Whether you're hosting a holiday gathering or a birthday party at home, setting up a buffet table is often the most practical way to feed guests.
If you're wondering how to tackle your buffet table set up, read on for four easy steps.
Why Planning Your Buffet Table Set Up is Important
Setting up for a nice buffet might sound simple enough, though your efforts could very easily result in a display that looks more chaotic than clever. YOu've gone to the trouble of planning and/or preparing delicious party food, let's make sure it's displayed well!
You want to avoid confusion and traffic jams in your buffet line by planning ahead. Eliminate the common sight of guests reaching for plates and backtracking for utensils that they missed along the way.
Here are four simple tips for buffet table set up for your next party. (See more ideas on setting up an appetizer buffet, here.)
1. Your Buffet Plate Station
Before your guests can begin dishing up their meal, they will need a plate. Stack plates at one end of the table so that guests have access to these first. Also, if you are using disposable plates remember to choose heavier ones so that the food actually stays on the plate and guests can easily carry them.
I have a collection of clear dinner plates (from Ikea) that I always use when entertaining. It looks a lot nicer (and they are more sturdy) than paper plates. Investing in some simple plates is a great idea, they will match any party and are a timeless choice.
2. Displaying Your Buffet Food
Serve dishes that your guests understand and recognize. If you decide to serve a dish that your guests may not be familiar with, create a place card so guests can easily identify the dish. You can use a buffet for appetizers, main courses, and even desserts.
Related: Easy dessert ideas
Also, make sure each dish has a coordinating serving utensil so guests can easily (and quickly) dish up their food. If you have a lot of food but not a lot of space, place the food at different heights using tiered serving trays.
Oh–! They make really great food warming trays is you're worried about your dishes getting cold (they even pack up nicely if you're traveling to a potluck!)
3. Don't Forget the Buffet Servingware
At the other end of your buffet table (opposite of the plates), place the silverware. Only provide utensils that your guests will need to use. If a knife is not needed, don’t offer one.
This will avoid confusion and lighten the carrying load for guests. To make the grab-and-go of the silverware a breeze, wrap each set up in one napkin and secure it with a piece of ribbon or twine. Condensing the utensils and napkin will make it easier for guests to carry their plates to their seats.
4. Your Buffet Table Drink Station
Place drinks last on the table (after the silverware), so that they are the last item guests will have to grab before they head towards their seat.
The easiest option is to offer pre-poured drinks ready for guests to grab. If guests will be pouring their own drinks, you may want to consider having a separate table for this or at least offer enough room so that guest will be able to set their plate down in order to get their beverage. Glass beverage dispensers are a great option.
Are you ready to tackle your buffet table set up?
Buffets are a great way to serve food for any size gathering as long as they are set up in a functional way. With a table progression that makes sense; plates, food, silverware and then, beverages. Remember that the key is to make it easy and understandable for your guests as they serve themselves. The next time you set your buffet, take a moment to plan your spread and the result will be a more flowing (and happy) buffet line.
Hostessing Tip: I always lay out my buffet table ahead of time. I place the dishes and serving pieces where they'll be located on the buffet table. Then, I put post it note with the name of the item that goes there. This way, you'll be able to see (ahead of time!) if your flow works and you can adjust accordingly before you make and set out the actual food.
Some of my favorite buffet table serving pieces:
Do you have any buffet table set up tips or questions? Share your them in the comments sections below!
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Harriet I. Cook says
THANK YOU for recognizing that silverware and napkins belong at the end! I've done everything you've suggested and it works so smoothly! Also the separate station for drinks with room to set ones plate down. Efficient!
I've also noticed some folks grab a plate then weave in and out between people. Sometimes it might help, before the blessing prayer to say "After prayer we will start here (plates) and work our way to the utensils." (25 year wedding coordinator ;-)
Chefjude says
I’ve found that placing the main entree toward the end of the serving table helps it go a little further. ☺️
Tori says
What a great tip!