Buffets are a flexible way to serve your guests this holiday season, providing you with infinite creative possibilities. Read on for this year’s roundup of DIY buffet looks, along with the guide to our buffet warming and display collections.
Look #1: Harvest-Inspired Fall Buffet
Venue: Updike Farmstead
Get this Look: Table Long 8’x36” with Grey Rattan linen, Table Screen Rattan Grey 8’x36″, and Country Table Riser 6’x12”x14” || On Riser: Mason Jar Dispenser, Ceramic Sloped Edge Platter Rectangle 16.5”x11” with Tasting Ceramic Cube 1.5” (to elevate), Copper Mule Mug 18oz, Ceramic Cake Stand 14″ Round, Antique Copper Hammered Round Chafer 8qt, Antique Copper Hammered Round Chafer 4qt, Antique Copper Hammered Sauce Warmer 1.25qt with Stainless Hammered Ladle 10.75”, Ceramic Coupe Tray Rectangle 16”x4.75” with Mini Tiffin Bowl Square 5oz and Lexington Teaspoon, Wrought Iron Sterno Stand 9”x9” with Antique Copper Moroccan Bowl 9” and Stainless Hammered Serving Spoon, Wrought Iron Sterno Stand 7.5”x7” with Antique Copper Moroccan Bowl 8” and Stainless Hammered Serving Spoon, Antique Copper Table Chef Cover with Antique Copper Hammered Wok 10”
Look #2: Fall ‘Modern Meets Organic’ Mediterranean Buffet
Venue and Food: estiatorio Milos Greenery: Botanica Inc.
Get This Look: Copper Chafer 4qt, Ceramic Stackable Bowl 6” with Tribeca Salad/Cake Forks, Glacier Salad/Cake Plates 8”, Wrought Iron Frame Riser 7”x 7” x5” with Ceramic Java Black Platter Rectangle 16.5”x8”, Lucite Raw Bar 4’, Antique Copper Hammered Griddle Cover with Double Sided Griddle, Java Black Square Bowl 11.75”, Wrought Iron Frame Riser 7”x 7” x3” with Ceramic Java Black Platter Rectangle 16.5”x8”
Products featured in the Lucite Raw Bar (clockwise):
Stainless 3 Tiered Dinner Plate Stand with Marble Glass Dinner Plate 11″ Black, Ceramic Coupe Platter Round 12.75”, Antique Copper Moroccan Bowl 6”, Ceramic Coupe Tray Rectangle 16”x4.75”
Look #3: Modern Fall Izakaya Buffet
Food, Pottery and Greenery: On The Marc Events Photography: Paul Crispin Quitoriano
Get This Look: Aster Matte Grey Pasta Bowl 9.75″, Wrought Iron Frame Riser 6″L x 6″W x 5″H, Wrought Iron Frame Riser 6″L x 6″W x 7″H, Ceramic Coupe Bowl 11″, Glass Straight Sided Bowl 5″, Antique Copper Hammered Griddle Cover with Double Sided Griddle, Antique Copper Hammered Wok 14″, Melamine Slate Rectangle Platter Black 20.5″ x 12.5″, Stainless Hammered Serving Tong 6″
Look #4: Glamorous Holiday Buffet Bar
Venue: Howard Theatre Florals: Amaryllis Designs Food: Wolfgang Puck Catering
Get This Look: Mirror Bar 6′, Antique Copper Hammered Rectangle Chafer 4 qt., Antique Copper Hammered Round Chafer 4 qt., Antique Copper Hammered Sauce Warmer 1.25 qt., Antique Copper Hammered Wok 10″, Antique Copper Moroccan Bowl 8″, Moroccan Antique Copper Bowl 6″, Antique Copper Rechaud Base, Ceramic Coupe Platter Round 10.75″, Ceramic Coupe Tray Octagon 18″ x 10.5″, Ceramic Coupe Tray Rectangle 16″ X 4.75″, Mini Ceramic Tiffin Bowl Square 5 oz., Mini Ceramic Tiffin Plate Square 6.5“, Mini Tiffin Plate Square 5″, Rechaud Copper Pan 12″, Resin Rectangle Tray 24″ x 4″ Copper, Hearst Votive Amber, Hearst Votive Amethyst, Hearst Votive Aqua, Tri-Sided Votive Cobalt Blue
Look #5 ‘Modern Organic’ Inspired Holiday Tasting Buffet
Food and Styling: Laurence Craig Catering
