How to Display Food for a Party

When displaying food for a party, keep in mind the space you are working with, the types of food you plan to serve, what utensils and dishes will be necessary, the serving temperatures of the food, and places to dispose of trash. Once you have established a battle plan for all of these details, the style and decor will easily fall into place. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

Displaying the Food

1

Wander around the designated food area of the party to get a feel for the space. Identify areas where people could end up clustering and forming a bottle neck or barrier for other guests trying to pass through. Avoid putting main dishes or popular dishes there. Instead, place finger foods like cheese platters or small sandwiches that guests can grab and go. Place main dishes in spacious areas.

2

Place trash baskets thoughtfully throughout the room. More than one is advisable. Consider using one large, main canister for the bulk of the food and a few smaller ones for cocktail napkins. Place the small ones near the appetizer and dessert areas and the largest basket in a back corner out of the way.

3

Place all dishes and plates on large platters or trays or in baskets for an artful display. Be sure to stick with the party's general theme. Scatter a touch of decoration amongst the food as an accent. For example, a few well-placed candles will add to the decor and appeal of the food. Use tablecloths to add uniformity to the room and an elegant air to the presentation.

4

Vary the shapes and sizes of the trays and dishes, but choose a common element to link all of the dishes together. For example, you may have a theme of porcelain serving dishes but vary their size and shape to add visual interest.

5

Choose a room with a great deal of open space and that is easily accessible by the guests. This will likely be the room most guests will mingle in, so adequate space to travel to the different food areas is advisable. Experiment with lighting, as it can make or break a room and make food look more appealing. A room of softly lit with candles will give an elegant atmosphere.