What food would you like at a lunchtime/ afternoon family party?

[BoogleOogle]

Having a family party from about 13:30/14:00 in a few weeks. About 30 people, mostly adults but several toddlers and primary children.

I was going to get catering but the prices are shocking so going to do it myself. It'll be a cold buffet for easy. I want to make it minimal work as I have very young DCs and work full-time, but obviously I want people to enjoy the food!

I was thinking that no one really eats sandwiches at these sorts of things, so should I bother with them at all? Maybe just bread and butter and then lots of nibbles like sausage rolls, onion bhajis, samosas, pork pies, cocktail sausages etc. Maybe some cold pizza? What else?

Pudding was thinking just a selection of those boxes of cake bites and nice prepared fruit or berries? Maybe jam tarts or something as well? Mini rolls?

Is this all naff or would you like it? Ideally I just want finger food so no cutlery and nothing hot.

Sorry, but this looks revolting!

I would do open sandwiches too. On toasted sliced French bread. Various toppings such as chopped tomatoes with garlic and basil, tuna with spring onions and capers, cured meats with mozzarella or blue cheese, sautéed mushrooms, roasted red pepper and goat cheese. Then some crudités for a bit of crunch.

What about a deconstructed sandwich bar kind thing. I was at one recently. They had bread rolls, sliced sourdough and wraps along with homemade sandwich fillers. One was chicken, mayonnaise and bacon, one was tuna and sweetcorn. There was some chopped salad and a few others that I did not see.

Morrisons buffet is very reasonable.

I was going to say this. So reasonable

I would serve rolls, spread and sandwich fillings to make your own if warm. Add sausage rolls, crudités and dip, crisps etc all from supermarket. Depends a lot on your budget. I tend to make quiche but cheat and buy ready made pastry and grated cheese!

If cold baked potatoes and fillings is an easy option and can be economical.

😂

I thought it was a standard buffet thing and I like it but maybe that's just me! I also have cold bhajis etc for picnics all the time.

I'm also a stodge fan but will add some stuff with some vitamins!

Quiche and rolls to fill is a good idea.

No Morrisons near me either. I live in a buffet wasteland!

I would be polite about it but I would either want a proper buffet with plates and knives and forks

OR

Posh finger food and plenty of it. The kind of thing you get at Christmas from Marks & Spencer.

I think catering for 30 by yourself is a lot and it probably no one will feel they've had a decent meal.

It’s so nice when someone makes an effort with a buffet instead of just chucking out a load of beige “party food” shit from Costco or Asda. I admit I’m a food snob, but I’d honestly rather the host said they didn’t have the time to do food so it’s drinks only and please eat first. If you’re going to host, I’d be happy with anything that’s not beige”party food” shit.

These pies from Asda. 15 of each or cheese and onion if any veggies.

Plus 30 sausage rolls (4 packs of frozen ones are £1)

Mushy peas in one pan, baked beans in another. Pickled onions, mint sauce, pickled red cabbage on the table. Massive jug of gravy. Pack of paper bowls and plastic forks.

Filling, tasty, a lot easier than a buffet and less than £1 a head. Always goes down well x

I personally like sandwich supplies so you can make your own. Selection of meat and cheese with condiments on the side.

I’d buy baguettes, rotisserie chicken, sliced deli counter beef and do a couple of substantial salads. Maybe add some cooked sausages for children. And have bowls of simple salad stuff on its own for children/fussy people. So sliced cucumber on its own.

Devilled eggs.

Loads.

mmmmmm

I think onion bhajis and samosas should be there, op. Plenty of supermarkets offer bhaji salads.

I think lots of nice breads for people to help themselves to, plus cheese and meats, are a good replacement for sandwiches - although you could make some basic ones for the children.

Then a couple of salads and perhaps a tray of tomato and mozzarella salad if you have time
to prepare this. What about olives and pasta salads too?

Also, nothing wrong with some pizza!

Also raw veggo sticks and dips, and a fruit platter or two

Sounds fine to me. Although I was just about to suggest a domino’s order then I saw you’d thought about it!

Seems like a lot of effort for them only coming for a couple of hours! For them being over such a short space of time, I'd definitely order in pizza. Means it's warm as well. If there's vegetarians get more than one vegetarian pizza as meat eaters like to have a try of veggie food as well and often vegetarians are left with nothing!

It does seem like a lot for a couple of hours to be honest. I'd missed that bit.

Just put the kettle on and give them a piece of cake!

God please not this!!! For one I'd question the quality of meat in any pie that can be bought 4 for £1. I'm not veggie but would far prefer the veggie option in this situation. Secondly paper bowls and plastic forks ruin any meal, and I can't imagine how you eat pie mash and gravy out of one!

This is completely not what you’re planning but it may well work out cheaper and easier - jacket potatoes in the oven all morning, a slow cooker of veggie chilli, (if you’ve got another slow cooker then a gammon joint) then salad/cold fillings/bread rolls etc.

the stodge haters will be happy not to have the potato
the stodge lovers will eat the potato
plenty of easy veg options
can be served in plates and bowls if you run out of cutlery

Cold meats, cheese, salads and rolls will make it easier and I always put rolled meats on a platter with a salad garnish

All the supermarkets to sandwich platters (as do other places, from M&S to Greggs) - well worth it IMO.

@AtleastitsnotMonday the pies aren't 4 for £1. The sausage rolls are.

And they're surprisingly nice. The OP has invited 30 people for 2 hours and was considering ordering a dominos after being priced out of caterers.

I think her family will cope with a fucking supermarket pie for one lunch 🙄🙄

Ok my mistake on price but the op does say she wants her family to enjoy the food, take a look at the reviews!
And I stand by my comment on paper bowls and plastic cutlery. Plus the whole point was the op didn't want to serve anything hot!

The reviews for cheese and veg pies that I didn't post. Dunno, never had them. Wouldn't be worried about the meat quality of them either

The OP is serving 30 people and didn't want to use cutlery. She's also thought of a domino's. I think a paper plate or two might be involved here. 🤣

Honestly, it's just a pie, they're only there an hour or two and I've had the ones I posted and they were nice for a quick but filling lunch.

Check out the latest reviews of the one I actually shared 🤣