AIBU to think this dinner spread will be enough for nine?

[geminicancerean]

Nine people for dinner tomorrow, 6 adults, 3 kids. It’s going to be really hot. 5 of the guests will have travelled some of the day.

I’ve actually been unwell this week so have relied on M&S to do the actual work. DH isn’t sure my planned spread is going to feed everybody so I’d like some opinions

I have bought:
2 quiches (one bacon and cheese, one cheese and onion)
2 packets hot flaked salmon
Ingredients for big Greek style salad (cucumber, tomatoes, red onion, feta etc)
Big bag of green salad
2 big pots of pasta, pesto and pine nut salad
6 sausage rolls
Big bag of M&S wotsits
Big bag of M&S bacon crisps
Huge double punnet of strawberries
Meringue nests
Cream
oh and cake

The sausage rolls and crisps are for whoever wants them but I obvs had the kids in mind picking those - I know all three kids like these things and eat them.

So that’s it. I think it’s enough. DH suspicious and thinks we might need ‘extras’.

Over to you Mumsnet (don’t worry, I’m braced for criticism and I can take it!)

Cake sounds good, hopefully your dh can get a few more savoury options and some more strawberries 😁 I think if your guests are all travelling to you it’s best to overcater so they’re not having to get a Greggs at the services on the way home (sausage roll between 4 mind just in case anyone is worrying that in this country we’ve forgotten what a portion size is)

May I have an invite to yours? 😁

I agree, everyone likes sausage rolls. Also you have not got enough strawberries, you will need another. I agree too with a pp that you should also be getting good quality bread and cheese, and what about some houmus and guacamole with sticks of celery and carrot ?

Well I didn’t base my cake on anything like this, but according to the size guide the OP posted, an 8 inch 2 tier cake should serve 14-18 people. So my 15 servings seems about right, no?

Tasty but yes, they’re 140g so not big.

You are very defensive so I dont really know why you bothered asking.

You need some protein.

oh right. I hadn’t read the full thread until now. You’re right - 2 big bowls of pasta probably too much!

That sounds like a terrible buffet!

You need at least double that plus bread

I think the selection is okay but the quantity needs to be more. 6 sausage rolls for 9 people? Idk. Maybe I just overbuy when having guests over but I always lean more to feeling like I'd rather have food left over than have anyone left feeling hungry or like they don't have enough options.

I'm sure you could just order some pizza or something just to go with. Or since the weather's nice, why not a barbecue? So many options. I'm sure you'll have a wonderful time regardless.

If the meringue nest are the M&S ones? If yes, one is enough.Other than maybe extra cooked meat, cheese and bake at home bread buns. Maybe some bake at home Greggs sausage rolls(frozen).

Supermarket sausage rolls, in all their UPF processed pork and palm oil glory sound like the least MN food imaginable.

So why are so many people telling the OP she needs more of them? How many sausage rolls does the average Mumsnetter eat?

This is giving me flashbacks to meals with my in-laws catered by my late MIL - she would also do things like have too few of something for all the guests, like the sausage rolls here, which never made sense to me.

In my experience, even if they are intended for (or if people are told they are for) the children,someone will ignore this and eat more than their fair share (looking at you BIL!) so I am with the majority and think you need more food OP. But your potato salad sounds amazing!

No.

Good grief, no wonder there's so much food waste in this country.

How can a 9" wide, 6" high 3 tier cake PLUS 650g strawberries, meringue nests and cream not be enough for dessert for 6 adults and 3 kids?

Standard portion size of potatoes is 125g per person. Standard portion size of quiche is 1/4.

I'd have added a couple of French batons, some cheese, maybe pate and a couple of packs of cold meat (assuming no-one is veggie) but otherwise I think its plenty.

Haha ok 😂

@geminicancerean - good to hear that you're stocking up on more food. We can all relax now:)!

On another note, I'm intrigued by your username. I'm Gemini but born very close to the cusp with Cancer so wondering if you were born on it.

Anyway, hope you feel better for your party tomorrow and have a lovely day.

Although, if I was at yours and you had both on the table I'd indulge. 😁

I do boiled new potatoes, chopped boiled eggs, finely chopped radishes, celery, spring onion, might add cucumber/cherry tomatoes. Mayo. Salt and pepper.

My cousin adds frankfurters, but then it's not veggie

I prefer my potato salad with a vinaigrette

eta but if I make a mayo one I always add chopped cornichon

Yes, a 3 layer, 9” fully frosted cake is an awful lot of cake between 9 people. I reckon based on the OPs description, if cut into 9, each slice is a wedge that’s 6” tall, 4.5” ‘deep’ and around 3” ‘wide’ at the circumference. Given it’s a 3 layer cake that’s also 3 layers of frosting, plus the bit round the outside. Enormously filling I reckon, and as some of the guests are old, and most of the other are children I’d be surprised if half of it gets eaten…😂Which is a shame, as it sounds delicious.

Seems to me there’s plenty of salad options, and in reality a kilo of potatoes and 800g of cooked pasta is also plenty of carbs really, given the age and number of the guests. But I agree some crusty bread, cheese and cold meats will just make it look more appealing.

Sausage rolls and quiche are not the most exciting, but as not everyone will want them I think the quantity is fine. With the cheese, cold meats and some hot chicken, and chutneys there’s be plenty for a guest list comprising old people and kids. Add some crudités, tomatoes, dips and olives to go with the crisps, along with some breadsticks and that’ll cover grazing with drinks before it all kicks off.

Add some more fruit to go with the cream and meringue to the existing strawberries and cake and I think I, for the guests the OP has mentioned, all will be good. If she’s not feeling 100% she’s definitely not going to want a weeks worth of tired leftovers :)

When you say you were in catering, was it for Weight Watchers' annual meeting?

Having bought this exact punnet last week, you need at least 3 for the number of people you have, my toddler finished the pack in 3 meals! You simply don't have enough food to be a generous host. As an adult I don't especially like quiche and don't like potato salad at all. I'd be starving even if I did eat those things! You need way more for everyone but especially the kids. Some pizzas and garlic bread, Baguette and cheese board, a whole bunch more picky bits and crisps, and ice cream/wafers/something to go with the 2 strawberries each that big punnet will allow.

Went to someone's house recently and they bought a platter of sandwich es from M and S. Apparently they were delicious. I would get some of them too

Yeh my 6 year old wouldeat the sausage rolls alone 😆😆 you defo need more sausage rolls
bread and cheese