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!

Might have been mentioned but perhaps a baked potato 'charcuterie' board? If you google you'll see what I mean.
Basically do a load of baked potatoes and everyone can add their own toppings, like beans, chilli, sour cream and cheese, bacon, plus some sides like cold pasta salad/rice?

I’d keep everything gluten free for the coeliac to avoid cross contamination. It’s not that hard.

Several people have suggested chilli - great idea. Serve with rice. Salad. Maybe some guacamole and sour cream on the side.

Eton mess for pudding made with bought meringues.

Simple and tasty.

'Are you having a laugh?' Would have been my response. However I'm not a mug or pushover!

Yes, that's what struck me. Did they think it wasn't going to happen because you clearly didn't invite or, and they know what your husband is like?
Check before mass catering. It's odd no one has been in touch.

He’s lucky to have you! Good luck!

Yes, this. I'm surprised you've had no "looking forward to Monday, what can I bring" type messages?

This is why I love mumsnet as it gives a little window into people's lives and reactions.
You seem so fine about this whereas I would be absolutely frantic and furious with DH, this would be a major problem for me to have this sprung on me but not everyone is me and you seem fine, just want some recipe ideas.

I would ask your husband to send the following message to everyone:

‘Sorry to disappoint at late notice, but we’re unable to host a gathering on Monday after all. I forgot to tell my wife that I had organised this event and she is not available.’

And then I would go out for the day on Monday just in case anyone turns up expecting a party.

I simply wouldn’t entertain it at all but then I’m not very sociable and need plenty of notice to even go to an event let alone host one. 😬

Alternatively, your husband can organise, cater and host the event.

I wouldn't be very thrilled to be invited to a lunch party to find I am being served McDonalds!!

Cold, old, delivery McDonalds at that 😭

M&S are doing two pizzas and two sides for £12. I would get three lots of them and also do jackets, salads and a bean chilli in the slow cooker. Hope all goes well.

How sad, to choose to punish him and risk ruining a party and your own and 18 others' day to prove you're not a mug or a pushover, as another pp said. It's a summer buffet for 18 people, at the end of the day - its annoying but not that hard. He's apologised and will be doing his fair share...op said how great he is, not that he's in the habit of expecting her to clean up his messes. Just lay out some tasty bits - mixed shop bought and home-made, veggie, gluten free and meat, section it off so it's clear, pop on a party playlist and message everyone to bring a bottle as he forgot to tell you. It family, isn't it? He's probably notorious for it and it will add to the fun. The suprise party of 2025 when the only one that didn't know was the host! X

I would do Harissa chicken. Marinade your chicken thighs/ drumsticks today in harissa paste and yoghurt. Chop red onion into wedges, chuck in a couple of tins of chickpeas, add courgettes, peppers and cherry tomatoes and thinly sliced lemon. Add chicken and a bit of olive oil, salt and pepper. Second pan without chicken for the vegetarians. Roast in the oven. Serve with couscous and rice/quinoa for the gluten free guests. There’s a bit of chopping but then minimal intervention.
cheese platter with apples and celery. Separate plate of crackers. Buy dessert.

Your husband invites 18 people over and then informs you 2 days before asking what he needed to do to "help" 🤣? I'd reply oh sorry didn't I tell you I was out all day on Monday? Have a lovely time though". Why on earth would you be scrabbling around to do something when HE invited people, did his ADHD invite them along too? Leave him to sort it, the reason he does this is because he knows you will run around and sort something, if you say absolutely not, I'm certain he wouldn't do it again.

How about a whole poached salmon with lots of different salads (I think you can get salmon frozen in some supermarkets), and then maybe a selection of things like mini pork pies, quiche, sausage rolls, cooked chicken and ham, all served with warm baguettes and lashings of lovely butter? Fresh fruit and cream for pudding.

This and if it isn’t a boiling hot day make an easy soup with a lot of oven rolls.

@Rasell Hopefully the OP is as chilled out and competent as you because I would find that massively stressful. Gluten free, vegan, mix of home made and shop bought? I would need several days to get my head round that 😂 (Plus a full day to clean the house).

Chilli with salads and tortilla chips just check your stock cubes for gf.

Can do a vegetarian version with quorn mince which would also be gf - the vegan quorn mince is not gf so be careful.

I am going to sound horrendously sexist here so apologies in advance but there is no way I would take an invite for a Bank Holiday get together seriously if it was from a man at an event where his wife was absent even more so if I hadn’t received confirmation afterwards. Nor would I contact the dw (unless she was one of my closest friends) to ask about it. So unless I had heard anything I would have made alternative plans for BH
Having said that - I hope it works out for you op and can’t wait to hear what food you decided to go for (some fabulous suggestions on here) and I hope your dh doesn’t feel too bad - shit happens and sounds like he is wanting to step up and make it a good day

He needs to confirm numbers first.

It's going to be very hot tomorrow so quiches, cheese, salads, nice breads and dips ,cold cuts etc presuming you have the fridge space.

Just go to Cook. This isn't a problem of your doing.

I'm chronically ill, so I make things as easy for myself as I can. I'm doing a family lunch next weekend which will be lots of cold deli type meats, cheeses, salads, some chicken thighs I cooked the night before, jacket potatoes and part baked rolls comes that morning, plus birthday cake.

With that many people I would add some quiches, more salads, and I would probably buy some desserts. Maybe a pavlova, some fresh fruit (strawberries, raspberries, grapes) a gateau or two. I'm very lucky and have sufficient plates etc for 40 people (we picked up loads when we were planning our wedding), but I think I would probably get better quality disposable plates and cutlery so that there wasn't much washing up to do afterwards.

Do you even have room and seating for 18 people?!

Thank you for some fantastic suggestions, I really appreciate it. We're off to Costco in a bit.

For those who have dissected my marriage to my awful husband on the strength of a couple of posts on an anonymous forum, please don't worry. 😂 We're 25 years happily married and the reason I'm not sitting on my arse leaving him to deal with 'his' guests is because these people are our friends, they're coming to our house and it's not the end of the world. Maybe I should have put 'lighthearted' in my OP for the frothers.

I love a gathering, it's all fine and I'm looking forward to it.

What’s the coeliac going to eat?

Sounds as if she's used to it. He won't change.
Good luck with it all, OP!