Dh's small 40th birthday party - food?

[pigsinmud]

Ok. I'm organising a small drinks gathering for dh's 40th birthday. We're having it on a Saturday afternoon so no-one needs babysitters. Can do the usual nibbles, but come 5ish the children (22 of them ) will be starving. If I get food for the kids, then the adults eat half of it ...

What shall I do? Cook pizzas for all - then I don't need to bother with cutlery? Or go down the pasta salad & quiche route and a bunch of back up sandwiches for some of the kids(need cutlery obviously)?

I'll be making a few cakes too. Feel c**p this week, so feeling particularly lazy and uninspired. Help me make up my mind!

There'll be 22 adults and 22 children - give & take a few.

Hmmm, I'm not sure but could you add on another 2 adults and 2 children...me and dh love party food

I would go down the pizza route. It is striaghtforward and easier to cater. I also find that ice creasm cones 9with a selection of flavours and toppings, sauces is a fairly easy dessert for large numbers with no washing up, but depends on how many puddings you like doing etc.

I'd do hot dogs for the children, with either real sausages or those ones you just drop in hot water.

If you can face it why not make a big pot of chilli and rice for the adults? You could make it tommorrow and freeze it. Get disposable plates and cutlery so there's no clearing up.

How about baked pots and a variety of toppings - would need crockery (bowls perhaps rather than plates)and cutlery (maybe just a fork each)- but all toppings could be cold and prepared in advance, so no last minute panic.

Or hot dogs

For pud - just a slice of your dh's cake

Thanks for those suggestions. I'm feeling so lazy that I think I'll just go for pizza. Might do sausages too though.
Thanks.

The chilli and rice option with salad on the side (maybe even garlic bread) worked really well for us. Everyone loved it. However, I recommend that you do not use paperplates.

You can make the chilli the night before (actually makes it better when you make it 1-2 nights before you actually need it).

pizza for 44 people, I hope you have a huge oven or you are gonna get it delivered, and then there is making sure that you have a good selection of toppings etc etc

I would go for something that I could shove in the oven and forget about, chicken curry, chilli, etc etc