Chinese buffet at a party

[BrilliantBetty]

Once restrictions end we are having a party. Various things to celebrate.

It will be family and close friends, timings approx 7-11pm. About 40-50 people. A friend's band will play for a bit.

Instead of getting stressed out with organising the food and putting it all out myself I wanted to get it catered in some way.

The local deli does a lovely spread but I found their quote expensive. A friend had an Indian curry buffet a few years ago and it worked well!

DH has suggested Chinese food. His favourite.
I have looked in to the cost and it is actually a fairly 'cheap' option, making it doable for us. They even provide plates and cutlery and dish up/serve.

But is it a bit weird to be offered a Chinese buffet at a party? AIBU to think it's not quite right for a party in a hall...
or maybe it's a great idea?!

Depends. Does it include lots of crispy duck in pancakes? Crispy duck in pancakes is never unreasonable.

Sounds lovely to me.

I think it sounds awesome, as long as you'll have tables so people can sit down to eat, noodles etc don't lend themselves well to standing up eating.

You'd have to physically drag me away from a Chinese buffet and throw me out of your house when you want to go to bed.

Sounds fabulous

I would love this.

Sounds good to me!

I would love it

Love a buffet!

I’d fucking love this!

Tell me when and where - love a cheeky Chinese, be it on my sofa or at a party!

Can I come please ?

Fantastic if you go for meal deals it is very reasonable .
Have done it and everyone was happy and well fed.

sounds a whole lot better than bowls of crisps that are a weird flavour you can't quite decide what they are, platters of sandwiches that have gone a bit crispy at the edges and mushy in the middle, and some plates of cold, limp quiche.
Sorry, I may be unfairly assessing your catering skills here

A served buffet sounds a whole lot more hygienic that a help yourself affair.

@Thelnebriati

You'd have to physically drag me away from a Chinese buffet and throw me out of your house when you want to go to bed.

This ^

Do it.

I would LOVE a Chinese buffet!

Yes, sounds good.

Post covid, I wonder if people may be less keen on guests breathing all over self service buffets? Agree with a PP that having a served buffet may be more hygienic

Yes there would be tables and chairs. I would have to check if there'd be enough space for everyone to sit at the same time. I think it would be a squeeze.

PLEASE can I come??

The Chinese buffet in my town shut down before Covid and whenever I'm passing I stare mournfully through the front window.

Sounds great! My only concern would be whether they cater for vegetarians or other special diets, but if they can (or if that’s not an issue for any of your guests) it sounds fab.

Have you actually found a chinese restaurant that does this and can cater for this many?

How do they keep it all hot? Bain maries? Ovens? Do you supply these or them?

I agree that some people might be concerns about a buffet where everyone helps themselves

I'd include some vegetarian/vegan options. I'd also add the fact it is a chinese buffet on the invite. Some people have an allergy/aversion to MSG, or just don't eat Chinese food. (crazy people that is!)

I would love this! I hate ordering Chinese with people who want 1 dish to themselves. I want to have a little bit of everything. A buffet is perfect