For fancy celebrations like weddings, the average cost per person for a buffet is around $41. But if you put together a buffet yourself, you can save a little bit of money and still have a great celebration.
Check out these creative buffet ideas to ensure you have a seamless event and that everyone is able to enjoy your food the way it was intended to be.
1. Label Your Dishes in Advance
The only way to ensure that you have enough space for everything on your buffet is to lay out all of the dishes in advance and label what will go where.
Start by putting the largest dishes in place first and filling in the spaces with smaller bowls and platters. You may also want to group foods by type – placing all the meats together, all the fruits in one spot, all the vegetables and sides at the end, etc.
2. Take Proper Care of Seafood
When you order from a company like Crab Dynasty (www.crabdynasty.com), they will deliver prepared food to your party.
But you still need to take steps for proper food safety like being careful what temperature the seafood is stored at before the party, how long it is on the buffet, and being careful about what is done with the leftovers.
3. Research Buffet Ideas Online
There are many great places to get ideas for your buffet online. Start by looking at theme ideas and suggestions for what food to serve.
You may even want to choose a caterer to make the decisions for you. There are lots of different companies who would love to have your business and that can make putting together a buffet that much easier.
4. Put the Silverware on the Table
Some people put the silverware on the buffet along with the food. But many people forget to get silverware while they are up.
It’s best to just leave the silverware on the tables as place settings and allow your guests to seat themselves. That way, they have less to carry and they won’t forget.
5. Try to Choose Forks-Only Food
If you plan on having your guests moving around at all throughout the evening, it’s best to serve them foods that they will only need a fork to eat.
It’s pretty much impossible to use a knife unless you are sitting down at a table to a meal. If you don’t have enough seats for everyone, then it’s imperative that all of your food can be eaten while you are standing and milling about.
More Great Advice for Celebrations
These great buffet ideas will help you organize a seamless dinner party to celebrate with your friends and family. Make sure you set up your platters in advance and that you are thoughtful about the foods you serve at your buffet.
But don’t stop there. Make all your celebrations spectacular. Check out our other posts for advice on planning your next party.
