I like your chili ideas. This is my food of choice whenever I am feeding a crowd. What if you did the chicken chili with a big pan of cornbread (it will transport well and doesn't need to be served warm)? The beef chili with the chips and toppings is perfect. If you do both of those then everyone is sure to find something they like!
Also...if you own or can borrow a few big crockpots that would be perfect! That way people can come and go, eating as they please, and then meal will stay warm!
Good luck!

There will be people who can't/won't eat chili....because of the beans, because oft he meat because of the chili, because of the onions or whatever.
I would either do an assortment of sliced meats for sandwiches, and a side of chicken salad, for those who can't or won't eat deli meat and cheese or who are gluten intolerant.
Lots of buns, so0em torn up lettuce, mustard, pickles and mayo.....cookies and bars and a tray of celery and carrots.
And lots of beer and pop!
A bunch of us did that for another family....and one woman did the food....maybe 2 women did....don't remember. But we had reaady made sandwiches, ham and cheese, egg salad, tuna salad, chicken salad.....and as I said....lots of beer and coke.

Since you don't know how many are coming, you might want to order pizzas and keep it easy. You could have salads and desserts and not worry about the main part.

Hey Bizzo , Yoa !

Why don't you Bake a Turkey with stuffing ???
You can freeze the leftovers !!!
I don't know too many , that don't like Turkey.
LOU

The second I read "cold" I thought meatballs. And then I'd do some sort of pasta and red sauce side. They could be eaten together or separate. And kept warm fairly easily.

Did you see Terri's recipe for the chili rice casserole? That would be a great sidedish.

Cold weather, lots of people, lots of hard work. Sounds to me like some really hearty 'stick to the ribs' food would be welcomed. I vote for one of the chilies, maybe the chicken chili, and a big pot of beef stew for those that don't/won't eat chili. A couple of big pans of cornbread would go with both, and maybe a green salad to round it all out & make it 'well balanced' for those who are conscientious about those things. Chicken salad & cold cuts and/or sandwiches sounds more like summer garden party fare to me.
Packing for a big move is a LOT of work, and IÂm sure whatever you serve will be just fine, and very much appreciated by the Âpackers and by your SIL.
Rusty

If you buy cold cuts, make sure to get some that are gluten free. Deitz and Watson makes gluten free deli meat.

Becareful not to cross contaminate foods that don't have gluten in them with those that do.

Concentrate on doing the gluten free foods before the ones that may contain gluten.

If someone is highly gluten intolerate...even cross contamination during prep (cutting board, knife, spoon) can cause them a bout/flare up.

As far as chili, I think it's a great idea. Those that don't like beans will eat around them sometimes. Or not choose them at all.

Here's some of my favorite Gluten Free Recipe Bloggers.

Maybe you can find a recipe that appeals to everyone, or gives you some ideas that you didn't think about yet.

Gluten Free Girl
Hey that Tastes Good

Wow, thanks everyone for the ideas and feedback.

I'm not packing any of her boxes(I'm really bad at that) so I want to cook for them, since I'm not really bad at that LOL!! - I could make homemade pizza, but the gluten free guy would not appreciate it... That's what they had the last time he was at my brother's for dinner and said it was the one thing he really missed being able to eat. It was also the last thing I made my brother - we came down to see them a week before he died and I brought fixin's for homemade pizzas.

Lou, I love the idea of a Turkey. If they lived closer, I'd consider it... but I don't want to be there all day, and that's a lot of dishes I think... I'd have to bring my own roasting pan, etc... I like the idea of adding corn bread to a chili meal... and stew for those who don't like it "hot-spicy" ... I don't make my chili very hot, so I was going to bring hot sauce for those who need it, if I did have chili... I have only a small crockpot... planning to order a larger one from a place I have some gift credits to use, but it won't be here in time... And I'm a little intimidated about serving chili, since my SIL's DM has a reputation as a gourmet cook, and she's a native New Mexican and will be there... I'm not competing, but I don't want to even pretend I'd assume to compete... Ok, I'm rambling...

We had pre-made sandwiches after by brother's funeral, and I don't really want to bring up those memories, so while I was thinking make your own sandwiches, I don't want to do pre-made. I'd probably be the only one bothered by it, but then I don't have to worry about what people do/don't like on sandwiches... lettuce, tomato, mayonnaise, cheese...

Terri, thanks for the gluten-free links. And the advice to keep things very separate... I'll browse around this week and see if I get any further inspiration.

Something low maintenance on the day of (like Lou's turkey, or the crockpot chili's) would be good, since I may be spending some time watching my nephews who are now 5 months and 20 months... Although do-ahead complexity is ok, day of should be fairly simple...

I love the ideas, everyone! Keep 'em coming :-)

Well if you like the turkey idea, how about hot open-faced turkey sandwiches? Make ahead and then reheat in gravy.

Bizzooooooooooooooo !!!!!
Cook the Turkey at Home. make the Gravy and put in plastic containers.
Don't forget the Cranberry Sauce.
Very Inexpensive !!! and everyone loves Turkey.
I think I said that

How about some Italian Wedding Soup ???

