Quick Buffet Poll (Help please!)

[Buffetornot]

OK everyone, quick poll here.

Hosting a party for about 50 people next week. It's at a venue and the time is from 7-9pm so not over a meal time.

Not many drinkers, so providing tea and coffee, cash bar if anyone wants a drink.

I have a large cake, brownies, selection of crisps, a sweet station so everyone can make a pic n mix. Is this enough, would you expect a full buffet?

YABU- Yes, provide some sandwiches and sausage rolls you miserable git.

YANBU- Everyone will have eaten already, snacks are fine.

@SpeedbirdSquawker didn't mean to laugh at yours, was supposed to be the weird thread post!

7pm is prime time to expect an evening meal. Regardless, your buffet has far too much sweet stuff. Rein that in, and add a something robust and savoury stuff. Baguettes, quiche etc

Unless you specifically told me otherwise then I wouldn't wag beforehand because I'd assume I'd need to save room for the buffet 😜

It doesn't sound much of a party if it starts at 7pm and ends at 9pm - what is the occasion? Hot drinks and cake sounds like something that would better held in the afternoon.

Will it come to an abrupt end at 9pm? Maybe everyone will head out to a restaurant to eat afterwards?

I would be expecting a buffet not just tea and cake.

I think you need you need some savoury foods ideally with a bit of protein in them as a lot if people cant eat crips and cake without making themselves unwell. A few sandwiches or little pastry things with tuna, cheese, meat maybe?

Even my primary school children haven't had diner by 7pm. Unless they are in hospital, I don't know any adult who has diner by then either. So a group of 50 people?

Plenty of adults, including me, eat before 7. I don’t know why so many people on MN are puzzled by the fact that so many people eat at a different time from them. I know that many people eat later than I do but it doesn’t perplex me.

Though to me you feed people at a party regardless of what time it is as it’s just a basic part of hosting so yes I’d definitely include savoury options.

You absolutely need to provide savoury food and to have enough for everyone as you have scheduled your party for literal dinner time. If you want the timing to signal that you won’t provide a meal you need to go for 5pm (cocktail hour) or 9pm.

It doesn't follow that the guests will have had their main meal by that time - if you're invited to a party, a lot of people will assume there's some food on of some sort so won't have eaten much beforehand

It's not a full blown party, more like a gathering I suppose. Everyone will be driving so no booze required.

It will end at 9 and I'd expect some to head away before then.

As I've said before I'll get some sandwiches, sausage rolls and other savouries too.

What sort of party is it? 7-9 for adults with mostly tea and coffee doesn't say party to me.

"Looking to keep it simple. The guests will have eaten their main meal by this time"

Do they know they're supposed to have eaten their main meal or are you just assuming that? 7-9 is dinner tine. I would not have eaten and I'd be expecting dinner.

I would definitely be wanting some savoury food - I could manage without anything sweet to be honest, and I have quite a sweet tooth. I would be very very disappointed to find only sweet things.

It's also a weird time for sandwiches. That's more of an afternoon tea.

If OP says they will have eaten their main meal, I trust they know that's true. I prefer to eat at six, so it's not unheard of, though if I'm getting ready for a party to start at 7, that might conflict with my usual mealtime, particularly if I expect to be fed at the gathering.

I'd always rather have too much than too little, especially if you choose things that can be frozen or that will last for a few days after the party so you can use up the leftovers.

Exactly, you want a spread of some sausage rolls or sandwiches or something, and besides pick and mix sweets will just make my wine taste funny 😁

Definitely meal time.

I’d love a pic and mix at a party personally but I’d still be looking for savoury options.

I would expect to be fed at an event starting at 7pm. I'd probably expect there to be hot food too!

OP how about a couple of crock pots of chilli / veggie curry type thing and some rice.

Even better if all dishes are veggie as cheap!

Then scatter some naan breads about and popadoms / chutney and kind a goodun.

I’m intrigued by what sort of party / gathering this is. Adults, 2 hours only, finishing at 9pm and with sweets to take home…where do I get an invite?!

All that bready stuff is essentially just more sugars. Personally I'd prefer sales, soups, something warm. Big pot of chili would be great. Lentil salad. Beetroot salad.

It will end at 9 and I'd expect some to head away before then
I don't know why but I've now got a mental image of you checking your watch or shooing them out with a broom if it's nearer 10 or later
😁

You say everyone will be driving but what about people who are coming with their partners or family?

And if I was expected to be somewhere by 7 I’m guessing I’ve left home at say 6.30 so I will have needed to eat at 6, which wouldn’t leave me much time after work to prepare. Don’t assume people will have eaten.

Make sure you have mainly veggie food - the meat eaters will definitely want to eat the non-meat options too, so it’s the best way to ensure the vegetarians get enough to eat.

I have main meal at lunchtime and a snack around 5-6pm usually, late main meal is only if I’m going out or hosting.

I have to bring the food in so hot food would add another layer of faff into it.

OK with cold buffet food though.