Does your buffet table look like a potluck with rows of mismatched containers occupying every available inch? Or perhaps it looks like a cafeteria with several identical chafers lined up in a single row? Do you ever wonder how the catering professionals make their buffets look so appetizing and aesthetic? Making the food itself look delicious is certainly a crucial step, but it’s only the beginning. The key to designing an aesthetic buffet setup is to add function, depth, and focal points. It’s easier than you think!  

Add Function

Though the goal is to create a buffet that is as visually appealing as the food is delicious, at the heart of your buffet setup should be function. To make sure you have everything you need for your buffet to function on the most basic level, go over your menu and think about the type of serveware each item requires and how you want the items to be presented. Will your hors d’oeuvres be most accessible lined up on a tray or arranged in a bowl? Does a dish feature a marinade or sauce that requires a bowl? If your entree is best served warm, it stands to reason a chafer may be best for the job. Knowing what each item on your menu requires to be a functional part of the buffet table lets you identify where compromise is not an option and where you have room to add a little flare.

Pictured: Silver Trays, Hammered Revere Bowl, White Rectangle Platter, Gold Trim Chafer

Add Depth

The simplest way to upgrade the aesthetics of your buffet setup is to add depth. Instead of laying out all your dishes on one plane, think of your table as having a foreground, middle ground, and background. The background will be the edge closest to the wall, or closest to the center of the table if your buffet is free-floating, and the foreground is the edge closest to your guest. Fill the background layer with your tallest displays, things like cupcake towers, tiered trays, large food risers, and tall chafers. In the middle ground, place your medium height items. This will include small cake stands, large bowls, and short food risers. The foreground is the place to set all your trays, plates, and sauce bowls, as well as any needed serving utensils. Setting up with this method will add dimension to your buffet while still allowing your guests easy access to each layer of food.

Pictured: Tiered Lazy Susan, Oval Incline Tray, A-Frame Riser, Oval Tiered Tray

Add Focal Points

Once you have all your basics in place and a good understanding of how you want to table arranged, you can begin to add in some showstopping focal pieces to add extra character to your setup. You can swap out simple trays for molded trays that fit your theme. You can ditch the tray of pre-sliced meat and opt instead for an interactive carving station. You can even add movement to the table by including a chocolate or cheese fountain. The goal is to strategically choose items that will draw the eye and pull your guests in, allowing them to enjoy your buffet with their eyes before the food even reaches their plates.

Pictured: Butcher Block Carving Station, Chocolate Fountain, Tiered Banana Leaf Tray, Glacier Ice Tray