If you want , I'll come and help, if you're not over 50 miles away.
Lou

{{!gwi}}

No, not EVERYONE loves turkey. I don't, but I won't be there. A turkey would make the whole experience seem kind of like a holiday, though, wouldn't it. And that might just be a very good thing!
Rusty

Lou, it's Greenwich, CT. Are you within 50 miles? :-)

That turkey looks yummy! Even if I don't do one for the packers, maybe I'll do one for the two of us at home... I LOVE leftovers from Turkey dinner...

Sorry you don't like turkey Rusty, but you are right, making the whole event a little more festive would probably be a good thing. I'm hoping all the people pitching in will go a long way towards that... It's going to be a difficult day for a lot of people.

Is there a simple list of gluten-containing foods somewhere? I know this has been asked before, but I've never had to pay close attention...

Biz what a sweetie you are and what a wonderful and yet tough day this is going to be. Here's my favorite meat recipe to serve a crowd. Got it from Opkikid on CF a couple of years ago. Have served it to raves several time, even got a marriage proposal out of it once, although it was phrased, "If my wife dies, will you marry me." :)

Slow Cooker Shredded Beef Tacos
1 1/2 pounds boneless beef chuck, cut into 3/4-inch cubes
3/4 cup bottled chunky medium-hot salsa
2 tablespoons chopped garlic
1 tablespoon (packed) dark brown sugar
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro (optional)
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice (optional)
Combine the salsa, brown sugar and soy sauce and pour over the meat in the slow cooker insert. Cover and cook for 8 hours on LOW or 5 to 6 hours on HIGH, or until the meat is fork-tender. Shred the meat with two forks and stir in cilantro and lime juice if using.
Set out taco shells (I like small soft corn tortillas) and all the fixings.

The nice thing about this is, you can make it in the crockpot but keep it warm in something else. Also can get corn tortillas for the gluten intolerant person, although I imagine you'd have to be pretty careful about the brand since there could be cross contamination at the factory and/or some wheat in them.

I served this with salad, and apple bars at a big shindig once. Vegetarian chili to go along, although you could serve one of your other chili dishes, like the chili rice casserole or the chicken chili. Can serve on buns too. Can make with mild salsa the for kiddies and other heat sensitive folks.

Bizzo, gluten-free is a real mine-field to try to walk. Almost all ready-made products are suspect, you have to be a label-reading maniac and bring your magnifying glass to the grocery store. Find out if the gf person is a true celiac or wheat-allergic, or just trying to avoid gluten (it's somewhat trendy, for somewhat arguable reasons.) Many of the people in the latter category can tolerate gluten when they choose to.

Wheat in all forms, rye, barley are the basics. Most soy sauce, and lots of ingredients do include soy sauce. As someone already mentioned, really sensitive perople can't even use a toaster for gf breads that has been used for gluten-containing products. Forget even using the same knife and cutting boards,

Before you try to fashion a whole menu for one person, I'd contact that person and ask point blank what they would like for lunch. Just prepare the small amounts (veggies and cheese or sliced meats (watch sauces and marinades) some fresh fruit, whatever. But don't try a menu for everyone based on that person. The person may say, oh, it's not important, I can eat anything. Or if very sensitive, they are prepared to always bring their own foods.

Good luck. It's a very nice thing to do for your sister-in-law, to feed her work crew.

My first thought for a crowd-pleaser was Lasagna, but obviously that would not work for the gluten-free guest.

I think Sushipup has a good point, wouldn't hurt to get some specifics on just what that person can/will eat.

I think your Chili idea is a good one, maybe two kinds, on beef and one chicken, one with and one without beans? I like Longhaul's cornbread idea, too!

Linda

Sushipup... thanks! I do think I'll just make sure there is fruit, veggies, cheese that he can eat in addition to the "main meal".

Now I'm between lasagna (thanks Linda) and two chili's with cornbread. A big salad goes with either one... and to avoid the soy issues I won't pre-dress it...

but I have until Saturday to change my mind!!

How did everything go?

It went very well, thank you! I decided the chili would be too difficult to travel the 90 miles so I made 2 caseroles... My grandmother's "Italian Delight" which is SO NOT Italian- but it does have noodles, meat, tomatoe sauce and cheese... and my Aunt's rice-a-roni chicken salad served cold.

I also brought veggies (blanched asparagus, red and yellow pepper slices, and button mushrooms) with a curry dip, some assorted cheeses (a mild (hard) "sage cheese," and boursin) that could be used with the veggies. (She had some Carr crackers she wanted to get rid of, so it was great!) and a big salad with red leaf lettuce, cucumbers, gorgonzola, almonds and dried cranberries with choice of ginger or light ceaser dressings.

I found out the day before that my gluten-free friend was recording and touring in VT with his band, so I'm glad I hadn't planned the main dishes around him...

Thanks to all who were thought partners with me :-)

Bizzo :
Glad everything went well.

When you Roast the Turkey call me.
Lou