Six Secrets to Building a Successful Holiday Buffet

Thinking about offering a buffet this holiday season? Temporary buffets are a time-tested way to maximize revenues and keep customers happy during the hectic holiday season. The right setup eases pressure on the kitchen while enabling waitstaff to accommodate larger groups and turn tables faster.

With these simple ideas and your own creative touch, you can transform ordinary skirted tables into a spectacular holiday buffet.

1. Elevate your display and watch your menu shine.

Instantly upgrade your buffet display with versatile and attractive TableCraft step risers crafted from Acacia wood. 

This set of three risers offers flexible presentation options: nest them together for a cohesive look, use them separately for individual displays, or fan them apart to create a dramatic, tiered effect. Acacia wood risers are available in square or rectangular styles to suit your buffet space.

To browse other riser styles from TableCraft, click here.

2. Enhance and protect cold buffet items.

The elegantly shiny Remington Collection is perfect for the holidays while looking great all year long. The double-wall stainless steel construction keeps contents chilled a little longer than single-walled vessels, making these round bowls ideal for buffet and catering jobs, serving salads, sides, and more. 

The collection features an attractive hammered rice pattern for an elegant, high-end look. Available in 3¼, 5, and 8-quart capacities.

Add casual elegance to your holiday buffet or family-style serving presentation with the crisp, white Sierra Collection from TableCraft. Each melamine piece is made to withstand daily use, is lightweight, dishwasher safe, and break-resistant. 

Use together for a classic, all-white presentation or pair with coordinating dinnerware for a custom look. Available in a wide array of sizes, these oval and round bowls and platters are perfect for serving pasta, fresh fruit, salads, and more.

3. Safeguard your feast.

Hatco’s Flav-R-Shield® Portable Adjustable Sneeze Guard was designed specifically for flexible and portable self-service applications such as buffets. 

This stylish, functional sneeze guard provides all the requirements to safeguard food items. Better still, it folds down and stacks flat for easy, space-saving storage when not in use.

4. Create a cooked-to-order station.

Perfect for customer favorites like made-to-order omelets and pastas, the Hatco Rapide Cuisine® Countertop Induction Range has a contemporary, low-profile design that’s built to handle the demands of commercial foodservice use. Its Magnetic Power System delivers the highest power in its class. 

For safety, Pan Sense Technology activates the unit only when an induction-compatible pan is placed on top.

5. Highlight and protect hot menu items.

The Hatco Round Decorative Carving Station creates an attractive and functional carving display while providing proper food serving temperatures with a telescoping heated lamp and a heated simulated stone base. 

Posts and lampshade are available in Plated finishes Bright Nickel (standard), Bright Brass, and Antique Bronze. The heated base is available in all simulated stone colors (standard Night Sky) to match your décor.

TableCraft stainless steel Quick View Chafers have soft-close lids for quiet opening and closing and windowed domes that allow guests to see contents prior to opening the chafer. Lids also include safety features for staff to remove and replace food pan inserts easily and safely without risk of steam burns. 

With stylish finishes, various capacity options, and multiple heat sources, you'll find the perfect TableCraft chafer for your buffet.

6. Be prepared to replenish.

Last but not least, it’s important to have reliable holding equipment that keeps pans of prepared food hot, fresh, and ready to replenish your busy buffet. 

If you need it fast, FWE has a selection of best sellers like the UHS-12 Humidified Heated Holding Cabinet that are ready to ship within 48 hours. Learn more about FWE’s Quick Ship program here. 

We’re happy to talk with you about solutions to help you set up a dazzling holiday buffet display and support your busy operation year round. Contact us!