Is this enough food? Or do people expect a cooked dinner

[Erter]

I’m trying to figure out my birthday, any input would be greatly appreciated.

We’re going out for a posh lunch, musical (matineee) and then back to mine for games and cocktails.

Im going to get dh to put us out a charcuterie board (cheese, olives, pickles, fresh bread, chutneys, grapes, cured meat, pears, crackers), some sweet treats, crisps and dip, fruit and a few samosa, spring rolls, sausage rolls etc. This will probably be eaten at 7-7:30.

Bear in mind we will be drinking and going to bed very late. Do you reckon I will have to budget for a late night Chinese/Indian/Pizza.

Or the picky bits is fine?

If the picky bits together make a meal then no. Otherwise yes.

Sounds fine to me

I would just get a couple of large fresh pizzas in and do them with your picky bits. You won’t need anything else I wouldn’t have thought. Just get snacks

No picky bits Would not be enough imo

I think that’s fine as long as there is enough, make sure plenty of frozen samosas, maybe some spare sausage rolls or something then if you don’t get to them you can use them another time.

Get some large square pizzas to cut up and have some nice breads and it sounds fine.

I think that’s fine as long as there’s enough for say 2 decent plates each, and a good amount of carbs

Add some fancy breads to bulk it out, otherwise sounds good

Bulk it out as suggested and eat leftovers for breakfast if there are any

I’d do pizza as well as the picky food, people I’ll be hungry after and afternoon out and drinking. No need for takeaway pizza though, just get some supermarket pizzas in and serve with the other food.

Sounds like plenty to me, I don’t really eat once I’ve started drinking though!
I think in with the cheese I’d do a few baked Camembert’s (just cos they’re delicious), I’d be happy with a lighter more snacky dinner.

Surely it depends a bit on what you’re having for lunch - if it’s three courses or a tasting menu then I think what you’re putting on is more than enough!

Lunch will be three courses

Im thinking the picky bits is nice as people can figure out their appetites for themselves/graze when they find themselves hungry. A bit of freshness is nice after a heavy meal but we are celebrating after all.

Or should I sack the whole picky bits thing in and just Chinese plus snacks

Lots of alcohol needs carbs. As others have said add sone pizzas.

Either pizzas or cook a ham joint in advance and get some nice bread and sauces. Then people can at least make a sandwich.

If lunch was at say noon or 1 pm, then the musical, then drinks, I'd be starving by 7pm.

The picky things sound good, and I wouldn't expect a hot meal, but I'd want something a bit more substantial than a charcuterie board, fruit and beige things. Most of these can be prepped a day ahead (just ideas, not suggesting all!):

-With the dip, you could also have celery and carrot battons or a crusty baguette
-Frozen or fresh pizzas you cook at home, then add some rocket once cooked
-Quiche or fritatta
-These mini quiche things. I've added anything I have in- fresh or semi-dried tomatoes, bits of salami or ham, basil, different cheeses https://www.amummytoo.co.uk/filo-pastry-mini-quiches-great-for-kids-to-make-and-eat/
-Chicken drumsticks using foil as a handle. Either in a sticky, teriyaki sauce or crumbed
-Devilled and curried eggs

Can you have scrambled eggs and/or hot pizza at midnight if going to bed 'late' means 2am to 4am?

If people are up till midnight then some might need refreshments around half ten (I would).

If you go lighter on the cheese at 7/7.30 you could have Welsh rarebit at half ten.

As long as you have more bread/cheese than you think you’ll need, it’ll be great. You can always freeze the bread.

Ah yes, scrambled eggs- the preferred snack of the reveling masses.

That’s why scrambled egg shops can be found on every corner and open late on Friday and Saturday nights. Or, you can order online via JustEggs.

Think more carbs would be good to soak up alcohol.

Possibly preppare something that can be cooked later rather than budgetting for a takeaway for example frozen jacket potatoes with some grated chese humus tuna mayo etc. or bags of frozen chips or pizza’s.Possibly some desert options if people would want to nible at that. Wack potato wedges in the airfryer and have with dips and carrot peppers etc. Make a nachos. Hard to know with out knowing what you are eating but wouldn’t want to pay for a takeaway.

I’d definitely be hungry at 7pm if I hadn’t eaten from lunch. Do most people have lunch them only a snack?

if I’m honest I’d much prefer a take away than picky bits especially if it was scrambled egg 😂

I think it sounds fine but a couple of pizzas in case people are hungry is a good idea as appetites differ

Sounds fine to me. People can fill up on the bread if they are hungry. I wouldn't bother with pizza.

We have a party at our house every year with a big 5 course lunch plus cheese board. By 9pm (probably due to all the wine 🤣) everyone wants to eat again so I always make a massive lasagne before hand to stick in the oven. It always gets eaten!