Get This Look: Country Dining Table 60″ Square, Olive Rattan Runner, Loom Gold Lunch Plate 9″, Antique Copper Moroccan Bowls, Antique Copper Table Chef Covers, Antique Copper Hammered Griddle Covers, Antique Copper Rechaud Pan 12″, Vanderbilt Gold Dinner Forks, Resin Rectangle Tray 24″ x 4″ Copper, Resin Square Tray 15″ Copper, Wrought Iron 3 Tiered Plate Stand in Black with Morgan Dinner Plate 10.75″, Wrought Iron Lantern 17.5″, Wrought Iron Lantern 13.5″, Pillar Candle 3″ x 9″, Pillar Candle 3″ x 6″, Ecru Church Linen Dinner Napkins, Mini Ceramic App Plate Round 4.5″, Mini Ceramic Ribbed Ramekin 6 oz., Mini Ceramic Tiffin Bowl Square 5 oz., Mini Rika Nosh Bowl 6″, Mini Tiffin Plate Square 5″, Tasting Ceramic 3 Section Liner 10.5″ x 5″, Tasting Ceramic Cube 1.5″, Tasting Ceramic Oval Plate 2.75″, Tasting Ceramic Rectangular Plate 7.5″ x 2.75″, Tasting Ceramic Round Sauce Dish 2.75″, Tasting Ceramic Oval Bowl 4.25″
Look #6: ‘Woodland Berry’ Inspired Dessert Table
Food and Styling: Laurence Craig Catering
Get This Look: Round Table 60″, Cranberry Rattan Linen, Wrought Iron 4 Arm Tiered Stand, Halo Dinner Plates, Regency Clear Compote Glass 9 oz., Tasting Glass Bowl 2.5″, Venice Highball Glass 11 oz., Creme Brulee Dish Round 5″, Wrought Iron Square Stand 10″ x 10″ x 4″, Wrought Iron Square Stand 12″ x 12″ x 6″, Wrought Iron Square Stand 7″ x 7″ x 3″, Wrought Iron Square Stand 7″ x 7″ x 6″, Wrought Iron Square Stand 7″ x 7″ x 9″, Resin Square Tray 15″ Copper, Antique Copper Moroccan Bowls, Resin Rectangle Tray 24″ x 4″ Copper, Sedona Flatware Collection
Look #7: New Years Eve Asian-Style Buffet
Food, Pottery and Greenery: On The Marc Events Photography: Paul Crispin Quitoriano
Get This Look: Palm Leaf Plate, Vanderbilt Black Flatware, Stainless Hammered Frame Riser 11.25″ x 7.25″ x 8, Stainless Hammered Frame Riser 9.25″ x 6″ x 6.5″, Stainless Hammered Frame Riser 7.5″ x 4.5″ x 5″, Stainless Hammered Rectangle Tray 19″ x 10”, Stainless Hammered Square Tray 18″, Stainless Hammered 5 Step Riser, Wrought Iron Sterno Stand 9″ x 9″ with Antique Copper Hammered Wok 14″, Wrought Iron Sterno Stand 7.5″ x 7″ with Antique Copper Hammered Wok 10″, Mini Ceramic Ribbed Ramekin 6 oz.,
Looking for one of these buffet styles to fit your specific menu? Chat with us online or call 844-GO-HIPPO.
China & Flatware – How much do you need?
For most buffets, we would suggest renting the following:
Flatware
- Dinner Forks: (2) times the number of guests
- Dinner Knives: (2) times the number of guests
- Appetizer Forks: (2) times the number of guests
- Salad Forks: (2) times the number of guests
- Dessert Forks: (1.5) times the number of guests
- Steak Knives: (1.5) times the number of guests
- Teaspoons: exact number of guests
- Soup Spoons: (1.5) times the number of guests
China
- Dinner Plates: (2.5) times the number of guests
- Appetizer Plates: (2) times the number of guests
- Dessert Plates: (1.5) times the number of guests
Buffet Warming & Display Product Collections
Table Chefs
For stations & buffets that call for a heat source capable of both cooking and warming, our Table Chefs are a great pick. Table Chefs – also called cassette feu or butane ranges – are butane-powered, single burner tabletop units that cook and warm similar to a gas stove. They’re good picks for events in venues that can accommodate flames and pair well with our Woks, Pots, Rechaud Pans, and Stock Pots, making them perfect for action stations. Table Chefs can be used on their own or with one of our Table Chef covers – available in Stainless and Antique Copper – for a more polished, cohesive look.
