Advice needed

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I have been volunteered to host a family party and need to put on a buffet. I like an easy life so just going with it and hosting.

please can people give me ideas on what to provide so it’s not the stereotypical beige buffet but looks extra nice a has lots a variety.

nothing wrong with the usual but want to be that bit nicer that the usual sandwiches and pastry covered bits ( will provide these too as I love a sausage roll) 😂

Lunch or dinner?
Any allergies/aversions?
Adults/kids or a mix?
How many people?
Will they be eating the meal seated at a table, or is it more finger food type buffet eating whilst standing?

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I would do a whole ham as that looks nice and is economical. And a couple of cold roast chickens (or coronation chicken). Maybe a poached side of salmon or cold roast beef. And then just do various salads.. there are loads of recipes online. Rice salad, pasta salad, tomato salad, watermelon and Feta and mint salad, green salad etc. And French sticks and some cheeses.

Pudding you could do bowls of strawberries and Meringues and cream so people can make Eton mess. And a chocolate mousse.

That would all look quite colourful?

A bowl of cold pesto pasta with mini mozzarella balls and cherry tomatoes in brightens up a table I think.

Anything on skewers always goes down really well. I marinate a load of chicken breast chunks in plain yoghurt and curry paste and then thread them onto skewers and grill them. Little bit fiddly but you can marinate it in advance and have the bowl sat in fridge then just thread and cook when ready. Or cook a big load of them in the oven if grilling is a bit faffy.

Fruit is more likely to be eaten if threaded on a skewer I have also found!

I'd roast a big joint of something too - a big ham, beef or a leg of lamb. Slice it really thinly using an electric carving knife and it goes a long way.

Mozzarella balls torn up on a big plate and sprinkled with chilli flakes, herbs and olive oil are lovely and a bit different to a usual cheese board.

Cheese and pineapple (or pear) on sticks - so retro but everyone loves it.

New potatoes with loads of butter and salt.

How many have you got coming and what’s the demographic? Any specific
dietary requirements?
Generally speaking I’d do some marinated chicken skewers, a cheeseboard with apples and grapes, some crusty bread, and a couple of salads (one Greek and one pasta salad maybe) sometimes a potato salad. Homemade coleslaw goes down well and is easy to make, I always put red cabbage, carrots, onion, crispy apple and raisins in mine. Extra little bits such as olives, stuffed peppers off the deli are nice too.

This is amazing thank you, will have 10 adults a 2 children no allergies but one family member is vegetarian and one vegan. This is going end up been early afternoon and evening get together I think

Couscous salad
Stuffed vine leaves
Baguettes
Cheese
Olives
Bruschetta
Mini wraps
Greek salad
Mini quiche
Crisps
Dips
Vegetable and halloumi kebabs
Mix of Italian meat

If funds will allow, you could do a poached salmon and a mixed seafood plater with crab claws, a couple of different types of prawns, mussels etc as the centre piece, then some colourful salads to accompany it, tomato, cucumber, classic green salad, potato salad etc etc. You could also do jewelled couscous, and a bright Asian noodle salad with peppers.
If you would rather do something more economical, roast chicken is always popular as is ham.

If it will be finger food only, you could do sushi or Indian snacks, or Chinese dim sum as a change from the more traditional pork pie, sausage roll style buffet.

I'd be making as much as possible the day before and only re-heating/cooking on the day if necessary.

-Mini quiche. You can amend the fillings to almost anything. Tuna/corn, tomato/ham, roasted veg and amend the cheeses too. https://www.amummytoo.co.uk/filo-pastry-mini-quiches-great-for-kids-to-make-and-eat/
-Chicken drumsticks. If people will be standing about and not having a sit down area, add foil to the bone end to use as a handle. https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/sticky-chicken
-These sausage rolls are delicious and we made them at Christmas several times. You could make the filling the day before then assemble and cook on the day. https://www.recipetineats.com/special-pork-fennel-sausage-rolls/#h-why-this-is-the-best-homemade-sausage-rolls-recipe-ever

If its more of a sit down meal, I'd have a theme, so Italian, with pastas, salads, garlic bread
or Fajitas and everyone fills their own wraps. Say a chicken and a vegan option with cooked onions/peppers, savoury rice, refried beans, guacamole, salad, sour cream, grated cheese etc.

I’d ask some of the attendees to also “volunteer” a dish or two!

I know you said you want variety but don’t do too much as it becomes a mish mash. I’d do some marinated (lemon, garlic and herbs caters for most) chicken, either a side of salmon or big bowl of prawns and either a puff pastry tart or loaded flat bread. Then sliced French stick, a green salad, a cous cous, roast veg and pomegranate salad, a platter of sliced beef tomatoes with mozzarella, basil, red onion, basil, olive oil and balsamic vinegar, a homemade coleslaw (if you wanted something a little different make it an Asian slaw or a simple apple slaw). A feta, watermelon and mint salad.