LAYERING A BUFFET

Inviting guest to dinner? Need to keep it simple? Want entertaining to appear effortless? More names on your quest list that chairs at your table? If you answered yes to one or any of these questions, then Buffet may be your new best friend. A buffet has the appearance of casual elegance, nuance of simplicity and all the style you can fit onto your dinner table. One of the easiest way to entertain. Follow these easy steps to hosting and suddenly you are the go to host of entertaining.

Four easy steps.

Plan. Organize. Layout. Decorate.

Planning is synonymous with making a list. It is the step where it all starts. Starting with a theme will help the menu fall in place. For example, a Mardi Gras theme. Easy to find many recipes to serve. Theme and food lead to simple décor. Once established, you start make you list of foods, drinks, and guests. I always use a written list with a timetable. I can review and update every day or so. Having a set timetable about a week ahead of your event is key. It gives you the ability to implement your plan. And flexibility if sudden changes take place. The timetable is essential to set up shopping, cooking, cleaning, so you can balance your time and life.

Organizing is the stage where your gather what you have and make a note of what you will need. I call it pulling everything out and taking a good look of what you have. Or discovering what you forgot you have. And maybe, perhaps what you may need. It is the prep of inspecting, cleaning, polishing, your table linens, serving pieces and utensils. The getting ready stage. If you don't have the necessary essentials, I say go buy it. my permission. It will be money well spent!

Gather your dishes. I love the look of an all white table of dishes, platters, linens to serve with.

Look around the house for items to function on the table that one might not normally use on a dinner table. For example, a few of my ironstone pitchers become a nice way to offer silverware at the table.

A silver tray is a nice way to house your rolled linen napkins.

Layout is all about placement, access and visibility. I like to do dry run when planning an event. Once a menu is established you will know exactly the number of serving dishes you will need. I will place all the platters, bowls, plates, and utensils out on the able exactly where I think the best flow will be. It also has to be visually pleasing. Balance and elevation are key factors. First pull all the chairs out from the table and relocate. Place your tablecloth and or runner on the table. Consider flow, access to both sides of the table. Think of your table as a clock. Place a stack of plates at 3:00 and 9:00. Place spoons, forks, knives and napkins adjacent to the plates. Elevating a few items helps create interest and can add extra serving space. I prefer to elevate items in the center of the table for visual balance as well as for easy access to food. Framing is a way to organizing your food. Every dish is framed with a platter or serving tray. Then grouping the dish with the intended sauces, dressings and utensils. Think larger framed dishes near center of the table, smaller closer to the front. Keeps your table clean, neat and organized. Perfect.

I have a collection of small wood crates, wine and cigar boxes that are perfect for elevating dishes. Take a look around and see what interesting items that you have that can be used. Makes for a personal table.

Place a serving spoon, fork, knife on each frame of the intended dish.

Add smaller dishes for sauce, dressing or gravy on the same frame for the matching dish.

Last but not least is to decorate. I always fall back on simple. Sometimes setting a table having the décor just a simple nod is all you need. Candles are easy, simple and beautiful. When using candles, always use scent free.

For this table I scattered votive candles, splashed with a little clear glitter.

With a small paintbrush, I ran water based clear drying craft glue around the lip of each votive. Then I sprinkled clear glitter on the glue, then let dry. I love the look of this glitter, so elegant. When the event is over, you can remove the remaining candle wax by soaking in hot water. The glitter will wash away too. Now you will have new clean glass votive candles for a future event.

Suddenly, entertaining never looked so simple. With a plan, a list and a few important essentials, entertaining has never been so easy. Buffet, your new best friend.