Tuesday, May 31, 2022

Tips for Setting Up a Crowd-Pleasing Buffet

Courtesy of Brian Patrick Flynn
Photography by Flynnside Out Productions

Hi Friends,

An entertaining pro shares tricks to make serving a crowd easier for both the host and guests at your next buffet-style brunch, lunch or dinner.

Keep in mind: Price and stock could change after publish date, and they may make money from these links.

Serve Like a Pro
Serving buffet style frees up the host for mingling while letting guests help themselves to their favorite foods with a well thought-out display and curated selection of sweet and savory menu items.

Get Creative With Serveware
Add a bit of personality to your buffet by serving menu items in colorful or interestingly shaped containers. For instance, a colander is a creative way to serve solid foods, like popcorn, potato chips or even fresh fruit, like grapes.

Put Cake Plates to Work
Cake plates aren't just for displaying cakes. Group less fancy fare like sandwiches or hot dogs together on cake plates to elevate them above condiments and save precious serving space.

Serve Bread in Baskets
Keep your breads contained in long bread baskets lined with linen napkins that will contain crumbs and make clean-up easy. It's best to keep the bread toward the front of the table along with butter or other toppings to keep guests from reaching over taller items.

Vary Serving Heights
Vary dishes' height so the tallest items are toward the back of the table and the shortest dishes are at the front. This will allow you to place any condiments below and in front of the elevated dishes so guests can garnish them once they're pulled off cake stands or risers.

Group Cheese With Crackers and Grapes
Make it easy for guests to assemble their own cheese plates by pairing each cheese with grapes and stacks of crackers. This way guests won't have to reach over other areas of the table to put together combinations to suit their palates.

Match Serveware to Your Theme
If you're throwing a formal buffet, cloth napkins and real china are the perfect fit; however, for a more casual get-together, upscale paper napkins and cups are the right choice. Many paper goods retailers offer a wide variety of punchy colors and graphic patterns to give your buffet a cohesive design scheme.

Position Wine Near the Cheese
Since wine and cheese pair so well together, it's best to group your buffet's wine selections next to the cheese platters. Also, make the selection process easier for guests by noting which wine pairs best with assorted cheeses using identifying flags.

Bon Appétit...

Check back for more great ideas from your friends at Interior Design!

Your kind contribution will allow us to continue sharing great, no cost and cost saving ideas for your space. Click the "Donate" button below to make a contribution. Thank you!


Live well,
Yvonne

No comments:

Post a Comment