Train Themed Birthday food ideas

We are hosting a 2nd birthday party with 17 adults the week before Christmas. I would like to have a menu that fits with a theme, but more importantly, it needs to be easy to eat and feed people with the following dietary restrictions: some gluten free, some dairy free, a few health food fanatics, a diabetic, and a seafood allergy. We are ok catering, but what can we order to meet all of this without ordering 10 different entrees?

Re: Train Themed Birthday food ideas

Well, the first thing I would recommend is obvious- A TRAIN CAKE!!! also maybe cookies (like sugar) using a train cookie cutter! (I have seen eggless cookie dough recipes if you want to eliminate egg).

If you have a lot of people with restrictions, try to reduce the food to a common denominator. Usually fruits and vegetables can be eaten by anyone.

You can use fruit to make train cars by cutting melon into rectangular strips for the cars and a melon baller to make wheels. You can use toothpicks to hold the wheels in place and fill a platter around the cars with additional fruits. Now you have a themed fruit platter.

What about wraps and sub platter? That is also usually a safe choice. You can do a variety of different choices for fillings and breads.

If you go with the sandwiches and fruit platter, you can also do maybe a pasta salad that you think would work with most restrictions.

Also, maybe you can get a platter of plain grilled chicken, most places you can order from will do it.

Re: Train Themed Birthday food ideas

I wanted to add that while I am thinking simple foods, since those are easiest for people with restrictions, you can still offer variety.

For instance, You can do something like grilled chicken (which seems to be a good choice for all the restrictions you had) and then have a topping bar if you wanted to make it more special. Like you could have different sauces to pour on top or marinated mushrooms or salsa or cheese or an olive tapenade. So that way, the item is basic but than people can choose to dress it up in a way that they like and is appropriate for their diet or just keep it plain, the way it is.

Re: Train Themed Birthday food ideas

Thank you!!!