When you go to an elegant Sunday brunch at a nice restaurant or hotel, have you ever noticed how the service staff seems to have all the right equipment on their buffet? It makes the guests' job of navigating the buffet that much simpler, while it eases up the work required of the waitstaff in maintaining the food. You can accomplish this same level of efficiency at your own party, by ensuring that you have the essential serving pieces that you've seen at these brunches. Keep reading to learn which essential serving pieces you need, where to find them, and how to use them to best set up your food service.
Chafers
- These racks hold a full size steam pan, filled with hot water. Half or full size steam pans "float" above the hot water, which is heated by sterno gel cans.
Disposable Steam Pans
- These come in half and full sizes, and you can buy them at Party City or Sam's at very reasonable prices. I prefer the half sizes with smaller groups. That way I can offer two different food selections in the same, shared chafer.
Baskets
- In a variety of sizes and shapes can hold breads, rolls or muffins
KISS: Keep It So Simple--- (or any other acronym that you want to substitute!)
- Buy all of your serving pieces (bowls, plates, platters and trays) in a single, solid color. This will enable you to add pieces as needed, and ensure that your display is unified. Black or white are the colors that I prefer as my basics, and I personally use white. I have found a multitude of inexpensive white pieces at IKEA, Target, Walmart, and just about every housewares store in between!
Large Bowls
- Use these to hold salads, chips, rolls, and anything else you can think of!
Simple Cereal Bowls
- These simple, rimless bowls can hold condiments, sauces, salad dressings, or dry snacks like nuts and candy.
Trays/Platters
- Again, these should be simple and in your basic color. These platters can hold meat, sliced fruit, pasta, and many other essentials.
Serving Flatware
- Collect half a dozen or so large serving spoons in a basic pattern. I prefer stainless steel spoons in a size that holds approximately 2 ounces. Supplement these pieces with a couple of similar meat forks, 2 ladles and at least 2 sets of tongs, and you should be able to handle most situations.As you use your essential serving pieces, evaluate how they are filling your needs. You may find that with your style of entertaining, you could use an extra platter, basket or serving fork. Feel free to adjust these guidelines for your own preferences.
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© Text and photo by Janice Benoit. [July, 2006]. All rights reserved. Any unauthorized use will constitute an infringement of copyright.
