Here is a noteworthy buffet table design. The general theme for this reception was to follow an elegant layout for food and beverage, but with a twist. We incorporated a more organic, country comfort feel to the presentation that was just a bit less formal. The food menu was not just foods indigenous to what we would normally expect from the farm. We were asked to show some food themed elements outside the farm box. So we did. What’s important here is to emphasize the beauty and style of the table layouts. What is not shown here are the strung lights above this area. These were small incandescent lights in clear glass housed bulbs; Something you might see in a backyard for nighttime party as a lighting effect. Once the room went dark, these looked awesome!! So the materials used to help with the decor were woods, iron, coppers, tins, mason jars, and several flavors of florals to soften and give that comfort, homey look. Look closely at the picture details. I think the pictures show quite an impressive and artsy spread. This table layout definitely ranks up high when designing excellent table presentations.

Attention to some of the details:

• The use of a large heavy wooden plank table. Very rustic looking

• Various sized and color treated wooden boxes to assist in raising eye levels

• Various tins and pottery for fresh cut florals and mosses.

• We had someone on our staff with really nice script handwriting ability, write out in white marker on these black backgrounds, some small chalkboards, and some black labels. Again, this added to the overall appearance. Very cool!

• Mason jars with handles as drinking mugs.

• We used edible pansies of various colors, and made trays of ice cubes.

• All or tongs and spoons for hot and cold appetizers were made of wood as well.

• The controlled and complimentary use of specific warm colored linens.

• The play with various heights and angles to changed the visual where your eyes easily move from element to element in a very pleasing way.

• Although, the pictures can’t reveal sounds, we had mood music in the background to highlight the event.

I can’t say this enough. But this site was impressive and provided our guests with a really nice setting to cap of their evening from day long meetings.

The food was determined by our client to appeal to those in attendance. So as a chef, I definitely gone all out and matched the decor with a refined and more complimentary menu that would have fit the mood and theme just a bit better. But this is just me trying to build the marriage between the mood, decor and food.

The Evening’s Reception Menu

Beverage Station
Peach Iced Tea
Chai Tea (in Copper Urn)
Citrus Sangria
Cucumber Melon Water
Domestic and Imported Beers and Wines

Cold
Local Charcuterie and Cheese Displays with Marinated Vegetables
Roasted Vegetable Platter with Spinach Artichoke Dip
Mini Roasted TriColored Beet Salad with Whipped Goat Cheese and Pistachio Dust
Mojito Lime Shrimp Skewers with Melon and Mojito Glaze
Individual Seared Ahi Tuna with Sesame Glaze and Asian Cucumber Salad
Quinoa Toasted Candied Nuts with Honey and Spice

Hot
Smoked Beef Brisket on Mini Corn Cake and Reduction
Bulgogi Chicken Eggroll – Shredded Korean Spiced Chicken with Kimchi, Scallion and Diakon
Beef Seekh Kabob – Mini Naan with Spicy Green Chutney and Raita

Sweets
Macha Green Tea Cookies
Eton Mess
Shahi Turka
Fresh Fruit Skewers with Dark Chocolate and White Chocolate Dipping Sauces
White Chocolate and Lavendar Trifle

Categories: Receptions