To not do food for party

[ttctimeforme]

If you went to an party in the evening at a venue, around 7:30pm onwards.. would you expect food to be provided?

100% yes

At 7:30 yes I’d expect some kind of food plan even if it was “we are ordering from x”
and buying my own.

8:30/9 and I’d be more unsure if there would be food and would consider checking!

Not donuts / cakes. Any or some of these:
Bagels with cream cheese
Rolls / sandwiches
sausage rolls
samosas
Cornish pasties
pizza slices
Quiche slices
crisps and nuts

Yes I would definitely expect savoury food. For the time, effort and present guests are providing to not supply food is not good!

7.30 start. I would expect food around 8.30-9.00.

Local Indians can usually do massive pots of biryani very cheaply, you can then just buy some disposable plates and cutlery, from Amazon.

I don’t think you can give people donuts. The mind boggles.

Yes, I’d be very disappointed with no food option. Savoury not sweet.
doesn’t have to cost a fortune.

Pizza delivery for 8.30pm. 3/4 slices per person if only pizza being brought. Or do some salads and get a friend to take them.

Pizza places.will often do a deal if you call them in advance.

Yes I'd expect food and it to be savoury food not cakes and donuts.

Nope - 7.30pm onwards is dinnertime for most adults and if people are travelling / coming from work, they probably won't have eaten since lunch time.

As a PP said, you'll end up with a load of either very drunk / hangry guests or an empty room after everybody has fucked off by 9pm to get something to eat.

And from a personal point of view, I'm not a cake lover and really wouldn't thank you for that - I'd turn my nose up at a doughnut even if I was starving (first world problems and all that).

It's not a big party, just something small with 30-40 close friends and family

No caterers that I can find on google really in this area unfortunately

I had a look at getting the sandwiches from m&s and they had wraps etc too but then sandwiches and wraps aren't enough either on their own are they..

The pizza idea could work but would this look a bit naff I'm not sure?

I don't know when I'll be able to get to the party to set up either

If I manage to pull this party off without getting caught out I'll be amazed 😅

Yes

Costco do big party food platters, could that work?

If it’s at a bar I would expect it to start a bit later and wouldn’t expect food. If the venue offers no food it could be tricky getting plates for bought food, who will wash up - will the venue allow it? Could you start it later and tell people to eat first?

Could you pay a local food truck to come do food? We have loads around our area....Mexican, pizza, bbq, Indian, fish and chips etc etc You can agree they only prepare 1 or 2 dishes, prepay for a set amount, and then let them serve.

Yes I'd expect food, at any hour. Feeding people is essential at a party imo. I don't see it as optional.

@WaddleAway it would if I was anywhere close, I had considered that too but it's a 3 hour round trip

An evening party with drink, cake and donuts sounds very odd. Have you ever been to a party like that OP?

Morrisons do great cheeseboard sets and scones with cream and jam etc. they come all boxed up so you could just open them up when you get there. A friend had them for her 50th and they were really good!

@PaperFun the idea of beige buffet food that's been cooked hours before an transported to a venue really doesn't appeal to me so it's not something I'd usually be fussed about at a party 😅

M and S wraps with crisps is fine.

Better to have no party than the one you are suggesting

@Thatiswild that's good to know, I looked on their website earlier and it kept crashing. I'll have to go and have a look in store

Ask the venue if they know anyone who can cater. Chances are they'll have dealt with this before.

Should be something savoury to eat with alcohol. Can’t just have sweet food at a party.

Yes I would expect food.

@ChefsSalad I did ask but they said no they don't offer food and that was the end of it, it's quite a small town and I haven't been able to find any caterers when looking on google. I expect people usually bring their own food