Is this enough food - and if not what else?

[Mayrain]

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.

Vegetarians and Vegans eat protein rich food too.

OP literally states it's a fully vegetarian meal on purpose. Not all of us meat eaters will waste away at the lack of ham, chicken or salmon.

I am also astounded at the number of people suggesting a half or whole salmon as a standard dish for a buffet - I've never seen it and would never serve it! So much would surely go to waste?

The only thing I'd like from your list is bread, cheese, grapes and birthday cake provided not chocolate cake. 😒

Cheeseboards are not normally the kind (or quantity) of cheese you slap on a roll with salad, especially the kind you have with 10 children. She also didn't mention anything else that can go on top.

But I guess its just me.

Get loads of vegetarian sausages and hotdog rolls, cook them all in a tray and add squirty ketchup/mustard. Sweetcorn is easy too if you boil it all and keep them in the water.

I'm invested in this now 😁

OP, I'm changing my vote from veggie chili to the previous poster's much better idea of buying in Turkish dips, grape leaves, breads etc. That, plus your substantial salads and sides will be delicious.

Also - I love meat. But when I go to, or host parties, I expect it to be veggie so that everyone can eat. I imagine you and your friends are the same, and there will be no sadness over the lack of pulled pork

Onion Bahjis and samosas
Vol au vents
Devilled eggs
Cheese and pineapple hedgehog

@FirstTimeNameChanger I'd definitely be disappointed at an all veggie party!
But obviously would still be grateful to be there.

Maybe it depends on your friendship group and social circle? No one in my group would blink an eye at a vegetarian hosting a veggie party.

Same!

Oh good, Team Protein have arrived. Can't have a MN food thread without people panicking about the lack of protein.

Wouldn’t even occur to me TBH and nobody in my social circle. I just quite like being invited and grateful for whatever the host provides. I’ve never been to a party where someone mentions the lack or inclusion of meat being the deciding factor in what made a party successful.

We had a vegetarian wedding and the food was incredible, only person who moaned was my 85 year old dad but did he do so while clearing his very full plate 🙈

Quite enjoying what a divisive topic it is though (although only ever on MN, never a thing IRL) 😉

Me too. My dh is a very strict veggie but I'm not and DC like to eat meat too.

We have separate ovens, separate microwave, separate section in fridge and separate utensils so no contamination but we serve a mix of meat and veggie dishes when we host guests. Perhaps OP's guests are all veggie or vegan.

Well it would be very rude to actually say to a host that you would have preferred to have meat or fish options available! People are very unlikely to tell you.

I would still enjoy a vegetarian party and as I said would be happy to be invited. I'd be happy to eat only vegetarian options but it definitely wouldn't be my preference.

I'd imagine that would be the same for most people who enjoy eating meat or fish.

If you get puff pastry you can do little pastry wraps with tomatoes, feta, olive in, or mozzarella tom and basil ones, or brie and caramised onion, they are super easy to make and really tasty. Always a hit when I make them.

I think it all sounds lovely. I always eat the salads!

Our circle are the same - just thankful to be invited and hang out together.

You know the people coming best - my tuppence worth - add veg sticks, strawberries and perhaps watermelon slices for the kids. My DC love pizza but look for a side.

Salmon is definitely a common thing to serve as part of a (non-veggie) buffet. Why would it go to waste?

The said, I'd never expect to be served meat or fish at a vegetarian household. I find it very odd that people would want this.

Separate ovens and microwaves? I have food allergies and we don’t do this! I don’t mind mixed buffets as long as I have an allergen free section.

You haven't specified what's in the tarts but if they are both quiches then your mains are all egg so I wouldn't go with egg mayonnaise or a tortilla.
Otherwise both of those would be delicious!
With the spanakopita ring , pizza and a chessboard you have cheese well covered.
The other veggie main that everyone will recognise is chickpeas/grains: so either naan boats with a mild veg and chickpea curry, or a bean rich chilli made into grilled burritos.

It clearly is very social circle dependent. Most parties that I have hosted or been to, people tend to pick at the food, eat it standing up while chatting etc so don't tend to eat things like chilli or lasagne but more things like cheese, quiche, falafel. Salads, especially if nicely presented, go very quickly.

And no one I know expects vegetarians to serve meat/fish.

Tarts are both vegan - as there are a few coming and just makes life easier to do some dishes all can eat.

Love the idea of a tortilla though

I think it is enough food if the quantities are enough. If the tarts are really nice, really big, really high quality then tart/bread/salads is absolutely a meal. Then you have cheese and biscuits and also pudding. Plus a new nibbles (crisps and olives etc). I'm not particularly a fan of mixing up lots of different stuff to make it more. Just do a few things really well.

But they will need to be really good tarts! And I assume you have checked on allergies, vegans etc.

I'd probably also do a big bowl of raspberries/strawberries to go with the brownies to cut through the richness. But that's all.

Otherwise, if I was going to add one more thing (and I wouldn't add more than that) then I'd go for a ham.

Sorry, didn't see DH is veggie.

In that case I would leave as it is.

Me too, I love a salad :)

I think I would probably have a few garlic bread in the freezer that you could pop into the oven if the pizza is going fast or to bulk out the veggie lasnage.