Justin Woods, head chef at The Castle Green Hotel, Kendal, and Greenhouse restaurant

Help! I’m catering for about 12 children at home for my son’s 10th birthday party what would chef serve?

Judy Diamond, Ambleside

“I wouldn’t try to reinvent the wheel, so go with the tried and tested. Buy some small pizza bases and get the kids to make their own pizzas, potentially going to be a bit messy but can be great fun. Make some mini open burgers with fresh mince and cut out some circles from thick sliced toast to use as bases for the burgers. Make some simple sandwiches with ham, turkey, cheese and jam and get the kids to cut them out with cutters, dinosaurs are always popular. Cut some carrot and cucumber sticks, serve with some dip and cherry tomatoes. Pasta salad always works well, maybe just with a simple mayonnaise based dressing with chopped cucumber and some grilled chicken. Nachos and dips are always popular in our house. For a simple pudding, make some fruit kebabs with some marshmallows and raspberry sauce to dip, and for a little treat, get the kids to dip some strawberries in some melted white and dark chocolate and decorate with plenty of sprinkles. To drink, make a fruit punch for the kids and a large gin and tonic for yourself! Good luck!