Something healthy and fresh. If they're driving, they probably last had either car snacks or fast food. And if they flew, they probably feel gross from time spent in an airport and airplane. Plus most of the food options at airports are gross too. Personally, I'd love a hearty salad or some kind of veggie tray with hummus, etc.

Nothing they would have eaten on the road - so I would avoid hamburgers, fried chicken/sandwiches, pizza, etc. I personally would be happy with a salad and charcuterie.

Pizza, crudite, charcuterie

Snacks and something easy and filling if they a really hungry. We always do pizza for guests arriving out of town!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Some kind of antipasto or charcuterie. They can pick at it or eat heartily depending on how hungry they are. Crackers and breads with dips, plus meats/cheeses/veggies for the gluten free person. Lots of protein for those who need it.

As a guest I will feel more obliged to eat soup that had been prepared for me but more comfortable just picking at crackers and dip.

The baby's parents need to figure out what to feed him or her.

That’s a fair point.

Was going to suggest the same. Enough to fill up on if necessary, but I'd much prefer to pick at things rather than sit down to a full meal.

Spiced potatoes and peas filled samosa with tea to perk them up.

Butter chicken, garlic naan, fried cauliflower, daal, spinach paneer, vegetable biryani and raita for dinner.

Anonymous wrote:Some kind of antipasto or charcuterie. They can pick at it or eat heartily depending on how hungry they are. Crackers and breads with dips, plus meats/cheeses/veggies for the gluten free person. Lots of protein for those who need it.

As a guest I will feel more obliged to eat soup that had been prepared for me but more comfortable just picking at crackers and dip.

The baby's parents need to figure out what to feed him or her.

That’s a fair point.

I usually do some sort of meat (meatballs, cacciatore, whatever) in red sauce, pasta, salad, roasted veg, and garlic bread.

Vegetarians get plenty without meat (reserve some sauce on the side that's not meat-tainted) and if people are full they can opt out of meat. If someone is gluten free you can make Banza and they skip bread.

Lactose free? No parm or butter.

This works for my mish-mash vegetarian/vegan/no onion in laws. I just make the pasta sauce with lots of garlic and peppers and other veggies but not onions.

Some kind of antipasto or charcuterie. They can pick at it or eat heartily depending on how hungry they are. Crackers and breads with dips, plus meats/cheeses/veggies for the gluten free person. Lots of protein for those who need it.

As a guest I will feel more obliged to eat soup that had been prepared for me but more comfortable just picking at crackers and dip.

The baby's parents need to figure out what to feed him or her.

Anonymous wrote:Ask them.

That would make sense if they weren’t the don’t worry about us types.

I’ll do some sort of soup and snacks.

I vote for something served buffet style and easy to customize and reheat, like a taco bar or make your own sandwiches and soup.

Have lots of snacks handy if they're arriving in between meal times.

Any comfort food: stew, soup, mashed potato...

Ask them.

Chili and cornbread

Some kind of stew? Like a braised beef? With rice and salad on the side.

I have family coming to town who may or may not be hungry when they arrive. What should I have to feed them?

One gluten free person and one baby are part of the small group.