Church hall 50th birthday

[MargoChanellingBarbara]

Very much the start of preparations. Venue with kitchen facilities, guest list of c60. Ideas please for a pre prepared buffet (minimal last minute prep, plenty of time beforehand to plan and prepare). Ideas so far are:
baked potato bar
mexican burritos
make your own ramen
given the number of people, we will have the usual food lifestyle choices as well as allergies ( including nuts, gluten and chillies - the last maybe an intolerance rather than an allergy, but suffered by a key player in this scenario- so important that it is taken into account).
all suggestions gratefully received
TIA

Some more great ideas and concerns. Thank you.
I have read of using cool boxes to keep potatoes warm. I have a couple of Coleman’s which should do the job.

thanks again for the “food for thought”

Oh, I wouldn’t like this at all. My idea of a birthday party is expensive clothes and extravagant cocktails. A roomful of family food and having to watch people awkwardly stuff potatoes into their mouths whilst talking sounds like a nightmare.

Is this your birthday or someone else’s? And is this definitely what they’d like to celebrate their 50th birthday?

Make your own ramen sounds cool but is not a realistic option for guests who cannot eat any gluten at all. It’s easy enough to get gluten free noodles but soy sauce and many other sauces you might use in the broth contain gluten.

For gluten free, I think hot slow cookers stiff that is naturally gluten free or easy to make the way is far more reassuring for any coeliacs and doesn’t scream out special case like pre plated would. It also means that the issues of needing seating and knives and forks wouldn’t be as much of an issue. It’s easy to eat a bowl of curry/chilli and rice. Or a more traditionall hot pot type thing if there’s older relatives that don’t like spice or for the chilli allergy / intolerance. Easier for you to cater too. The clean up is something to factor in too. Anything with multiple platters and serving spoons n will be a big clear up.
i would love a baked potato bar personally but it is naturally harder to eat and more likely you’d have a faff to clear up.

You're definitely going with the potato option?

Standard buffet sandwiches, chicken legs , Quiche, sausage rolls, cold mini sausages, spring rolls and chicken satay sticks possibly, cherry tomatoes, crudités and hummus, cheese and biscuits, mini cakes, fruit platter, potato salad, Coselaw , bread rolls

This is classic for a reason.

I can't imagine many people would like potato bar.

I do baked potatoes with 5 bean chilli (vegan and gf), tuna mayo, cheese, coleslaw, baked beans as options then salads, perhaps chicken of some kind, wings or nuggets, tortilla chips and guacamole, sour cream. Perhaps falafels for vegetarians. Find out about the chilli allergy/intolerance/doesn’t like them especially if they have other allergies to make sure everyone can eat something eg if chilli person eats fish they can have tuna mayo

Oh and Sainsbury’s sell a gluten free and vegan chocolate cake that covers a lot of bases

Doing anything hot yourself is going to be a real challenge. I’d get caters in and completely step away. You’ll never get a chance to socialise with anyone!!! Or do a traditional cold buffet.

Thanks again.

Not sold on the potato bar, just answering the question of how to keep hot.

I am most grateful for all thoughts and ideas. As I mentioned, very early planning stages, so the more opinions I can garner the better.

thanks again

This sounds delicious!

When is it? Will people need / want hot food?

I don’t think the potato idea sounds very special for a party.

I would get supermarket event party catering