Food and ideas for parents 30th anniversary

[colleenm1016]

I'm hosting a 30th anniversry party for my parents and don't know what I have to do for food. I originally was going to just do apps and finger foods, but I'm having people at 5 and feel like maybe I need more of a meal. I was thinking some big pans of lasgana, meantballs, alfredo and things like that? Just looking for any help I can get. I'm on a budget which is why it's at my house and I'm not renting a hall or something.

Thanks!

[colleenm1016]

Oh, and I'm probably having about 50-60 people...

[The Chowhound Team]

Are you looking for suggestions for caterers, or suggestions for food to make yourself? If the former, this is the right place for your query. If the latter, let us know and we'll move it to the Home Cooking board, where food preparation is discussed.

[colleenm1016]

Thank you, I'm looking for things to make myself... appetizers, and some big platter foods that don't get too pricey and can feed a crowd :-)

[katecm]

I think finger foods would be fine at 5 pm. Perhaps call it a cocktail party or open house, or invite people from 5-7 and they should get the point.

[biondanonima]

Since it's your parents' 30th anniversary, I assume the crowd is going to be older (50-60+)? In that case, most of them will probably expect dinner at a party that's being held from 5-7pm, especially if you live somewhere other than a major city. If you want to just do appetizers and snacks, I'd have the party from 7:30-10 or so.

Do you have seating for that many people? If not, you need to choose things that are easy to eat standing up, on paper plates and with plastic utensils (unless you were planning to use real stuff). Spaghetti is probably not optimal, although lasagne might work (and probably holds up better). A pressed sandwich like a muffaletta would work well - you can make several in hollowed out loaves of bread, then cut them into smaller wedges with a long toothpick for serving. A couple of briskets, cooked and sliced and served in sauce with rolls so that people could make their own BBQ sandwiches might work as well. Meat skewers of different types (kebab, satay, etc.) are easy to eat standing up.

[colleenm1016]

Thanks for the great ideas!

The crowd is mainly in their 40's - 50's, but the reason I was thinking of having it a little earlier was because I am also inviting my grandmothers, and most people have about a 35-40 minute ride. Nothing is set in stone, the only thing I have so far is the guest list. I do like the sandwhich idea a lot. One of my moms best friends is sort of helping me with the planning and is very italian, so of course she's thinking italian dinner. I definitely don't have room to seat that many people and assume most people will be standing the whole time. I was thinking this would be fun, but is starting to get a bit overwhelming!

[escondido123]

IF it people are going to be standing, you might want to reconsider foods that would be difficult to eat. Meatballs would be great if you made them small, I would not do Alfredo for that many (it can quickly get cold and clump) but baked shells layered with all the lasagna ingredients would be easy to handle with just a fork. Then how about a big antipasto with lots of grilled/fried vegetables and maybe some salami and cheese. Good bread with that and then all sorts of pastries and I think you have yourself a meal.

[egging]

You are a sweet daughter, Colleen! I'm sure that no matter what you decide, your parents will be appreciative.
I have a few thoughts--I hope at least one will be helpful.
What about calling it a "cocktail supper"? That way, people can expect hearty appetizers, but not a sit-down meal. You could serve a variety of meats, cheeses, crudites, etc.
On a completely different track, would you consider moving the party up to 3 or 4 pm and making it a cake and punch reception? That's why my partner's siblings decided to do for their parents, and it worked well.

[colleenm1016]

Thanks, that's also a good idea. A lot of my parents friends are the party/drinking type, and I felt like they'd have more fun at night? My husband also works till 3, so although he won't be home to really help me prepare at least he'd be there when people arrived. I'd also thought of doing it later, but then I feel bad for my grandmothers and the few older people that dont want to drive at night. My moms friend that is helping me has offered to help me cook and what not, but I'm just thinking of all the additional items involved like those tray holders, warmers, etc... I'd planned on a "party", not dinner, but I guess it's my fault for having it at dinner time :-/

[attran99]

Do you know what they served at their wedding? Would it be prudent to try to recreate any of the dishes? Or perhaps do a party of foods from the 80's. I'm not entirely familiar what was popular then.

[colleenm1016]

wow, terrific idea!!! I'll have to try and find out - anyone have ideas on that?!

[Madrid]

I was married in 1977, and we had little quiches and crudites...among other things, but those two were new trends back then. I've seen recipes for lasagne noodles rolled up with fillings inside that could be eaten as room temp finger food, also I remember "fettucine muffins" cooked in muffin tins eaten the same way. I'd try to keep as much as possible room temp service so you minimize the warming tray needs. Several purchased breads/bread sticks, cold cuts, raw or parboiled vegs, cheeses, bowls of pesto and marinara, olives....and maybe a big fruit salad or tray of chopped fruit...a spinach pie or small calzones...sausage encased in pizza dough, baked and sliced.....
You are a sweet daughter trying to take everyone's needs into account. I don't think people "that age" or any age will expect a sit down dinner and if they eat enough they aren't going to want dinner later. I could be wrong...I don't know your parents' friends but I think your time frame is perfect to suit the most important guests' needs!

[masha]

Other popular appetizers of the era would include cheese straws, and Brie cheese. Flourless chocolate cake was a trendy dessert by the early 80s.

[laliz]

I thought of that too, what did they serve at their wedding?

Or, I would do a turkey the day before and refrigerate. Slice when it is cold and serve w/condiments and rolls. (mustard, mayo, cream cheese, cranberry sauce)

Then do a ham and slice. serve w/bread(s), cheese slices, condiments

mixed olives, nuts (I suggest Marcona almonds), a vegetable salad & a macaroni salad, and a fruit platter (red and green grapes, pineapple slices, strawberries

all can be done ahead

[ForFoodsSake]

I did something similar last summer for my mom's birthday. Here was what we did:

-Chicken & beef kebabs (use veggies liberally to stretch the meat)
-Cornbread muffins
-Several salads (including potato, pasta, veggie, fruit)
-Asparagus
-Several cakes

The hardest part was keeping the warm stuff warm. People were too busy socializing to sit down when the food was ready, so if I had it to do over again, I'd definitely look to create a menu that wasn't so temperature sensitive. We also asked friends to bring their favorite side dish to share (hey, we're in the south so a potluck is expected!), which helped stretch the budget quite a bit!