Beautiful buffet tables are something guests remember. Designing a buffetscape is not as hard as you might think. These suggestions and ideas will inspire your ideas for buffets.
Self catering a party or event is a huge task but it can be done with style and elegance. You can create a buffet table or buffet stations your guests will remember for a long time to come using some tried and true tips from chefs and caterers.
I have been decorating buffet tables for years and still get a kick out of coming up with unique and different decor items to incorporate with the food offerings. Decorating a buffet with a theme is my favorite!
Lots of events and, subsequently, your buffets revolve around a theme. Use this to your advantage when choosing serving pieces and decor for your buffet table. Add items that complement your theme. For instance, for the following themes, see the list of possible decor and serving pieces you could incorporate:
image credit: Tracy Hunter
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Paris themes -- Definitely incorporate the Eiffel Tower. Add the Arc de Triomphe, French berets, an artisits palette and brushes, red geraniums, street signs, small framed photos of Notre Dame, the Louvre, tabletop topiary trees...
Hollywood themes -- Director's megaphone, clapboards, film strip, film canisters, "Hollywood" sign, stars, Oscar-like awards, crystals for bling, top hats, bow ties, mini director's chair, boas, vintage cameras...
Wild West themes -- Try using lassos, cowboy boots, granite-ware plates, bandanas, old coffee pots, campfire display using led lights for the flame, cowboy figurine, cowboy hat, lanterns, spurs, moonshine jugs and more. If you get real industrious, make your buffet table into a covered wagon like the one pictured above. image credit: Mandee Sears ©2006
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Add height to your buffet table by using tiered serving pieces or by creating risers out of sturdy items like cans, boxes or books and then covering them in linens or fabric that complements your theme.
Create peaks and valleys with your risers and then insert silk ivy or greenery at the base to give it a more sophisticated look. Use silk ivy garland to decorate tiered stands and serving pieces. Add some florals for texture and color.
Layer items. For example, for a vintage travel theme, lean an old map against a mini suitcase or use luggage tags leaned against the dishes as menu identifiers.
Using these decorating basics will turn your buffet into a show piece.
image credit: Tracy Hunter
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Catering How-To
Making a beautiful buffetscape should not take precedence over keeping your guests safe from food-borne illness. Luckily, there are some products that marry the two concepts.
Cold foods (especially dairy or mayo based) need to be kept below 40 degrees F (4 degrees C) or lower. Hot foods should be held at 140 degrees F (60 degrees C) or higher to keep them in a safe range.
Keeping foods cold on a buffet is top priority as well as using catering dishes to keep foods hot on a buffet so everyone has a wonderful time!
Ideas for Buffet Tables
All of us have seen a buffet table that was less than inspiring. It was set in a utilitarian fashion -- line 'em up and feed 'em
How to Build a Simple Buffetscape
n this example, my event is a cocktails and hors d’oeurves get together in my home. I am going use a tropical theme. Below is a list of the menu and the serving dish I will use for each:
Self Catering Tips and Tricks
People are always asking me how to keep hot food hot and cold food cold, but stylishly. They don't want to line up
Do You Like Decorated Buffets?
ForestBearAug 15, 2011
GuestJun 17, 2011
WebWriterJun 9, 2011
mandeesearsJun 2, 2011
Towanda - It's one of my favorites too since mom and I did it together!
SylvestermouseJun 2, 2011
nightbearJun 2, 2011
mandeesearsJun 1, 2011
DianneJun 1, 2011
SpookJun 1, 2011