Cooking for lots of people- what would you prefer?

[OttolenghiSimple]

I'm cooking for 20(!) next month for a birthday dinner. Everyone eats everything apart from one veggie.

Have worked out two possible menus. Which would you prefer?

1- No starter but some canapes, then lamb curry, pilau rice, tarka dhal, chana masala, one another veg dish TBC, served as a buffet but sitting down to eat. Might have a go at some sort of bread but it's hard for so many. Can buy some popadoms and chutneys etc to have on the tables.

2- No starter but canapes, then roast beef fillet, dauphinoise potatoes, petits pois a la francaise, braised leeks. Again would probably be a buffet then seated to eat.

My thoughts- menu one has the benefit of being what the birthday-haver would most like. It's fairly easy to do as most can be made ahead and frozen. But is a curry a bit ordinary? Maybe I can add in some more celebratory elements but what? (Should add that although I love cooking Indian food and I know my friends enjoy eating it, none of us is Indian.)

Menu two feels a bit more celebratory maybe. Also v easy as can largely be done ahead. Beef fillet for 20 will be expensive. I will need to make something different for the veggie, which I know she will be fine with but I always fear a solo dish is a bit depressing and ungemütlich.

Pudding will be a giant cheesecake which I will order from the bakers so that is sorted.

@Takemethere has basically said exactly what I came here to say and more.

I’d do two meat curries - one chicken and one lamb. I’d make the chicken one relatively mild and a spicy lamb curry is delicious.
A veg curry with potato and aubergine is a great option, and there’s loads of veggie side dish options.
Raita is ideal to cleanse the palate and cool down after a spicy dish.
Really simple salad with lettuce, tomato, cucumber and lemon goes perfectly with sides like bhajis and samosa.
Offer a range of naans. I’d go for plain, garlic and peshwari for those who like a sweeter accompaniment.

When you say buffet with people seated to eat is that seated at tables or eating off of laps. If not using tables I'd rule out option 2 straight off.

Personally I'd go curries, I don't eat lamb but it would happily eat any veggie alternative. If you are really concerned about curry haters having nothing to eat you could do a tray of chicken skewers marinated in garlic and coriander as they would still go reasonably well with the other sides.

Definitely meal 1.

Meal 2 sounds delicious too. I don’t think it’s as buffet friendly as meal one though.

Do you have a Costco near you they do lovely naan bread so cheap.

https://www.costco.co.uk/Business-Delivery/Business-Delivery/Leicester-Handmade-Garlic-Coriander-Naans-2-x-5-Pack/p/368809_BD

Having done cooking for similar numbers, definitely curry. Timings are super tricky and getting fillet of beef cooked perfectly and out at the right time will be too stressful. I always do things in big pots done ahead of time - beouf bourgingion is a classic and if going for roast, I'd say a slow cooked leg of lamb or pork belly as again timings are hard.

Menu 1 but I would also do a lasagne to cater for non spicy. Yum!

Curry will be much easier to manage - which will make you a better host, so do that.

You rarely get curry as a home made meal, it’s a great thing to have.

Buy bread if you think you need it - but with rice and bought in poppadoms you don’t really.

The OP isn’t running a restaurant

great contribution, well done 👏

Menu 1 with a leafy green salad side as well.

Lamb is extortionate and not my fave a chicken curry is much better

Menu 1 and a new word, Ungemutlich, I like it!

Number one please. Anyone on this thread who says they don't like curry is BVVVU :)

Curry would be my choice - but go easy on the lentils, I dread seeing any pulses in a buffet dish 🎈 💨

I'd be very with either of those and I love cheesecake too. Mmm could eat all that right now.

you could make samosas in advance using filo and part cook . Consider adding in a baked cauliflower type dish ( dead easy: cumin , turmeric , chili flakes). Enjoy your day. https://amp.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/wordofmouth/2015/nov/26/how-to-make-the-perfect-samosas

I can only eat incredibly mild curry, or my bowels explode for days, so I'd prefer option 2.

As a guest, I'd love either of those options but I'd definitely recommend option 1 as your choice a birthday person prefers it, veggie person slots in easily (make sure you make enough of the veg option that others can have some too and still be plenty for the veggie), much easier re timings as likelihood of all 20 turning up on time minimal, less last-minute prep for you so can spend time with your guests instead of in kitchen. But I would offer a second pudding option (maybe just some nice berries, as then can be eaten with the cheesecake or separately)?

Personally, given the choice of the 2 meals, I'd much prefer the beef / 2nd menu, but, if I were catering for 20 and I knew they would all eat curry, I would 100% choose to do Option one.
FAR easier / more practical for larger numbers.

King prawn curry instead of lamb would be perfection.Option 1

Menu 1.
Indian food doesn't have to have loads of chilli in it. Lots of authentic Indian dishes are fragrant as opposed to chilli hot
Recipes can be adapted to suit individual tastes

I love a curry, but would not like menu one. I am not a fan of lamb (too greasy), or veg (not enough substance/texture in lentil - potato okay as a side but not a main meal) curries. A chicken curry and some warmed pita bread would be nice and easy to do.

If menu one stays as is then prefer menu two.

tbh I'd eat both, and compliment/thank you profusely, but menu one would be disappointing for me and I'd be stopping off for a takeaway on the way home 🤣

Menu 1

I would buy chapattis (microwave to heat) and make a cheat raita using yogurt (Greek or Indian) and a little mint sauce. Chopped Indian style salad too. Perhaps make some chicken tikka if you want to make it "more" trick is to marinate overnight

Menu 1.
Sorry beef peas and leeks sounds awful and not celebratory at all.

Option 1. It’s easier to accommodate the vegetarian as some dishes are veggie anyway. It sounds more ‘picky’ which prefer rather than the beef fillet.

1. I'd just make sure there is one dish that isn't spicy. I'd also have a little bowl full of chopped chilli so the spiceheads are catered for too.

But both menus sound great.