By Maria Ploumidou
You want to impress your guests and leave them with an inspiring memorable experience? Set up an amazing buffet! In this visual age, we are constantly bombarded with photographs of beautifully plated dishes and lavishly decorated meals. Now more than ever we feast with our eyes, so a well-organized table not only makes serving guests easier and more efficient, but attracts them with a beautiful presentation — it’s crucial for a great buffet set up. Below, the steps to pulling it off.
Avoid the Long Table
You’ve seen it before — too many times, probably — and you should avoid it: the traditional long table set up. It restricts guests’ movement and inevitably leads to long queues. Instead, place the buffet tables in the middle of the room with all sides open so the guests can go around easily. Keep appetizers on one table, vegan and vegetarian options on another and main dishes prominently displayed on the centre table, with another offset for desserts. Have separate tables with the cutlery, dinnerware and drinking glasses and ensure that they’re replenished regularly. The goal is to allow wide access guests, which keeps the meal flowing and avoids lineups, and to project abundance at each table — it’s a feast, after all.
The traditional long buffet table also pushes people to pile up unrealistic amounts of food onto their plates, and, consequently, to throwing most of it out. With several smaller tables, people tend pick a modest amount of food before returning to their seats.
Tableware Matters
In today’s Instagrammed world, details matter more than ever. The risers, dinnerware, flatware, stemware — all of it will contribute to a luxurious, or a lacklustre, look to your buffet. Invest in the details, because they’ll get noticed, photographed, shared and (hopefully) liked.
Don’t be afraid to get a little adventurous. Buffets are generally associated with boring white porcelain everything. Consider cheering up the experience with variety of colours and patterns that complement the cuisine, and be sure to choose each element in context. How will flatware look displayed alongside that riser? Does the cut crystal glass clash with with the florid patterns on the dishware?
Decor: Less is More
Adding decoration will improve the overall dining experience, and like the various tablewares, you need to choоse it carefully and, most importantly, in context. The food will add variety of colours and textures, as will the tableware and risers, so opt for simpler, minimalist decor. Furthermore, it should be thoughtfully placed and not obstruct guests’ view of one another.
Setting up a great buffet requires attention to detail and effort. In this experience economy, income is created by delivering unique, well-orchestrated experiences. A well-executed buffet gives guests a distinct and memorable dining experience that stands out from traditional service. The spread is sizeable and inviting; people mingle not just at their tables but while serving themselves; the whole room carries motion and movement as gusts explore what’s on offer. But good execution is the key, because the lineups, ill-considered details and overabundant, florid decor can spoil what could’ve otherwise been a perfect evening.
About the Author
Maria is a buffet systems advisor at Buffetize, a world leading buffet display systems manufacturer. With good eye for details she provides quick aesthetic and functional solutions that improve hotel and restaurant operations. Maria brings over 10 years of experience in the hospitality market and has worked with chefs and F&B managers from major hotel chains such as Four Seasons, Marriott and Hilton. She has a good understanding of buffet set ups and extensive experience in assisting clients create memorable buffet presentations. When she is not helping hotels improve their operations she loves to travel and organize occasional home cocktail parties herself.
