Winter gathering

[wombpaloumbpa]

I'm holding a gathering for 15-20 family members at the end of November because we won't see each other over Xmas this year.

Looking for ideas for food to serve please. Doesn't have to be overly festive but also could be! Would love for it to just be delicious. If I can mostly prepare it the day before even better!

There are a couple of vegetarians but no other major needs.

Thank you for your ideas

I would do a beef bourgignon or coq au vin for the meat eaters and a veggie chilli for the vegetarians - both can be made ahead and chilled or even frozen. Maybe with jacket potatoes?

Then a couple of desserts that can be made the day before - my favourite is a chocolate roulade and maybe some mince pies?

Jacket potatoes are always a hit! Cheese, chilli, baked beans, tuna mayo, coleslaw, cherry tomatoes, salad leaves. People can choose the size/ number of jackets depending on hunger and whatever fillings they want.
Maybe add in heated quiche?
Then if you’re not buying ready made, banoffee pie, pavlova, key lime pie?

Some pies, dauphinoise potatoes, vegetables and gravy. A steak or chicken pie for meat eaters and maybe a creamy squash, mushroom and leek pie for veggies with vegetarian gravy. Some brie and cranberry pastry bites as canapés.

Beef or game in red wine for the carnivores and mushrooms in red wine for the veggies. Can use the same basic ingredients just split before adding the meat/veg.
Either potato gratin or potato and celeriac gratin or even potato and celeriac mash or, really off-piste, swede, carrot and sweet potato mash or gratin and a green vegetable or green salad. Alternatively add more vegetables to the casseroles and just go with mash as a side.
Stewed plum pavlova for pudding.

Do you have space to seat everyone at a table or are you looking for fork or finger food?

Boeuf bourguignon is my winter go to. Make it a day ahead if you can as the flavours really benefit from the extra time, and it frees up time on the day.
Serve with a fluffy mash,roasted root veg and hot crusty rolls to mop up the sauce.

This sounds ideal actually. Was leaning towards a pie but I think this will be simpler.
Do you have any tips for something similar for a veggie? Got 1 vegetarian in the party. Thank you