AIBU to panic about catering for 40 people

[M0rven]

I have 40 people coming for lunch next weekend for a family party. I'm not a confident hostess or cook so I'm now getting a bit stressed.

WIBU to just do a cold buffet ? I was thinking cold meat, cheese, salads .

It's mostly teenagers so I was going to get sausages / burgers for them to BBQ if it's dry .

How do I know the right quantities ?

Any tips / suggestions welcome .

[lasttimeround]

But also pizzas, everyone loves them and veggie options exist.

[DoItTooJulia]

I went to party with this many people and the hosts just put trays of chocolate bars opened up and broken into pieces, or those grab bags emptied out. Maltesers, minty areos, boost bites, giant buttons, minstrels, m and ms, chunks of dairy milk, anything you can get your hands on.

I think there was a sweetie one too.

[HeCantBeSerious]

some cheeses as extra or girl the veggies olives, some salad cherry tomatoes butter.

Lucky veggies. I'd feel really welcome if all I got was bread, butter and cheese while everyone else had a stew.

[lasttimeround]

Yep not best for veggies I usually make a veg stew too but op said she's not so confident cooking.

[lasttimeround]

Or maybe it's a bad idea - the groups i make this for all eat pork. And I guess I make some veggie stuff. The stew is more like something you mop up with bread rather than a big hot meal but... I dunno...as you were... give them all pizza and be done w'it

[MatildaTheCat]

Do you live within a delivery area for Cook? They do very good large quiches, sides of salmon etc. I would consider getting the BBQ on and serving the teens and younger DC first with canapés and nibbles for the adults then starting the buffet for the adults in a civilised way. You will need plenty of fridge space though as it may be very warm next weekend.

A naice soft drink is elderflower cordial with lots of ice and a few sprigs of mint served in big jugs.

[44PumpLane]

I second that Linda McCartney Mozzarella burgers are delicious and substantial.

Veggie quiches could be home made the day before and would be good for all?

Pud - bananas with chocolate down the length of them, wrapped in foil and shoved on the BBQ at the end and served with cream or ice cream!

As to catering for veggies- BBQ stuff is covered with Linda M sausages and burgers, veggie quiche, veggie pizza, potato salad, pasta salad, bruschetta (goats cheese and caramelised onion and/or tomato and mozzarella), crudités, tortillas and home made dips (pea and feta, Nigellas Roquamole- takes 2 mins and would be a big hit with all), salsa. All the above veggie food would no doubt be a hit with the omnivores as I love all the above and am not veggie!

[lasttimeround]

I think bbq ing stuff is actually quite hard. First it's too hot and things get charred then its too cold and nothing cooks for ages. Stresses me out but probably depends on kind of kit up have. Or just grill in the kitchen.

[MolesBreathless]

We've used Sainsbury's party food a few times now and it is so good - really fresh, lots of variety and they give you a guide of how much to order.

It does feel like an additional expense, but once you factor in the time, ingredients, stress and waste that you are saving yourself, it works out as a huge bargain.

You can even hire glasses from them at the same time!

[ChasedByBees]

I've never heard of Costco.

I would do a chilli but make it the night before so you only need to reheat it. But the cold buffet idea sounds good too.

The problem for me with a cold buffet is I find it harder to get portions right and always end up with tons of left overs.

[Theimpossiblegirl]

Last time I catered for a big group I cooked BBQ pulled pork the day before and served it buffet style with bread, crudites, cheeses, dips and salad. Any leftover pork (I did 3 joints) can be frozen and used again and all other leftovers were used for lunch over the next few days. Can you ask everyone to bring a pud?

[lasttimeround]

I'm glad I'm not the only one who has served mainly a pork dish. From memory I'm not sure there's always another main rather than cheeses dips and bread

[MillionToOneChances]

Personally I would keep it simple and serve teens the same as everyone else.

[M0rven]

Thank you everyone for your very helpful suggestions. I have taken lots of notes and have made up shopping lists.

I only have 2/40 vegetarians but I will make sure they are not deprived. I'm very careful about this because I am gluten free and have unhappy memories of the time I was a guest at a BBQ and the only things that were GF were shredded iceberg lettuce and grated cheese . Everyone else had burgers, buns, sausages, salad with croutons, pasta salad etc

Which was an improvement on the time when there was literally nothing I could eat at all, as the only food was pizza and pakora followed by pastries , cakes and biscuits. Even the crisps were fancy ones with gluten .

And the wedding in the 5star hotel where I was served boiled potatoes and a dry chicken breast because the roast potatoes, sauces and vegetables had flour added to them .

Or the other wedding where I waited for about 20 mins after everyone had been served. The other guests on my table were so embarrassed as they ate while I had nothing. Then I was suddenly presented with a large plate of curry ( which I can't eat ) so I had a few mouthfuls of rice ( watched by everyone on my table who had all finished ) before they cleared all the tables .

So I do my very best to ensure that I cater for any dietary requirements which I know about.

[brasty]

I am a meat eater who often eats the veggie food. But that is because I am not that keen on most meat things and prefer vegetarian a lot of the time.

[sashh]

I wouldn't BBQ but I'd get in pizza for the teens. It only takes 10 mins if you buy supermarket ready made.

If you have a slow cooker then you could do something like a chilli and the rest cold.

[M0rven]

We will only have the BBQ is the weather is good, but I'm not planning to do it, they can cook themselves . The youngest is 12, most of them are 15-16 and perfectly capable of cooking sausages and burgers.

I'm hoping it will keep them busy, get then out of the house and give us some peace and quiet

[justmyview]

I'd do mostly cold food, with lots of pizza, so everyone can have it. I think BBQ is added stress

[M0rven]

Thank you all.

I have decided to spend some of the budget on some prepared salads which I have ordered from M&S and to save by buying pizzas, adding extra toppings and cooking here ( we have a large oven ).

Weather forecast isn't great so BBQ many not happen anyway .

[TheGreatDessert]

I'm a grown up - I'd be jealous of the bbq...

Could you just do loads of bbq stuff, a few salads/dips and a variety of breads? (Don't forget the halloumi and veg kebabs for the vegetarians)

[TheGreatDessert]

Big fat cross post

[M0rven]

I will have meat free pizza, veg sausages and veg burgers as well as lots of salads ( dead animal free ) so the 2 vegetarians won't starve . And no gelatine in the puddings .

I've even got vegetarian marshmallows for the BBQ (that may not happen )

Rest assured , the grown ups will not be banned from the BBQ , it's just I think they will be hiding from the 20 teens and 5 kids ( wouldn't you ? )

Yes the neighbours have been warned.....they are lending me chairs and cutlery

[justmyview]

If you do have a BBQ, I think adults will end up supervising it, especially with lots of young children around. I suggest you get plenty of food, so that adults and children can tuck in

(I still think I wouldn't bother with BBQ myself)

[M0rven]

That's just, but there are no young children at all. There are 5 kids of older primary age and 20 teenagers , mostly 15-17 years old .

But I'm sensing a lack of enthusiasm for the BBQ here

[M0rven]

I mean thanks, just my view