Evening party nibbles...what to do?

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Holding a 40th birthday party. 7.30-12am
Will have about 100 guests. I don't want to pay to feed them all, but people expect some sort of food at these things.
I will have friends visiting from SA, so no time to prep stuff myself leading up to party as want to see them, not spend time cooking.
Was thinking of buying lots of little cakes, but friend thinks cakes are an afternoon food, not evening.
Invites not yet out, so want to highlight the fact people should eat before they come.
So
A) what would you feed people?
how would you phrase this on the invite?
Thanks
Will have about 100 guests. I don't want to pay to feed them all, but people expect some sort of food at these things.
I will have friends visiting from SA, so no time to prep stuff myself leading up to party as want to see them, not spend time cooking.
Was thinking of buying lots of little cakes, but friend thinks cakes are an afternoon food, not evening.
Invites not yet out, so want to highlight the fact people should eat before they come.
So
A) what would you feed people?

Thanks
Who made hogs and dogs and frogs?
0
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Do you have any family or friends who could do the catering for you? Or could you buy a few cheeseboards and note on the invitation that crackers and cheese (or better, cheese and wine) will be provided? Does the venue offer catering?
For my son's 18th (next week!), I'm preparing as much as I can the day before, including a watermelon Captain Hook ship. I'm emptying my fridge to make enough space. Family and a friend are helping out, so that I don't have to do everything.
Don't want to lumber family and friends into food prep if I'm not going to be doing any of it myself. The venue does offer catering - starting at £6 a head. Not unreasonable, but not paying £500 on top of room hire. Looking at the Sainsbury/M+S etc platter options - comes out rather similar in cost.
I like the cheeseboard idea - that feels doable. Am contacting local pizza companies too to see how much they'd charge. Any other ideas gratefully received.
You could warm pies in oven at venue and heat peas on the top.
I'm sure a local bakery would do you a deal.
You could have different fillings including a vegetarian option.
The trays would just need little signs to say which is which. These could be made at home at any time ready to take to the venue. Maybe have a couple of slow cookers with peas in rather than pans as this would look better. Let everyone serve themselves.
You could then state on you invite that there is a pie and pea supper.
Cheeseboard and cheesecake could be simple dessert options.
If doing a cheeseboard, remember to add celery, grapes and maybe a couple of chutneys as well as a good selection of biscuits.
Hope your birthday is a belta.
xx
Christmas is not a time but a state of mind :xmassmile
Trying.....Very trying- as my DH would say :whistle:
Loving de-cluttering
Ovens at venue only for staff at venue to use. Hirers not allowed them.
If you are inviting people to a party they will expect a buffet at least. I assume the bar isn't free?
Eta yes, some stores will do sandwich platters and snack platter, ask at customer services.
Thank you Honey Bear
Scrub that I've just read your further post, you can't use oven. I'd only read your 1st post and thought you were doing this at home - I did think you must have a large house for 100 guests!
Make up yourself plain/basic salads of lettuce, cucumber, tomatoes, grated cheese, sliced/quartered boiled eggs, potato salads, pasta salads that are easy to make. Whip those out when the pizzas arrive.
Find/make cheese straws. Put out some tubs with celery/carrot sticks & some simple dips.
Or just put in big letters on the invite: BRING A PLATE (where a plate is a plate of food).