Chilli for a crowd: how to make less boring

[OMGitsnotgood]

Chilli is often suggested on here for feeding a group. I always think 'nah, boring' and usually avoid (I love chilli but we have it often at home and at other gatherings)

However, I'm catering for a group of c.20 shortly where given various dietary requirements and logistics (not everyone can sit at a table and I suspect many will stand chatting anyway), I came to the conclusion that chilli is the best option, and the group agrees, so I'm not looking for alternative suggestions this time.

I've got as far as:
one large slow cooker of chilli con carne
one smaller but still largish slow cooker of vegetable chilli
Rice (I'll make a few dishes of oven cooked rice, with timings spread out a bit so that it covers a longer eating period)
Sliced baguettes, using a variety of baguettes - or maybe garlic bread - or large bowls of garlic croutons to sprinkle on the top?
Bowls of grated cheddar to sprinkle (I know the group well and the vegetarians eat all cheeses!)

I won't make a salad, which I would if seated, because it would have to all go in one bowl.

Maybe what I've listed above is ok but I know there are always amazing suggestions from you all so thought it worth a try.

Thank you

If anyone wants a vegan chilli recipe, I make this one regularly. It's a bit of an effort but worth it and I add other veg too if I have them to hand.

I don't always make the quinoa, and often serve with cauliflower rice.

www.whatfionaeats.com/?p=6529

I'll find it for you when I'm back from my dog walk. It's from his book Meat.

Sweet potato wedges and guacamole

Add fresh guacamole, sour cream, tortilla chips, chopped coriander or chives and wedges of lime as optional toppings.

And margaritas!

@Whatamitodonow I’m not American! 😂

But I do live in Central London. Plenty of yams available here from all the small convenience stores and delis, even the big chain supermarkets have them sometimes.

I also have lots of American and Canadian friends so 2 different Thanksgiving celebrations every year. I think sweet potato and marshmallows is a bit like marmite for Brits. My friends like to serve it for the comedy value to get the non North Americans to try it even though most of them didn’t have it at Thanksgiving growing up 😂 It is actually very nice!

Presumably this is textbook protocol anyway prior to hosting?!

How about getting some hot dog sausages to make some chilli dogs as an option?

Sour cream

Guacamole

Tortilla chips or taco shells (better for texture than baguette - I'd ditch the baguette)

My top tip is to pre cook the day before and simply reheat on the day. I went to a party that served chilli, it was cooked during said party and honestly the smell was really overwhelming with a crowd of people. The slow cooker may do the same?

Nachos, rice, potato wedges, sour cream would be great.