OMG please help me!!!

[tabbycat7]

DH and I are having a party next weekend for our tenth wedding anniversary. For various reasons (a whole other thread) I have ended up with responsibility for the food. Unfortunately I am quite a bad cook, we have four little dses aged between 7 years and 9 months and there is limited cooking and fridge facilities at the venue. My folks are arriving on thursday and have offered to help.

I want to avoid crap from iceland/ retro eighties birthday party kind of thing, ie no cheese and pineapple, crisps, cheese spread sarnies etc.

What could I make that is easy and quick and could be made at, say 6am on Friday morning? There is some space in our fridge. I might have to make DH eat the cheese though. I was thinking simple, salad type things and cake tart maybe trifle things for pud. People are going to be eating standing up. There will be 50-60 guests.

Tasty but easy and not too much choice is what I am after. I do not want to over reach myself

Ta

Could you secretly get caterers?

I'm considering buying it all from M and S!

Of course, obvious now you mention it. They do a catering service where they deliver it all ready to go on platters.

I might find out how expensive it is

Is there a Costco near you?

I don't think so

Make some quiches, buy in pizza, cold meats (parma ham, salami etc), rice salad, pasta salad, potato salad (green salad) coronation chicken, etc.

If you really want to push the boat out, cook a ham and a whole salmon, you can serve them cold.

Get people to bring desserts, or go really easy on yourself with key lime pie, cheesecake etc that doesn't require any cooking.

We had marksys platters at work when we had an event on it was lovely.

If you can afford it id price that up then price up a couple of caterers.

Normally I'd say DIY, but if you're going to struggle with cooking facilities at the venue and with time, better to order in if you can.

VBisme that all sounds lovely! Is it easy? I could make my parents help.

BoysBoysBoys i'll do that too.

Then the plates, cutlery, glasses etc. do you have to do that and sort out the tables? Can you call in some favours from friends?

Its all easy, you can cook the ham and the salmon well in advance, (well a day or so at least), the salads you just put together, the meats stick on a plate and the quiches either buy in or make from scratch (you can't ruin a quiche).

Ok, feeling slightly calmer now.

Plates etc are under control.

I've got plans to make flower arrangements for the table (much more within my skill set :) )

A couple of people have offered to help. I might give them a call.

Pizza is so quick and easy. You can even cheat and buy the bases and then put on different toppings. It's always popular.

Oh and chocolate rice crispy cakes are very easy to make too