A buffet table is an opportunity to decorate a holiday with varied, beautiful and interesting dishes, but it also provides an opportunity to treat everyone present with wonderful communication.
There are some buffet rules that are mandatory for any reception. Each host of the evening or the manager of the holiday can adapt other conditions to a specific celebration. It’s worth understanding all this in order to prepare for the event as best as possible, but first you should find out what is commonly called a buffet table.
Buffet table decoration in white
Paper decor on the buffet table
Fundamental principles of a buffet table
To understand the idea of such a meal more clearly, let's look at what can be considered a buffet:
- There are no usual tables and chairs. Free access to appetizer and dessert tables so everyone can choose their food, serve themselves and leave.
- You need to set the table with “one bite” mini dishes.
- The principle of self-service (although under some conditions the presence of waiters is allowed to help guests choose dishes at the table or carry snacks on trays around the room).
- Communication and negotiations are the main reason for the meeting.
- A buffet can be part of a holiday program or business negotiations.
- The duration of the meeting is from one to two hours.
- The venue can be outdoor gazebos, an office, large rented halls, or at home a small room in an apartment.
Of course, these are just some of the principles for holding a festive event with a buffet table. And the rules are very flexible. For example, for a simple buffet, the most modest menu with sandwiches and drinks is suitable. More sophisticated gatherings will include several courses ranging from hot and light cold appetizers to champagne and dessert. The main thing is that both options will be listed as a buffet table.
Buffet table decor with flowers
Rustic buffet table
Trend 3: Italian retro
The rustic style is still relevant, but has changed direction slightly. This fall, French Provence and cowboy simplicity in table decoration are being replaced by extremely warm and soulful Italian retro. In colors, preference is given to terracotta and dark green in combination with white. Among the materials, wood and linen are in favor.
Add black and white or sepia photographs, jars of olive oil and earthenware jugs, vintage birdcages and herbs in clay pots - and you already have the feeling of a warm evening somewhere in Tuscany. Keep the menu in the appropriate style. The “Classic” buffet set will help you with this.
It includes quiche with chicken and mushrooms, bruschetta with pesto, sun-dried tomatoes and Mozzarella, Olivier in tartlets, profiteroles with salmon, ricotta cheese and arugula, Parma ham with pear and roast beef with baked peppers.
For what events would a buffet be the best option?
An excellent option is a buffet table for a birthday. This is a holiday when dancing and karaoke are appropriate. To free up space for the dance floor, a buffet is organized. And even the fact that guests can move freely around the hall has a positive aspect - most guests will actively take part in the festive program. There will be room for those who want to sing.
In addition, close comrades, friends and relatives usually gather for a birthday. They have a lot to talk about. And the buffet allows such informal communication for everyone. No one is limited only to the company that happens to be closest, as is usually the case during a feast.
Dessert buffet table
Children's buffet table
A children's party wouldn't be complete without a buffet. This is where conditions are needed for true fun. After all, it doesn’t matter to the kids whether there are hot dishes or how good the meat and side dishes are. They will be pleased with a sweet dessert and bright snacks, but the main thing that a child’s soul awaits is the opportunity to play and move around. The buffet option is exactly what will completely satisfy all the needs of the kids.
Another important event can be decorated with the idea of such a design. A buffet table for a wedding is the right decision if it is celebrated in a small room, or if it is decided that the dishes will be prepared with your own hands. What other advantages are there? You can invite a fairly large number of people. A buffet allows you to make the menu corresponding to this extraordinary event varied and interesting, but at the same time reduce costs.
A program has been developed for corporate events, which includes competitions and quests. Having fun and socializing is the main reason why colleagues gathered, and therefore the feast is replaced by a buffet table.
Buffet table at home
Buffet table in eco style
A buffet reception is suitable for business meetings. It is important to resolve some issues and give everything an informal style, while you can treat your partners to something that will show them your spirit of hospitality and willingness to be generous and original.
Fruit buffet table
Buffet table decor with newspaper
Table arrangement and serving
The main condition for a buffet is that access to the tables is convenient for everyone who wants to eat. It is for this reason that there are several criteria for how this can be done correctly. The tables themselves differ from dining tables in height. For a buffet table, the usual height is from 90 cm to 110 cm. There can be one table, or several of them can be installed.
Buffet table decoration with canapés
Buffet table decoration in country style
Buffet tables:
- If the tables are placed along the walls, then the tables themselves should be narrow and long, and the distance from the table to the wall should be at least 1.5 m;
- In the middle of the hall, tables in the form of the letters “W” and “P” are installed only if the area of the room allows the number of people who will be present to freely move between them;
- There should be another set of tables for napkins, used dishes or ashtrays.
