To book a caterer for a party and then....

[TeaOneSugar]

add some extras?

DH would really like to have a 40th party, but I'm not keen on lots of expense, especially as we're already going away for a holiday, we're both 40 this year so it would be a joint party with probably up to 80/90 guests as DH would want to invite lots of people from work.

So I was thinking I could hire a caterer to do the basics, sandwiches, sausage rolls, quiche, crisps type of thing and then buy some extras like cheese & biscuits and cakes/desserts to make it a bit nicer.

Is this acceptable?

I don't relish the prospect of making lots of sandwiches, baking sausage rolls etc. as you really need to do them quite close to the time you want to serve them, I've done it before and it gets stressful.

Will I need to hide my extra's until after the caterer has delivered?

I've checked out the cost and the price per head shoots up by around £4/5 a head with cheese and desserts, which at 80 guests is £320/£400, I could buy/bake cakes and do a cheese board for a fraction of the cost.

Of course you can!!

Have you looked in to the entertaining packages with Waitrose (www.waitrose.com/home/entertaining.html) or M&S (www.marksandspencer.com/Food-to-Order-Food-Wine/b/72525031?extid=ps_ggl_FoodtoOrderBG_FoodtoOrderBG&kwid=31781438305_Google+Adwords) instead of getting a caterer in? You can get everything from full blown buffet with salmon to just canapes, tarts, or sandwiches.

I bet you can cut down your costs and also get the selection you want!

Aaagh, sorry about the links.

Here they are again...

Waitrose

M&S

Excellent plan 40, I might nick that idea myself!

Thanks 40 I'll have a look, waitrose don't deliver in my area, but we do have an M&S nearby.

it is a good idea, no need to hide things you pay caterer for what you order, what else you do is up to you. Think the ready done stuff from supermarket to pick up is a great ides, they come on platters and are good.

Your caterer won't care, as long as they are being paid for what they provide.

I second the M&S idea. The caterer will probably just bring the same brands that you can buy anyway.

YANBU to do it, YWBU to hide it.

You are paying them to provide a service. They provide the service, you pay them, the rest of your party is not their business. If they get huffy because you are doing extras yourself then they won't get much repeat business, will they?

Thanks for the reassurance everyone.

I'm going to have to speak to DH but I'm still tempted to let a caterer do the basics and then maybe order a cheese selection and some desserts from M&S to collect on the day.

I sound really lazy, but I'd rather avoid any reheating etc. on the day, although I'll happily bake some cakes the evening before.

I've googled further and a well known local caterer will do;

£4.25 Head

OUR FRESH BAKED FILLED ROLLS: CHOICE OF FILLINGS:
HOME COOKED TRADITIONAL HAM
TURKEY & STUFFING
FINEST CHEDDAR AND TOMATO
EGG MAYONNAISE WITH CRESS

 
SAVOURY CHEESE & HAM QUICHE
SAVOURY CHEESE & BROCCOLI QUICHE
GOLDEN CRUMBED SCOTCH EGGS
 

OUR OWN TRADITIONAL HAND MADE PORK PIE
FLAKY PASTRY COCKTAIL SAUSAGE ROLLS
COCKTAIL PORK SAUSAGES
CRISPS

This includes deliver, plates, cutlery, napkins etc. It's basic but should be good quality and with a nice cheese board and some cakes and desserts, it should be OK.

Now to look for a venue.