Whether it's a birthday party, wedding, New Year's Eve, Oktoberfest or housewarming: a buffet is suitable for many occasions. If you want the food on your buffet to look opulent and impressive, you could set up a grazing table. And as a bonus, you don't even have to cook! This is actually a cold buffet, i.e. finger food that keeps well at room temperature for a certain period of time. Cheese, sausages, bread, dips, raw vegetables, fresh or dried fruit, nuts, olives and pickles are usually served. With a little planning, you can easily prepare a buffet with a WOW factor yourself. Today we'll give you some ideas for a cold buffet and tell you more about the grazing tables.
Cold Buffet: What Exactly is a Grazing Table?
This hot event catering trend isn't exactly new. At large festivals in medieval palaces, mountains of food were laid out for guests to sample at will. A year or two ago, a modern version of the buffet began to take hold in Australia and New Zealand. Now the grazing tables are conquering the whole world and area hit on Pinterest.
Usually this is a large table on which many visuallyattractive dishes are available. They are not served in bowls or plates, but rather are lavishly piled on top of each other on trays or boards. Decadent, yet casual. It's a truly flexible concept that suits a wide range of events, guest numbers, locations, themes and budgets.
And if all that isn't enough, there's another advantage: the simple setup of the buffet allows the host to spend more time with his guests. After all, parties are a lot more fun when you're actually there and not in the kitchen.
Plan the party buffet correctly
First you need to decide on the shape and size of the table. Is it big enough to accommodate everything? For example, you can assume that you can set up a cold buffet for around 15 to 30 people on a table with a plate size of 100 x 100 cm. However, you can use tiers to create more table space. If the table is larger than necessary, you can add a few decorative elements so that it doesn't look empty.
The location of the table is also very important. Your buffet table should be set up so that multiple guests can access it at once. But it shouldn't get in the way either.
Questions you can ask yourself when planning a cold buffet:
– How long can food be kept at room temperature? Or outside if the event is outdoors.
– Is everything on the table easy to see? Handwritten cards can be added for foods that require explanation.
– Is it easy for several guests to meet at the table at the same time?
– Did you add a variety of savory, salty, spicy and sweet elements?
– Are forks or spoons needed? Are there enough serving utensils?
– Is everything accessible or are there certain decorative elements in the way?
Cold buffet suggestions
Although taste is always an important factor, you should also think about aesthetics here. Brightly colored fruits and vegetables, bread and crackers with shapes, artfully folded meat specialties, as well as lively dips and sauces contribute to the visual appeal of the table.
Make sure you have a good variety. For example, choose a soft Brie, a hard and nutty Manchego and a sharp Cheddar. Then considerwhich go well with every type of cheesewould. This planning applies not only to your shopping list, but also to your buffet layout. This way, your guests can easily identify which crackers and spreads perfectly complement the selected type of cheese.
With Grazing Tables there are no limits to your imagination. You can do anything you want. The food can be customized to suit the party theme or your diet. Vegan, paleo or sugar-free – the options are numerous.
This is how you can set up your grazing table
Step 1: Make a list of all the foods you want to serve
This list not only helps when shopping, but also when preparing the buffet. This way you have everything in view. Consider whether you want to buy everything yourself or order a catering service instead.
Step 2: Now set the table
Now it's time to decide which plates or trays you want to present your food on. To make it look nicer, avoid using a tablecloth completely or cover the table with kraft paper.
You can pack the food in baskets or place it on cutting boards. And of course you'll need bowls for dips or spreads. A big, beautiful bowl of punch is a great way to fill the table and add a touch of color. Resist the urge to arrange everything symmetrically. You should end up with an organized mess.
To give your Grazing Table the finishing touch, you can also add a few decorations. Get creative with greenery and flowers, fresh herbs, whole fruits and vegetables, candles, framed art or signs, vases - anything that would fit your theme.
Step 3: Use Levels to Create Height
Use cake stands or wine boxes to add visual height to the arrangement. Just one or two items are enough. Place larger, noticeable foods – e.g. E.g. large cheese wheels – higher to attract guests’ attention.
Step 4: Fill in the blanks
Place foods that go well together (for example, a brie wheel with pear slices, a crusty baguette, and a jar of fig jam). The ideal grazing table encourages people to move from one end to the other and enjoy different bites.
Once you've got most of the dishes on the table, fill in the gaps with nuts, dried fruits, berries, dark chocolate pieces, or any other small foods you want to sprinkle throughout. You can also add flowers or other decorations. Although the design is entirely up to you, a traditional grazing table leaves little space. So you can feel free to overcrowd the table. Abundance is a theme that is difficult to overstate.
Feast and save
Here's how you can save money:
– Plan your shopping in advance. Use coupons, look for bargains, and pick up fresh goodies at the farmers market.
– Stick to simple recipes like hummus or a sour cream dip.
– Choose a few popular foods that are offered at a lower price, such as potato chips and caramel popcorn.
– Opt for a few expensive foods to be the focal point and fill the rest of the table with cheaper finds.
– If possible, use decorations from your own home.
You can save time with these tips:
– Choose pre-cut fruits and vegetables that require no additional preparation.
– Purchase pre-made cheese and meat platters.
– Buy jams and spreads in small, adorable jars.
– If you have no idea how to decorate your cold buffet, find a florist near you who can help you with the right floral decorations.
