a nervous first time party host needs help

[AnnieTal]

we are renting a place for our DD first party as all the guests live in the area closer to the place we are renting and we dont want them to travel all the way to our home which is around 2 hrs away so we unfortunately couldnt party at our home,we are ordering thai food for 20 and obviously cannot carry huge serving utensils all the way there are 5 dishes including starters and desserts in total how do we serve these all the other buffet serving tableware etc is ready.I would really appreciate some suggestions & help on this one as carrying utensils for serving from home would be impossible the restaurant only delivers them in takeway containers

how about using large tin foil trays that we cook xmas turkeys in to serve the food and having a lot of paper cups and plastic cutlery? If environmentally conscious then there is biodegradable cutlery available via amazon i think. Hope this helps. All the best.

Do you mean you need to serve the food on something? How are you getting there? I'd just buy a load of serving platters and disposable plates etc. If you're in a car then pick it up from a supermarket on the way (click and collect) or buy it prior to going.

Could you borrow things from some of the guests that live in the area where the party is? Most people, especially friends and family, would be happy to help.

When you say utensils, do you mean big pots/casserole dishes for presentation of curries etc?

As PPs say, you can buy tin foil serving platters that will be perfect for starters, some desserts (maybe portioned up), finger food kind of thing. For wetter things, it's not going to be an insane amount of food. Take whatever casserole dishes/serving spoons you have, raid the cupboards of the venue and you'll probably find a couple more, and ask the odd friend or parent to bring a casserole or two, or a ladle or two. I think you'll find it easier than you think.

If we are not answering your question then could you just clarify what equipment you are missing? I'm not completely sure of the difference between "serving utensils" you have and "all other buffet serving tableware" that you have covered.

What’s the food?
What do you or the food people already have?
Is it standing up finger food or is it sit down plated food?

thanks so much ravepixie,MyThirdBestWig,Atalune,pattimayonnaise and Aquamarine1029 for replying back, the suggestions and help.

@ Atalune the food is basically five dishes for 20, 2 currys/gravy dishes 1 rice dish,1 starter and one dessert

it is sit down food,we already have plates,cutlery,cups and dessert tubs ready

@ MyThirdBestWig I am just nervous about serving utensils/serveware for the curry dishes and rice dishes for 20 people

will tin foil trays used for christmas roast suffice serving curry and rice dishes for 20 if I buy a pack of large and deep tin foil trays ???

See serving utensils to me means serving spoons, which I would bring from home.

I think curry would be fine on a deep foil tray though it would cool down quickly. Personally I'd cobble together some casseroles as I said but honestly, you'll be fine either way.

If it's something like a village hall or scout hut, they often have things like serving dishes and jugs, and an oven you can use to warm the serving dishes. But then some don't. If it's local to your extended family can you ask someone to pop in and see what they have?

@ MyThirdBestWig thanks so much for the prompt reply,suggestions and help.Suggestions taken on board, decided on buying a pack of deep foil trays and carrying a casserole.

@MyThirdBestWig along with serving spoons from home.

Good luck, I'm sure it'll go well x

@ MyThirdBestWig Thank you so much.

Yes I would do the same, sounds lovely!

@ Atalune thanks so much 👍