by mandeesears
Are you planning a bridal or baby shower for a close friend or relative? Then you will probably want to serve some food to the guests (or have them ticked off from the beginning!)
While "cake and punch" showers were the way to go in the past, hosts can plan a menu that will fill and delight your guests and still be easy on the pocketbook.
 Baby Shower Buffet Table Mandee Sears |  Baby shower Buffet Mandee Sears |
Over the years, I have catered more than my share of baby and bridal showers. Interestingly, I found that for showers taking place from 11 AM to about 4 PM -- hosts often gravitated toward lighter fair. Late morning, lunch time and before dinner showers can still give your guests an array of foods to choose from while keeping the costs within reason.
A simple buffet menu for a shower during this time of day could include 5 types of food:
With this type of menu you can please most all guests. Setting it up buffet style where they browse, mix and mingle and serve themselves makes it the best!
After a couple of decades in the catering/event business, I have settled on my favorite menu for showers - baby and bridal alike. You should try it!
This simple menu can be made to look very elegant and even gorgeous for your guests! It is a light fare and works best for a shower taking place between 11 AM and 4 PM.
Setting it in a very attractive manner or creating a "buffetscape" that follows the colors and/or theme you have chosen for the shower is pretty simple with some pre-planning.
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Combine the chicken, bacon, celery and grapes in a bowl and set aside.
Stir together remaining ingredients until well mixed. (I then like to salt and pepper to taste.) Pour mixture over chicken mixture. Stir until well coated. Chill until ready to serve.
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The fun part about a dessert buffet, is being able to sample some of most of the desserts offered. I bite here, a tidbit there makes for a party in your mouth! Some of my favorite desserts to include :
Almost any dessert you like can be sliced into small, bite sized pieces or served from a bowl by the spoon full. I always giggle at the guests as they walk the perimeter of the dessert table ewwwing and ahhhhing at the display of goodies.
If you really want a cake, get a small one and elevate it on a cake stand -- use it as a centerpiece on the buffet table.
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Remember, the food at your shower should fit the time of day and the formality of the event. Lighter fare for between meals and earlier in the day and heavy appetizers or even a meal if later in the day or during a traditional meal time.
Have fun!
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Do you have a favorite Shower Menu?
Great suggestions. Light, elegant and filling. Nice touches. Thanks
Chicken salad, mini cheesecakes and brownie bites?
WINNERS ALL!! :)
Gorgeous article, lots of wonderful ideas. Those tiered platters are lovely!
I've never organised a shower and wouldn't know where to start, well at least not before I stopped by here. Your helpful advice would certainly help things run smoothly and the menu suggestions are perfect. Although I didn't know Robert Redford was also available in dessert form... LOL someone will need to explain that one to me!
I like the simplicity of the foods you suggest for a shower. Great suggestions and the recipe sounds good for any occasion:-)
Gosh you really do know how to organise these things :-) Nicely put together as always
Thanks ladies!
You are the buffet queen Mandee! I used to do many parties, but not so much now. That chicken salad recipe is a keeper...!
Oh Mandee these are lovely ideas for a shower.