Serving food at a party is more than setting out a bag of potato chips and a bowl of onion dip! A little pre-planning with a few helpful serving pieces will make serving the food in an attractive manner a snap!
Party Food Platters and Bowls
While variety adds interest, platters and bowls should coordinate in some way with each other, either by texture, theme or color. Some patterns and textures mix well and others don't. Also, each party theme dictates how formal or casual serving pieces should be. Use:
- Glass and silver
- Bamboos, rattan and wood
- Earthenware in complementary colors and various shapes
- Mixed geometric designs
- All bold colors or all pastel, etc.
- Wooden rounds or cutting boards for cheese and fruit serving platters.
Set Up a Multi-Level Party Food Serving Area
Serving bowls and platters sitting on the same level surface is not as interesting or functional as if they are set out on tiers. Lift up the back layer or center layer of food by using food tiers which can be purchased or created. This provides visual interest while helping guests see and reach the food selection. Bed, Bath and Beyond have a good selection of serving pieces that can create a multi-level serving area. Use:
- Footed plates
- 3 or 4 tiered platter serveware
- Buffet Servers
Layers can also be created by using a table leaf not in use, boxes or by turning one large bowl (or terracotta pot) upside down and setting a smaller bowl on top. Cover the improvised "lift" with a matching tablecloth or other fabric in theme with the party, such as burlap, gauze, silk, etc. The various levels created provide additional spots for party table decor!
Set up Party Food and Drink "Stations"
Set up stations for the party food and drinks. Keep each type of party food together, ie, appetizers, dinner food, deserts, etc., but separate the multiple stations. By separating party food and drink stations, for instance, guests won't be crammed into one area and they will mingle throughout the party.
Party Drinks: Set up a drink station near the bar, refrigerator or kitchen sink with cups, stir sticks, an ice bucket, the liquor and mixes. This is a good place to serve coffee as well, since some mixed drinks include coffee. If serving champagne or wine, Pottery Barn is a great place to shop for Party and Ice buckets. Their antiqued look collection has a classy, yet relaxed look, perfect for any type party.
The kitchen or bar sink can work as a place to ice down wine or champagne as well. Just plug up the sink, line the bottom with a cloth to protect from scratches, add the bottles and ice down. Slip a few Thermos ice mats in the ice to keep the ice frozen longer. (Buy several to switch out, they're cheap!)
Serve beer, soft drinks, bottled water or iced tea in a separate station. This will alleviate congestion from the drink area where mixed drinks are being prepared. Have one bucket or ice chest just for ice and have cups in this area too. Attach a bottle opener to a drink bucket or other cooler if it doesn't have one built in.
Party Food: Divide the food into several stations: One for the appetizers,one for the dinner food, and another for deserts.
- If electric serving bowls or crock pots are being used, bring a power strip to the serving area so that related serving pieces can be grouped all in one place.
- Be sure to provide one or more spoon rests. The Spectrum Euro Spoon Rest comes with a Ceramic Dish and has the unique design of holding the spoon upright so that the food drips off the spoon when not in use.
- If using buffet warmers, attach serving forks to the warmers when possible.
- Keep plates at the appetizer station as well as both ends of the dinner serving area so that guests can start at both ends, preventing a logjam.
Have paper towels on display in each serving section, ready to wipe up spills as they happen. As well, situate trash bins near serving areas and on the patio for those who venture outside.
When the party food is planned out and set up wisely, a party will run smoothly. A wise hostess will ask a few close friends to help her keep an eye on the food and drink and refill when necessary. Then, when that door bell stars ringing, she can just join in, and let the party begin!
RES101
Related reading:
:"New Year's Eve Safety Guide:"
"Don't Drink and Drive: Call AAA's Tipsy Tow!"
Jan Peterson - I'm a retired banker, published songwriter, cyber journalist, and member of the advisory board for the Arizona Music & Entertainment Hall ...
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