How to Set Up a Buffet Table
Hosting a holiday party doesn’t have to turn into a juggling act between the kitchen and your guests. With a buffet table, everyone gets to mingle, serve themselves, and eat at their own pace—while you get to enjoy the party, too. Think of it as a “set it and forget it” approach to entertaining… just with slightly fancier linens and a few candles for ambiance.
Why Choose a Buffet Table for Holidays
Many of us enjoy the formal dining table for an intimate family dinner, but if you are having a lot of guests over, a buffet table is the way to go. Then, your guests aren’t stuck sitting next to one or two people all night—plus, many folks actually prefer to serve themselves at their own pace.
For the host, a buffet table is also a more relaxed and easy way to entertain many guests, instead of jumping up from the table to serve and wait on them. We don’t always think about the host or hostess who has planned the meal and is feeding everyone; in modern times, we’re a little more aware.
Swedish Julbord Inspiration for Your Table
I like to borrow from the Swedish tradition of the Julbord buffet, which most restaurants in Sweden offer throughout the month of December in place of their traditional menus. For the Christmas holidays, I drape all my tables with red tablecloths and use white candles of varying heights to set off the food. Using groupings of candles, as is customary in Sweden, is an attractive way to decorate the table. (It gives you the option of featuring the flowers if your guests bring a bouquet.)
If you have a lot of guests, consider a tablecloth that goes to the floor. That way, you can hide backup items underneath the table instead of going to the kitchen constantly.
Also, be sure to move the chairs away from the table.
11 Tips for the Perfect Buffet Setup
When you set up a buffet table, there are some tricks that make it easier for guests.
1. Use varied heights for serving platters
Ideally, place serving platters at different heights so they won’t all be on the same plane and knock into each other. If you don’t have a riser or stand, DIY! You could wrap a few boxes in wrapping paper. Or, simply stack books or upside-down baskets and cover them with a tablecloth. Even cake plates can be used creatively for vegetables or sandwiches.
2. Arrange candles and flowers strategically
After covering the table with your tablecloth or runners, place the candles (and any flowers) at the back of the table if it’s against the wall or at the center of the table if folks have room to walk around the table.
3. Stack plates and napkins thoughtfully
In terms of plates, consider that salad-sized plates make servings look more generous than dinner-sized plates. Stack the plates with napkins next to them at a corner of the table so they don’t distract from the food. I like to stack plates at both the beginning and end of the table so that people are less likely to huddle on one end.
4. Position utensils at the end of the line
Most of my buffet menu consists of self-contained food that doesn’t need utensils. For the few dishes that do—and for guests who prefer a utensil—put the silverware at a corner of the table. The general rule is: Do not make people pick up their forks, knives, spoons, sporks, or cups at the beginning of the line. Put the silverware at the end.
5. Reserve prime spots for main dishes
Reserve the most prominent spot for the smoked fish and/or pork and the vegetables. Arrange food around the periphery. Leave a little space here and there for people to put down their plates while serving themselves.
6. Place taller items behind shorter items
Put the taller items behind the shorter items so guests don’t knock anything over.
7. Replenish popular foods frequently
Remember that if you are serving expensive items, such as smoked salmon or shrimp, your guests will station themselves near these foods and eat them up first; replace them at intervals throughout the party so that everyone gets a chance to enjoy them.
8. Group vegetables together
Group all the vegetable choices together, next to the fish.
9. Line baskets with napkins for breads
Line baskets with linen napkins and fill with an assortment of dark and white breads. This makes cleanup easier. Slice them at the last minute (or freeze them sliced and arrange while still frozen) so they don’t dry out. I shop at discount stores for attractive baskets.
Place the breads alongside the meats, but place them towards the outside of the table with butter and condiments to keep guests from reaching over taller items.
10. Separate desserts and beverages on smaller tables
If you have room for two additional, smaller tables, segregate the desserts and the beverages. Putting drinks far away from the food helps prevent “huddling” around the buffet table. Ideally, drinks are nearer the kitchen, as the pitchers or urns can get heavy.
11. Provide a place for finished plates
Set up a place where your guests can put their plates when they’re finished eating. (Or, if you can enlist some help, institute a constant patrol for dirty plates and glasses and have them whisked off to the kitchen.) Nothing makes a party table look more tired than plates filled with food scraps intermingled with the serving dishes. Also, consider a couple of trash cans so guests can help clean up, too.
Do you have any tips for setting up a buffet? We would love to hear them in the comments!
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