anyone a dab hand at adult catering? Help needed by complete novice!

[FatThighs]

I have arranged a farewell party for some lovely people who gave up lots of their time for a local preschool. I now have to come up with the food - it is only about 20 people and only party nibbles but I wanted it to be really nice. Here is what I have in mind:

savoury:
smoked salmon sandwiches
mushroom tarts
feta and spinach filo pastry things
?????????? what else??????

sweet:
fruit tarts
millionaires shortbread
?????????what else??????

I really love cooking but don't really do entertaining. I really want it to be special and your help is MUCH NEEDED!!!

also any ideas on what I should do re: speeches etc????

I know a fantastic dip which is so easy but so yummy, philadelphia cheese (fat or thin) top with sweet chilli sauce topped with chopped fresh coriander - trust me it's fabulous

wow your quick - replied to another post and here you are!

Thanks - that dip sounds great - easy but will look splendid. do you mix it all together or leave it layered? Do you mean the sweet chilli sauce like you have with chinese? The amoy type thing?

Thanks so much.

Keep them coming!

how about profiteroles as a sweet - not that difficult to make and everyone goes for them and feels thoroughly spoilt
even better if you doctor the chocolate sauce with booze and have it hot as a dip next to the choux buns

Yes I use the Amoy one, works a treat and keep it layered. The colours look great and the taste is just lovely.

Go to Sainsburys and buy thoses tiny little ready made tart case thingy and fill them with little savoury bits.
Get a baguette, slice it thinly and brush the slices with olive oil. Bake the slices in the oven until they are golden and when you remove them rub the surfaces with a clove of garlick. Top them with,
A: a slice of mozzarella, a sundried tomato, a black olive and a basil leaf.
B: creamed garlic mushrooms
C: Parma ham and parmesan cheese
D: Chopped tomato and a dollop of pesto.

The list is endless.

Does anyone you know have a chocolate fountain? They are fun and easy to use.

Also, Delia has a recipe for mini yorkshire puds with slices of roast beef and mild horsradish stuff dolopped on top - they are divine.

i would put in a food order to m&s, they do nice platters and canape things for events. depends how much effort you want to put in i suppose!

thanks - these are all great. As it is a preschool the budget I have is nil - so the more I can do myself the better as am financing it myself - but I do have time to put to it.

The crostini (sp?) things sound fab and profiteroles would be so special - will I have to fill them last minute to stop them going soggy or do I have a bit of ley way?

I am so glad I posted - these idea are really lovely.

Imagination running low - any more toppings for crostini?

cadbury - that is exactly the idea - I want them to feel spoilt!

How about baked baby potatoes, cris crossed and topped with sour cream and a dollop of lumpfish caviar.

that is a lovely idea - thank you everyone.

Anymore?

I did vol au vents (very 70s retro but hey seemed to go down well) recently - filled one lot with hummous and a tiny slice of red pepper and the others with philadelphia cheese mixed with pesto and a quarter cherry tomato

did you serve them warm or cold?

cold - I had to prepare them earlier in the day for an evening do...