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.

There's a company near me does grazing boxes. Eye watering £££. It's all shite cheese out the supermarket and rolled up Tesco own deli meat. Chorizo fannies, my pal calls them.

@RedScarletPoppy
Can I ask for a separate picture of your cake? I’m trying to work it out, is it an animal face of some sort?

Grazing boards for a small group of close family/friends at a table - fine. Massive table full of food spilling into everything else and loads of randomers digging in - grim.

@Idontlike def going to get slated for this. Ok so it was the dogs first birthday party

No, the dog didn't eat any of the grazing table. Before anyone asks.

I think they look great if done properly. Just provide plates and individual serving tongs for each person and its no different to any other buffet. Keep a section that's meat free so vegetarians can enjoy it too.

This one looks lovely and the food is 9n separate platters too.

I'm amazed that, with covid-19 still around, buffets/grazing tables are still a thing.
I hate that kind of thing because of the germs at the best of times but right now - I wouldn't even go to the event!

Grazing platters are lovely for a small number of people, for example a dinner party of 6. Or when the platter consists of artfully laid out cheeses, fruits, biscuits and breads.

But mixed stuff on a large scale ? No

@DartmoorChef that does look lovely but it’s outside!! Think of the flies

They’re M&S sarnies

Gross! Especially in Covid times, madness!

I assumed that was a new word for a buffet!

What's wrong with plates!?! Heaven forbid anyone has an allergy too!

@RedScarletPoppy your dog has a better birthday cake than my DC!

@curdsandwhey that's me. The gluten contamination on these must be horrific. I couldn't eat from one. Even a regular buffet is risky because people touch everything and use the wrong serving implements.

They are fucking repulsive.

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.

[quote RedScarletPoppy]@Idontlike def going to get slated for this. Ok so it was the dogs first birthday party

No, the dog didn't eat any of the grazing table. Before anyone asks. [/quote]
You are definitely someone I would be friends with in real life! That is amazing!! And made me smile too.

They’re fucking minging

Jesus Christ - had to google - bloody grim esp for people who have allergies or vegetarian.

Looks grim to start, will look even worse after people have handled the food to get what they want can’t even begin to imagine the waste either.

It’s a no from me!

Most supermarkets do buffet plates to order, sainsburys and m and s do - plates of sandwiches, fruit, bite size pies etc. You can preorder and pick up.

They’re ghastly and unhygienic. Don’t go there.

Is that a fancy term for a buffet?

I quite like a grazing board. Only for a small number of people though (max 8), and only if it’s served in the centre of a table we are sitting around and eating/drinking/talking. Like a proper charcuterie.

Missing the point -

Grazing table 🤣. I haven't heard this term. It makes me think of farm animals! 🤣. I've only heard this called a buffet or on one occasion a fork supper.

Some people might not want to share food because of germs. They usually work well. I've often provided one hot dish (eg) meatball and salad, cheese, hams, crisps, bread etc.