buffets' Journal

Planning a Buffet for Your Event
Buffets are often the best way to cater to guests at an event. Whether you are planning a business meeting for 10 or a wedding for 200, a buffet will offer something for everyone if you follow these tips.

Choosing to host a buffet at your event is a sensible option. Many professional caterers offer reasonably priced buffet services, producing delicious hot or cold food which is ready to eat, leaving one less thing for you to worry about. First you will need to decide what type of buffet is best suitable for your event. Will guests be seated or standing? A lot of events do not see guests seated at formal dining tables. They allow guests to relax at small cocktail tables, sofas, standing tables or pub seating. Although guests have the option to sit down, these types of buffets are often called standing buffets, or fork buffets. Fork buffet menus allow movement, which is useful at events when guests like to hold conversation with people all over the room.

These fork buffets are a common catering solution for funerals, corporate events and birthday parties; events where guests may want to catch-up with each other or make conversation or network with new people. Fork buffet foods do not require cutting and are eaten from a plate with a fork. Foods are small and can be eaten with little mess or awkwardness. Fork buffets tend to consist of dishes such as sliced meat, salads, coleslaw, potato salads and bread rolls. Caterers will bring fork buffet food to the venue, without the need for cooking facilities, making fork buffets ideal for business meetings or outdoor events such as marquee weddings.Finger buffets are similar to fork buffets, but require no cutlery at all. They typically consist of bite-size foods such as sandwiches, quiche, pork pies and sausage rolls, and are also suitable for almost any less-formal event.

However, finger buffets offer a more restricted menu, as foods in a sauce, mayonnaise, or salads require a fork to eat. Finger buffets are the least formal dining option, so may be less suitable for a big event such as a wedding, and less than impressive at a business meeting. Hot buffets and sit-down meals at events offer a more formal dining experience, but have less scope for guests to move around and talk to different people, are often more expensive, and caterers will often require cooking facilities on-site to ensure food stays hot. They also generally require guests to be hungrier, and it’s difficult to choose a menu which everyone will enjoy.Next you will need to brainstorm ideas for your dishes. A good caterer will list possible dishes for you to choose from and cater to any specific requirements. Consider whether your party contains anybody with food intolerances, and make sure to include some vegetarian options. Buffets are easier to plan than formal meals, as a selection of dishes will ensure guests can find something which they like.

When planning a finger buffet or fork catering you will require a good variety of dishes, including a balance of meat, carbohydrates such as potatoes or bread, and vegetables such as salad dished. Also consider deserts, perhaps a cake is suitable for your event.You will need to know the number of people in the party before ordering your buffet food, and you may wish to order a little extra. If you have counted children in the party as adults they may not eat a full adult portion and ordering extra may not be necessary.Your venue will need to provide tables to display the buffet on, and you might want to consider table decorations. Consider whether the buffet table has adequate space around it for the number of guests, you don’t want a long queue at the table. With the help of a good caterer, feeding guests at your event should be the least of your troubles.

Brophies The Caterers provide a range of catering solutions for all types of events. Choose from an innovative range of menus for fork buffets, finger buffets, canapés and hot meals.

Current Mood: calm