How to Set up a Dinner Buffet

You are having guests over and have determined the food and theme for your dinner buffet, but you want it all to look as beautiful as possible. The buffet setup will make a huge impact on your overall dinner setting. The following will help you make a functional yet inviting dinner buffet.

Things You'll Need

• Table(s)
• Books
• Bowls of different sizes
• Chafing dishes with their lighting devices
• Plates
• Eating utensils
• Serving utensils
• 3 to 4 table cloths

Instructions

1. Decide if this will be a single or double-sided buffet. Typically, a party over 60 people should be double-sided. If space is a problem, set it single sided and release tables individually.

2. Create levels in the buffet. Use books and tipped over bowls to do this. Do not worry about the items' appearance. They will not be exposed for everyone to see. For double-sided buffets, make the levels in the center of the table.

3. Cover the table with table cloths. Sculpt the levels with the cloth(s).

4. Set the buffet up in this order: plates, salad course, cold side dishes, hot dish, bread, hot sides, deserts. Remember to use the levels you created in the prior step to allow your guests to better view the items and to make your table more appealing.

5. Place an appropriate serving utensil with the food, and place any meat drippings or gravy in front of the item that is accompanies.

6. Light any chafing dishes 20 minutes prior to putting the food on the buffet to give them time to sufficiently heat.

7. Put out the food 5 minutes prior to dinner.

Tips & Warnings

• Buy a long piece of fabric that matches your party theme and use that instead of a table cloth.

• If the buffet is double sided, place the serving utensils on both sides.

• It is best to place utensils on the tables. If you choose not to, place them after the plates on the buffet.

• Add a few fresh flowers on the buffet to add more appeal.

• Remove any food that sits more than 4 hours without proper heating or cooling agents to prevent any of your guests from getting sick from food-borne illness.

Resources

• Buffet setups.
• Setting up a buffet.