Feeding 25 for my hen night… what have I done

[LifeOfLists]

It’s my hen on Friday and I’ve stupidly arranged for everyone to come to ours first for food and drinks. Around 25 people. I said I’d “sort food” and now I’m realising I have absolutely no idea what I’m doing.

I was originally going to do a Costco run for grazing platters, but now I’m wondering if a couple of big slow‑cooker curry or chilli might be easier?

Has anyone got any easy but impressive ideas for feeding a crowd without me spending the whole day cooking or bankrupting myself.

Slow cooker? Big traybakes? Giant pasta?

All suggestions welcome. Thanks!

I made lasagne for 20 for DILs hen do, with garlic bread and bagged salad. It took bloody hours the day before, needed two ovens to cook it all (four large foil trays). It was well received, but I wouldn’t do it again. It was also expensive, but my reputation prevented me making them with cheap ingredients.

I would go with grazing platters and a few pizzas that take minutes in a hot oven and can be churned out really easily, two in, two out, two more in etc.

Takeaway Pizza- get a deal and enjoy your hen night instead of cooking

I would contact a local pizza or burger place to see if they can do you a deal. We have a jacket potato van that also does discounts for larger orders so if you have something like that it might be an option. I certainly wouldn't be cooking for 25, the cost of food plus level of coordination needed would be enough to make me outsource this.

Are you thinking of providing a full meal or just snacks / nibbles pre going out? I reckon a big chilli woukd be great - could cook batches over a couple of days ahead and just reheat on the night. Could serve with rice (but would need to cook a lot), baked potatoes, or just with nachos? Do you have space for people yo sit or will be eating standing up? Those party packs that are usually around at xmas where you get a mix of samosas/bhajis etc are usually quite good and can go in to the oven in batches. Could do some of those with extra nibbles on the side? Then is finger food so just need a bowl and napkins to eat, and doesn't have to be sit down food.
Whatever you serve, I'd use paper bowls to eat from to save on washing up!

Defo takeaway pizza. That's what I'd be doing, but then I HATE cooking and hosting! Give me outdoor activities/gardening any day of the week!

Enough food for that many people will take all day, if not longer. Does your house have room for 25 people to sit and eat?

Pay a caterer/local food place
Start the evening later so everyone gets their dinner beforehand

ORDER IN!!!
as everyone else on the same page suggested, call a local pizza place and order a job lot of pizza for delivery. Then you can just enjoy your night, no washing up and no slaving over a hot stove all day.

Do you have enough tables/chairs for everyone to actually sit and eat with a knife/fork?
Are you thinking more snacky/nibble things or an actual evening meal?
If you are all dressed up to go out, I wouldn't want to be trying to eat curry/chilli etc. and would go with finger food
-Do you have some friends/bridesmaids to help?

-M&S do some great sandwich/wrap platters and I think Morrisons also
-These can be made a day ahead and use any mix of ingredients you like. Ham bacon, tomato, semi dried tomato, corn, basil, any cheese etc https://www.amummytoo.co.uk/filo-pastry-mini-quiches-great-for-kids-to-make-and-eat/
-https://www.loveandlemons.com/caprese-skewers/
-Antipasto platter with olives, salami, semi dried tomatoes, cheeses, ham
-Chicken drumsticks. You can make with various toppings, cover the bony end with foil and it becomes a handle
-I prefer curried eggs, but both are cheap and can be made a day ahead https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/devilled_eggs_96275
-I'd do some fruit skewers as dessert

Order pizza. Loads of takeaways do buy one get one free. I wouldn't be faffing about cooking.

A big chili is my favourite option particularly as its easy to cater for allergies - its usually gluten and dairy free in its basic form.

Two or three different sorts (I'm veggie so probably don't have recommendations that would work for you!)
A big batch of rice
A huge stack of wraps
Jacket potatoes if you've got time, I usually find these are the least popular option though
Some bags of pre grated cheese
Tubs of sour cream, salsa and guacamole
Couple of jars of jalapeño
Tortilla chips

Everyone will think you're a superstar and all you really did was make the chili, and anything leftover can go in the freezer

Do you have enough plates, cutlery and glasses? (Can some guests bring their sets?)

Is it for a proper meal? Or are you eating when you go out?

I would definitely be doing pizzas for a meal. Otherwise the grazing platters sound good

Hey thanks so far! Its just mainly standing room once table and chairs full. Thanks for all ideas!

Dinner to eat standing up for 25 people doesn't seem viable. I'd rather eat food I like in my own house, or a restaurant, many guests could be the same.

Tell them you've realised you can't host that many people and you will meet everyone at XYZ at whatever time?
Otherwise it's a load of hassle or expense for no real need.

I would go with a buffet - Costco platters of wraps and sushi, some French sticks and cheeses & cold meats, fruit, crisps and dips. Maybe a couple of big tubs of brownies etc from Costco for pudding. Much easier than chilli or curry if you don't have room to seat everyone at a table. Get disposable plates, cutlery and glasses. Have a fab hen do! ☺️

Personally I would either just order pizzas, or have a change of plan and go out. Sounds like too much stress particularly if it’s your hen night.

I'd do a couple of one/two pot cooks

• chilli and rice
• pasta and sauce
• curry and rice

You’ve overcommitted. Now you need a gear change so you don’t under-deliver.

Tell everyone to eat at home before and you will provide drinks and nibbles. Then make sure you have loads of interesting drinks / bubbles / cocktails - prioritise spend your time and money on that and the party will go like a bang. It will also be too much of a rush for people to get home from work on a Friday night and out the door all spruced up in time to eat at yours. Best if they all eat at home. Congratulations - have fun xxxx

Takeaway definitely

Then make sure you have loads of interesting drinks / bubbles / cocktails - prioritise spend your time and money on that

Sourcing all this plus glasses, ice and other bits is likely to be more time consuming and expensive than just ordering in takeaway to be honest.

I think you need to scale it down otherwise your going to be stressing about hosting instead of getting glammed up.

Send out something like this:

Hi, looking forward to seeing you all on Friday but just realised there will be 25 of us! Still happy for everyone to meet a mine for drinks & nibbles at 7pm, but eat beforehand as feeding you all would take more planning than the wedding!

She’s was attempting both - I think you get more appreciation for the booze flowing

Thanks everyone!!!! Great advice offered. Decided a trip to Costco in order for picky food and a cake, then a curry in the slow cooker. You have made me see sense. Thanks!

Costco also do big foil containers of eg pasta bake - see what’s there when you get there