hi Rosie
I have a family solution for this one, but I haven't tried it on friends

sometimes my lovelies get a fancy for a Chinese takeaway. Now, Ive tried all ways to manoeuvre round Chinese food and it just doesn't work well for me, I always feel terrible. So we co- ordinate 2 phone calls...…. one to the Chinese and one to the Indian, then we trot off separately as its only a few mins walk to both.... and have matching takeaway boxes if not their contents They do phone delivery for both as well, but walking you know it will be same time

It hasn't yet come up , with friends, because then it tends to be Indian or Italian eating out. But what if it does ? Hmm. I think I would just think of my steps being really solid. Choose wisely as I can. maybe have a Tupperware of "Additionals" on the go. ( I get that on the plate that fast no one even notices)……… Early on in steps I did go to a buffet style Chinese and that worked out not too bad as I remember choosing duck ( not vegetarian but someone else might do ) and
avoiding the skin where all the sauce was, same for pork, shaking the sauce off as much as possible

thinking as well as Im writing ( that always works for me !) I have some really excellent brown Chinese noodle, its a round pack from Sainsburys, Chinese egg noodle, and that might be an option to pre prep and take along to your friends gathering to micro and add to the celebrations. Im laughing now as I save all my best takeaway boxes for re - use and so I think I would have it even looking the same! But egg noodle with water chestnut, pea, bamboo shoots, ginger garlic spring onion GF soy sauce...…. everyone would want a share

enjoying the company, some laughter, sharing goes a long way
, so enjoy your evenings