Buffet Table Setup Ideas

When entertaining a large group, it is not convenient or practical to serve a sit-down meal. The buffet table, where guests pick up their own food, is the ideal solution for serving meals, appetizers or desserts to a large or small group. Always use a sturdy table, capable of holding the heavy items placed on the buffet table. Does this Spark an idea?

Arrangement

Before placing the food, dishware and other items on the buffet table, make a plan. Know ahead of time how you intend to arrange the table. When making the plan, consider how the guests will logically serve themselves. While dinner plates need to be at the front of the line, consider placing silverware (each set prewrapped in a napkin) at the end of the line. By doing this, a guest does not have to carry a set of silverware through the buffet line while he serves himself, thus freeing up one of his hands. If you have a limited amount of one food item, set that at the end of the buffet line, as each guest will likely have less room on his plate to overserve himself on the limited item.

Beverage

Arrange beverages at a separate table from the food, when possible. Beverages will significantly slow down the buffet line, especially if the guest needs to set her plate down in order to fill a glass with ice and a beverage.

Pathway

If the food and necessary dishware can fit down the length of the buffet table, place those items along the center of the table, arranged so that guests can go down either side of the table to speed up the buffet line. Remember to put two serving spoons or forks in each dish. It won't speed up the line if a guest on one side of the table needs to wait for a guest on the other side of the table to finish with the serving spoon. When food won't fit down the length of the table, arrange the dishes around the outer edge of the table, creating a loop so that each guest walks around the buffet table. Before setting up the buffet table, make sure you have easy access to refill serving dishes.

Heat

Consider the placement of electric cords when using electric chafing dishes or warmers. Don't arrange the table in a manner where a guest can disturb the cords. One option is to use nonelectric warmers. But be aware those will require supervision to relight flames when necessary, and to keep an eye on young children around the burners.