If you had to take something to a party/buffet for 40 people

[CountryQueen]

What would you take? A mixture of adults and kids.

The easiest thing will be cheese, crackers, meats and fruits and crisps. I think most people will bring the same and we will be overrun with cheese! Not a problem for me but I’d like to take something different, maybe something the kids will enjoy?

A big focaccia. People love a homemade focaccia

Tesco Finest sausage rolls.

Ottolenghi’s watermelon, apple and lime salad. Really easy to make, with transport well ( cut the apple up, put in ziplock bags with a little of the lime juice and shake. Tastes amazing, really fresh and lovely and will complement most food items on the buffet.

I would agree with this. I make focaccia and it's a) super easy and b) goes down immensely well.

I would keep it simple and make a tray of sandwiches.

Cheese straws / pizza wheels

Sliced and buttered bread (something like French stick or tiger bread)
Sausage rolls/veggie rolls
Agree with the pp who suggested something simple but filling like cheese or ham sandwiches
Cooked cold chicken bites (nuggets or goujons)
Crudités
Shortbread

If I have time I make parmesan sables (Delia recipe) or ricciarelli. More like nibbles than actual food but both always get a lot of positive comments.

If I need something I can make ahead, gingerbread.

Love sandwiches personally but we have to travel 4 hours with them so it’s a no go

A bulgar wheat salad with finely chopped red onions, pomegranate seeds, peppers, feta, olives, chopped almonds, mint, parsley, and some flavoured olive oil.

I usually buy a pineapple, chop it into bite-size pieces, and put it in a bowl. I take toothpicks for those who might want one to stab a bite, and a serving spoon. It has always gone over really well!

Cheese and pineapple on sticks, put into half an orange to make a hedgehog??? Savoury pinwheels or quiche? They travel well

If you've got 4 hours travelling you are all going to be starving, can't you find out what facilities are there and make something like a curry or a lasagne ?

Sticky hoisin sausages on cocktail sticks. Easy to make and always popular.

I usually take a side of salmon. Looks great on a big oval platter. I take lemon slices and sliced cucumber with me to garnish when I get there. Very easy.

Not everyone is travelling 4 hours and they’re allowed to stop en route 😅

I think the last thing anyone wants to do on arrival is whip up a lasagne. I like the pineapple hedgehog idea though

This does sound good

Falafel and humous OR cold pizzas

You could bring a frozen lasagne and it will defrost in the car then heat up when you’re there - BuT I would literally never do that I’d be bringing crisps and olives and dips or a cake

I meant a cooked lasagne. I did it for a buffet and everyone loved it.
And if everyone brings dips and crisps you will all go home hungry.

Massive bowl of an unusual dip, red pepper and cashew or something like that

Artichoke, lemon and mint

Cheese and chives

Olive tapenade

Caulflower and butter bean

I'd make sausage rolls or do a platter of roast chicken drumsticks and cocktail sausages with some honey mustard dressing. With the dressing in a screw top jar, it should all travel safely.

When my form used to have parties at the end of term, they used to bring all of the junk and I used to bring carrot, cucumber, pepper and Celery sticks with a big tub of hummous and they all loved it.

Egg mayonnaise sandwiches
an absolute staple to any buffet

Very tasty after a 4 hour drive

Mini Spanish omelette's, done in Yorkshire pudding pans. Just loads of eggs, fried onions and spuds, with a bit of garlic and black pepper. Super quick to cook in a preheated oven. Put on a big plate, with some aioli for dip/sauce.