Griddles
Paired with one of our Griddle Covers, our Double Sided Griddles are a unique pick for serving grilled meats and veggies. Keep food warm by placing lit sternos inside the griddle covers – available in both Hammered Stainless and Antique Copper – or use them without sternos for a rustic, room temperature serving option.
Tip: If you like the look of the Griddle Covers but would prefer to use a tray for room temp serving instead of the Double Sided Griddle, the Ceramic Rim Platter is a great alternative.
Party Rental Ltd. products featured: Antique Copper Hammered Sauce Warmer 1.25qt, Table Chef Cover Antique Copper, Antique Copper Morrocan Bowl 8″, Wrought Iron Sterno Stand 7″, Antique Copper Hammered Griddle Cover with Double Sided Griddle Add-On, Antique Copper Hammered Wok 10″, Antique Copper Hammered Rectangle Chafer 8 Qt., Antique Copper Hammered Rectangle Chafer 4 Qt., Wrought Iron Sterno Stand 9″, Antique Copper Morrocan Bowl 12″, Antique Copper Hammered Round Chafer 4 Qt., Antique Copper Hammered Round Chafer 8 Qt.,
Chafing Dishes
Chafing Dishes are a classic pick for buffets and stations, but modern metallic finishes keep our collections – and your designs – looking fresh. In addition to the classic Chrome and Silverplate collections, our Chafers are available in both Hammered Stainless, Antique Copper and in several different sizes for a new, versatile take on serving. Both finishes have matching Sauce Warmers to round out the collection.
Tip: When ordering Chafers, don’t forget to order corresponding Chafer Liners and Sternos so your buffets and stations are ready to go!
Party Rental Ltd. products featured: Stainless Hammered Rectangle Chafer 4qt, Stainless Hammered Rectangle Chafer 8qt, Stainless Hammered Round Chafer 8qt, Stainless Hammered Tray 22”x13”, Stainless Hammered Tray 19”x10”, Table Chef Cover Stainless, Stainless Hammered Pot 13″, Stainless Hammered Pot 11″, Stainless Hammered Griddle Cover with Double Sided Griddle Add-on, Nova Hammered Aluminum Bowl 16″ x 12.5″, Nova Hammered Aluminum Bowl 11″ x 8″, Stainless Hammered Round Chafer 3qt, Stainless Hammered Sauce Warmer 1.25qt, Stainless Hammered 5 Step Riser
Party Rental Ltd. products featured: Silver Round Chafer 8qt, Silver Round Chafer 3qt, Silver Rectangle Chafer 8qt, Silver Rectangle Chafer 4qt
For the ultimate, polished look, we offer Stainless Sterno holders to contain and conceal the Sterno canisters.
Party Rental Ltd. products featured: Chafer Stainless Round 3qt Hammered, Stainless Sterno Holder, Sterno Can
Stands with Sternos
For displays that may not need a full Chafer setup, we offer several stands – both Stainless and Wrought Iron – that can be used with Sternos to keep food items warm, or without Sternos as unique display pieces. These can be used in conjunction with our Pots, Rechaud Pans, and a variety of bowls, depending on your design and menu needs.
Party Rental Ltd. products featured: Single Sterno Warmer, Stainless Hammered Pot 13″, Stainless Hammered Rechaud Pan, Stainless Hammered Pot 11″
Flameless Option: Induction Burner
Our Induction Burners are the perfect pick for flameless warming. They’re great for both cooking and heating without the use of flame, needing only compatible induction cookware – like our Stainless Induction Pots and Rechaud Pan – and an electricity source to get them going.
Party Rental Ltd. products featured: Induction Tabletop Cooker Single Burner, Stainless Hammered Pot 11″