Children and food at reception

gemma84_2

Hi all,

Were hoping to have a paella in the afternoon and hog roast in the evening however we have a few children that won't eat either so I want to offer alternatives. The venue is a marquee in an estate so we don't have access to a large kitchen however there is a guesthouse on site with basic cooking equipment and we have access to power. Can anyone help with ideas were looking at about 10 children aged from 1 up to 10.

Thanks

heartbreak_star

Tell them not to be so fussy for a day? (that's what my mum would have done)

Could you make something like chicken nuggets and chips? Or cheese sandwiches instead of hog roast? Or have a word with the kids' parents and see what they say

HBS x

scotsh

when you are serving paella could you do wee lunch boxes with sandwich juice toy etc. or something like a happy meal idea chips, chicken nuggets or burger.

julie03

You an get some lovely paper lunch boxes, plus you can pre make, won't hurt them to have a cold lunch.

JimmyTheWig

What time are the children arriving at the venue?
How far away do they live?
Is there a McDonalds, or similar, within a few miles of the venue?

My thinking is that they can eat their main meal before they get to you. Either at home or en route.
While I accept that not everyone would eat hog roast it is fairly inoffensive to children. Presumably there will be other stuff (some sort of bread, salad, crisps, biscuits, cake) that they can eat. Presumably it will be a case of help yourself when you are ready, rather than dishing everyone up a plateful.
If the timings work for them to eat beforehand then as long as there is stuff for them to not go hungry just let the parents know what the food is and they can sort themselves.

I say this as someone who was a fussy eater as a child. If it was help yourself I would have been perfectly happy to help myself to a bread roll and some crisps.
I also say it as a parent of 4 children in the age-range you are talking about, one of whom is food phobic. We would expect to bring stuff for our food phobic daughter if we wanted her to eat and we knew the options wouldn't be our selection. We'd be perfectly happy for our other children to eat junk for that mealtime if there wasn't anything real that took their fancy.

ognum

I would let the parents know what you plan to serve and ask them to bring some packed food for their children if they won't enjoy it!

LEJC

If its a summer wedding how about their own buffet table with some sandwiches,sausage rolls.salads,etc....maybe addingf some warmed options of chicken pieces,mini burgers that way they can help themselves and its all food that can probably be prepared beforehand.

If you wanted to do something hot and had the facilities to then perhaps you could look at maybe a pasta bake and bread or something like a lasagne....thats similar in format to the main you are having.

I wouldnt stress yourself too much over the food for children...and in some ways if they are hungry they will eat what is offered...presumably you are having a cake or dessert...I bet everyone of them will dive into that...without a second thought....

You say there are some children who wont eat either...is this because they have a medical reason or just that the parents say they dont like it?
I was once in a situation where I was told I needed to cater for a couple of "fussy eaters" who wouldnt eat the main course I had planned for everyone else...only to find them tucking in to the original and claiming it was "yummy"....ask them to try it ...you and they and their parents may be surprised!

Nada666

So for supper the adults are going to be satisified with a slice of pork sitting naked on a plate/napkin?

As this is unlikely to be the case I am sure there will be other bits for the spoiled brats to whinge about until they are hungry.

flea72

I would say most kids eat chicken and rice, so would tuck into the paella. Also whats not for them to like about roast pork and bread

If they dont like what is served, then they can go hungry. Tbh, i would expect more older generation people to turn their nose up at rice and seafood.

I also dont get the trend for hog roast of late. Its not exactly pleasant to eat, standing up, when wearing your finery (also tends to come in floury rolls, that add to the mess)

gemma84_2

Thanks all, don't have kids myself and with one fussy soon to be step son I guess I assumed all kids were the same. Will speak to the parents and see what they say.

flea72 wrote: »

I also dont get the trend for hog roast of late. Its not exactly pleasant to eat, standing up, when wearing your finery (also tends to come in floury rolls, that add to the mess)

To be honest I can't think of anything else to serve, I didn't want to go down the buffet route and this seemed to be the only thing I could think of. Nothings been booked yet so any alternatives welcome.

Gloomendoom

flea72 wrote: »

I also dont get the trend for hog roast of late. Its not exactly pleasant to eat, standing up, when wearing your finery (also tends to come in floury rolls, that add to the mess)

If you are working to a tight budget, hog roasts are a good way to stop your guests going hungry without spending a fortune. Standing up to eat it isn't mandatory.

Flour on my face or a rumbling stomach, I know which I would choose.