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Party food

Looking for some ideas/advice.

We are having a party at our home for my daughters 2nd birthday soon. What started out as a few friends has turned into 31 adults and 18 kids/babies!!! Putting aside the fact that I have no idea where to put everyone, I'm also unsure what to do about food. Party starts mid afternoon so was thinking about doing a hot buffet? Don't really know where to start though.

I think I'll do an easy 'party tea' for the children - sandwiches, crisps, sausage rolls & cake etc but thought the adults will probably want something more substantial. Looking for ideas that are as easy and stress-free as possible. Can anyone help?

Comments

  • arhino30
    arhino30 Posts: 41 Forumite
    Hello
    I always do basic party food for the children, and often buy chicken drumsticks and marinade them and serve them hot or cold. Maybe some french loaf cut into slices too and some salad. You can but the 'cook in the bag' marinades to save yourself lots of hassle.
  • Emmamumof2
    Emmamumof2 Posts: 1,179 Forumite
    Chilli on nachos topped with cheese always goes down a storm at any get together's we have, and jacket potatoes too! All pretty stress free, get the chilli done well in advance, you could even freeze and again the jackets are easy enough! If it's mid afternoon most will have had lunch and won't be expecting lots, just a snack until dinner time! Have a great party!
  • sethsgran
    sethsgran Posts: 2,855 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    You could have a chilli in the slow cooker. I make a recipe called Taco soup, which is more like a chili, in our slow cooker. We serve it with sour cream and grated cheese and Doritos.
    Nothing Changes if Nothing Changes
  • VintageBelle
    VintageBelle Posts: 324 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 100 Posts Combo Breaker
    sethsgran wrote: »
    You could have a chilli in the slow cooker. I make a recipe called Taco soup, which is more like a chili, in our slow cooker. We serve it with sour cream and grated cheese and Doritos.

    This is what I was going to suggest. Slow cookers are fab for things like this. Chilli or a curry, plus jackets which can be wrapped in foil to stay hot so people can help themselves. Big bowl of salad and maybe some cold pasta?
  • mandragora_2
    mandragora_2 Posts: 2,611 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    At any children's party I went to where the adults stayed, I was pathetically grateful for a bit of a rest and a glass of wine. We just grabbed any of the kids' food that they hadn't slobbered too obviously on (mostly the sandwiches). For me, the 'substantial' meal was what I had when I got home, put the kids to bed, and sat down for the first time all day. Don't make a rod for your own back - unless you tell them you're going to feed the adults, my bet would be that no-one will expect anything. Enjoy the kids, enjoy the company, get in a couple of extra bags of crisps, and have a nice time with your daughter. If the adults get hungry, they'll leave sooner, so you can stack the dishwasher, put your feet up and order a pizza.
    Reason for edit? Can spell, can't type!
  • savingmonkey
    savingmonkey Posts: 952 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker I've been Money Tipped!
    I agree with the post above, don't cater for the adults, I would never expect a hot meal (or even a cold one) at a kids party. You will have enough to do with the kids food. Just provide drinks and crisps/cakes something like that for the adults to nibble on.
  • Bluejeanbaby
    Bluejeanbaby Posts: 55 Forumite
    Thanks for the replies. The people that are coming to the party are all family or close family friends & it's more of an excuse for a get together than a children's party to be honest so I definitely want to feed everyone! I expect most people to stay here into the early evening at least.

    I think I'm going to do some cold cuts of meat, bread rolls, a cheese board & a few bowls of salad.
  • Pooky
    Pooky Posts: 7,023 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    I'd add a few pizzas to the list - homemade or shop brought if you don't have the time - cook them in the morning (or night before and slice up when cold) - filling and cheap and a great way of using up the last of any cold meats/veg.
    "Start every day off with a smile and get it over with" - W. C. Field.
  • evar
    evar Posts: 1 Newbie
    Hi,
    For my own party last month, I decided to make use of the services of an event catering company(francofreshy.com/party.html) to deal with the food needs. Though I had to make some arrangements for them, entire food department was in their hands. It was a party for office staff and friends. So there were no kids. The catering people arranged some seafood items like shrimp. Then there were pizzas, sandwiches,smoked salmon and for dessert there were pastries and chocolate dipped strawberries.
    .
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