Cold buffet for 30 people

[June2009]

Heya!

We're thinking of having our baby's christening party round ours, there should be 30 people and I'm thinking cold buffet.
It's between xmas and new years.
I want to keep it as simple as possible without it being crisps and sandwiches iyswim.

I've got in mind a whole salmonin the oven, prawns, sliced turkey, chicken drumsticks, little deep fried meat balls (greek thing, done in advance and served cold) pasta salad, potato salad and rice& minced pork in vine leaves (also greek.)
Cheese platter, couple of cakes...

I'm a bit stuck about amounts, does anyone know a general guideline for that type of thing.
We cook a lot and have done all the items mentionned however we've also not done a cold buffet before and I'm not sure how much prep time I should allow. Could we do it all the day before? Can we do some stuff in advance? (ie prawns can be bought raw from the market the week before, cooked and frozen then just served up on the day.)

I've also not thought about drinks, so I would imagine we'll go to some kind of cash and carry to get red and white wine, maybe some champagne for a glass each when people arrive.
tea/coffee also though not sure where I can get a big machine to boil water as my kettle probably won't do it!

Any ideas/tips much appreciated!!

That sounds lovely....but also like a lot of work, and perhaps too much choice

I find the most successful buffets (and the ones I personally enjoy the most) are very simple - one or two main bits (a salmon and a large gammon perhaps) with side dishes - salad/good bread etc might be easier? Then perhaps a lovely cheeseboard and a couple of puddings/fruit salad

I hate buffets with too much choice as you feel like you need to try everything and end up with a pile of stuff on your plate that you would never usually eat as a meal

Anyway, have a lovely time - hope all goes well!

Also between Christmas and New Year everyone will be fed up of food - so simple is best! We went to one recently and the food was great - feta cheese salad platter, beetroot salad platter, spring rolls and a selection of wraps and sandwiches.

ok, sounds reasonable, I know what we can take off. hardest bit is to convince dh who wants to cook for Britain....

Cheese board is a great idea - this went down well at our DS christening. Get some different crackers, maybe few french sticks, celery & grapes so people can help themselves, and a nice selection of cheeses.

Be careful serving rice unless freshly cooked and eaten (causes food poisoning through toxins if left around warmish). I think couscous is a good alternative (cool everything quickly if serving cold).