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Is this enough food - and if not what else?

177 replies

Mayrain · 16/05/2023 12:03

DH significant birthday this weekend and we're having 20 adults and 10 kids - in the garden from 1 (weather permitting):

2 x savoury tarts (large)
bread
potato salad
3 x large salads
olives
crackers
Grapes
cheese board
Houmous
crisps type things
Brownies
birthday cake
pizza for kids

Doesn't look much now I've written it down!

Any other ideas would be great.

OP posts:
Londontown12 · 16/05/2023 14:15

BarbaraofSeville · 16/05/2023 13:52

Yes, what a party where the host has said 'no meat, non negotiable' needs is three different types of processed pork.

vegetarian ones x

Mrsjayy · 16/05/2023 14:16

Yes wedges savoury veg rolls. Maybe some eggs. I do think just quiche will be disappointing.

Mayrain · 16/05/2023 14:19

Okay, thanks all - lots of ideas here. Much appreciated.

OP posts:

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Cakeandcardio · 16/05/2023 14:19

If people are drinking you need something to fill everyone. Lots of carbs if no meat. Nigella has a great recipe for loaded potato skins. What about pasta salads? Or pizza for everyone? Or ciabattas sliced open and topped with pizza sauce and cheese.

Snoken · 16/05/2023 14:22

I would get flatbreads and add falafel, halloumi, tabouleh to have with the hummus. Maybe get some babaganoush and filodough parcels too.

Joystir59 · 16/05/2023 14:22

A shit load of sarnies

Mayrain · 16/05/2023 14:24

Snoken · 16/05/2023 14:22

I would get flatbreads and add falafel, halloumi, tabouleh to have with the hummus. Maybe get some babaganoush and filodough parcels too.

Yes, will go to local Turkish shop - great idea

OP posts:
teraculum29 · 16/05/2023 14:27

did any one mentioned garlic bread??

JulieHoney · 16/05/2023 14:28

Jesus Christ, all the damned carnivores suggesting pulled pork, sausage rolls, etc etc 😖

OP has said repeatedly that they don’t serve meat or fish. Why would they want to have that in their house for her DH’s birthday when it’s the DH who is vegetarian.

It is perfectly possible to have a nice spread without including meat.

EscapeRoomToTheSun · 16/05/2023 14:31

Big Spanish omelette I would do.

tailinthejam · 16/05/2023 14:32

Cheese onion sausage rolls
Those chicken nuggets that aren't chicken
Vegetarian sausages
Vegetable samosas
Twice as many pizzas as you think you're going to need 😂

Houseupdate · 16/05/2023 14:34

You will need 5 pizzas to cover the children. I would say your will need at least 20 portions of lasagna, one serving each but ideally more so the kids can have some and some adults may want more than one serving.

11GrumpsaGrumping · 16/05/2023 14:35

I'd get rid of the tarts and one of the salads and instead do:

1-2 veggie lasagnas
Massive veggie chilli
Coleslaw

If you're having potato salad i wouldn't do jacket potatoes.

Maybe add corn on the cob and baguettes so everything sort of goes together.

Pixiedust1234 · 16/05/2023 14:38

You mentioned bread but nothing to go on it. What about cheese or tuna or salmon or eggs etc? I love making up my own open topped rolls (with some lettuce or cucumber) at buffets like this and would feel robbed if I couldn't...or is that just me?

Theelephantinthecastle · 16/05/2023 14:46

I think it sounds fine if the large salads are substantial - e.g. pasta or couscous or rice based. That plus the cheeseboad, potato salad etc seems like plenty.

I would personally much rather have that than some of the things being suggested

sheworemellowyellow · 16/05/2023 14:47

Honestly? I think you're going about this wrong.

30 people is A LOT, even if 1/3 of them are kids. You need to outsource when you have that many people to provide food and drinks for.

You also have to remember that in a party atmosphere, when someone else is catering, people tend not to treat the food as they would when they're paying in a restaurant or have been invited over for lunch (just them). People don't always think about others, they will pick and choose whatever looks goods so you end up with tonnes of some things left over and not enough of the other and so on and so forth. There is sometimes a lot of wastage, too.

There's also a lot to coordinate between drinks, food, cutlery and plates and bowls and napkins/tissues, and glasses and water and tumblers, and spillages and breakage, people in and out of the loo all day, a tonne of washing up after. You also want to enjoy yourself!

So, don't think of this as feeding two families and scaling up. Think of it as mass catering and scaling down. Buy in platters of veggie foods from your Turkish place: falafels, hummus, dips, olives, vine leaf rolls, couscous. Order in your pizzas and get sides: garlic bread, veggie pasta, mac and cheese. Buy cartons of juice and jugs of water. Buy more bread and naan than you think. Do as little food prep as you can. Consider the size of your oven and your hob and your fridge. Do cheese platters; buy Costco sized bunches of grapes. Buy a watermelon and slice it up.

Do NOT experiment with new recipes. Don't spend ages cooking because with that many people around people don't notice the food as much as they notice the company. Don't present fancy-looking food because you won't get the attention it deserves.

Your priority is the company. Mass cater. Give doggie bags of leftovers.

Comedycook · 16/05/2023 14:51

People will eat more than you think...30 people is a lot. Always overcater

MissyB1 · 16/05/2023 14:56

Is it a strictly veggie menu for everyone then?
Veggie sausage rolls
more pizzas
pasta salad
Rice salad
bowls of baby potatoes (in lots of butter and chives)

Theelephantinthecastle · 16/05/2023 14:58

Pixiedust1234 · 16/05/2023 14:38

You mentioned bread but nothing to go on it. What about cheese or tuna or salmon or eggs etc? I love making up my own open topped rolls (with some lettuce or cucumber) at buffets like this and would feel robbed if I couldn't...or is that just me?

She said cheese board in the OP

Floraltears · 16/05/2023 15:01

I’ve catered for quite a few events and unless the guests are veggie, you’ll find you will have a lot of leftover mains (the pizza will be devoured, as will the breads but I imagine the salads will be left).

I bet you wont have any puddings leftover, so make sure you have plenty.

ChiChaNaYubi · 16/05/2023 15:02

Those are sides. Do a bbq! Doesn’t have to be meat.
id do:

halloumi and veg skewers
veggie burgers and sausages
grilled salted aubergine
cauliflower “wings”

30 people is a lot!

TenseTessa · 16/05/2023 15:03

You need a massive Greek salad!

APurpleSquirrel · 16/05/2023 15:03

Other than the need to be veggy, are there any other dietary requirements you need to cater for? Just thinking it's a very dairy-heavy spread.

caringcarer · 16/05/2023 15:13

You need to add meat. It's all veggie food. Mini chicken fillets, half a salmon and sliced roast beef. Protein is filling.

caringcarer · 16/05/2023 15:17

Just seen no meat aloud. What about veggie sausages and veggie burgers or veggie peppered fakes. It looks low in protein to me.

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