NYD / 1st Birthday Food

[birthdaybuffet]

It is my DD's first birthday on New Year's Day. We are just having close family and some neighbours over to celebrate. There will be about 12-15 people in and out through the day.

Could anyone please help with what food to provide?

Baby is BLW so will just eat whatever and the the only other child will be 4. Other than that there will be two school aged teens and the rest adults.

I'd prefer not to be slaving away in the kitchen all day / the night before but I do have a slow cooker and I'm open to doing a small degree of prep.

From reading a slightly different thread the other day, I don't know whether a typical buffet would be too geared towards children for how many children there will be. I did see a suggestion on the thread of doing a Dahl and other bits but equally wondering if that's too niche. Also it will be New Year's Day so not sure how much that should influence what I put on!

Clearly I'm very indecisive so any thoughts would be greatly appreciate.

Oh I should also add I definitely do not want to do a grazing table!

Baked potatoes and a chilli in the slow cooker. Add some nachos and dips, and maybe a bit of salad and grated cheese. You can buy tins of spicy beans if there's any vegetarians.

Pulled pork rolls with toffee apple sauce - the pulled pork could be done in the slow cooker, and it’s easy to keep warm under tin foil. It’s equally delicious cold. Serve with winter slaw.

Winter fruit salad and birthday cake for pudding!

I'd be tempted to go for a couple of hot, one pot dishes, one veggie one meat (something along the lines of chilli's or curries, lasagne, chicken tagine) serve with rice, couscous (depending on dish) and some sort of bread (garlic bread/naan/flat breads. Depending on the dish either salads or veg. Most of it you should be able to prep ahead.

Include a cheese board with your dessert offerings. If you have any fussy children they could have cheese and crackers or your sides instead.