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Original poster

Does this sound like an okay party spread?

358 replies

bdaypartyfood · Yesterday 11:35

Currently planning a surprise 30th birthday for my partner and catering it ourselves. It’s a family party so a mix of ages and some children there! Probably about 60-70 people coming.

I’ve never really done a buffet before but my current plan is this:

Ham sandwiches (1x platter)
Cheese sandwiches (1x platter)
Egg mayo sandwiches (1/2 platter)
Tuna sandwiches (1/2 platter)

Cherry Tomatoes (500g bag)
Celery
Carrots (1kg bag cut into sticks)
Cucumber (2 whole cucumbers)
Pepper (1 pack of 3 peppers)
All served with various dips

Mini sausage rolls (50)
Cocktail sausages (50)
Vegetable spring rolls (24)
quorn cocktail sausages (1 pack, only one vegetarian that I know of!)

Cheese & onion crisps
Sweet chilli crisps
Salted crisps
Tortilla chips
Onion ring crisps
(All one big share bag per flavour)

Chicken bites (72 pack)
Cheese pizza (x2)

Breadsticks (2 packs)
Coleslaw (1 pack)

Strawberries (2 packs)
Grapes (2 packs)
Watermelon (1)

Fairy cakes (24)
Mini flapjack (20)
Mini brownies (20)
Mini rolls (20)

Also doing some gluten free sandwiches and some gluten free cakes (only one person is wheat intolerant not coeliac so no cross contamination concerns)

Obviously a proper birthday cake as well!

Does this sound like a good spread of food? Too much or not enough?

Trying to stick to a budget where possible as the room hire was expensive!

Thanks in advance for advice!

OP posts:
Notsosweetcaroline · Yesterday 16:56

Persephonia1966 · Yesterday 16:47

I don't think you are thick at all! And I think it's completely reasonable to work within budget and stick to it. But the budget you have is quite small to feed lots of people. My suggestions would be

  1. Tell people it's nibbles, so they aren't expecting a full meals worth of food
  2. Ask other people to help. You don't need to ask for money. But you can suggest a completely optional "bring a desert" type thing. Out of seventy people there will be several who will want to do this so then you have a lot of cake/desert type options.
  3. Alternatively For people close to you and your husband it's not cheeky to ask them to help by bringing a salad they make really well or something. I wouldn't do that for every guest (and that would be too much food and chaos) but I am guessing there will be family members etc who might also be happy to chip in with making the event nice by helping out. If another person is doing salad or sausages rolls or bread then you have more money to bulk up the rest.
Show quote history

The thing is as much as I agree with this, many people will be thrown at the thought of how big it may have to be, and will be uncomfortable with a regular size dish

but I think the bigger issue here is the drinks.

Cotton55 · Yesterday 16:56

bdaypartyfood · Yesterday 14:54

I appreciate all of the kind advice, and those who have shared helpful tips! To be perfectly honest I’m just trying to do a nice surprise for my partner after a really shit year for his big birthday, I’m not trying to make it the most classy or interesting buffet people will ever have!

I am feeling a bit dejected by some of the comments saying I’m thick for not realising it’s not enough, or that I don’t care about what I’m doing. I’ve put so much time and thought into this party (including keeping it a surprise) so that’s truly not the case, but I guess that’s Mumsnet for you!

I don’t mind if it’s boring if there is enough. For a bit more context, there was a party for his family last year with a buffet much like the food I listed, and it was what people happily ate, so I am going off their tastes and opinions. There’s no point me serving pates and olives if no one will eat them! Similar with the sandwiches, I know they’ll want plain ham, maybe roast beef etc, nothing interesting but it’s what I know everyone eats

The party starts at 7pm so not exactly over dinner time (people can eat before they come) so it doesn’t need to be a full on wedding breakfast menu.

I will have a rethink on quantities but I genuinely don’t have £500-£700 for food! We’ve just bought our first home and money is tight. I can manage about £200 for food and that’s a big push.

If anyone has any helpful ideas on how to make that go far please do share! I know it’s all ultra processed etc but none of them will care about that at all. I don’t want people hungry but I don’t want to waste money I don’t have either.

Im sending out invites soon so perhaps I’m better saying “snacks provided” rather than saying it’s a proper buffet

Some people are so rude OP. It sounds like you've put a lot of thought into it and i'm sure your DP will be delighted on the night! Especially knowing the effort you've put into planning it.

Maybe do as you suggested and put 'light bites' or similar wording on the invitations so everyone knows to have their main meal before they arrive. Most of the parties we've gone to lately (mainly 50th's or 60th's) have just had platters of mixed nibbley foods such as cocktail sausages, wedges, spring rolls, onion rings, chicken skewers or wings, some vegetarian nibbles etc. All stodgy and not too healthy but no one cares on the night. And they are always polished off quickly. They are usually supplied by the venue though. Many chippers or Chinese takeaways offer platters for parties too so that may be an option.

