Food, glorious food

Food can make or break a party, so if you're fed up of serving sausage rolls, try these delicious, mouth-watering alternative menu suggestions

Party canapés

It's a good idea to begin with smaller canapés like red onion and goat's cheese pastries and move on to more filling food like tomato and basil bruschetta. 'Miniature' dishes such as mini fish and chips, mini hamburgers and mini roast beef and Yorkshire puddings are always fun and popular. If you're cooking everything yourself, it's also a good idea to have a wide selection of cold canapés that can be made in advance and won't take up space in your oven.

Avoid mixing different canapés on one serving plate, as you will dilute the impact. It's important to serve a good selection of vegetarian canapés, and to make sure that they're not all too heavy or pastry-based.

Organic canapés are very in vogue at the moment, as well as being an eminently healthy option. They don't have to cost the earth -- serve organic crudités, for instance, and healthy organic bread topped with rare beef or salmon.

Round off with sweet items such as individual strawberries dipped in chocolate or tiny summer fruit tartlets. You could even decide to have something dramatic such as a chocolate fountain which not only tastes heavenly but also acts as a fantastic focal point in a room.

Be creative when serving canapés. Look out for large glass plates which you can decorate with leaves or rose petals.

Buffets

The great advantage of buffets is that they allow you more space than a sit-down meal and create a relaxed atmosphere where everyone can circulate freely and mingle.

If you’re doing it yourself, unless you’re a very experienced cook, it's wise to stick to simple ideas, such as platters of delicious hams and salamis. Always buy top-quality meat and remember to cater for your vegetarian guests. Roast brightly-coloured vegetables, such as peppers, parsnips and red onions, in the oven and drizzle olive oil over the top. Fill salad bowls with fresh rocket and Parmesan shavings or red onion, cherry tomatoes and feta cheese.

Be brave and choose highly-flavoured, ripe, unusual cheeses served on enormous glass plates. Top bagels with red pepper and olive relish or smoked salmon and cream cheese and serve plenty of fresh bread.

Baked potatoes are great fillers and provide instant hot food. Spice up the meal with home-made garlic and chilli dips. Make sure you have plenty of tasty olives and spicy relishes on hand.

Be sure to provide plenty of plates and napkins in your chosen colour (perhaps white if your food is very colourful), and scatter your tablecloth with rose petals.

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