A buffet is the easiest way to serve a large group of people. Follow these tips to create a stylish, streamlined—and stress-free—buffet.

HOW TO ARRANGE A BUFFET TABLE

Follow these guidelines to set a perfect table for your holiday buffet:

• When serving 20 or more guests, consider creating a two-sided buffet. Allowing guests to move through the buffet on both sides of the table creates better traffic flow and ensures foods remain hot until everyone is served.

• Once you have chosen a menu, select a serving bowl or platter for each item. Well before the party, arrange the bowls and platters on the table, making sure there is adequate room for every serving dish, as well as plates, napkins, flatware and a centerpiece.

• Place plates at the beginning of the buffet table, and put napkins and flatware at the very end. This arrangement will allow guests to fill their plates without juggling extra eating utensils.

• Think about how foods are typically eaten when arranging platters on the table. For instance, because diners usually place cranberry sauce on top of their turkey, display turkey first and cranberry sauce second.

• For best appearance, place like items—such as all of the salads or all of the meat choices—together. This arrangement will show guests how many choices you offer.

• Leave “landing space” near salt, pepper, butter and other condiments so guests can park their plates on the table while adding condiments to their food.

• Be sure to arrange all foods in individual serving portions. Offering pre-cut meats and desserts will make it easy for guests to transfer portions to their plates.

• Keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold. Chafing dishes and slow cookers are best for serving hot items. If you do not have them, just wrap some bricks with foil, warm them up in the oven and use the bricks as a base

beneath hot foods. Place cold foods over shallow bowls of crushed ice, or put them on the buffet in small amounts so they remain cold.

• Beverages and desserts are best offered from separate serving stations so guests do not have to transport more than one item at a time.