I think it really depends on the time of the party though. What i was suggesting above would be for evening parties so no one would be expecting to be fed a full meal amount.

Kokonimater · Yesterday 16:58

what about the vegetarians?

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

General food
Quitelikeit · Yesterday 16:59

£200 is plenty to feed that many

however you are missing a trick! Check out Morrisons food to order - you can get some great, high volume platters for a very reasonable price

They do an amazing charcuterie type platter for £12 and you get 90 pieces with it!

And you pick it all up on the morning of the event nice and fresh!

Quitelikeit · Yesterday 17:00

Plus they do a 1.1kg fruit platter for £10!

wfhwfh · Yesterday 17:02

Just an idea but could you also say “Feel free to bring a dish for the buffet” on the invites? If someone is (say) a keen baker they might be really happy of an excuse to bring in some of their dish. Obviously you cant rely on it - but it might help inject some additional variety (and quantity) without further work or cost. Then you can rely just focus on the staples.

This would be seen as a very reasonable approach in my family because catering for 60+ people is a lot. And youre wording it in a way that it isnt an expectation or an obligation.

Mammyloveswine · Yesterday 17:02

I’d add 2x corned beef and potato pies, 2 x egg and bacon pies, 2 x veggie quiches, selection of pate and crackers, salamis/cured meats, a tomato based pasta salad and tuna and sweetcorn pasta salad

ShutupLwren · Yesterday 17:02

@bdaypartyfood bless you, what a nice thing you’re doing!

£200 isn’t enough to cater realistically, you’ve too many guests. And as lovely as the alternative suggestions are you know your audience. I made quite a lavish buffet once, all handmade and very boujee and the reception was very mixed. Lots of people you don’t expect to be beige eaters actually are. I have friends that want all homemade quiches and various salads and homemade pate and sourdough, then I’ve got friends who would pick diced onion out of a hash brown, you have to know who you’re catering for.

I would definitely just provide snacks for 200 and quite honestly if there is a chippy locally, let people go buy themselves some bits.

This is a party, not a wedding. Snacks are fine! If you could have hot foods there I’d help you do a menu with some chilli and potato skins & nachos or curry and rice and other bits that could cater for 100s and keep costs down but a cold buffet is often more expensive.

I think snacks are your best bet here and some puddings. Enjoy the party, don’t feel disheartened, a few years ago I could have done a massive buffet for your budget with the cost of everything these days £200 goes nowhere x

Greyover · Yesterday 17:05

Terfedout · Yesterday 15:24

You absolutely do not need 28 loaves of bread!

Show quote history

I agree, that's a crazy amount, about 6 slices each! People eat probably one round of sandwiches, so 2 slices each.

OP I'm sorry you're getting a hard time on here. If you're happy with the sort of food you've chosen, Id go with a round of sandwiches each, maybe 2 slices of pizza, a small slice of quiche each, make loads of homemade garlic bread, a few cherry tomatoes per person, pasta/couscous salads (maybe 2 tbsn each) plus a couple of cocktail sausages each. If you picture that on a plate, it's plenty. If you wanted to do more veg or something a bit less carb heavy, we can give you lots of ideas. For pudding, why not just buy strawberries (maybe 150g each) and put jugs of cream out. That, with cake will be plenty.

Bigcat25 · Yesterday 17:05

I disagree op only has enough for 10 people or needs 2-3 times more. Some of the nibbles like strawberries and tomatoes I don't think you need enough for everyone, as she has such a wide selection that everyone will have bits of this and that. Plus all the food that wasn't listed in the op but in later posts.

LeopardPrintEverything · Yesterday 17:07

The one thing I’d do is up the quantity of pizza, folk love a pizza at a buffet! Have you thought about getting in a big pizza order from Dominos - they usually do 50% off so you’d get much more bang for your buck! And have less faffing about with other stuff.

Sookisssss · Yesterday 17:07

Notsosweetcaroline · Yesterday 16:56

The thing is as much as I agree with this, many people will be thrown at the thought of how big it may have to be, and will be uncomfortable with a regular size dish

but I think the bigger issue here is the drinks.

Show quote history

Why do people keep mentioning the drinks? 😂 People buy their own drinks at birthday parties.

placemats · Yesterday 17:07

Quitelikeit · Yesterday 16:59

£200 is plenty to feed that many

however you are missing a trick! Check out Morrisons food to order - you can get some great, high volume platters for a very reasonable price

They do an amazing charcuterie type platter for £12 and you get 90 pieces with it!

