It feels nice to gather together with loved ones for a meal, but choosing to host a buffet is also an option when you’re hosting many people at once, like during the holidays when large families reunite in one spot. But before revealing a large spread of hot and cold dishes that your guests can help themselves to, a bit of planning is necessary.
Potluck or Turnkey Buffet
The first order of business is deciding on whether to host a potluck and have your guests each provide a dish, or to be in charge of the whole meal yourself. If you choose the former, be sure to guide your guests towards the type of dish they should bring (sweet or savoury), and if it’s the latter, be sure to stick to a realistic budget.
Make a Preparation Checklist
Count the number of adults and children that will be attending, as well as take note of any food allergies or intolerances. This will help you better control and reduce the amount of food that could be wasted.
Hot or Cold?
It’s worth asking yourself this question. A cold buffet includes dishes that can be served cold or at room temperature, like salads and sandwiches. The main advantage is that you don’t need heaters to keep dishes on the table warm, and many recipes can be prepared ahead of time. It’s the preferred option for less formal gatherings.
Dish Suggestions for a Cold Buffet:
- sandwich loaf
- macaroni salad
- stuffed dinner rolls
- potato salad
- pickled beets
- salmon mousse
- devilled eggs
A hot buffet stands out during winter because the warm dishes that are served are heartier and more satiating. It’s a comforting and essential formula if you’re looking to serve your guests holiday classics, such as meat pies. Managing your oven and stove top is paramount, however, to ensure everything is served at the proper temperature (neither too hot nor too cold.) You can also use your slow cooker, a trusted ally that’ll keep your dishes warm.
Inspiring Ideas for a Hot Buffet:
- classic meat pie
- chicken or turkey pot pie
- meatball stew
- turkey (pre-sliced to make serving easy) and stuffing
- cranberry sauce
- cocktail sausages
- warm dip
On the Dessert Table
Even though you would like to serve a wide variety of desserts, an overabundance is synonymous with wastefulness. Remain sensible and reasonable by selecting just a few safe bets, like a yule log, fruit cake, or a sugar pie. Your guests will definitely be happy!
Make Space
Choose desserts that you can make ahead of time, or some that don’t need to be chilled. This will keep the fridge from getting cluttered. If you’re still lacking in space, a few proven solutions include using a cooler or a large container that you can keep outside in the cold.
What to Do with Leftovers
Among the ways you can keep food from ending up in the compost bin, you can:
- make room in your freezer for your buffet leftovers;
- suggest to your guests that they bring food storage containers to take leftovers home;
- bring leftovers to a neighbour or someone from your friend group who might enjoy them.
Catering Service
It’s wise to cook dishes in advance to not be caught off guard and left to make everything at the last minute. But the weeks leading up to the holidays can be hectic, leaving you with little time to roll out pie dough or shape meatballs. From starter to dessert, Les Marchés Tradition offers a variety of delicious meals that everyone will love. To view their selection of dishes, visit https://traiteur.marchestradition.com/?lang=en.
