Party food ideas how much to buy

[Happymomma12]

So I’m getting my daughter christened Sunday and have decided to do the buffer myself I’m thinking ham sandwiches and cheese sandwiches, pizza, pork pies, scoxh eggs , cocktail sausages, mini sausage rolls , crisps , salad and maybe some sort of chicken goujons but I’ve no idea on portion sizes I don’t know how much I need to buy of each item how many sandwiches to make , there gonna be cut into quarters , how much of everything else to buy also I want to know if I’ll be okay to prepare it all the night before then keep it in the fridge till the next day thanks There’s about 40 people coninf

I wouldn't be catering for 40 on my own tbh.

However, assume everyone will take:

2-3 quarters of sandwich (so maybe 30 sandwiches, cut into quarters)
2-3 sausage rolls
1 -2 pork pies
4-6 mini sausage
30-40g of crisps

Hardly any salad. (Stick to crudités)

Aren't you having anything sweet?
What drinks will you provide? Assume 2-3 drinks per person.

Can you not get a Saisbury's party order in? You get loads & can pick / choose what you want.

Hope you have a massive fridge

I would do

ham sandwiches X 20 (each one cut into 4)
cheese sandwiches X 20
pizza X - 4 large
pork pies X30
scoxh eggs X30
cocktail sausages X 30
mini sausage rolls - X 30
crisps - 4 large bowls
salad - 4 large bowls
chicken goujons X 30

2-3 sandwiches each, 2-3 sausage rolls or pork pies,3 chicken goujons and up to 8 little sausages. I wouldn't bother with pizza, takes up too much oven space. Wouldn't do salad either but maybe 40 or so little cocktail sticks with cherry tomato, cucumber and pickled onion and a small cheeseboard with a hard cheese, a blue cheese and a soft one like goats cheese or brie. Throw some crackers on to it with grapes ,sliced tart apples and a chutney.Scotch eggs can be hit or miss and crisps can make a heck of a mess.
If you are going to offer something sweet buy a celebration cake /christening cake from a well known food and clothing retailer ( decorated with edible flowers) some shortbread, cookies or meringue kisses. And for goodness sake jump at any offers of help you get

Pizza etc prep night b4.
Not sandwiches. But ive always pre grated cheese and put in tub ready

Mini cakes, choc fingers etc especially if kids there.

Tbh those sandwiches seems very dull. Can't you add maybe egg mayo, tuna Mayo, chicken salad? Have you got cake?

Cheese and pineapple sticks? Or silver skin onions.

Forty is a lot of people op...do you have a big fridge? If I was you I'd try to get some sandwich platters from somewhere as well as food you make yourself. I find people eat a lot at events

You can never assume people will take 1 of each/something

If something is delicious, people will grab more

I once cooked a chilli, and half the people were no or low-carbing (none had told me) and took a massive bowl of chilli with cheese, but no rice

For the last 3 people there was only rice and cheese left

Never again

So now I overcater massively, to be safe

Same with haloumi, if you do that as the vegetarian option, most meat eaters will simply ALSO take a lot of haloumi

I now buy haloumi by the kilo when I do a bbq

20 slices of bread approx in a loaf op.

I'd avoid sandwiches. They can't be made the day before if you are going to add cucumber or tomato slices.

Better to get a few trays of vol au vents
And canapé type things from M&S

No vegans or vegetarians attending? The veggie food always gets finished first.

Because everyone eats food like onion bhajis, falafels, cheese or egg sandwiches, margarita pizza and there's usually hardly any of it in a buffet that is often 80% processed pork and people want variety.

OP don't do all of ham sandwiches and pork pies, scotch eggs , cocktail sausages, mini sausage rolls, as these are pretty much all the same food. Just ham sandwiches and one of the others and then something different, preferably vegetarian or vegan, because even if there's only one or two vegetarians, it's food that appeals to everyone.

Morrisons do very good buffet food but I don't think you've enough time to order it from there.

You would want at least 40 each of the things like sausage rolls, scotch eggs etc. Some people won't have one but lots of people will take two or more.

Definitely better to over cater as you don't want the last few people to have nothing left. Alternatively, keep some plates back to refill what's there if it gets low.

OP don't do all of ham sandwiches and pork pies, scotch eggs , cocktail sausages, mini sausage rolls, as these are pretty much all the same food
This is true. Chicken Goujons, samosas, spring rolls, pizza are all good.

Originally only like 20 people was gonna come then all a sudden loads more are coming now so bit late to get a cater now as it’s Sunday and I’ve looked on sainsburys and there platters only cater for like 6 people so it Would cost to much buying loads of them

It’s at a pub so they will get their drinks from the bar and I’ve got a cake been made, and cupcakes

I’m gonna have to put some in my moms fridge never realised how much space it would take up

I think I’m gonna get some egg mayo aswell and yeah I’ve got a cake

There’s not much in your selection for vegetarians, if you’ve got any coming. You could maybe add mini veg spring rolls or quiches?

It’s very beige sounding. Cheese sandwiches and pizza which are essential the same thing are the only non meat options. What time is the Christening? Is the buffet in replace of lunch or later?

There’s no vegetarians coming I might add some spring rolls though

christening is half 3 so be about half 4 by time get to the buffet

At half four people will be hungry. I don’t think you can cater for less than a sandwich each just becayse they are cut in quarters and other stuff available

you need to assume a sandwich each min. Then a few each of the other stuff.

forty people are going to eat a fuck ton of food.