A buffet is a system of serving meals in which food is placed in a public area where the diners generally serve themselves. It is effective for serving a large number of people with minimal staff. Buffets are offered at various places including hotels and many social events. Since a buffet involves diners serving themselves, it has been considered an informal form of dining, less formal than table service. In recent years, however, buffet dinners are increasingly popular among hosts of home dinner parties, especially in homes where limited space complicates the serving of individual places.
Home buffets work well in both small or large spaces, but only when every element of buffet set-up is considered. The most efficient buffet service set up consists of one to two tables wide enough for two rows of platters. This allows guests to serve themselves from both sides of the table, speeding up the serving process and reducing the risk of spillage. Buffet tables should be set up in a logical order, with plates first, followed by the main course and side dishes. Last should be utensils and napkins. If possible, desserts and especially beverages should be served from a separate table, preferably far away from the main buffet table.
Buy your buffet supplies from the restaurant supply superstore.
Buffet Service refers generally to any permanent, regularly occurring or temporary operation in a permanent retail food facility where unpackaged prepared food is displayed, served and/or prepared for the general public from counters, tables or similar equipment or installations in dining rooms, lobbies, meeting rooms, bar areas, ballrooms, and other areas not traditionally used for food preparation. Such activities include, but are not limited to, buffets, salad bars, sandwich bars, buffet line cooking and similar modes of food display and preparation in restaurants, bars, hotels, grocery stores and supermarkets. Another advantage of buffets compared to table service is that diners have a great deal of choice and the ability to closely inspect food before selecting it. All-Clad Stainless Oval Au Gratin Pan is recommended for dishwasher use. The Stainless Collection features a magnetic stainless exterior for use on conventional and induction ranges. The cooking surface is hand-polished 18/10 stainless steel that will not react with food. The inner core is pure aluminium not just at the bottom, but all the way up the sides. All three layers are bonded together for optimum heat conductivity. The long, stay-cool handles, non-corrosive rivets, and sure-fitting lids are all of gleaming stainless.
