That a grazing table will end up looking a bit shit?

[Lollypollydolly]

Looking for catering for a party, will be children and adults and all I keep being offered are grazing tables/platters. Having not experienced one first hand I'm worried that though it will start looking beautiful once the guests start digging in it will look a mess and maybe bit unsanitary?

YABU - they look fab and stay looking fabulous (if a little disheveled by the end of the party)

YANBU - Wasteful fad crawling with germs, find an old style caterer.

We went to a family event last Saturday. It was seated with designated places but the food was served. On sharing platters all along the tables. Worked brilliantly, food and tables looked good all the way through so, bar a bit of passing platters, I thought it was great

Grazing- we are not cattle!

Oh dear. It's a buffet with everything just 'artistically' thrown on the table isn't it? No serving platters etc. I'd honestly rather starve.

@willstarttomorrow

People are really snobby about old school buffets but secretly every one loves them as long as there is enough food. Style it out as retro and go to Iceland or some where but go for quality on the big ticket items (I am in Yorkshire and everywhere claims to sell award winning pork/stand pies).

I would stake my house that however many cocktail sausages you lay out they will not be enough (ketchup dip). No one wants a slice of crap quiche, or a very dry scotch egg. Salad is for show. Order in pizza.

Yes!! Most people secretly just want chips, fried chicken, cocktail sausages and white bread sandwiches. Or go wildly retro and make a cheese/ham/pineapple hedgehog

It is, easy to separate veggie from meat. I catered my parents 50 anniversary and it was a "grazing buffet". Guests kept the table tidy and plates were removed when they were empty. Up to you how you manage it and keep your guests in order.

I wouldn't touch a grazing table with a bargepole. Number one reason being people not washing hands, closely followed by cross contamination.

Up to you how you manage it and keep your guests in order.
Well, it's supposed to be a party... Keeping them "in order" sounds a bit too militant for me.

Sounds grim. They ought to put a layer of agar jelly between the table and the food to save time when public health have to get involved.

Up to you how you manage it and keep your guests in order.

Perhaps you could round them up and away from the grazing with a sheepdog.

@Mirw

It is, easy to separate veggie from meat. I catered my parents 50 anniversary and it was a "grazing buffet". Guests kept the table tidy and plates were removed when they were empty. Up to you how you manage it and keep your guests in order.

Please tell me that they had to eat in silence? I like your style.

@Mirw

It is, easy to separate veggie from meat. I catered my parents 50 anniversary and it was a "grazing buffet". Guests kept the table tidy and plates were removed when they were empty. Up to you how you manage it and keep your guests in order.

This wouldn’t be on plates, though! For a grazing table, all the food is put DIRECTLY ONTO THE TABLETOP, running into each other in artful, boakworthy piles. Buffets are fine. This sort of communal trough, not so much.

Have a nice beige buffet.

I recently went to a hen night and the grazing table was set out beautifully and lasted all night. I'd definitely recommend one.

What if you want that bread in the middle? Awkward.

What about the crumbs in the grooves in the table? Urgh.

@Maireas

What if you want that bread in the middle? Awkward.

Urgh yes, everyone’s clothes dragging in it as you lean over. It’s all so horrible. When the fruit piles start to collapse and make the crackers soggy, and the sandwiches topple and fall apart. The wastage must be enormous.

MrsTulipTattsyrup
Urgh yes, everyone’s clothes dragging in it as you lean over. It’s all so horrible. When the fruit piles start to collapse and make the crackers soggy, and the sandwiches topple and fall apart. The wastage must be enormous
Must be an art to setting it out because none of that happened

So how did it maintain the structural integrity? It looks as if various food items are just leaning against each other?

Jeez no way would I go near that, with Covid around, WTAF are they thinking 🥴

It's just like a giant cheese board isn't it? Except you can't reach the stuff in the middle and it's touching the table top (that hasn't been in the dishwasher and was probably sprayed with pledge).

@Wearethechampionsmyfriend

I recently went to a hen night and the grazing table was set out beautifully and lasted all night. I'd definitely recommend one.

Well that photo did nothing to recommend it to me, sorry. Glad it tasted good but I really wouldn't fancy delving in. Unless I was first in the queue, of course

@PurpleDaisies

What about the crumbs in the grooves in the table? Urgh.

You lay down baking paper...

@Maireas

What if you want that bread in the middle? Awkward.

You just walk and get some. MN is literally bonkers sometimes. It's not a big deal at all.

Never seen one before. They remind me of those TV shows where they present a table full of food and say this is what you eat in a week. They then have to look suitably horrified.
Even at buffets my daughter won't eat anything from the front of the table, as that's usually been fondled and breathed over by umpteen toddlers. Depends how long their arms are 😀

@RedScarletPoppy - I think you know what I mean. You want the bread in the middle, but it looks very awkward without touching umpteen other items. I'm just commenting on the inconvenience of the whole set up. I am aware of the concept of self service.
There's really no need to be rude.