Self-Serve, With Style

Buffets are a time-honored way to cut catering costs, but they don\'t have to look old-fashioned. Here are nine sleek pieces.

September 14, 2009

Portofino coffee urn from Broadway Party Rentals in New York

Portofino coffee urn from Broadway Party Rentals in New York

Photo: Broadway Party Rentals

Portofino coffee urn, $50, from Broadway Party Rentals in New York

Portofino coffee urn, $50, from Broadway Party Rentals in New York

Photo: Courtesy of Broadway Party Rentals

Stainless modern water pitcher, $5, available nationwide from DC Rental in Washington

Stainless modern water pitcher, $5, available nationwide from DC Rental in Washington

Photo: BizBash

Two-tiered glass display, starts at $19.95, available nationwide from Unique Tabletop Rentals, a division of Classic Party Rentals

Two-tiered glass display, starts at $19.95, available nationwide from Unique Tabletop Rentals, a division of Classic Party Rentals

Photo: Courtesy of Classic Party Rentals

Aluminum long deep platter, $8, from Exclusive Affair Rentals in Toronto

Aluminum long deep platter, $8, from Exclusive Affair Rentals in Toronto

Photo: Courtesy of Exclusive Affair Rentals

Chrome insulated cone platter, from $14.50, available nationwide from Hall's Rental in Chicago

Chrome insulated cone platter, from $14.50, available nationwide from Hall's Rental in Chicago

Photo: BizBash

Cinch sauce pot, $3, available nationwide from Panache, a Classice Party Rentals company in South Florida

Cinch sauce pot, $3, available nationwide from Panache, a Classice Party Rentals company in South Florida

Photo: Courtesy of Classic Party Rentals

Aluminum woven bowl, $15, available nationwide from Perfect Settings in Washington

Aluminum woven bowl, $15, available nationwide from Perfect Settings in Washington

Photo: BizBash

Mikado square tray, from $16.50, available in California and Las Vegas from Town & Country Event Rentals

Mikado square tray, from $16.50, available in California and Las Vegas from Town & Country Event Rentals

Photo: Courtesy of Town & Country Event Rentals

Hammered stainless steel chafer, $75, from Something Different Party Rental in New York

Hammered stainless steel chafer, $75, from Something Different Party Rental in New York

Photo: Courtesy of Something Different

At a fundraiser for Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center, caterer Blue Plate created a five-course dinner inspired by how a child with autism experiences the world. One course was called 'Things Aren’t Always As They Seem.' It was meant to surprise the guests, with cheese molded to resemble summer fruits, pumpernickel “dirt,” chocolate-covered “grasshoppers,” edible “pebbles,” and grilled bread.

Event Profs Share the Catering Moments They’ll Never Forget

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Industry Innovators 2025: 10 F&B Professionals Who Are Rewriting the Rules of Event Catering

Out: meat carving stations. In: vegetable carving stations.

10 Food and Beverage Trends to Keep Top of Mind at Events in 2025

LaCroix’s Disco-Themed Pop-Up

15 Tasty Event Ideas From the 2024 New York City Wine & Food Festival

Event Profs Share the Catering Moments They’ll Never Forget

Get inspired by these standout food and beverage ideas that show how food can surprise, delight, and even steal the show.

At a fundraiser for Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center, caterer Blue Plate created a five-course dinner inspired by how a child with autism experiences the world. One course was called 'Things Aren’t Always As They Seem.' It was meant to surprise the guests, with cheese molded to resemble summer fruits, pumpernickel “dirt,” chocolate-covered “grasshoppers,” edible “pebbles,” and grilled bread.

Brands & Event Pros

Industry Innovators 2025: 10 F&B Professionals Who Are Rewriting the Rules of Event Catering

These catering and F&B professionals are changing the game through forward-thinking sustainability efforts, stunning presentations, clever business practices, and much more.

2025 Industry Innovators Article Image Catering

10 Food and Beverage Trends to Keep Top of Mind at Events in 2025

Event planners expect elevated mocktails, embedded sustainability, and family-style catering to take off this year.

Out: meat carving stations. In: vegetable carving stations.

15 Tasty Event Ideas From the 2024 New York City Wine & Food Festival

The four-day event featured 80 experiences across the city with presentations from more than 500 chefs and culinary influencers.

LaCroix’s Disco-Themed Pop-Up

How Planners Can Handle Hyperspecific Attendee Dietary Requests

Planners are used to addressing a variety of F&B needs, but some attendees’ expectations stretch the limits. Here’s some advice.

Katarzyna Pracuch V98 W 4p Cr Va Unsplash

See the F&B Trends on Display at the 2024 Summer Fancy Food Show

The Specialty Food Association’s 68th annual Fancy Food Show boasted thousands of exhibitors from food and beverage brands big and small, near and far, plus a buzzed-about keynote from Whole Foods CEO Jason Buechel.

The 68th iteration of the Summer Fancy Food Show spanned 330,000 square feet inside New York's Jacob K. Javits Convention Center.

20 Times Event Bathrooms Became the Star of the Show (Yes, Really)

7 Smart Ways to Beat the Heat at Outdoor Events

See How Disney’s Phineas and Ferb Transformed a Porta-Potty into a Music Festival Activation

Industry Innovators 2025: Sephora

See Inside Fords Gin's Multisensory Experience at Rockefeller Center

No $20 Viral Smoothies Here—How ALDI Created an Outdoor Farmers Market Pop-Up

Should You Add Carbon Labeling to Your Event Menus?

In the future, understanding the carbon impact of food choices could be as simple as counting calories—transforming consumer habits and event catering. Learn how HowGood is making that happen.

Carbon Labeling on Event Menus

Spring Event Inspo: 14 Flower-Filled Food Presentations We're Still Dreaming About

Check out some of our favorite ways events have incorporated flowers, foliage, and greenery into their dishes and F&B displays.

New York-based company Mary Giuliani Catering & Events draws on its founder's theater background to tell stories through food, like with this lush, floral-filled food display that incorporated a pretty spring-inspired tea set.

Après-Ski Vibes Only—Inside BizBash and Connect's Networking Event in New York City

BizBash and its parent company, Connect, were in the Big Apple last month for a wintry bash full of fun F&B moments.

The ski-themed event, dubbed Après Connect, brought together more than 200 event profs.

12 Creative Catering Trays We Love From Recent Events

From snowball cocktail glasses to mini milk crates, these trays helped their events leave a lasting impression.

In support of InterContinental Miami Make-A-Wish Ball 2023's “Le Sceptre Rose” theme, the hotel's culinary team crafted mini profiteroles topped with heart-shaped chocolates served in bubble bowls for guests to pair with welcome Champagne at the cocktail reception. See more: How This Renowned Miami Gala Engaged Attendees with a Spy-Themed Parisian Affair

What Will Guests Be Eating and Drinking in 2024?

Catering, beverage, and hospitality pros predict what the meeting and event industry will be serving up this year.

More plant-based food options like these tomato hors d’oeuvres from Pinch will appear on menus in 2024.

16 Seasonal Dishes and Drinks We're Drooling Over This Fall

Fall flavors go beyond just pumpkin spice (though there's plenty of that too!). Check out some fall menu highlights from restaurants and event caterers around the country.

Lona by Chef Richard Sandoval, a modern Mexican eatery in Tampa, is serving the Caramelized Pumpkin Crema this season. The eye-catching dish is made with pumpkin custard, caramelized pepitas, edible marigolds, and cinnamon ice cream.

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