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!)

Nowhere near enough, not even close.

Are you worried about money? Is that why you're scrimping? If so, you probably need to just buy ingredients which will be cheaper, and get your husband to step up and do some cooking.

As a minimum you'll need 3 large quiches, 9 sausage rolls, several bags of salad, 4 large bags of crisps (including some nice ones for adults, not just maize snacks), about 150g strawbs per child and 200g per adult (so that'll be about 3 of your punnets), plus about 2-3kg potatoes split across your two potato dishes. Plus all the stuff you're doing, and I'd add 3 baguettes too.

Ok, I’ll bake another cake too

I was discounting the sausage rolls as it sounds like OPs DC will eat them all 🤣 but yes I did forget the tablespoon of pasta salad to go with the 3 strawberries

Ocado babes

Ok. Now you’re taking the piss.

I’m starting to think OP is just having a laugh with this thread.

Me too.

To add - not sure what size pasta/pots you’ve bought because I know they do party sizes to order too but I doubt you have. I’d also add to my suggestions fresh melon/more fruit for dessert, houmous and dips or pastry parcels like spinach and feta

Another here who thinks you're undercatering, OP, including with your cake. I always over-cater. In fairness, I overeat too, and it shows.

You've already heard it all loads of times of course, but I'm so worried for your guests that I had to post too :).

But, as said upthread, if you over cater, you can live off leftovers for a couple of days. I would add bread, cheese and some nice cold meats to that spread and then you're sorted.

Its nice weather and people will have a good appetite if they are outside .Children eat loads ! French sticks ,a couple of pizza and maybe garlic bread.Another pud too .Nothing worse than guests left hungry!

It's 9 bloody inches.

It does not feed 16 people. 6 at a push.

I'm assuming all these people have been fed by you before and know to have a big lunch before they arrive?

A 23cm cake….for 9 people? Op, have you never hosted before?

It’s 800g total of pasta salad

Oh sorry I thought you were saying it fed more than 9.

Great that you’re baking another cake.
Will you be getting some more savoury things? I’d grab some baguettes, cheeses, cold meats, a few tubs picnic egg type things, some pate, more fresh fruit.

So a large spoonful each as pp said

you haven’t answered why your DH can’t just go and buy what he thinks is a good amount given he’s not sick and he’s noted the under catering

Ok, DH is going to Tesco tomorrow for:

rotisserie chicken
pork pies
garlic bread
mayo
more spuds
25 punnets of strawberries

I’m really glad I asked and am adjusting spread accordingly. Kindly also remember that I am feeding people that I know very well so I have a clear idea of who will want what.

Nowhere near enough for 9 people. The rule of bare minimum catering is that if you have 9 people, at least 9 sausage rolls, same goes for the rest portion-wise. 2 packets of flaked salmon - what are they supposed to do with it? It is either a sandwich filler or to sprinkle over a green salad. Get a few cheese boards, chutneys and baguettes, to fill the voids!

You need something like a couple of gammon joints - i find these are quite good for parties as they are filling and usually quite popular

I would rather host than have to eat tiny portions at someone else's.

Marks do lovely cooked chicken - whole, half, breast fillets and thighs - you can eat them cold or warm them - delicious! Also their loaded potato skins are great and some of the new Spanish style dishes, particularly the patatas bravas and the croquettes.

Op costco do brilliant proper large salads for larger numbers ,probably to late now but maybe next time join and go there. ..

Adding to the chorus I would be starving on that amount.

Ok just tell them not to fill up on it and the salmon flakes and bag of leaves, so they can keep space for their massive slice of cake, a half a sausage roll and their 3 strawberries.

it’s a feast op!

And yet you’re buying food many of them won’t eat.

A couple of French sticks? Who doesn’t love some bread with loads of butter!