Banquet Coffee Break and Buffet Design

GOOD, BAD AND UGLY

Coffee Break and Buffet Elements

TEXTUREHEIGHTSIMPLEFLOW

TEXTUREDisplay items should complement each other and work well together such as:

Wood and wrought ironGlass with Glass

Do not useLinen “clouding”Uncomplimentary display items

HEIGHTCan be created by good use of risers and standsMust be natural in appearanceDo Not Use

Milk Crates and Glass Racks covered with linenPlate coversOther items that do not give a natural appearance

SIMPLEThe food should be the starUnderstated decorations that enhanceDecorations should compliment the room, buffet and the food

FLOWShould be designed with the guest in mindDouble sided for large groupsEasy access to food and beverages

BADNo flow

Cold Beverages positioned poorly

Coffee area crowded

GOOD

Market PresentationNot over decorated. Simple, yet fitting display in center is all

GOOD

Food easy and convenient for guest accessGood use of natural height

BAD

Inconvenient for guest

Bad use of elevation

Lacks creativity

UGLY

Table over decorated

Food buried within the decorations

GOOD

Market Style

Simple

Uses height

BAD

Cluttered

Inconvenient for guest

GOOD

CleanSimpleMarket style presentationEasy for Guest to use

UGLY

Straight line

Poor use of risers

Poor labeling

GOOD

Uniform Platters

Simple

Market Presentation

BAD

GOODGood use of elevation

Risers match; enhance platters

Market Style

BAD

Poor food display

Straight line buffet, one sided

Poor use of elevation

BAD

Poor use of elevation

Inconvenient for guest

UGLY

Linen wrapped tubs

No Merchandising

No eye appeal

GOOD

Unique

Not overstated

Easy access to products

GOOD

GOOD

GOOD UNIQUE

GOOD

GOOD

BAD UNIQUE

Good, Unique

DOMake sure linens compliment each otherUse signageUse Market Style displayUse the right riser for the right platter or bowl. Square with square, round with roundTake advantage of lightingUse unique presentations that merchandise the foodMake sure the decorations make sense Be aware of theme (if any) and meal, make sure décor matches bothOnly use theme props on a themed function, and don’t overdo it.Let the Food be the Star

DON’TUse linen clouding on tablesUse excess napkins on top of clothed tables or on chafer handlesUse linen for a purpose it was not meant to be used forOverstock your buffet or break. Elevate chafing dishesMix different foods on one platterUse milk crates, glass racks, plate covers as risersGarnish food unnecessarily or inappropriatelyUse plastic/fake plants

EQUIPMENT STANDARDS

TABLESDISPLAY WARE

LINEN AND SKIRTING

TABLES

RESIDENTIALMATCH THE DÉCOR

FUNCTIONALCOUNTER HEIGHT (36 INCHES)

Residential Look. Made by Whittier Wood, Cost is around $300. Easy to assemble, must be handled with care

Call Whittier Wood 541-687-0213 for a retailer in your area

Brushed Stainless and Anodized Aluminum table tops fit on standard 6 and 8 foot tables. Prices range $400 and up.

Look at www.metallicdesignstudio.comWasserstrom now carries the brushed aluminum top

Similar to the Whittier Wood product. This was sourced at a local furniture store for under $400

DISPLAY WARE

Platters and BowlsChafing Dishes

SignsUtensils

Buffet-Euro Products available

through Wasserstrom with Special Davidson

Pricing

More Buffet-Euro

Euro-Buffet

Euro-Buffet

Signs and UtensilsSigns

Hubert Items # 90652, 30657, 43828

• Signs need to enhance the buffet presentation, not dominate it. The sample here is perfect and is available in 3 sizes. Hubert also has other similar options

• Utensils cannot be plastic. Need to be designed for buffet use. Oneida has several excellent options

CHAFERS AND HOT FOOD DISPLAY

Chafers from Oneida or D.W. HaberRoll TopRound and RectangularCreative Options to replace Chafers

GriddlesLa Creuset (or similar) Crocks

SKIRTING AND LINEN

Table Linen needs to be purchased through Artex, our Avendra Table Linen vendor

DO NOT BUY VISA or similarA 50/50 momie weave or Artex Concord (spun polyester) are preferred

SkirtingPurchase through ArtexNeeds to complement the table linen and roomBox and Accordion pleats recommendedDo not use wrinkled skirtsSteaming helps remove wrinkles

Other OptionsTexstylesSculptware

Spandex Table Covers

SculptwareLook at their web site: www.sculptwareonline.com

TexStyles

Special Pricing for DHCProduct being used for this conferenceCan do custom work

CHANGE HABITSSTART PURCHASING THE NEW

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