Let guests carve their own slices from whole legs of lamb and a large joint of ham. Serve with bowls of sauces, onion marmalade and thin slices of fresh French baguette. For non-meat eaters, serve a whole brie with bunches of grapes and dried apricots. A stilton (with the correct spoon) works well too at winter get-togethers.

ONLY SERVE PIES SHEPHERDS PIE, STEAK PIE,FISH PIE. THAT WAY IT CAN ALL BE DONE IN ADVANCE AND SERVE WITH A BIG SALADE. FOLLOWED BY TRIFLE OR BIG FRUIT SALADE. ALL THE WORK IS DONE BY THE TIME THE GUESTS HAVE ARRIVED IT JUST NEEDS HEATING AND CANT BE RUINED.

Try and have a mixture of different finger-foods to suit every palate. They can be bought cheaply from tesco and heated up an hour before hand!

Finger foods are probably the best option. You can get loads of them from Iceland, Farmfoods, Tesco, etc. Haven't you been watching I'm a celebrity with them annoying Iceland adverts about buffet food lol!! Also do some sandwiches with different fillings chopped into triangles, stick your various buffet foods on and voilla!!