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?!

I think Chinese is the safer option. I never met anyone who doesn't like Chinese but I know plenty that wouldn't eat Indian

I organised a work related event with an Indian food buffet once and it was amazing, I could have eaten the curry all day!

I would be equally happy with Chinese food.

And I now feel sad I'm already married. Because a Chinese buffet evening reception sounds most awesome.

Mind you we had burgers, wedges and and ice cream bar at our evening do, many years before it was trendy

Fab idea. Although my portion control on Indian or Chinese starters is an embarrassment....

This is the best idea, can I come?!

Sounds amazing! I’d be in my element!

I would bloody love it However, the food snobs won't. My mother loves good food and couldn't think of anything worse than a buffet of Chinese food.

Oh abs definitely Chinese over Indian, I don’t know anyone who dislikes Chinese food but I know plenty of people who have issues/fussy surrounding Indian food.

Sounds great! I suspect Chinese would be easier to cater for dietary requirements and small kids (every Chinese does omelette and chips, doesn't it? So you could request those as part of the package I would think?), I would be delighted with either Indian or Chinese though tbh. Definitely would prefer having the company doing the dishing up, I'm still a bit wary of self-serve buffets. Plus you won't be having to worry about people getting over-excited and losing their sense of portion control!

Definitely a great option, just take care with allergies!

Surprised that so many people prefer Chinese to Indian. I know a few people that say they hate Chinese, although it's usually because they have a weird and limited perspective of what Chinese food is. But I've never heard anyone say they don't like Indian food.

Plus Indian food is so much easier to cater for vegetarians and vegans as so much of it is naturally that way. All you have to do is have at least half of it vegetarian, with a couple of meat choices and everyone's happy.

Good. But:

1. Messy. Lots of sauces and slippery foods that are not finger foods. So people must be able to sit down to eat.

2. Veggie / vegan foods need to be clearly labelled, grouped together and clearly separated from the rest, placed beyond the end of the rest (so the omnivores don't take it all inadvertently).

@BarbaraofSeville using a new Indian restaurant is nerve wracking as a vegan! Wondering if you’ll be able to have anything or if it all contains ghee. Dairy isn’t used in Chinese food so isn’t a concern there, although I guess you have to be more wary about egg in rice/noodles.

I would be delighted to discover either a Chinese or an Indian buffet at a party. I have a slight preference for Indian over Chinese (lots of lovely veggie/vegan options), but Chinese is probably more palatable to a wider range of people.

This sounds like a good idea! Better than the usual stale sandwiches at buffets

I'd love it.

My sister is planning to do this for her wedding!! Glad it’s getting so much love on here

Can I have two votes please? I love both Chinese and Indian food. Could you do a mix? And then invite me? Pretty please

Amazing idea. Could you get a couple of grazing boxes or something if you have coeliac coming? Realistically they will have chips and those who don't like Chinese could eat chips. You are never going to please everyone.

I'd be there with bells on!!

A friend had Chinese food at a wedding and it went down a treat! Especially the stir fry noodles, just what you need to soak up alcohol 👌🏽

What will you provide for vegetarians and people will allergies?

@motogogo

Sounds good though might be quite expensive.

Well it will be now that half of of MN are coming 😂 it’s a yes please from me!

@ILoveAllRainbowsx

I think Indian would be better as they would cater for vegetarians.

I don't like Chinese food.

Theres plenty of veggie Chinese food.