What on earth am I going to feed people at this party?

[Jojay]

We're going to have an open house after the christening of our twins, in a couple of weeks, and I'm not really sure whwre to start with food.

DH deosn't want to do a BBQ, 'cos he says they always take hours, food is never ready when you want it and smoke gets blown in people's faces.

So what shall we give them? People are arriving any time from 2, so I need food that will hang around a bit and still look edible.

Sausage rolls, crisps etc are easy but I'd rather have something a little more interesting than that.

Any brainwaves, o wise ones?

Thank you

How about a large cooked salmon which can be eaten cold with salads/rice. Baguettes and cold meats and cheese. Big bowl of strawberries. Basically things that don't curl up too quickly!

Greek salad, naice breads, samosas, CousCous salad, roasted veg, fruit platter.

Paella???

Posted too soon!
Salmon is a good idea. What about a roast chicken or something like that?

Get a ready cooked ham and a beef joint, sliced ready to lay out on platters
Generous bowls of salad - green, coleslaw, potato, tabouleh etc
Crusty bread (part-baked rolls are good, if you can be bothered)
Cheese board, fruit, chutney etc
Plus the usual crisps, chipolatas etc

Couple of big gateaux or tarts or trifle.
DIY Ice-cream parlour (different flavours, sprinkles, sauce, wafers or cones)

(Waitrose Entertaining is good as they deliver on the day so no worries about freshness or keeping stuff cool, plus free glass loan)

Personally I prefer a few items, and lots of it. That way you can top up the dishes as they run low, and keep the food looking fresh and appetizing.

For drinks, those big flexible plastic laundry/garden/toy tubs are brilliant - fill with water and bags of ice, to keep wine and beer cool.

Some good ideas, thank you.

I like the idea of a few things, and plenty of them.

I tihnk to keep things fresh, I need lots of platefuls of the same thing, ie slices if ham, that I can bring out as they run out, rather than a huge plateful that looks manky after an hour or so.

Like the salmon idea, strawberries, and the ice cream parlour for the kids.

We're having a christening cake, so pudding shoudln't be a huge issue.

Thanks - keeo the ideas coming!

Any good drinks ideas? Punches etc?

I've done an afternoon tea?? I bought some nice pastries, cakes, macaroons and sandwiches. Kind of like a high tea.

Presumably they are family and good friends - delegate!

Pimms is good - and lemonade for the kids. They can even have Pimms-styles greenery if they want to feel more grown-up.

What time are you expecting them to go? So do you just need nibbles and maybe something for kids' tea but then everyone will be leaving to go home for dinner. Or are they going to be there until late?