Are you planning a dinner party but can’t decide how to serve the meal? It’s a common dilemma: buffet or family style? Let’s dive into the details of both serving styles to help you nail the setup for your dinner party.
A buffet setup is ideal for larger gatherings or parties where guests might have diverse dietary preferences and restrictions. It allows for a wide variety of dishes displayed on a separate table, where guests can serve themselves. This style encourages mingling as guests move around to fill their plates, and it can simplify the serving process by minimizing the need for a formal table setting. Just make sure to arrange dishes in a logical order—start with plates, followed by appetizers, salads, main courses, and end with utensils and napkins at the end of the buffet. It will help prevent any bottlenecks.
Family style service is wonderfully communal, with large serving dishes at the center of the table from which guests serve themselves. This style is perfect for smaller gatherings. It will create natural conversation and interaction among guests as they share dishes and pass plates around the table. It creates a warm, homey atmosphere, making it feel like a gathering around a family table. Hence the name!