Alfreton Divers: Time to close this one down.
Following a miscommunication with the pub we ended up with no chef and 3 staff members down on the planned day of the event, with a 20th birthday party + DJ booked the same evening. Not good [:(]
However, Mandy shone through with an idea that saved the day - for us to supply a buffet, which the pub was happy with as it wouldn't put pressure on the limited kitchen resources that evening. We could even bring our own cakes. Bonus!
The following day we arrived at Costco Derby to order food platters, spotting that we'd arrived in the nick of time 30 minutes before a 1pm cut-off, with 48 hours notice required for food. Still, with food decided and order posted in the box well before time all we needed to do was turn up and collect.
I was even lucky enough to get the Friday afternoon off so we could all go to collect instead of just Mandy & Abbie, and we had LOADS of time to get it sorted and back to the pub and get organised.
'What name was it? No, can't seem to find it.'
'Sorry, we got married, try ...'
'No, can't seem to find it.'
Off she goes for 5 minutes then returns to say the food order can't be found and apologises that it's not been done [:(] Thankfully we'd already raided the chiller cabinet by this point and loaded the trolley with trays of sarnies and wraps whilst the staff went off to make the salad and fruit platter we'd ordered. Sadly no veggie sarnies so we had to grab a bag of grated cheese and a bunch of part-baked rolls and run home quick to bake them...
We arrived a few minutes late - many thanks to all those who helped carry the food from the car and get set up. We knew that a few people had offered to bring food for the buffet too, though didn't expect the amount that was brought, all greatly appreciated and apologies if I can't remember exactly what was brought by whom.
Many thanks to all who attended. I was a bit sceptical knowing that the DJ would be starting about 9pm but thankfully the music wasn't too loud and at least people managed a bit of geobanter and TB discovery inbetween nipping out for the new caches. We even managed to pry Abbie out of Grandma & Grandad's hands for a few minutes so that others could finally meet her and have a cuddle. She seemed pretty happy with the whole thing, even if she's too young to say so at present!
Glad all enjoyed it, though next time I'll be sure to be more on the ball with the booking of venue and food!