Hi,
Me and my friend are doing a buffet for around 20 officers at sea cadets, Everything we serve has to be homemade and our budget is £30. We were trying to think of ideas for the food but didn't want it like a kids buffet... Does anyone have any ideas ?

Thank you :)

I would base the buffet on a big pot of chicken curry or chili with brown rice. They are both cheap to make, especially if you put in lots of tomatoes, beans and vegetables and get creative with the spices. (Some cocoa powder adds a really interesting note to spicy chili).

Then add some salad: grated carrot and raisins with a nice dressing is good, because it's cheap and easy, and you can eat it with one hand. Avoid lettuce based salads, you need a knife and fork for those. Also try greek salad for vegetarians, heavy on the cucumber and tomato to keep prices down.

For dessert, try a chocolate fondue. It's easy and cheap. Just melt some chocolate, and serve it in a couple of pots over a tea-light candle, and let people dip grapes, banana, and Lady fingers into it.

Garlic potatoes.

Slice potatoes add some garlic butter and roast.

Maybe some sea salt and black pepper.

Stuffed celery. Either use cream cheese or pimento cheese.