BBC Children in Need dinner party menu
Discover Tom Kerridge's delicious dinner party menu and help raise funds for BBC Children in Need.
We’ve teamed up with star chef Tom Kerridge to create a special menu for you to cook for your friends and family to raise funds for BBC Children in Need and help underprivileged children. Get top tips for hosting your charity dinner party or, if you're ready to donate, visit our official donation page.
Tom says: 'It gives me immense pride to put together this menu for one of my favourite causes, BBC Children in Need. This menu is easy to shop for and prepare ahead, easily adaptable for vegetarians and easy to scale up for bigger numbers. The total food cost is about £4 a head, so charge whatever you think people can afford to #DonateForDinner. This isn't a posh sit-down dinner – this is about getting friends and family over for a good time to raise as much money as you can for an amazing charity. Happy cooking!'
Your BBC Children in Need menu for 8
Cheesy chips 'n' dips
Everyone loves chips and dips! These proper chunky chips are a bit healthier as they're baked, not fried, but are still decadent served with a sprinkling of cheese and some of Tom's signature sauces. This recipe can be prepared a day ahead.
Get the recipe: Cheesy chips 'n' dips
Shredded beef chilli taco cups
This is a great blend of a taco and a burrito. If you're serving this for lots of people, you don't need plates – just lots of napkins. How long the beef takes to braise will depend on the cut. Brisket shreds beautifully, but it does take a long time to cook.
Get the recipe: Shredded beef chilli taco cups
If any of your guests are vegetarian, or you'd like to offer a meat-free option, our black bean chilli makes a great alternative.
Red cabbage & pickled chilli slaw
If you're making this crunchy slaw for kids, leave out the chilli and dress with lime juice and a splash of oil. Pickling and fermenting is very on trend at the moment, and is an easy way to stay ahead of the game.
Get the recipe: Red cabbage & pickled chilli slaw
Mexican fiesta rice
This rice dish is vegan – but if everyone you're cooking for eats meat, some chopped smoked bacon in with the onions works well.
Get the recipe: Mexican fiesta rice
Pudsey's profiterole & salted toffee ice cream sandwiches
Making fresh choux buns is a joy. Drizzle with hot toffee sauce and top with whatever you like – try homemade honeycomb, toasted chopped nuts, crushed up biscuits or your favourite chocolate bar. This dessert is Instagram-tastic, so get your phones out and get busy snapping – and don't forget to hashtag #DonateForDinner!
Get the recipe: Pudsey's profiterole & salted toffee ice cream sandwiches
How to get ahead
Your time plan for a 7pm dinner:
3 days before: Braise the beef, shred and chill until needed.
2 days before: Boil the chips and leave to cool, then chill until needed. Make the toffee sauce and keep in an airtight container.
1 day before: Bake the profiteroles and keep in an airtight container. Bake the taco shells and keep in an airtight container. Make and chill the dips for the chips.
On the day...
In the morning: Scoop and refreeze balls of ice cream. Shred the cabbage and grate the carrot, then chill (but don't dress) the slaw.
5:30pm: Turn the oven on.
6pm: Start roasting the chips. Cook the rice. Assemble the serving suggestions. Reheat the chilli with the beans.
7pm: Serve up and get stuck in!
More BBC Children in Need inspiration...
Top tips to host your BBC Children in Need dinner party
Visit our BBC Children in Need feature page
How to bake for a cake sale
Our Pudsey-approved baking recipes
BBC Children in Need will return to BBC One for its 39th Appeal Show on 16 November. Since the charity started in 1980, the public have raised more than £950 million for disadvantaged children and young people across the UK, currently funding over 2,700 projects. See where the money you raise is spent in your area by visiting bbc.co.uk/Pudsey.
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