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Original poster

How many people do you think this spread would serve?

141 replies

CateringPanic · 30/04/2023 17:50

I’m having a gathering tomorrow and having a slight panic about having enough food! (And about the weather which looks like it will be the worst of the weekend but that’s a separate complaint)

How many people do you think this spread would serve?

3 x quiche
2 x giant pork pie
1 x gammon joint
3 x large loaves crusty bread
2 x tubs falafel
2 x pots hummus
Potato salad
Cous cous salad
4 x blocks of cheese
“Other” salad (a guest is bringing it)
Sliced veggies
“Leaves” Salad

Coleslaw
2x chutneys
2 x sharing bags kettle chips
2 x tubes Pringles

Cake for afters

OP posts:
AllOfThemWitches · 30/04/2023 18:25

Can I come...

NeverDropYourMooncup · 30/04/2023 18:25

Double the Pringles. If people like them, they will go incredibly quickly.

Dungaree · 30/04/2023 18:25

Definitely 20.

3 quiche, a giant pork pie and a gammon joint!

How would 6-8 people possibly eat that? Would they each be having half a quiche, a big slice of pork pie and a load of gammon and then having half a large crusty loaf and half a block of cheese and lots of different salads and sliced veg, humous, coleslaw and finishing off with a sixth of a cake and lots of crisps?

It sounds perfect for 20.

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General food
aureus3012 · 30/04/2023 18:25

Bag or two of sweet potato fries maybe

Stillcountingbeans · 30/04/2023 18:29

What about deserts? If you ask each of your guests to bring a small desert or some cakes, that will fill people up. Get a big tub of ice cream if there are children coming.
Don't put any meat products in the salads, consider getting vegetarian quiche, make some egg mayo or just sliced boiled eggs, and if it is a buffet make sure you put labels on the vegetarian stuff to deter the greedy carnivores who prefer to eat the veggie stuff leaving the actual vegetarians with nothing to eat. (I speak from bitter experience).

Growlybear83 · 30/04/2023 18:32

If it's meant as a meal rather than just a snack I still don't think you've got nearly enough for 20. I also think it all sounds very bland and boring. Could you get some mini samosas like another poster said, and something spicy?

Original poster
CateringPanic · 30/04/2023 18:33

I have a huge cake for dessert so not worried about that!

OP posts:
Greenfree · 30/04/2023 18:36

Dungaree · 30/04/2023 18:25

Definitely 20.

3 quiche, a giant pork pie and a gammon joint!

How would 6-8 people possibly eat that? Would they each be having half a quiche, a big slice of pork pie and a load of gammon and then having half a large crusty loaf and half a block of cheese and lots of different salads and sliced veg, humous, coleslaw and finishing off with a sixth of a cake and lots of crisps?

It sounds perfect for 20.

When I've done these types of buffets before for 6-8 people the bread has always gone as people make sandwiches with it. An hour or so after the initial feed people have gone back for more. I'd have a few bit of pork pie etc leftover but the sandwich stuff goes quickly

hellsbells99 · 30/04/2023 18:38

20 plus. You could always do a tray of oven chips too.

awakeeveeynight · 30/04/2023 18:40

Always, always better to make more than less

EmotionalSupportWyrm · 30/04/2023 18:41

CateringPanic · 30/04/2023 17:56

Okay I’ve had enough answers and I was right to be worried. It’s supposed to be for 20!

I have a terrible habit of over catering usually so I tried not to buy enough but looks like I have over corrected.

I’m off to the coop to see what I can find lest I become the subject of a “not enough food” MN thread!

I would have said 25 - I've done a lot of catering for big numbers - including weddings - honestly this is plenty.

Snoken · 30/04/2023 18:42

I would get 2 large baguettes and some garlic bread too. Maybe some sliced roast beef/pastrami/salami? If there are kids coming, maybe some mini pizzas?

TolkiensFallow · 30/04/2023 18:43

I think you’re good now OP.

Mutabiliss · 30/04/2023 18:45

Is the quiche all veggie/vegan? Because if not there's not much proper food for them, it's all snacks. And I'm not veggie but I don't eat pork pies or gammon (or any red meat, generally), so I'd be on the quiche...

RaininSummer · 30/04/2023 18:45

Not enough crisps for 20 people I think. And no crackers to go with the masses of cheese? What about a big fruit salad or a trifle.

tailinthejam · 30/04/2023 18:50

Where's the cocktail sausages?

😂

CordyLines · 30/04/2023 18:52

Yeah, where ARE the cocktail sausages lol.

I'm hungry now reading this. Have a great day.

PeppermintTeaThenBed · 30/04/2023 18:54

Hi OP! Just posting as we had our 3 year olds party yesterday, so it's all fresh in my mind what he had - we hosted 16 adults and just our 2 little children (baring in mind it was for a 3 old so I'm not sure the food choices are the vibe you are after 😅) but we had (and was a good amount- not much left):

5 x pizzas
1 x pack chicken nuggets
1 x 30 piece Chinese selection
20 x pork sausages (regular size)
2 x sainsbury's sandwich platters (claim to serve 6-8 each)
1 x box of crackers (large)
2 x blocks of Cheddar- one for pineapple&cheese sticks, one for cheese&onion sticks
4 x additional cheeses - 2 x chutneys
2 x pots of pasta salad
3 x Dips with celery / carrot / peppers / Cucumber/ cherry tomatoes
12 x cheese scones - cut into halves
12 x sweet scones (halved) - jam and cream
6 x sharing packs of crisp
3 x quiches

Desserts

1 x cake (large - served 15)
1 x large fruit salad
1 x large bakewell
1 x chocolate tray bake
Pack of mini cakes

Hope that helps! As mentioned not too much left over, felt it was a good amount 😊

Riapia · 30/04/2023 18:57

Depends on the class of person that will be attending.
I think 50.
😉😁😁

Wherethewildthymeblows · 30/04/2023 18:58

My guess before your answer was 18 so don't panic. People always over estimate what others will eat and as long as everyone has a plateful, you have fulfilled your duties as a hostess.

Original poster
CateringPanic · 30/04/2023 19:02

@Wherethewildthymeblows thank you! The complete random range of answers tells me it really is very hard to say.

I have on 5yo coming although she can eat more than a lot of adults!

My MIL and FIL barely eat anything so I might count them as half a person each!

My vegan has falafel, hummus, bread, veggies, potato salad, crisps and cake not sure what’s wrong with that for them?

OP posts:
tailinthejam · 30/04/2023 19:02

What time do I arrive?

tailinthejam · 30/04/2023 19:05

@CateringPanic Vegan? Potato salad? Olive oil-with-herbs type dressing or mayo? If mayo then it needs to be vegan mayo.

Sherrystrull · 30/04/2023 19:05

I think you also need

Sausage rolls
Veggie / meat kebabs
Fruit Salad

TenoringBehind · 30/04/2023 19:06

Decided my number before reading your update: more than generous for 20