And you pick it all up on the morning of the event nice and fresh!

It works out, at a push, at £3.00 per person and can't be achieved if a buffet.

Nibbles/snacks is the way to go.

MiniPantherOwner · Yesterday 17:09

I used to work in catering, so I'm used to providing buffets for that many people. I don't want to put you off, but for someone with no experience making that many sandwiches is a massive undertaking. Do you have anywhere to refrigerate that much food? You do not want the food to be at room temperature for more than a couple of hours and that will be while people are actually eating the buffet. In terms of amount of food, we always calculated 3/4 of a sandwich per person, which usually had leftovers, but this was for people at work. People may well eat more if they're drinking and grazing.

I would suggest if you really want to make sandwiches you price it up accordingly. You will probably need more than you think, for example one egg makes one round of egg mayo sandwiches. There is no point having one random pot of coleslaw or four pizzas. In my experience the crudites get left, but the kids might like them. Things like sausage rolls and spring rolls are popular and you will need at least one per person depending on how many different types you're serving. I would suggest costing it up at somewhere like Iceland.

It might be worthwhile seeing how expensive it would be to have enough take away pizzas ordered. It might not be much more expensive than trying to cater it yourself, especially if you can find somewhere with offers on. It will be much less hassle for you. If you can't afford to provide enough food at a budget you can afford, I'd change the party to drinks and nibbles, so everyone knows to eat before they come.

Also, there's nothing wrong with a beige buffet if that's what your family will enjoy. Some of the suggestions on this thread would have very much been largely ignored where I worked.

Quitelikeit · Yesterday 17:09

Sainsbury’s also do food to order

placemats · Yesterday 17:10

Mammyloveswine · Yesterday 17:02

I’d add 2x corned beef and potato pies, 2 x egg and bacon pies, 2 x veggie quiches, selection of pate and crackers, salamis/cured meats, a tomato based pasta salad and tuna and sweetcorn pasta salad

The maximum spend is £200 all in for 60/70 people.

Creamice · Yesterday 17:10

bdaypartyfood · Yesterday 11:46

I did think that but also thinking not everyone will eat every option! Plus of the 60-70 people at least 10 are under 10 so small appetite!

I might add on another bag of mini sausage rolls though as that would then be 100 so more than enough of them!

Show quote history

What a lovely idea to do a surprise party! Hope you all have a wonderful time.

since you asked about food… The under 10s may well eat 10 sausage rolls each!

also please make sure any packets / ingredients are viewable for those with allergies that you may not be aware of. You could just take a photo of these. Lots of foods have “hidden” ingredients eg salt and vinegar crisps can sometimes contain dairy.

Dandeloosha · Yesterday 17:11

Sookisssss · Yesterday 15:14

I have twice had barbecues and posted on here. Everyone was screaming and shouting that I wouldn’t have enough. I had to throw enormous amounts away both times and that was with ignoring Mumsnet.

🥪 Sandwiches — the main eventAim for 130 whole sandwiches = 260 halves.
Filling Whole sandwiches
Ham 40
Egg mayo 30
Tuna mayo 25
Cheese 25
Ham & cheese 10
Total 130
I'd actually make ham the biggest quantity, as it's usually the safest crowd-pleaser.
Buy approximately:

  • 26–28 loaves sliced bread
  • 3 kg ham
  • 36 eggs
  • 10–12 tins tuna
  • 2.5 kg cheese
  • 4–5 jars mayonnaise
  • Butter/spread
🌭 Sausage rolls — coldYou can absolutely serve sausage rolls cold.
  • 180 mini sausage rolls
  • Or around 60 large ones, cut into thirds
I'd favour mini ones, because people can take a couple without filling their plate with one item.

🍝 Cold pastaMake a big cold pasta salad.

  • 3 kg dry pasta
  • 2–2.5 kg pasta salad ingredients/dressing
  • Sweetcorn
  • Peppers
  • Cheese
  • Mayo or a light dressing
You don't need 4 kg now because the sandwiches and sausage rolls are doing more of the work.
  • 🥔 Crisps15 large sharing bags
  • Mix of ready salted, cheese & onion, salt & vinegar, etc.
Put them into bowls so people can help themselves.

🥚 A few extra cold fillersI'd add:

  • 30 Scotch eggs, halved
  • 2–3 packs cocktail sausages, served cold
  • 2 large packs pork pies, cut into slices
  • 2–3 packs tortilla wraps, sliced into pinwheels if you want something different
You don't necessarily need all of these — they're your cheap insurance against running out.

