How to Make a Tiered Buffet

Increase the elegance of your buffet by adding a second tier.

Setting up your own buffet service is much cheaper than hiring a catering company to do it, but it does require a little ingenuity on your part. One of the challenges you may face is how to fit all your food onto a single table. Creating a two-tiered buffet solves this problem and simultaneously adds elegance and professionalism to your event. You can rent a bar top sized for your table or, for an even less expensive option, build your own top tier. Does this Spark an idea?

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2 matching tablecloths
Cardboard boxes
Books (optional)
Measuring tape
Scissors
Sewing machine
Bar top (optional)

Instructions

- 1
  
  Cover the buffet table with a tablecloth.
- 2
  
  Find cardboard boxes 10- to 15-inches tall and about 1/3 the depth of your buffet table. Set them up in a row along the back of the table, forming a second table level. Fill them with books or another solid stuffing material and close them.
- 3
  
  Measure the length and width of your cardboard box tier. Double the height of the tier, and add it to each dimension. Cut a piece of a second matching tablecloth to these measurements, and hem it on a sewing machine with a simple rolled edge.
- 4
  
  Drape your second tablecloth over the cardboard boxes, covering them completely. Lay out your food on your buffet table, putting deeper dishes on the bottom level and lighter-weight, shallower dishes on the top.

Tips & Warnings

Use tablecloths that will fully obscure the color of the cardboard boxes beneath.
Rent a bar top instead of constructing a level out of cardboard boxes if you prefer. Measure and dress it the same way.