Food for dad's wedding reception

[swedishmum]

My dad's getting married in 3 weeks and we've just volunteered to do the reception. It'll be a Sunday lunchtime so I'm thinking of handing round a few trays then a couple of casseroles - which is where I'm stuck. I think they'd like something English (future wife to be is French) and stuff without bones is obviously easier to eat for a buffet.
Also, will a few tables with chairs be OK? Don't think we've got space to seat everyone without it looking a real mishmash!

If you do food which can be eaten with just a fork, then you won't need to seat everyone. Are you doing it at home? Do you necessarily want it to be hot food? How many people are you catering for? Happy to share some ideas once I know more about it.
By the way, there are quite a few threads on food for Christenings I think which have some great ideas ideas.

OK - reception in our house. I think it may be too cold to stick heavy-duty party tent on the patio (even with a heater). There will be just over 30 people. If I swap dining room and kitchen tables probably 18 - 20 can sit fairly comfortably around small tables in the dining room to eat.
I'm looking at hot fork food - that's what they'd like anyway - after canapes.
If I do 2 large casseroles what do I serve with them? I'm wary of poising people with reheated rice. Baby potatoes? French bread and salad? I want to have as much as possible prepared the day before so that the kitchen's fairly tidy as I'll need it for serving. Can I cook potatoes, plunge them in cold water then reheat?
Thanks for the pointers to Christening threads - I'll have a search!

Could you do roast potatoes (par-boil ahead of time) or baked potatoes? Otherwise would think about the easy-prep style couscous (you only have to pour on the water, rather than cook).

Rice would be ok as long as you part cooked and cooled rapidly then put in the fridge the day before. You can reheat safely.

But to be honest, I think French bread on its own would be fine. Salad would also be fine. Or you could do red cabbage, but not everyone likes that.

If you're preparing ahead, would recommend lamb or beef rather than chicken (which goes stringy when reheated I find) or pork (which I am happy to reheat in small amounts but would worry about a large vat of pork). Also find out whether you'll have any vegetarians.

If you are planning on doing puddings, would strongly recommend buying from Costco. If you're not a member, perhaps you know someone who is? Their desserts (chocolate fudge cake/carrot cake/apple pie etc etc are to die for and really reasonable).
Maybe also do cheese and crackers.

I've catered for several very big dos, but am not a professional - there are one or two professional caterers on here who are perhaps better equipped to advise you.

Frozen rice is good for this kind of thing - we used it for about 30 odd people for dd's christening. We did a chicken curry and spag bol (but neither are particularly British!). Have also had family 'do's with cottage pie and lasagne. Both can be prepared ahead then cooked on the day. Slow cookers can be good. Baked potatoes are also a good idea - you could have a couple of cold toppings as well as casseroles if you want to offer alternatives.

People usually stand and eat, have plenty of surfaces to put drinks down and a few chairs. If it's relaxed and informal people will usually rotate and share chairs! We usually have french bread and salad (or even just bagged lettuce).

Just remembered, a friend of ours makes mashed potato ahead, and freezes, then defrosts and reheats. Never tried making it myself, but have had hers and it's fine. Mashed potato good because it's fab with casseroles and easy to eat with just a fork. Second suggestion re slow cooker. If you can borrow a couple, it's a great, safe way of keeping stuff warm.

Rule N.1 don't attempt to make anything you've not tested before (thinking defrosting mash....I never had any luck with that one!)

Rule N.2 try not to use hob on D day, only oven, less mess in kitchen. Use disposable aluminium oven dishes.

Rule N.3 don't pack fridge with unnecessary groceries as you will need space for trays and pre-prepared cold food.

I would do:

• large lamb roast that will cook hassle free all morning and sit covered in foil without pblm.
• add large tray of rosemary roast potatoes (par boiled day before)
• you can roast baby onions and french green beans or courgette with the tatties. Add a llittle crished garlic.

-Prepare gravy day before, on D day add juices from meat and reheat in microwave

• serve with various relishes/chutneys and pretty bowls.

• casserole in slow cooker is an excellent mess free idea and lillo's idea to borrow a couple more is genius.

You can do a veggie casserole.I'm thinking mushrooms and root vegetables cooked in red wine gravy with herbs. With or without bacon.

• Salad and mother of all cheese boards with grapes/walnuts and lots of french bread.

Something along those lines should keep kitchen mess free.

How lovely of you to organise party!