100 Guests Without the Stress (Karen’s Story)

Karen came to me with a clear brief: she was hosting a party for 100 guests and wanted a vegetarian buffet that felt abundant, fresh, and a bit special. She contacted me well ahead of time, which—if you’ve read my guide to stress-free team lunches—you’ll know is one of the smartest moves you can make.

How We Planned It

• Early booking: Karen reached out with plenty of notice, giving us time to refine the menu and ensure we could source the freshest seasonal produce.
• Clear brief: “Vegetarian buffet” was the request, so I created a menu that was plant-focused, colourful, and full of flavour—courgette & white bean salad, hummus & broccoli platters, Swedish's Oscar's potato salad, and more.
• Simple process: I sent the menu, she approved it, paid the deposit, and then it was completely off her to-do list.

On the Day

I arrived an hour before the party to set up a display that was attractive, easy to navigate, and simple to replenish as needed. Everything was labelled with ingredients and allergens clearly marked—keeping guests safe as well as fed.

Karen also opted for my very affordable cake option: rustic, homemade traybakes. One chocolate, one lemon & poppyseed. Both disappeared fast.

Why It Worked So Well

This wasn’t a catered event in the traditional sense—no on-site chefs, no serving staff, no hot holding equipment. That meant it was much more affordable while still being fresh, beautiful, and memorable. All the food was ready to eat and could happily sit for a while, so Karen could focus on hosting instead of hovering over a buffet table.

Karen’s Words

OMG Vicky did the catering for 100 at my party. I told folks there was a vegetarian buffet and SO MANY people came up to say how amazing and flavoursome the food was. Vegetarian friends were delighted, they could eat everything on the table. Not only that Vicky did two tray bake cakes, the chocolate one was amazing, but the Lemon and Poppyseed had even the most constrained eaters going back for more. And Vicky, what an amazing lady, couldn't have been more accommodating, laid it out beautifully for us, ingredients boards and all. 5 stars isn't enough—she deserves 10!

The Stress-Free Catering Checklist

• Book early—more time means more menu options and fresher seasonal produce.
• Be clear about the vibe—family-style platters? A themed buffet? Formal sit-down?
• Trust your caterer—give them the brief and then step back. The less you micromanage, the more headspace you save.
• Plan for dietary needs—get allergen info upfront and make it visible on the day.
• Think about replenishment—choose dishes that can be topped up without fuss.

If you want your next event to feel like Karen’s—beautifully presented food, plenty for everyone, no stress for you—get in touch. Whether it’s a corporate lunch or a family celebration, I can help you serve something that people remember for all the right reasons.