🍰 If you're also providing dessertI'd keep dessert simple:

  • 70 pieces of cake/brownie
  • 2–3 large packs of biscuits
  • Fruit if wanted

🛒 My exact shopping list for 70Sandwiches — 260 halvesBread

  • 28 × 800g white sliced loaves
  • This gives you plenty of bread and some spare.
Ham
  • 10 × 300g packs = 3kg ham
  • Use generously on the ham sandwiches.
Cheese
  • 3 × 900g blocks = 2.7kg
  • I'd buy blocks and slice them yourself — much cheaper than individual slices. Aldi currently lists 900g mild cheddar at £4.85.
Egg
  • 3 × 15-pack eggs = 45 eggs
  • Use about 30–36 for egg mayo and keep the remainder as backup.
Tuna
  • 10–12 tins tuna
Mayonnaise
  • 4 large jars/bottles
Butter/spread
  • 2 tubs
Sandwich quantities
  • 40 whole ham
  • 30 whole egg mayo
  • 25 whole tuna mayo
  • 25 whole cheese
  • 10 whole ham & cheese
That's 130 whole sandwiches / 260 halves. 🌭 Sausage rollsThis is where Aldi is particularly useful.
  • 20 × 8-pack sausage rolls = 160 sausage rolls
At the current listed price of about 95p per 8-pack, that's only around £19. You don't need to heat them — serve cold. I'd actually put out perhaps 120 initially and keep the remaining 40 in reserve. 🍝 Big cold pasta saladBuy:
  • 3 × 1kg bags pasta
  • 3 jars mayonnaise
  • 4 tins sweetcorn
  • 3 peppers
  • 1kg grated cheese
  • Optional: cucumber/tomatoes if you want a little colour
Cook the pasta beforehand, cool it completely, mix it up and refrigerate. 3kg dry pasta will make a seriously large bowl, so this is excellent insurance against running out. 🥔 CrispsBuy:
  • 15 large bags/sharing bags
I'd get mostly:
  • Ready salted
  • Cheese & onion
  • Salt & vinegar
  • Prawn cocktail
Don't put all 15 bags out at once. Put out 8–10 bags, then replenish from the spare ones. 🥚 Extra cold buffet foodI'd add these because they're cheap and make the table look much fuller:
  • 30 Scotch eggs
  • 2 large packs pork pies
  • 3 packs cocktail sausages
  • 2 packs mini Babybel or similar cheese snacks, if budget allows
Cut the Scotch eggs and pork pies into halves/slices so they go further. 💷 Rough budgetI'd expect something along these lines: Item Budget 28 loaves £16 3kg ham £16 2.7kg cheese £15 45 eggs £9 Tuna £10–£12 Mayonnaise £8–£10 Butter £4 20 packs sausage rolls £19 3kg pasta £5–£7 Pasta salad ingredients £12–£15 15 bags crisps £15–£20 Scotch eggs £10–£15 Pork pies £5–£8 Cocktail sausages £5–£8 Estimated total ~£154–£174 So you've got £25–£45 left over.
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Don’t listen to ChatGPT! It has just catered half a loaf per person!!

HollyhocksandPeons · Yesterday 17:11

50-60 people. Also - 1 bag of cherry tomatoes 500 g....

Quitelikeit · Yesterday 17:12

😂😂 buffet threads on MN always go crazy!!!

SeanMean · Yesterday 17:13

Way, way, way more food needed!

Quitelikeit · Yesterday 17:14

28 loafs 😂😂

Christ op that’s a lot to undertake on your own!

ReadingTime · Yesterday 17:15

One thing to bear in mind - I learnt this the hard way - is that big quantities of sandwiches take a lot longer to make than you think they will. So you’re going to need to rope in helpers. Depending on how much time you have, and how much help, putting out say 15 baguettes cut into slices and a good selection of cheeses from Costco could end up being much quicker and easier than making lots of sandwiches.

Other cheap and filling but nice food for a buffet is pasta salad and potato salad. Kids usually like pasta salad if it’s just pasta, red pesto, sweetcorn and some peppers chopped up small. Could you ask a few people to bring specific things to help with the cost too? I would forget the chips from the chippy, they’re only nice for a few minutes, but I think everything else on your latest list sounds great. I’m sorry people have been rude and I hope you all have a brilliant time.

itsgettingweird · Yesterday 17:16

Personally I think you need to double nearly everything. 100 sausage rolls and sausages. 2 sandwich platters, 4 grapes and strawberries etc.

Make sure if you do over cater (which is better than undercatering) you have clip lock tubs and a cool bag in the car!

Livingthebestlife · Yesterday 17:16

All the people telling you to provide alcohol and soft drinks, you don't need to do this, people can buy their own drinks if the venue has a bar or if it's a venue that lets you BYOB then they can do that.

Also, the suggestions of bringing in air fryers and slow cookers, I'd also check if the venue allows this.