And one more small nuance. Be sure to cover the table with a tablecloth. Its length should be such that it does not reach the floor by only 5 cm. You can cover the table with a regular tablecloth, and use a special buffet “skirt” for tables on top of it.
Buffet table decoration in red and white
Round buffet table decoration
As for serving, the appetizer table should have:
- plates (according to the number of guests), stand in a stack of 7-8 pieces;
- glasses stand in a group;
- cutlery (snack bars, dessert, fruit knives and forks), there should be more of them than plates;
- napkins.
Drinks, vases of fruit and flower arrangements should be placed at equal distances on the table. Serving dishes on multi-level trays will look beautiful. And from the snacks themselves you can make a certain figure.
Original snacks for the buffet table
Autumn buffet table decor
Provence
It is permissible to use figurines, postcards, pictures and flags to decorate the table. Even the most ordinary candlestick can be surrounded with bonbonnieres and vases in such a way that it will become the dominant figure of the candy bar. In general, any elegant, original item can be included in the composition of a festive dessert.
The sweet structure can be multi-level - the main thing is to correctly play with the provided space, combining flowers, plates and vases.
Sweets harmonize perfectly with fresh flowers, and roses are considered a wedding flower, so live inflorescences of a similar shade to the dessert served, standing out against an artificially rough background, look especially gentle and touching.
What decoration is appropriate for a buffet table?
How to decorate a buffet table? Everything will depend on the reason for the event and the age category of the guests. The design will differ both in table decor ideas and in the snack menu.
Easter buffet table decoration
Buffet table decoration with peonies
Here are some tips on how to decorate a buffet table for children:
- The design can add a special charm to the holiday if it contains the plot of a fairy tale or a children’s favorite cartoon. You can use toys or tablecloths with appropriate patterns for this.
- Some desserts or dishes can be decorations themselves, supporting the theme. For example, snacks or cakes in the shape of boats at a pirate party.
- Every child loves balloons. They can be used to decorate the table itself by attaching cheerful colorful balls between the dishes.
Festive table in pink
For a wedding celebration:
- Delicate flower bouquets are placed on the table;
- A traditional wedding cake can be either a regular cake or consist of many small portioned desserts;
- Glasses and forks can be decorated with elegant ribbons.
The festive table itself is rich in bright colors and original forms of dishes, and therefore the decoration should not grab attention, highlighting the dishes, but emphasize the beauty and appetizing appearance.
Buffet table in rustic style
Buffet table decoration in silver
Color spectrum
Color is of great importance. It is designed to correspond to the theme of the wedding, echo and match its tones. If the bride chose a soft pink dress, the candy bar can be decorated in the same color scheme, setting the tone and theme of the holiday.
Or it can be bright pink, or a combination of different shades of pink, for which you can use a variety of sweets, and classic white, emphasized by black decorative elements of the dishes, will turn the candy bar into an example of elegance.
Blue or lavender are often undeservedly forgotten, but in vain: these are not dark or gloomy colors - they will make the celebration exquisite.
When decorating dessert for a wedding, there is no need to limit yourself to one color. For example, a combination of white and pink will diversify the choice of guests and allow you to combine different flavors together. Or even a combination of several delicate pastel shades, which always looks elegant and frivolously elegant.
Which snacks should you prefer?
The buffet table requires small, portioned appetizers. There can be many ideas for creating compositions from products, they are all divided into:
- Sandwiches;
- Tartlets with julienne or pates;
- Salads served in glasses;
- Canapes;
- Slicing;
- Vegetables or fruits;
- Appetizers on skewers;
- Dessert.
All these dishes should be small in size and can be eaten without the help of a knife, but the main thing is that the products in the appetizer match each other in terms of taste. Taste is the most important thing in snacks. And you shouldn’t stop at one product for a dish; it’s worth considering options for combining several ingredients that complement each other.
Buffet table decoration with champagne
Decorating a sweet buffet table
The design of appetizers is also of no small importance; originality and visual appeal of the presentation of dishes is encouraged. It is desirable that the color palette be rich and bright. I would like to see on the buffet table that one appetizer includes several colorful, and most importantly, appetizing flowers.
Wedding buffet table decoration
Buffet table decoration with candles
What to cook for a wedding buffet table: menu, recipes for appetizers and dishes
When preference has been given to the buffet table and decoration methods have been chosen, the question arises, what to offer guests as snacks?
What to include on the menu?
The bride price menu must include salads, meat and fish cuts, canapés and sweet desserts.
Also, if there are vegetarians among the invitees, you need to take care of treats for them. Both cold and hot dishes are served on the table, the main feature of which is that they can be eaten by piping them on a fork or picking them up with your hands.
