Having a house warming. What drinks and food should I go for?

[YellowFeathers]

Its mainly dh's work collegues that are coming but theres about 25-30 of them. All women but they may bring partners (oh christ!).

Not sure what drinks to get for them and what food to have since there will be so many people and I won't have much prep time either.

Any good suggestions or shall I just go to KFC and buy 5 buckets of chicken?

.

Get some pizzas delivered.

Do you have access to a MAKRO? Stock up on lager, red and white wine and a few soft drinks just in case a few are driving. If you can't go to Makro I find the boxes of wine are much cheaper than bottles.

You could make up a huge chilli - one meat and one veggie - and buy loads of fresh bread.

Have got a card but our new house isn't all that near a Makro.

Have never made a chilli in my life so I daren't try it out on dh's work collegues

I like that idea though. Would make life a bit easier.

It's easy - try posting on recipes and I'm sure some wonderful Mumsnetter can give you a great recipe. I tend to cheat and buy packet mixes.

I'll pretend I didn't read that

So boxes of wine and a big pot of chilli. Ok.
What about some cold bits and deserty type stuff?

I also buy packets (colman's) and they are really good. I second that idea. You could put out loads of taco shells and tortilla chips and dips.

As for drinks, make a huuuuge bowl of punch. Base is 50/50 red wine and lemonades, than add vodka malibu amaretto bacardi (little) and some fruit. And ice.

Don't forget a veggie version of the chilli too - bound to get a few vegetarians turning up in such a large group.
Desserts - I'm a big fan of strawberry flans. Buy the ready made flan cases, some quick gel and fresh strawberries. Make them a few hours before the do so gel has time to set and so the flan base doesn't get too soggy. Buy some nice thick double cream. Yum!
Can I come?

I actually don't think it makes any difference now how many people come.
I may just go and hide in the bedroom and leave dh to it
It was his idea anyway!

I'm ok doing things like this for family get togethers but not huge amounts of people and not at 8 months pg either!

Don't forget to buy disposable bowls so you don't have much to clear up.

pasta bolognaise (bung pasta, onion, mushrooms in with ragu and whallah!)

cold pasta salad(see a pattern emerging here?)
chop ham tomato, celery, spring onion, cube some cheese and pour in nice dressing or make your own with tomato sauce and mayo.mmmm

fills em up and you can do these very cheaply!

garlic bread (but flat..less crumbs)

boiled new potatos in butter

potato wedges with variety of shop dips

tortilla chips

erm..trying to remember last house warming party

i was 9 months pg when i organised this..was house warming / my 26th birthday party / and mothers day!! you can do it!!!
but you dh owes you massive amounts of favours!!!

Am getting hungry now!

so am i!
why have i got no pasta in..

oh and just read but was about to say..boxes of wine and get cheapy stuff which can emerge when evryone(else for you} is too pissed to realise!