Best buffet ideas?

[TheFunkyFox]

We are getting marrried in July and are having a garden party afterwards. Roughly 20 adults. Would love Mediterranean style buffet I think with antipasti, breads, niace ham. What would you have? Where’s the best place to buy it? X

A bowl of mixed olives
Caprese salad
Bruschetta
Perhaps add some Greek-inspired dishes such as a feta or goats cheese salad, stuffed mini pitta bread, butter bean salad, grilled halloumi and slices of spanakopita.

Cheese cheese cheese. More cheese. Buy whole wheels. Waitrose does them for delivery.

Thank you!!

Do you have a costco membership or know anyone with one? They sell lots of this type of food in bulk. Bit vats of delicious olives and different cheeses and antipasti - amazing value for money.

I think for the bread it would be worth contacting a local bakery and seeing if they could make you fresh ciabatta on the day.

I would get a whole Serrano ham, salami, lots of cheeses, mozzarella salad, ciabatta, olives, some lovely olive oil and balsamic. Yum

It might be worth contacting some local catering companies, telling them the sort of thing you are after and then asking them to give you a cost

I know it might sound a bit "la-de-dah" but it would mean you don't have the hassle of sourcing/preparing/cooking the food and can just relax and enjoy your special day - plus no washing up!!

I second Costco, lots of good sliced deli meats, olives, dips, cheeses and a brilliant selection of deserts/cakes.

Lots of crudités.

Don’t skimp on the bread, Waitrose are now selling a range from Bertinet, gorgeous.

I’d also go for some, non Mediterranean, crowd pleasers, smoked salmon, sausage rolls and mini pork pies.

It’s nice to have some attractive platters and bowls to serve things on, a few years ago I had a similar sized do and got some great platters from TK MAXX for a minimal cost. Failing that try charity shops for a random selection.

Thank you!!

We were going to take a trip to ikea for some nice chopping boards for the antipasti.

I will add a few normal extras too. We were going to order a load of platters from Waitrose but it was £200 for not much food, and I think sandwiches are abit meh.

How would you serve the bread?

I neeeddd to go Costco, I keep telling DP. I’m going to look into it. I own a small baking company so it would be very handy!

Ikea boards are fab you could serve loads of sliced ciabattas on there - looks really pretty I did it for Christmas starters with homemade potted shrimp (I wouldn't serve seafood at a buffet though as you'll need to ice it)

I have
a couple of these from ikea. They are great for buffets and add a bit of height and interest to the table.

Aldi and Lidl often have boxed whole Serrano hams in, when they do their Mediterranean weeks. Sure they’d be able to tell you and put one aside. Just right for 20, nice centrepiece.

Have you thought about how to keep everything cool so it doesn't go off in the heat?
Will you be inside or outside?
As it's likely to be hot in July.

Depends how long the food will be out of course...

Inside, will put out once back from wedding, it’s in our dining room which is quite cool x

Don’t buy a whole ham, they are so hard to slice unless you really know what you’re doing!

greek salad.
roasted veggies and chorizo and potato
mediterranian puff pastry slices.
couscous dish
serve everything in bowls plates are useless
this looks amazing.you could do similar with meats.
whatsgabycooking.com/vegetarian-mezze-platter/

Naan bread with some yummy curries is best for buffet. I follow this recipe for naan bread

www.cookclickndevour.com/butter-naan-recipe/

We met with a local deli last night who will be doing the food! So far we have:

Roasted veg couscous
Pesto & pinenut pasta
Hummus & pitas
Stuffed cherry peppers
Roasted peppers
Stuffed vine leaves
Cured meats
£200 of cheese
Olives
Sundried Toms
Crackers
Relishs
Frittata
Focaccia
Pate
Sweet potato pakoras
Giant Greek beans
Mini gerkins
Salad