1. Choose dishes you can make ahead

Opt for dishes that are easy to make ahead of time and can be gently reheated just before guests arrive. Stews, curries, braises and one-pot dishes are all ideal, and mean you can do the cooking before – leaving you free to set up. Here are a few of our favourite dishes that are ideal for any buffet:

2. Share the load

One of the best ways to put together the perfect buffet is to allocate dishes to different people. Make sure you divide salads, mains and desserts among the people coming, and feel free to accept any help offered.

3. Position the table

If possible, position the table away from the wall so that people can easily walk around and help themselves. This also prevents your table from turning into a cafeteria-style queue, and gives people plenty of space to mingle near the food.

4. Stack plates and cutlery

Keep plates in a pile at one end of the table, and cutlery at the opposite end. For an easy-to-grab way to present cutlery, try wrapping knives and forks inside a napkin and securing it with a piece of kitchen string. This way, people can quickly grab what they need without having to make several trips back to the table.

5. Mark it out

If you’ve opted for a potluck, use post-it notes to mark out the place where people’s dishes will go on the table. This way, you can plan out the table before everyone gets there, and you can direct people to the table to add their dishes as they arrive.

6. Stock up on serving spoons

Make sure you have enough serving spoons to go with each of the dishes. Rest a spoon on a saucer next to each spot on the table so that there’s no competition for serving spoons when everyone’s at the buffet. This will also prevent anyone putting down spoons on the tablecloth, and helps keeps everything clean.

7. Keep drinks and desserts separate

To avoid overcrowding the table, keep drinks and desserts off the main table. Instead, choose to put them on a smaller table with bowls, spoons and glasses all in the same spot and easy to access. If you don’t have enough room to keep your desserts separate, try storing them in the kitchen until needed.

8. Keep sauce-based dishes towards the front

When you’re laying out your table, keep anything that includes a sauce that can easily drip towards the front. You don’t want to see dip falling onto your meatballs, or pasta sauce dribble over the bread.

For more ideas, visit our Party recipe collection.