So apparently I'm having 18 people for a lunch party on Monday.

[Womblealongwithme]

DH and I were supposed to be at a party 3 weeks ago and unfortunately, I came down with a sickness bug so DH went on his own.

He has just reminded me about the bank holiday party we're having on Monday and asked what I needed him to do for it. Except I wasn't at the party and knew nothing about said party. DH is the loveliest, kindest man on the planet and was diagnosed with ADHD about 10 years ago, which means that sometimes, he has conversations with me in his head, that don't quite make it to me! (Like inviting all and sundry to said bank holiday party!) So, dear readers, I need ideas from you lot quickly. We don't have a barbecue so I have my fridge and an oven and not a lot of kitchen space.

Add to that, that most of tomorrow will be taken up with various sporting activities for DS and DD so I don't have a whole lot of time, pretty much Monday morning only! Oh and it needs to cater for vegetarian and coeliac guests. Help!

Disclaimer - DH will absolutely be involved in prep and feel awful that he has sprung this on me!

Baked potatoes with different fillings.

Expensive! Just order in dominoes. They do good deals on bank hols. No way would be firing up the oven ... in 26 degrees for 18 to eat, that's bonkers

Costco. Get some sandwich and/or wrap platters. They also do salads and sushi platters. Oh and they have trays of pastries, cookies & cakes etc. Also get disposable plates, cutlery cups etc.

Send your DH though. He’s the one that invited everyone and forgot to tell you.

Also get him to chop up some fruit and make Pimm’s!

Missed the coeliac bit!! Costco did use to have veggie sushi but not sure what the current offerings are. And I have no idea about coeliac. That sounds like a DH problem to solve.

Wish I hadn’t opened this thread, I’m now craving all the food!

”misses point of thread”

I was also going to say jacket potatoes with loads of different toppings and salads.

What type of 'party' has he apparently invited everyone to? Lunch, dinner, drinks party, casual snacks???

I'd be asking him what YOU can help with and what HIS plans are???

Another option would be to text/call everyone (or get him to) and said that HE got confused with the date and you are having a little gathering on .....(date and time of YOUR choice in the future)

I'm a competent cook, but would hate having to rush to get shopping in and cook and plan last minute things- when you are already busy with the kids tomorrow.

Some ideas would be salads and meats and everyone helps themselves. Quiche, chicken thighs/drumsticks with various sauces, Greek salad, baguette, new potatoes, antipasto board with cheese/meats/olives etc.

Jacket potatoes chucked in the oven, then an halloumi (gf) curry on the hob, and a slow cooker beef chilli. Big bowl of salad and some tortillas. We did this recently and froze the leftovers. Went down a treat.

Big lasagnes from cook or a supermarket and a salad

OR

he confesses to all guests and cooks, offers pizza and salad or asks them to bring pot luck

I'd also be checking who is actually coming.
Do a quick, 'we're about to go shopping, who's still able to make it'

4 rotisserie chickens
pasta with pesto
huge mixed salad (add in some chickpeas or black beans to make it more substantial
strawberries and vanilla ice cream
lots of booze (though hopefully guests will bring?)

HOWEVER, I’m surprised none of them have been in touch to confirm it’s definitely still on (after 3 weeks!!) or ask “what can we bring “…..

Cheese board, charcuterie, ready made salads, sausage rolls
Things to prep at home.....
Roast chicken drumsticks
Tomato salad
Carrot râpée (grated carrots with vinaigrette dressing)
Bowl of hard boiled eggs
Avocado and orange salad (use easy peel oranges)

For pudding get a selection of Magnums and ice cream cones (and plenty of paper napkins!)

Check the guest list first. Does everyone/anyone remember DH's invitation? I'd be honest and tell them it's the first you've heard of it and that you're happy to provide lunch for your friends, but you need to know who is coming. Very likely many of them will have forgotten or not taken it as a serious invitation (especially as you were not there) and made other arrangements.
You may end up with a handful people for whom you can cook a simple meal.

I would definitely leave it up to your Dh to sort out.

This chilli is really nice, veggie, quite easy, makes lots, and not expensive https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2016/sep/30/vegetarian-chilli-recipe-beans-pulses-anna-jones-the-modern-cook-student

Costco?

Lasagne idea totally bonkers - she’s got no time to cook.

Cold buffet entirely sourced from a supermarket.

I did a massive chicken korma the night before and rice the day of, and just heated in the oven. Ladle and big pot in the middle of the table and everyone just helped themselves. I had a smaller pot without chicken, same recipe so nothing extra just without meat. Because it was all premade i wasnt cooking on the day so the kitchen was tidy and table set with plates, cutlery and napkins and i was more relaxed and able to focus on fixing drinks and chatting. Also i had some bread sliced for those who didn't like rice. I asked guests to bring dessert or pre dinner snacks. It worked out fine. People are happy to be invited and not likely to judge

Why are so many posters jumping to ‘do this?’

The response to the husbands comment about ‘what do you need me to do’ should be ‘what do you mean?’.

i literally would do nothing for this party other than simply not be there. I’m sure the guests, when they arrive, will appreciate everything your DH has prepared. He’s really needs to understand that he cannot do this OP.

He has just reminded me about the bank holiday party we're having on Monday and asked what I needed him to do for it.

I'd be turning it back on him - he can organise and he can let you know how you can help him out.

One veggie curry (may be this https://meerasodha.com/recipes/aubergine-and-cherry-tomato-curry/), one daal (I love this, so easy to cook https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/tarka-dhal) and one meat curry (I love this, again tasty and super easy https://www.itv.com/thismorning/articles/nisha-katonas-goan-coconut-curry), obviously scale portions way up. Three big dishes on the table with loads of rice, some naan, popadums and chutneys. Enjoy!

Yeah my first thought surely you're not going ahead with it, and then as a PP said how come no one's been in touch to confirm and ask what to bring? Or is this one of those threads were the silly old hubster is just a rascal and we're all meant to join in the virtual hair ruffling?

Another thing you could do is two big roast chickens, a potato salad and some coleslaw, some bread, cheese and cold meats - and I'd also do a big bowl of tomato pasta or pasta pesto for people to help themselves. Dessert a big bowl of strawberries with some torn basil and cream.

I would send a message out asking for it to be a bring and share do. We did this recently for 17 people and it worked really well.

Not to add to your woes, but if you have coeliac and vegetarians, do everything for coeliac vegetarian and have any meat / bread completely off to another side. Mind cross contamination!

I'm veggue and a coelic and I would be doing - gluten free:
Large mushroom / tomato soup
Pasta salad
Potato salad
Leafy salad
Selection of fruits and cheeses
Tortilla and shop dips

And hubby would be doing the shopping and much of the cooking!