Dining & Entertaining

Entertaining Buffet Style

Formal & Informal Buffet Style


A buffet can be set up anywhere space is available. The kitchen counter is an excellent place to set up a buffet. Other spaces can be used is a coffee table, desk, or a table.
 



Buffet Service

From the buffet your guests select their food and move to another part of the room, sitting where ever they are comfortable. 

With formal seated buffet, guest serve themselves from the buffet table then find places at the seating table that's has already been set with glasses, silverware and napkins. 

In a formal setting guest can also get their plate from their seated table and go to the buffet.


Setting Up

Arrange the table so that traffic around it can flow easily. Most buffets use a circular set up where guest serve themselves from all sides of the tables but if space is limited, push to table against the wall and use a three side set up. If you're expecting a large number of people place identical items on both sides of a table. Serve beverages and desserts from a separate table.


The Best Foods To Serve

Serve foods that hold their temperature. Keep extra portions on hand so you can quickly replace food that has become cold, wilted or soggy.

Arranging The Tables

Place plates first, stacked neatly then place whatever foods to be serves in order such as salads or appetizers first, continue with entree, vegetables, condiments, bread, then eating utensils. Roll the eating utensils in napkins to that it's easy to carry.

Buffets are generally self-served but the host or hostess may want to dish up food for several of the guest first because it shows guest an average portion size. It also show the quest how the food is to be serves when it is accompanied with sauces over certain dishes if that type of dish is served. Foremost it shows the graciousness of the hostess.

Setting The Mood

If space is permissible, set a centerpiece of flowers in the center of the table and votive candles to add ambiance to the setting of the table and occasion. Set the food at different levels, and allow the color and textures of the food to stimulate the guest appetites.


Quick & Easy Buffet Style Recipes

Zesty Deviled Eggs

1 dozen eggs
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup sweet pickle relish
1/4 cup pimiento, optional
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons mustard
Paprika
Cayenne pepper

Boil eggs. Let cool. Cut eggs in half lengthwise. Remove yolks and put in bowl. Place whites on a serving tray. Mix yolks with mayonnaise, pickles, pimiento salt and mustard. If mixture is too stiff, pour some juice off of the pickles into mixture. Sprinkle a dash of cayenne pepper in and stir. Fill whites with yolk mixture. Sprinkle with more paprika, if desired. 

Tangy Buffet Meatballs

2 lb. ground beef
2 eggs
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup oatmeal, uncooked
1/3 cup chili sauce

Sauce:
1 cup chili sauce
3/4 cup grape jelly

Combine ground beef, eggs, salt, oatmeal and 1/3 cup chili sauce. Mix well.  Shape to form 1 inch balls, bake on a rack in a shallow baking pan at 400 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes. Combine sauce ingredients in a 4 1/2 quart saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally until mixture is well blended. Add the meatballs and continue cooking 3 to 5 minutes or until heated through. Place meatballs in chafing dish or fondue pot to serve.  Serve warm. Makes about 5 dozen appetizer meatballs.

Buffalo Chicken Wings

5 ounces water
5 ounces hot pepper sauce
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 bag frozen chicken wings, thawed
Dash seasoning salt
Ranch or Blue Cheese Dressing

 

Combine water, pepper sauce, salt, soy sauce and Worcestershire sauce and set aside. Fry chicken wings about 15 minutes or until done and no longer pink. Drain on paper towel then dip wing in seasoned sauce mixture. Bake at 350 degrees for 5 or 6 minutes or until broiled. Baste with sauce. Serve with Ranch or Blue Cheese Dressing.