Ok, you have been invited to a wedding reception and know in advance there will be a cold finger buffet...

[MerlinsBeard]

...what would you expect to see?

(want to check i haven't missed anything!)

There is no oven there so i can't do anything that should really be served hot, don't want any cocktail stick type things (lots of children who WILL poke each other)

I may have to bugger off to sort teas but will be back

Definately coleslaw and potato salad - it's funny how these are often "token" but always disappear the fastest!!

Pizza slices
Savory tart ie feta cheese & olive
Salad
Quiche
Mini baked potatoes
French bread
Butter
Pasta Salad
Cold Beef/Ham/Roast Chicken (sliced in advance)
Cocktail sausages
Chutney
Samosas
Cheese board & grapes

Unless you want a really retro air to the buffet I would steer clear of vol-au-vents, chicken drumsticks, sandwiches, crisps and scotch eggs!! Nothing wrong with any of these but it depends on the ambience you are trying to create, they tend to appeal to a much older crowd. It's pensioners party food TBH. They are no less expensive than other more recent party fayre so it's not a matter of expense. Not sure I have ever seen a scotch egg at a wedding reception buffet, must have been missing out all these years! Sausage rolls/mini pork pies are still on the right side of retro though .

Dips are only good at smaller gatherings as they are messy, run out fast and don't really earn their place on the table.

For dessert, I agree with the poster who suggested profiteroles & fruit salad! Keep it simple.

I wouldn't do too much mini bites type stuff, as they will likely need heating up or cooking in advance also they don't go very far.

All in IMHO of course, I'm sure others would disagree about scotch eggs etc but there you go!!

Crusty bread
Selection of cheeses
Ham/salmon
Prawns
Pasta/cous cous/rice salad
Pickles/olives
Tartlets (red onion with goats cheese or some such)

Trifle
Tiramisu
Cheesecake

Actually, thinking about it, I think Delia does a buffet recipe/guide:

www.deliaonline.com/articles/delias-guide-to-parties,1709,JP.html

As an allergicy type, I always appreciate a buffet with cold meat (ham, turkey, roast beef), a green mixed salad (no dressing), cheese board (no crackers or bread on it), and rice salad.

If you try and make sure that veggie, vegans, gluten free and dairy free people can all get a meal that isn't just salad you'll be very popular as a buffet provider.

I agree that making up sandwiches is labour intensive, and they are never as nice when they've been sitting around as taking some nice rolls and stuffing them yourself

Some sort of wedding cake?

If you are really truely northern then where on earth is the corned beef and potato pie?

lol @ some kind of wedding cake!

wow, LOADS i have missed out

There are no allergies except for the possibly allergic to peanuts child( she is a new foster child so may not even still be there on saturday and they haven;t found her GPs notes) and no veggies/vegans.

Am pleased to say that i had most of tjhis on my list already!

am off to look at what delia says.

Thank yo very much