Cooking for a (diverse!) crowd

[Mummymay2]

Hi, I’m hosting a family party in a few weeks for around 20. I’ve done these before and have always done a buffet type spread - something like salmon en croute as a centre piece with various salads, new potatoes, bread, cooked sausages, cheese etc.
This year I was thinking of instead doing a couple of hot dishes that can be prepared ahead and be happy sitting in the oven. I’m thinking something like a vegetarian bean chilli served with usual accompaniments, tortillas etc. But I’m struggling with a near alternative that will suit the guests.
There will be grandparents (plain food), children (relatively non adventurous), 20-something guys (need plenty of food!) plus of course a few of us in the middle who will eat whatever. So based on this, the obvious choice of a meat chilli or curry wouldn’t work.
Any ideas? Or should I revert to my tried and tested buffet?

Chilli, and a shepherds pie

Jamie Oliver’s winter chilli. Easy to cook and something a bit special. We did it for bonfire night and went down a treat.

www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/pork-recipes/winter-nights-chilli/

My hot cold buffet stapple is very much along your lines with a bean chilli, jacket potatos, wraps, tortillas, cheese, peppers, a dish of sliced chicken, dish of sliced steak, dish of peppers and onions, salad plus sour cream, guacomole etc

Guests can make up a wrap - plain chicken or even cheese or a cheese jacket for non adventurous children. You can have a stuffed jacket, chilli and tortillas, bean and steak chilli etc etc. Endless combinations.

You can never go wrong with stew

Or pulled pork could be another one to consider

Chicken bacon and leek cottage pie realfood.tesco.com/recipes/chicken-bacon-and-leek-cottage-pie.html
Or one of these oven baked risottos www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/2818/ovenbaked-risotto-
www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/1120679/ovenbaked-leek-and-bacon-risotto

For a vegetarian option, you could keep it simple with a macaroni cheese or a pasta bake.

pulled pork would go with same sides as the bean chilli eg nachos/jackets/wedges/wraps and maybe just roast a chicken for plain eaters or the kids?! You could serve with coleslaw, mexican sweetcorn salad and mixed leaves.

Veggie and meat lasagne with garlic bread and salad. Could also do a chicken one for something a bit different.

Thanks for such great suggestions!

I had wondered about pulled pork but having never made it I wasn’t sure; I might have a go now.

Rippleeffects - I love the sound of your menu and think it would fit all the different tastes/preferences round the table. Jacket potatoes! - that’s the particular inspiration I was missing