Pro Articles Quality Articles for Quality Backlinks

Are you hosting an event or party and are in need of ideas for buffet table settings? Create a beautiful buffet display or — buffetscape — by using simple catering tips and tricks.

Instead of plating all your food choices on a flat platter and lining it up on a table or tables, consider using varying heights like tiered stands, adding theme or color scheme decor items to the table and lots of fabics or linens to enhance the buffet table or stations you will be using.

Traditionally, a long buffet table was used and food was lined up on flat platters. The overall effect of this type of buffet is less than memorable. Today, brides and event hosts are taking cues from chefs and caterers — choosing to jazz things up a bit. Lots of hosts still use the one buffet table but vary its’ shape and size to make it more appealing to the eye.

Additionally, some hosts are opting for a “buffet stations” event and decorating each station within the theme or color scheme. Buffet stations are great for a more informal or cocktail type event. Smaller buffet tables are set around the venue so guests can mix and mingle while perusing your menu options. You could offer a bread station, a salads station, a dessert station, an Italian or pasta station, main dish station, appetizer station and so on.

The one constant change you are seeing in the buffet tables is that they are decorated and becoming more a part of the decor plan than ever before. For instance, if you have a Vintage Travel theme for your event, each station may be decorated with colors and items that reflect a certain destination. For a Paris station, you could use an Eiffel Tower as the main centerpiece, add red geraniums, wine bottles with candles, baskets loaded with your food offerings and more. The key is to accent with appropriate themed decor and to use unique serving dishes in varying heights.

Let’s say you are hosting a tropical themed event. Fruit is a perfect food to complement this theme. You could create a station just for the fruit or if you are using one buffet table, place the fruit display at the beginning of the table. Build a palm tree from pineapples, place your fruit on a large mirror instead of a small platter, make a pattern such as initials or a logo using the fruit. All it takes is a bit of creativity.

Remember, gone are the days of the potluck-looking buffet table. Use items from around the house to add layers and decor to your food tables. Incorporate collections, vintage dishes and themed items for centerpieces. It’s really not that hard to come up with ideas for buffet tables (buffetscapes). Try it!