When you ask a caterer for a quote, one of the first questions will be how you want the food served. The same menu can feel completely different as a plated dinner, sharing platters or a buffet. Here is how to choose.
Plated service
Every guest gets the same course at the same time, served at the table.
- Best for formal dinners and weddings with speeches at set times.
- Needs more servers, so staff costs are usually higher.
- Guests choose their main course in advance, or the menu offers one main and a vegetarian option.
Family-style sharing
Large platters and bowls go down the middle of each table and guests help themselves.
- Feels generous and relaxed, and gets people talking.
- Needs wide enough tables for the platters as well as glasses and plates.
- Works well for mixed diets, because guests can choose what they eat from each dish.
Buffet and food stations
Guests queue at one or more tables and serve themselves, or are served by staff at each station.
- Gives the most choice and suits informal parties and office events.
- Plan enough serving points for your numbers so queues stay short.
- Label every dish clearly, with its main allergens, so guests can choose safely.
How to decide
Think about the feel you want, your timings and your venue. A small dining room with long tables suits sharing platters; a big hall with a tight schedule suits a plated dinner; a garden party or office lunch suits a buffet. Ask your caterer for a quote for two styles side by side so you can compare the price per person and the number of staff.