To think beige buffets get a raw deal and have their place?

[Iceplater]

I recently went to the funeral of an elderly relative and the wake was in a working mens club. The buffet came out and it was a sea of beige - sausage rolls, quiche, open sandwiches, vol a vents (which I have seen for years), jam tarts, Mr Kipling. And it was glorious.

I moved away from my home town and I’ve become a terrible middle-class fanny. This took me right back to the 80s and Sundays at my Grandparents when they put on a “spread”.

I wouldn’t want it every day but it was amazing (despite it being a funeral). AIBU?

You always need a “Christ” at a funeral 🤣

I've never heard the term 'beige buffet' before, but reading some of the comments, I understand now.

Any funeral tea, or afternoon fundraiser tea I've been to has usually a whole variety of items, mostly finger-food, and quite a bit brought in by family or neighbours. I've never snubbed my nose, or thought it was not posh enough if there wasn't all the colours of the rainbow. And I always appreciate a good sausage roll!

Love this, and agree

Same here, I never heard of the term 'beige buffet' until I joined Mumsnet and it would never occur to me to think the type of food described here is anything other than delicious, comfort food.

We held my mum's funeral recently and the wake food the pub provided was like this. I had to go home and cook something because it was all just beige pastry. I'm not a fan of a beige buffet. I wouldn't have minded if there had been some salads but there wasn't a single bit of fruit or veg on there!

I think you are right. At the right time, it can be delicious!!

Snap! I went to a funeral a couple of months ago with a v similar buffet .....and yeah it was divine!

Well I hope I add to the Mumsnettyness with the comment that it's spelled "Vol-au-vent".

My nan has made her own funeral soup. It is in the second freezer in the garage, two gallons of it. It is lentil, of course. She says it is the only way to guarantee people will have good soup. She is still in excellent health and will probably have to make a second batch before her time comes.

Ooh I love vol-au-vonts a classic of 90s parties.

My mum always made tramezzini (tiny Italian open sandwiches)...so fiddly but so tasty!

I come over all unnecessary about mini chicken and mushroom vol
au vents and egg mayo sarnies (except it’s salad cream not mayo obviously) on thin, cheap white bread with stork marg.. obvs cut into quarters not triangles

Prawn vol au vents, a freshly baked mushroom quiche and hot sausage rolls are my idea of food Heaven. We had them every Xmas eve with a salad/potato salad/coleslaw and (my particular fave) CRISPS ON THE TABLE! The only time of the year that ever happened. There was also ham and pork pie but I hate both of those so I ignored them.

I'm going to make that for dinner tomorrow night now. Just without the crisps because, you know, it's not Xmas Eve.

What does mid class have to do with pastys and sausage rolls? 😆 so many try hards on here.

Not much comment on the openness of the sandwiches. Half a bap / muffin / roll (whatever you call it down your way), egg mayo, and cress for a classy topping. No lid. I have only even seen sandwiches of this grandeur at funerals.

Get yourself down to Iceland gal! 😆

My mum’s contribution to the funeral spread was always a mound of asparagus rolls - buttered white bread with the crusts cut off and a floppy tinned asparagus spear inside. Delicious

According to ‘The Crown’ (so it must be true) Jam Tarts were Princess Margarets favourites.

@EconomyClassRockstar sadly, Vol au Vent cases are really hard to get outside of Christmas

I can use the filo shells in the freezer section instead. I live in the US and have never seen them used anywhere so a vol au vent rip off is as good as anything!

Sounds good. When I was at school I had a Saturday job in a cafe that specialised in Danish open sandwiches. I don't know that a Dane would have recognised much of what we sold, but I loved them. My favourite was one made with a slice of brown bread, probably buttered, topped with a lettuce leaf, a slice of ham, a slice of liver pate and some fried mushrooms as a garnish on top.

I love a good beige buffet too provided there’s veggie options, it’s no good if it’s just meat sarnies and pastries… Would die for some cheese and pineapple on a stick!

Not for me. I am mostly gluten free (can tolerate small amounts) but all that bread and pastry would make me really unwell, so there wouldn't really be anything suitable to eat there. Gluten free bread is awful as well. Luckily I can eat sourdough, but that probably wasn't as your beige buffet!

A beige buffet means I actually get to eat something at an event! I have a limited diet due to AuDHD so I’m all in favour

So what sort of buffet would you prefer?

Good question. I too would like to hear what one serves at these oh so upmarket buffets