How do you provide silverware for a buffet dinner?

[linnylu]

I know this is super trivial but...... I am hosting my son's graduation party this Saturday for about 150 people. I can't figure out how to provide the silverware. My mom always wraps a plastic fork, knife and spoon in a napkin and then ties it with a ribbon. However, with the food I am serving a person might not need all 3 of those- it will depend on which food option they choose.
Is there another way to put out the silverware and I could put the napkins separate? I just want everything to be handy, look nice, and be sanitary.
Thanks for any suggestions!

 

[design_mom]

I have a divided basket. I put forks in one section, knives in another and so on. I suppose that's not *quite* as hygienic as wrapping each place setting in a napkin because someone *could* touch multiple forks, but... I haven't heard any complaints and others I know generally do the same.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I know this is super trivial but...... I am hosting my son's graduation party this Saturday for about 150 people. I can't figure out how to provide the silverware. My mom always wraps a plastic fork, knife and spoon in a napkin and then ties it with a ribbon. However, with the food I am serving a person might not need all 3 of those- it will depend on which food option they choose.
Is there another way to put out the silverware and I could put the napkins separate? I just want everything to be handy, look nice, and be sanitary.
Thanks for any suggestions!

Personally, I like the wrap with napkin/tie with ribbon thing. Having open baskets with separate utensils for people to pick (and touch more than the one they are taking), isn't very appealing to me.

 

[tlbwriter]

I like to put them in a tall container with the handles up, rather than flat, so you only touch the handles when you pick one out.

 

[Abbie]

There's no way, with everything else to be done for a large party, that I would be wrapping up silverware for 150! Although I agree it sounds very nice.

For large parties like that I have several colorful flowerpots (bright orange, lime green, and yellow) that I put the silverware in, then a basket of napkins or just the pile of napkins in between the pots. Very pretty! My SIL, the former bartender, showed me how to take a glass, turn it on its side, then press into the napkins with a clockwise motion to fan the napkins out all nice. Great trick!

 

[jen0610]

There's no way, with everything else to be done for a large party, that I would be wrapping up silverware for 150! Although I agree it sounds very nice.

For large parties like that I have several colorful flowerpots (bright orange, lime green, and yellow) that I put the silverware in, then a basket of napkins or just the pile of napkins in between the pots. Very pretty! My SIL, the former bartender, showed me how to take a glass, turn it on its side, then press into the napkins with a clockwise motion to fan the napkins out all nice. Great trick!

Not just that, put your going to actually need more than that. You have to take into account, breakage, droppage, and those that go back time and again for food and them having aready thrown out the original set of service wear. You may actually need to have 200-250 of each on hand. The more kids on the guest list, the more I would have. Kids don't always think about holding onto the fork, after eating a meal - needing it to eat cake with.

If you don't use them at the party and the boxes are unopened, you can always retunr them or use them through the summer.

 

[CurlyGirl]

Having open baskets with separate utensils for people to pick (and touch more than the one they are taking), isn't very appealing to me.

I've solved that problem! Instead of using baskets, I put the flatware in tall mugs so that the flatware handles are sticking up and people grab by the handle. I label the mugs "Forks", "Knives", "Spoons" so people know what they're taking. That way, nobody has to reach into a basket or touches more than one fork/spoon/knife when trying to pick them out!

 

[Swank]

This is not answering your question, but here is a couple of ideas for people who are doing buffets for a lot of people.

Put the Salad Last, it take a lot of time to get Salad, this always holds up the line.

If you can, have the line on both sides of the table.


This has been an announcement of the BMS (buffet management system)

 

[TTFN]

One thing I always do is put the napkins and silverware at the end of the buffet. Guests pick these things up last, and don't have to balance the plate and the utensils while serving themselves. They also know what they are going to eat, so they know if they need a knife or a spoon.

 

[golfgal]

There's no way, with everything else to be done for a large party, that I would be wrapping up silverware for 150! Although I agree it sounds very nice.

For large parties like that I have several colorful flowerpots (bright orange, lime green, and yellow) that I put the silverware in, then a basket of napkins or just the pile of napkins in between the pots. Very pretty! My SIL, the former bartender, showed me how to take a glass, turn it on its side, then press into the napkins with a clockwise motion to fan the napkins out all nice. Great trick!

Cute idea!!!

I have several things I use, divided caddy thing, divided wicker basket, for more informal parties I often just put the silverware in plastic glasses and I have some tray things that I use sometimes too where the silverware lays in the trays like they do in a drawer.