Party food for 80

[knackeredmu]

Hello

We are holding a joint 18th /50th birthday with a band.
We are debating if and what sort of food we should offer.
It's an evening do and most guests are local so will have eaten tea before coming.
Ideas please - I really really don't want to do lots of platters / sharing boards etc - really want it to be simple and mess free - without a lot of food waste

We were thinking on each table for 10 bowls of crisps breadsticks crudités and some dips and some nice brownies/ cakes etc - things people can munch-in one bite and not need paper plates etc and to queue for a Buffet

We'd like people to be chatting dancing and generally partying but obvs providing something to nibble on...

But I'd welcome ideas and suggestions as I'm stumped

Thanks

If your specifying drinks and nibbles only then i think it’s fine

but people will still need plates for crisps and dips etc so just have plenty of buns about

Bins not buns

I'm sure someone will be along with menu ideas shortly, I'm just here to say that I'd assume I was getting fed at a party. Please make it clear to your guests if you won't be catering fully.

What time does the party start? If it’s any time around 730/8 I’d prob expect some food to be honest, are you specifying nibbles only?

MIL is having a house party for 45 people for her 70th.
She’s having ham rolls, cheese rolls, pub snacks like Scampi Fries in their bags and brownies.

If this is all you are offering then you need to make it clear that it’s nibbles only. I’ve been to plenty of evening birthday parties as both DH and I have huge families. I have never been to one that has offered anything less than a buffet and some have had some great food like hog roasts, BBQs or pizza. And whilst I do have a bit of food before such an event, I never eat a full, proper meal as there is food at the event. So, I would be annoyed/hangry if I wasn’t warned in advance that there would be any “proper” food.

Agree that you need to let ppl
know you aren't providing food. I've never been to or hosted an evening event without a buffet at least

Without paper plates but you would still need napkins - bruschetta , sandwiches, fruit or savoury kebabs/things on cocktail sticks . Mini cupcakes with a candle so you can all light and blow them out in unison with the birthday boy/girl.

Thank you
Yes I agree I need to say it's just nibbles but with the group coming I'm sure that's going to be fine.

I just didn't want a huge amount of uneaten food - food waste when people don't eat the cold buffet - I'm struggling to get my head around it all

If it was 30/40 then lasagne chilli etc are all great but this is a while different affair

I wouldn’t bank on people having eaten before they arrive - for a big evening party most people will assume a full meal-time buffet will be provided unless you tell them otherwise that you’ll only be serving crisps and nibbles.

Pizza is a good shout - easy and relatively unmessy, can just provide napkins for holding it, easy to do vegetarian and allergen-free versions etc. Traybake and brownie platters for dessert. A big cut fruit platter if you’re feeling it.

Most supermarkets do platters both savoury & sweet.
so for ease I’d be getting some of those rather than making things much less stressful - I wouldn’t worry about food waste just package anything you in foil and handout to people at the end!

I agree - M and S does some great options, even Subway does stuff. I'd do that and just not worry about it.