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 you do a decent sized charcuterie board with lots of things on it plus plenty of cheese biscuits and bread, plus a few dips with chips it really should be very filling, and no need for crappy pizza slices. They’re great because people can eat as much or as little as they want.

Read this thread to my DH. "Scrambled eggs? What? I've never had ten pints and thought ooh scrambled eggs! Bit of ham, cheese, some nice bread, pork pie, sausage rolls need to be warm though. Maybe a slice of pizza. Everyone's happy"

Back in the 90s in the centre of Birmingham there was a café called Mr Egg, which offered fried eggs with everything and did a roaring trade late at night!

You could do a chilli in a slow cooker, leave it on while you're out (5 bean if you have veggies there too) then a load of micro rice. If you don't use it the rice will save and the chilli can be frozen.

Edited to say this is an easy vegan, dairy, nut and gluten free meal so is our go to to cover all the main allergies and dietry needs!

Picky bits are much better than a cooked dinner if you’ve had a big lunch imo. I couldn’t eat another full meal and I’d find it awkward to be served one.

Maybe just a couple of sliced pizzas or nice bread and food to add for those who want a bit of substance but definitely not a meal. Then people can eat as’ much or as little as they want.

Whilst a decent cheese and charcuterie board with plenty of bread will be fine a big pot of curry or chilli, (one veggie, one meat if you need) and a pan of rice will be much easier on the day. It can all be cooked the day before, simmering on the hob or as pp said in a slow cooker, cook the rice, whack poppadoms or tortilla chips in a bowl, mango chutney or sour cream. People help themselves.
Have a great birthday.

No one wants o be bothered with plates of chilli and rice when they are drinking and dancing. Just stick to your original plan, OP.

That sounds plenty after a big lunch. I'd not really want anything after the lunch bar a cup of tea and maybe a small snack.

A cold spread should be fine for an evening after a three course lunch. But maybe have a couple of pizzas in the freezer or fridge as a backup. Takeaway pizza is such a rip off. Or a pot of curry or chilli.

Who will want that after a (I assume) 3 course meal at lunch? Assuming adults not children/teenagers etc.

Just buy some supermarket fresh pizzas just in case. No need to do a takeaway

Sorry that’s not really celebratory. Charcuterie etc are much nicer for a party

Are you have a very early lunch? Otherwise I would get the later food out at 9ish, by the time you’ve had lunch and a musical and drinks, 7 seems very early to have dinner (seems early anyway even if you’re not doing that!). Just put some crisps/olives/etc. out when you serve drinks and have the cheese between 9-10.

I’d go for something like this as well. It’d be a shame if all those picky bits are left out as people might want to graze on them and not stored properly in the fridge again. It seems like hassle (when you’re maybe tired and merry) and a waste.

What about a couple of different pasta salads - penne and fresh pesto, and something tomato based, along with a home made baby potato salad ? Add some good quality garlic breads and maybe a sliced frittata.

One would presume so if they are going to a matinee.

…scrambled eggs…

I'm sure it doesn't matter if charcuterie sits out for 8 hours or so at a private party as it's salty enough to stay good. As @Erter mentions dancing etc I'd.want something to eat by 11 or midnight. It all depends on if people are sticking around till 2 a.m. or stopping at the chippie on the way home 11ish...

Would scrambled eggs sound better if I said with cheese chives and mushrooms, or smoked salmon, on heaps of buttered toast? Because that's what I meant!

No, still doesn’t sound any better.

Well posh doesn't always mean plentiful... And lunch could easily have been ages ago.

Are you Gen Z? What about chickpea flour scramble? Or battered banana flowers?

Scrambled eggs is a good shout but I prefer to set up my famous 'Omelette Station' after a night revelling.

Allow around half a dozen eggs per person and you can beat them the night before and keep is a massive bowl in the fridge to save prep on the big night. Have a selection of fillings - ham, cheese, anchovies, parsnips etc. Again, finely grate these ahead of time to make it easier once the booze is flowing.
Pro tip: get every herb and spice jar off your rack, take a big breakfast bowl and do 5-10 shakes of each jar into the bowl, stir gregariously to create an instant and tasty herb and spice mix to pep up even just a 'plain egger' omelette. Again can be made in advance and stored in a cupboard or on a shelf until needed.

If possible, rope your hubby in to be Chef d'Omelette on the night, to save you having to cook and possible disasters if inebriated. I got my hubby a custom made apron with a picture I photoshopped of Kanye West sat on a giant egg holding a whisk in place of a microphone with a speech bubble saying "Taylor, ome-lette you finish..." Guaranteed laffs. But it's your choice, just remember it's all about having fun!

I love a good curry, add in some samosa or pakoras and it would be a treat for me.
I mean if we're actually talking celebratory then I would want a whole table of nothing but delicious desserts and a prosecco fountain at the end. 😂

I've found since I have turned 40 I can't eat like I could in my 20s and my friends seem the same. Not sure of the age of OP of course, I did just assume, tbf!

What about a gigantic apple pie and a gigantic spanakopita