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Buffet Stations: Your Complete Guide

Buffet Stations: Your Complete Guide

Planning an event and have a lot of mouths to feed? Food stations are not just easier to create but they make sense; At buffets, people often pile a little bit of everything onto their plate, so by choosing a theme you are avoiding clashes of flavours for your guests. Our list of themed food stations are all trending for weddings, corporate events and large parties so you'll be bang-on trend, too!

When deciding on various food stations, think of flavour combinations. It’s also a good tip to choose different colours and textures to give an impressive looking spread. Remember, you can have as many or as few food stations as you want. The options are limitless. Keep in mind that food stations vary hugely in effort and preparation time. For example, a food station for sweets could be prepared well in advance whereas a pizzas food station requires a lot active prep at the event.

Here’s our list of 12 Food Station ideas to impress:

1.Grazing Table

A huge hit at events in recent years, a grazing table is a style of food presentation where various items, such as cheese, charcuterie, fruit, nuts, bread, and dips are arranged on a table in an aesthetically pleasing manner for guests to pick and enjoy. It's typically used for events and celebrations like weddings, birthdays, or holidays. The idea is to create a visually appealing spread of food that encourages guests to mingle and snack, rather than sit down for a formal meal.

2.Salad Bar

A salad bar is a self-service food counter where salad ingredients and other foods such as fruits, vegetables and dressings are displayed and offered for guests to make their own salad bowls. Salad bars usually have a range of items that can be combined to create a personalized salad, which is usually served as a light meal or as a side dish. Guests can choose from a variety of greens, vegetables, proteins, and toppings, and typically add their own dressing to taste.

3. Donut Wall

This one is perfect for any guests who have a sweet tooth! A donut wall is a decorative display for donuts, usually made of wood or acrylic, that is used to showcase and serve the dessert in an aesthetically pleasing manner. It typically consists of multiple levels of hooks, pegs, or shelves that hold donuts in a vertical arrangement. Donut walls are becoming increasingly popular as a trendy and attractive way to serve donuts at events such as weddings, parties, and corporate events, as well as in specialty donut shops. The idea is to present the donuts in an eye-catching and visually appealing manner, making them a focal point of the event. Donut walls offer a fun and interactive way for guests to choose and grab their favorite donuts, adding to the overall enjoyment of the event.

4. Burger/Sliders Bar

Have your guests make their own burgers with this burger bar buffet idea. It is customisable to their tastes so even picky eaters can make something they like. Have veggie burger options too for vegetarian’s requirements.

5. Taco Bar

Like the burgers, these tacos are very customisable. Give the option of bowls and plates so guests have the option of making a taco salad or traditional tacos. beef, chicken, guacamole, salsa, jalapenos, cheese, peppers, beans, cilantro or coriander as we say, the options are endless.

6. Seafood Food Station

Any seafood lovers out there? Put down the fish and chips and feast your eyes on this food station idea. You will certainly need the professional for this if you aren't a caterer yourself. Use clever buffet ware display equipment like our urban and flexi buffet systems. and you’re on to a winner!

7. Potato Bar

Baked potato, chips, waffles, and more. Potatoes are a safe bet when it comes to catering large events; they're filling and don't violate any food restrictions that your guests may have. The potato bar can be a station on its own or an extension to the main. Everyone can agree they would want “chips on the side please!”

8. Kebab Spread

For those summer months/ Grilled or roasted meat, fish, or vegetables skewered onto a stick. It is easy to serve since your guests can pick the skewers of their choice. This idea is perfect for an outdoor conference event. It can also be repurposed for a company barbeque or indoors.

9. Pasta To-Go

Pasta is always a crowd favourite. Pasta salad, pasta with chicken and Alfredo sauce, pasta with meatballs, etc. The options are endless. You can have a vegetarian pasta option as well as one with meat. You could do the traditional pasta buffet with the large trays and a scooper or give this idea a gander. Have pasta in cups to make it easy to pick up and go!

10. Gourmet Pizza Buffet

Want a pizza the action?

Pizza is easily one of the most beloved comfort foods. This option won’t be available to all due to equipment requirements. If it is, great -have a gourmet pizza buffet with veggie and meat options so that all guests feel like they are a piece of the pie. Got a woodfire oven? Cook endless pizza options in minutes!

11. Continental Breakfast

It’s the most important meal of the day ladies and gentlemen. This is great for any conference that starts early. Provide breakfast for your guests and they will be more than happy to wake up early and show up. Guests can network over a cup of coffee and scones.

12. Dessert Bar/Candy Cart

Wow your guests with a fantastic dessert station. It will be a sweet memory of the event’s festivities. Sweet stations are also hugely on trend at the moment for weddings. They are much easier to prepare and can be easily organised without the assistance of a caterer. Popular sweets include bonbons, jellies and lollipops.

Photo Credits

10th Feb 2023