How to Serve a Great Buffet Lunch
- 1). Choose a theme for your buffet lunch. You can use different cultures, countries, culinary styles or seasons for inspiration. This can guide both your food choices and decor.
- 2). Arrange for the food, dishes, glasses and silverware to be on site in plenty of time for you to set up the table. The food can be purchased from a caterer or restaurant, homemade or provided by the people attending the party. Label dishes when appropriate and note dishes that may have include common allergens, like shellfish or nuts.
Make sure you also have plenty of beverages, ice and glasses--set them up at a separate table. - 3). Arrange the food on the table in the order it would typically be eaten. Appetizers, salads and soups should be first, then side dishes and main dishes, then dessert items. You can also put the desserts on a second table if you have one, or bring them out later. If you have a large table and a lot of guests, make the food accessible from both sides of the table so more people can serve themselves at the same time.
- 4). Provide tongs for serving salad, as people will likely be holding their plates while serving. Make sure they only need one hand to dish the food onto their plates. Also, do not include foods that people will need to cut with a knife if they will be standing or sitting away from a table to eat-- finger foods are popular and easy for everyone to eat.
- 5). Display the food on the table using cake platters or other makeshift platforms to raise some of the dishes. This can save table space so you can fit more items as well as create a more interesting display.
- 6). Arrange the food in eye-pleasing ways. How the food looks is almost as important as how it tastes. Use fresh fruits, vegetables and flowers as garnishes. Consider placing flowers or other seasonal pieces of nature, like leaves and pine cones, on the table. Use candles or decorative lights if you're in a room with low lighting.
- 7). Monitor the amount of food, as well as the amount of dishes and silverware so that you don't run out of anything. Keep the table tidy as people drop food and misplace things, and remind guests to get second servings if they wish.
- 8). Serve coffee and tea with dessert. Have plenty of cream, honey and sugar available. It's also a nice touch to include after-dinner mints on the tables.
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