When you host an event, gearing up for a buffet table set up has its perks. It starts with the biggest one being the variety and flexibility it offers to cater to your guests' diverse preferences in dishes or dietary restrictions. This article will teach you about the proper buffet set-up while getting enviable CV Linens promos.
Why Choose A Wedding Buffet Table Set Up
Many of the events you might have attended before have used the plated style, where guests are served by the waitstaff, or family style, where guests help themselves to the food in the middle of the table. But there are many advantages to going the buffet way.
Aside from accommodating your guests' varied tastes, it allows them to serve themselves, choose their food and portions, and set their eating pace. A buffet set up also uses the venue efficiently, encourages guests to interact and talk about their food choices, and improves time management due to the self-service.
Setting up a buffet table provides an aesthetic focal point in an event. The varied food plated beautifully is appealing, particularly if you have a colorful dessert buffet table set up. Suppose you add creative displays, such as using interesting linens like a burgundy velvet tablecloth, cream or gold table runners, crisp white napkins, lush arrangements of plum and burgundy-colored flowers, and candles in metallic or gold candle holders. Complete the look with cream or white charger plates, dinner plates, crystal glassware, gold or silver cutlery, and metallic figurines as additional centerpieces.
Proper Buffet Table Set Up To Follow
The proper order of items in a table set up for a buffet usually goes like this: plates first, side dishes next, and fancy dishes follow. Table napkins and cutlery should be the last items on the buffet table.
Your guests can only get the food they want with plates, so these should naturally be first in the line. Prepare two to three stacks of ten plates each, but not higher, if you want to prevent an accident. The silverware and napkins should be at the end of the table. Don't give your guests added stress by making them hold onto forks, spoons, knives, and linens while they are still trying to fill their plates with food.
How To Set Up A Buffet Table With Food Display
Now that you know how things should go on the buffet table set up, let us figure out how the food should be arranged. But first, put up signs that will indicate the entrance and exit to the table with food.
By Food Types
When arranging the food, categorize them by types of food as much as possible. For instance, put the first course far from the dessert. If you are providing both vegan and non-vegan options, separate the two. If you have many side dishes and appetizers, consider setting them up on a separate table closer to the table for the beverages like champagne or wine.
By Temperature
In many cases, a table set up for a buffet wedding when it comes to food may also involve lining them up according to temperature. The first ones should be hot foods so the guests can get to them before they get too cooled down to eat. The cold foods should be at the end of the line.
By Cost
Consider a strategic arrangement of your dishes. Put the cheapest and the most food prepared at the start of the line because these often go the fastest. Place the most costliest and scarcest food towards the end of the line. If you notice dishes that are not eaten enough, consider putting them at the beginning of the buffet table.
When preparing food, think of serving your guests a balanced meal. Ensure to include protein, salad, starch, carbohydrate, vegetable, and dessert. You may forego this rule if you are hosting a cocktail party, where you will need more desserts and appetizers than other dishes. To cater to all your guests, prepare vegan and vegetarian dishes.
More Basic Rules In Preparing A Buffet Layout
Choose a color scheme to make the arrangement more appealing when putting everything on the table. If the client wants a rustic buffet table set up, choose neutral linen tablecloths on sale, lace, vintage, or jute table runners in muted shades, and cloth napkins in earthy tones of olive green or taupe. Pick out wooden accents like wooden cutting boards, mason jars with dried flowers, faux eucalyptus greens, and soft lighting.
Consider a different set up if your client wants darker colors as a base, such as using a black stretch tablecloth, or round tablecloths for party instead of rectangular ones.
Prepare labels for every dish served and put each next to the serving tray. In legible handwriting, write the labels in large, bold letters, especially for dishes with common allergens like peanuts or those specially prepared for vegans or vegetarians.
If you want to know how to decorate buffet food tables, think about the occasion, so consider the more romantic decorations if you have a buffet for a wedding. If it is for a specific holiday, dress up the buffet table according to that holiday. Go all green, gold, and white for a Saint Patrick's Day celebration or all-out red and green for a Christmas buffet dinner. If you want to add more fun to your background, you can even play around with neon signs for wall decor or large LED marquee letters and numbers, which you can get with a CV Linens discount.
Enjoy the perks of a buffet table set up by learning how it works. Get what you need at a discount, or wait for our CV Linens Clearance sale. Buy at least $99 to enjoy free shipping to any of the 48 states in the US. Shop now!