Snack Recipes
The main snacks are a variety of canapés, meat, fish or dietary.
Canapes with meat, for 1 piece:
- 10 g bread;
- 15-20 g thinly sliced meat;
- 1 small lettuce leaf;
- 1 cherry or half a medium tomato;
- 20 g curd cream.
A round shape is cut out of the bread, fried and topped with cottage cheese and salad. A tomato and meat are pricked onto a skewer, and then driven into the base.
Tartlets with caviar, for 1 piece:
- 5-10 g of red caviar, depending on volume;
- basket;
- 0.5 cucumber ring;
- half a boiled egg;
- a sprig of greenery.
An egg is placed in a basket, cucumber quarters are placed at an angle to it, and caviar is placed on the remaining space. The top is decorated with greenery.
Garlic croutons:
- a piece of bread;
- 1 egg;
- 10-15 g grated cheese;
- garlic clove;
- 2 tbsp. l. mayonnaise or curd cream;
- 10 g butter;
- greenery.
Mix the egg with half the mayonnaise, dip the bread and fry in oil. The cooled crouton is covered with a mixture of mayonnaise, herbs and garlic, and cheese is sprinkled on top.
Decorate with a sprig of parsley or dill.
Drinks for the table
We set the buffet table with dishes, which must be accompanied by suitable drinks. They are placed on the table in a certain order: alcoholic drinks should be in the center, water and juices should be at the edges. Alcoholic drinks on the table must include wines (red and white, dry and sweet), chilled champagne and vodka. Dessert is served with tea, coffee (cognac can be served with it) and sweet liqueurs.
Bright decoration of the buffet table
Arrangement of snacks for the buffet table
Recipes for “fashionable” appetizers for buffets: modern ways of serving dishes
Over time, not only new recipes for buffet dishes become popular, but also the ways of serving them are improved.
Snacks in transparent glasses : a very fashionable type of treat for even the most sophisticated buffet tables. You can put everything in a glass: from thick sauces (guacamole, sour cream, to which garlic and dill are added, eggplant pulp, mashed with herbs, garlic and cheese in puree, to soups with a creamy consistency).
In these glasses you can dip skewers with lightly salted herring strung on them, boiled or baked meat, ham, croutons with vegetables.
Surprise your guests with an original presentation of simple products, prepare a snack “Chinese chopsticks”. To prepare it, you will need a package of regular straws and 300 g of lightly salted red salmon. The fish is cut into the thinnest slices and overlapped onto each straw. If necessary, the base of the straw can be tied with a feather of green onion.
You can serve thinly sliced ham and salami in the same way, and use cheese sticks instead of straws. These sticks are served by placing them in glasses.
Club sandwiches are unusual sandwiches made from familiar products. They are prepared from toast bread and any ingredients (ham, meat, fresh cucumbers, processed cheese and others). It is noteworthy that such a sandwich is “multi-story”, covered with bread on top, and cut into several small triangles. Sometimes tiny buns are used to prepare them.
And, of course, rolls are an incredibly popular snack that has simply become a trend at modern buffets.
Interesting ideas for a buffet table
A light menu for a buffet table can be in several options. For example, it may consist only of dessert dishes or include several courses: cold appetizers, hot dishes, dessert. And every time there should be several options for snacks, dishes or sweets to choose from. It is important that the serving is so convenient that guests do not have to reach for dishes.
Buffet table in green color
A buffet is a combination of delicious food and pleasant conversation. For a festive day, it is very important to create the appropriate mood of fun. For this, not only the gastronomic delights of the table are important, but also a well-thought-out program.
Trend 5: Transparency
The principle of “less is more” is reaching its apogee this year. Party designers actively use everything transparent: furniture, design elements, dishes. Menus or any other inscriptions made with calligraphy on transparent plastic or glass look especially impressive.
The transparency trend goes perfectly with any style, color scheme and elements. With its help, you can give your table setting weightlessness and freshness, keep it in an elegant and dramatic tone, add futurism or crazy brightness.
As for the treat, give preference to items served in glassware and on skewers. The Premium buffet is ideal.
Your guests will be able to enjoy a vegetable bouquet with sauce, shrimp with Kim-chi sauce, canapés with parma and melon served in shots and many other appetizers. And also two types of salads, mini-skewers of pork, chicken, salmon, grilled salmon served in a shot and cheese balls with cranberry sauce.
At any celebration, guests always pay great attention to food and its presentation. At the “Caterie” you will not only find inspiring examples, but you will also be able to order this or that treat, accompanied by the necessary decorative elements and the services of a graphic designer. Make your life easier, and your parties more interesting and delicious.
