A buffet table is a universal solution for crowded events. Free access to appetizers, desserts and hot dishes allows you to comfortably accommodate a large number of guests. Catering companies are usually involved in organizing a buffet table, but you can provide everything you need on your own.
Festive buffet: features and benefits
The buffet format is ideal for a crowded party at home or in the office. It makes it possible to taste all the offered dishes without any problems, to take the supplement on your own, while communicating not only with the neighbors at the table, but also with all the guests. Buffets are recommended for small rooms where it is difficult to place classic banquet tables and numerous chairs. With the correct installation of the equipment, there will be room not only for free movement, but also for dancing.
Ideas for a buffet table at work
In an office environment, it is better to organize a buffet table with a predominance of cold snacks and portioned desserts. Hot dishes in this format are served on bain-marie, attaching a waiter to each for serving. At work, organizing such a service is not easy, and hot food is more expensive.
To avoid washing unnecessary dishes, colleagues often use paper or plastic plates and glasses. However, inexpensive plain faience looks much more elegant. Professional organizers recommend buying dozens of plain white plates of the same size, complementing them with inexpensive cutlery and glass glasses for drinks.
Tables are placed along the walls, boxes covered with disposable tablecloths will help to increase their area and make the presentation more effective. They create beautiful tiers on which to arrange the appetizer plates. The serving should be simple and straightforward, because the guests will serve themselves.
For the event, it is enough to prepare 5-6 types of snacks, fruit and vegetable cuts, portioned desserts. All food is put on the table at the same time. Plates are placed in 2-3 places on the table in high piles, next to them on a napkin lay out devices. It is better to pour the drinks in advance and put the glasses on the tray. In summer, it is recommended to freeze the ice beforehand and place it in a deep bowl. Guests will take ice cubes on their own.
Do not get carried away with additional table decoration. The abundant decor of greenery is not popular, guests will not eat parsley and dill, the twigs will quickly wither and look untidy.
How to make buffet snacks quickly and easily
To make everyone like the food, it is recommended to make several options for snacks: purely vegetable, supplemented with meat, seafood, cheese. Salads served in tartlets are always popular. Molds made of puff, unleavened or shortcrust pastry do not have to be baked with your own hands; in cooking, special buffet sets of different sizes are sold.
It is better to serve small chicken kebabs, pieces of fruit and marshmallows strung on skewers for a children's buffet table. Making them is very simple - the products are cut into cubes just before serving. Adults will love the more sophisticated multi-ingredient snacks strung on toothpicks. Among the good options:
- cheese cubes, olives and lettuce, drizzled with vinaigrette dressing;
- sautéed ground beef balls with chunks of red pepper and watercress;
- halves of grilled mini-squash with strips of ham, with boiled cauliflower inflorescences;
- ham rolls stuffed with chopped cheese, mayonnaise and garlic.
Separately, you can serve deep-fried squid and lek rings, whole boiled shrimp sprinkled with lemon juice, small boiled potatoes with a sauce of herbs and sour cream. The fruit is cut into cubes and strung on skewers or toothpicks. An assortment of fresh or canned pineapple, apple, pear, kiwi, tangerine slices, large strawberries or grapes looks very nice.
