Sophie99
member
Reged: 06/05/2006
Posts: 6
Loc: Hampshire
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I'm hosting my parents Golden Wedding in July - I've hired a marquee (which takes up the whole of our tiny garden!) and am now wondering about catering - bearing in mind I'm not a keen cook. What do people recommend I provide - I don't really want to get caterers in. We're half veggie and half over 65!  I'll feel really chuffed if I can do the catering myself - but want it to be manageable and not too stressful! Any ideas please?
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Spanishlady
member
Reged: 21/01/2008
Posts: 1207
Loc: Torrevieja Spain
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Lots of salads , baked salmon fresh baggettes
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LadyWillow
member
Reged: 04/04/2008
Posts: 287
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Keep it simple ... do loads of different salads, potato salads, coleslaw, cheeses, breads, cheesecake ... possibly a barbecue with skewer kebabs that people can cook themselves. Old-fashioned maybe, but it's food that people can help themselves to throughout the day.
Or, if you have a bit more money to spend, go to M&S and get masses of cocktail and party food (speak to the manager and put in an order so you don't turn up and there's nothing for you to buy!)
Don't stress yourself out... you want to enjoy the day and spend as much with your parents as possible. You can prepare as much as possible the night before and keep your day calm.
I have masses of recipes for salads and veggie stuff that is suitable for buffets. If you'd like some PM your email address to me and I'll send you a pile.
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wispa
member
Reged: 16/01/2008
Posts: 1595
Loc: Suffolk,
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Could you make a list of stuff you want, and then ask for volunteers? Even if people only brought salads and desserts it would be a help.
Chat up your local pub. They have ice making machines and usually often have to throw a lot away. You can use that to chill drinks and also to keep food cool.
Borrow as many cool boxes as you can.
..wispa
..wispa
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Sophie99
member
Reged: 06/05/2006
Posts: 6
Loc: Hampshire
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Thank you SO much for ideas so quickly - speaking to our local pub is a great idea - and I've already been online at M&S and by looking at their food order e-book its given me some ideas as to what to do. I don't want to stop any other ideas coming in though - already these replies have given me some confidence - thank you!
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wispa
member
Reged: 16/01/2008
Posts: 1595
Loc: Suffolk,
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Don't forget
1. Buy a nice new outfit for the day, and don't leave it to the last minute
2. Plan your timetable carefully so you have time to relax for half an hour, get dressed, etc before the guests arrive
3. Rope in plenty of volunteers for clearing up. It can wait to the next day!
4. But some nice bath oil, and get a big fluffy towel. Indulge in a lovely relaxing bath afterwards, or even the next morning
5. Find somewhere that does great breakfasts (our local supermarket cafe is great) and go out for breakfast the next morning before you start clearing up.
And make sure you enjoy the day too
.,.wispa
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Elsie
member
Reged: 05/01/2008
Posts: 1634
Loc: Scotland
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I've used M&S before for parties and have not been disappointed. You don't even have to transfer stuff onto plates as it all comes in very suitably presented throw-away trays. Have plenty of bin bags at the ready for the end.
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Bluebell35
member
Reged: 25/03/2008
Posts: 356
Loc: Kent
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Sophie, a friend of mine is having a party in a marquee next month. For the food they are doing a ploughmans supper. They are going to buy different cheeses and put them out on big platters, lots of french bread, butter, bowls of salads, bowls of fruit. All very easy to prepare and buy in bulk. Both vegetariansd and meat eaters will enjoy. For the meat eaters you could also add some pate or terrines.
Ask several of your neighbours if you can borrow some fridge space to keep everything cool & fresh until it's time to put the food out. Enjoy.
Bluebell35 xx
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Carolyn5771
member
Reged: 09/04/2008
Posts: 19
Loc: Very South
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Hi
I've used Waitrose for both work events and for a picnic at the races last year for my 40th birthday, and as Elsie says it is all delivered in lovely boxed plates - which are also useful for repacking and redistributing left overs!! They even do flower displays and ice sculptures to be really posh.
Much easier than doing it all yourself but cheaper than caterers.
Good luck - hope you all have a lovely day.
Carolyn
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 Carolyn
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susieblue
member
Reged: 16/03/2008
Posts: 804
Loc: Devon
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I catered myself for my OH 50th (5 years ago). My friends arrived from 200 miles away early deliberately to help and couldn't believe it. Everything was done and I was sitting with my feet up, eyeing the bottles of bubbly.
Plan in advance. Keep it simple and easy to do in advance. You want to enjoy the event and not be rushing round like a bat out of hell last minute. People are coming to the event, not to check out your catering.
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Flo2604
member
Reged: 29/09/2007
Posts: 1047
Loc: South Wales
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Ask any close friends and neighbours to bring a plate, or if you supply the ingredients, perhaps you can pressgang them into making a few things for you.
Asda do huge catering packs of ham and other cold meats. Arrange all that on platters with lovely fresh bread, huge chunks of cheese, loads of fresh fruit.....away to go.
....and all arranged beautifully with balloons or flowers etc
Flo
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Your smile is your greatest weapon
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dizeeblonde
member
Reged: 19/01/2008
Posts: 2153
Loc: Manchester
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As susieblue and ladywillow said keep it simple. I did the same sort of thing for my sister-in-law's 50Th last year, and it was a great success. Simple, plenty and help yourself, people are still telling me what a good party it was.
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Sophie99
member
Reged: 06/05/2006
Posts: 6
Loc: Hampshire
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I really appreciate all the offers of help - i certainly feel a lot more confident now - thank you! I've a local Waitrose so will head off this week to talk to the manager to see what he can offer.
I think keeping everything cool is going to be the hardest bit - but borrowing some fridge space is a good idea.
And thanks for the suggestion about buying an outfit early- I never think about clothes -and it hadn't even crossed my mind i need to have something nice - dur! - I'd better start giving it some thought!
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