At Christmas, I plan
for an informal buffet.
Informal, because in a
thousand square foot house, that’s the only type I can plan for with a possible
guest list of 50 attending…most of whom don’t rsvp. But then again this meal is for family and any
friends that they want to bring. I do a 3-zone
setup: main meal, desserts, and beverages hot/cold. Three tables with seating are set up, two in
library, and one in living room. All
other room seating has side tables placed between two seats. Coasters are placed where necessary for
furniture protection. Place mats,
tablecloths, chargers placed where needed.
Main Menu is pretty
much set by now.
Meatloaf
Green beans and
corn
Sweet peas and
carrots
Yams
Lima beans
Cream potatoes
Pound cake
Ice cream
Fudge
Coffee, tea, hot
chocolate, lemonade, water
Additional side
dishes and desserts as volunteered by guests, varies
Slaw, deviled eggs, potato salad, banana
pudding, cobbler, cookies,
chicken & noodles, ham, etc.
Due to the
variety of soft drinks available,
our events are a “bring your own beverage”
if you want something different
Informal
Buffet Planning
When planning for a home party, the hosting party
planner must plan well. Decide what type
of party foods will be served. Finger
foods, bbq, sandwiches, dessert, ice cream, family/friends pot luck, soup,
buffet, adult, child friendly, etc.
□
Select a time, date, place
□ Determine
Guests/Number invited
□
Invitations, phone, email
□ Determine
Menu type
□ Work
in contributions or requests
□ Consider special diets or needs
□ Remember contrasts in color and texture
□ Safe serve foods [under 41◦F, over 141◦F]
□
Tables/Seating
□
Seating/Side tables
□
Main menu plates/bowls
□
Dessert plates/bowls
□
Cups & Coasters
□
Glasses & Coasters
□ Utensils
□
Buffet table arrangements/decorations
□
Coasters/table cloths/placemats
□
Determine traffic flow for buffet
□
Serving Dishes and Utensils
□
Coordinator
□ Setup
helpers
□
Cleanup helpers
□ Buffet Layout
□ Main food table layout
□ Plates
□
Food Zones
□
Cold foods
□
Room temp foods
□
Hot Foods
□
Napkins
□ Utensils
□ Dessert
Table
□ Bowls/plates
□
Cold desserts
□ Hot
desserts
□
Room temp desserts
□
Napkins
□ Utensils
□ BeverageTable
□ Cold Beverages
□
Glasses
□
Ice
□
Scoop
□
Ice chest
□
Tea
□ Sweet
□ Unsweetened
□
Lemonade
□
Water
□
Bring Your Own Beverage Space
□ Hot
Beverages
□
Cups
□
Stir sticks/spoons
□ Types of hot beverage
□ Coffees
□ Teas
□ Chocolate
□ Ciders
□ Others
□ Toppings,
additives
□ Creamer
□ Sugar
□ Substitute sugar
□ Substitute creamer
□ Marshmallows
□ Grated chocolate
□ Chocolate curls
□ Cinnamon
□ Napkins
Extras
available for use during and after party
□ Roll of paper towels in each room
□ Trash can liners
□ Freezer containers
□ Plastic wrap
□ Take home containers
□ Extra toilet paper and paper towels
in bathroom
□ Pump hand soaps
□ Sanitizer at sinks
□ Backup cups, plates, bowls,
utensils, etc
