of sandwiches, don't go for them. They are so time consuming to make.

I'd go for trays of chicken drumsticks tossed in garlic, lemon and fresh herbs; mini sausages tossed in honey and mustard; quiches, a greek salad, crisps and olives, with a fruit and cheese platter and a few fruit tarts to slice up.

Oh my, how did I not know/think to buy in platters.. you’re all life savers 😂 will definitely look into doing that!

ah yes I’ll do some bowls of crisps, a sweet platter too with some cake/brownie sorts of things. Aslong as I can keep the actual ‘making’ to a minimum I don’t mind the cutting up and putting on a tray 😂

I think all the major supermarkets do platters. Costco is also good for that sort of thing. For dds Communion party I just bought a selection from M&S. They do a wide range of party food - sandwich platters, mini quiches, bbq chicken, sushi, rice & pasta salads, salad bowls, mini desserts etc. Everyone wolfed it down and it really took the stress of preparing food away when I just didn't have the time to do it myself

You could literally butter some rolls, and take packs of cocktail sausages, quiche, maybe a pack of ham or cheese. Also, wash some cherry tomatoes, possibly slice some cucumber or carrot and put in container. Crisps. Possibly a sweet treat, like some mini muffins.

You could literally butter some rolls, and take packs of cocktail sausages, quiche, maybe a pack of ham or cheese. Also, wash some cherry tomatoes, possibly slice some cucumber or carrot and put in container. Crisps. Possibly a sweet treat, like some mini muffins.

My idea would be to order it all from Tesco or some such.

They do packs of mini sausage rolls, mini sausages, pork pies etc etc.

Open packs, put in Tupperware.. done.

We've used these platters for charity events and they're really nice!

Tesco do afternoon tea platters, as do Morrisons. So simple and we were really impressed with them. Sandwiches, wraps, crudités with dip, sausage rolls, mini sponges, jam and cream scones. The mini cream sponges are very nice. Open some paper plates, napkins and cutlery, take the lids off the trays, done!

Has anyone ordered the kids sandwiches from Morrisons, are they the same size/quantity than the normal ones? There are some particularly fussy guests and we’ve agreed it would be safer to order the kids sandwich platter but for everyone as the flavours are much more plain 😂

Either order to just buy wheels of cheese and cold meats plus baguettes for everyone to help themselves. Some quiches and decent sausage rolls as well. Leftovers hold a lot longer as well. Friends did it for a christening and it really went down well.

Making sandwiches is far too time consuming, often they dry out and you end up with lots of waste.

Kids platter are in my opinion fairly boring, either just ham, just cheese or jam, all on white bread. I am definitely not a adventurous sandwich person but that is a let down in my opinion.

If you have a Costco near you, they do ready made food like sandwiches, salads, pasta salads, sushi, chicken wings and their food is really nice. Morrison's also does food to order and cheaper too, their sandwiches platters are like 2 for £15 last time I brought them, they also do things like, pork pies, scotch eggs, Indian starters etc xx

I agree about ordering platters ready made!

Other than that what you suggested is perfectly fine and I'd add cut up veg sticks and grapes etc.

Quite frankly if no one is willing to help a woman with 2 under 3 recovering from a c section to make the food they can just consider themselves lucky they're being fed!

I would buy some-

French sticks
3 different cheeses- on e variety of cheese, blue and soft
sliced ham
some mixed meat packs from the deli- like salami and prosciutto
some chutneys
cornichons

i would make a big green salad with a zingy vinegarette, and if I had time a baby new roast potato salad with a harissa be yoghurt dressing.

tray of brownies, some strawberries and blueberries

are people contributing to the cost?

the way I would do it would allow for people to make their own sandwiches/plates up themselves.

Definitely platters (not the Childrens option), crisps and perhaps mini muffins or sone sort of mini cakes - pretty much every supermarket has their version
Agree re PP to delegate specific like x can you get crisps etc or if you do go platters order for delivery - if not possible as they don't deliver to your area you could order online click &collect option & then delegate someone who hasn't just had a C section to pick - you've finished E everything all they need to do is drive there/back.

Depending when event is add punnet(s) of strawberries to order and grapes

for you making so much effort and considerate of your friend

The children sandwiches consist of Ham, Cheese, Tuna Mayo, egg and cress, and chicken mayo. - I spoke to the others in the chat and they all agreed they would prefer the children a option over the adults.. I’m just hoping they’re not tiny however I feel better knowing everyone decided that’s the best option so I can’t be to blame if they are!😂