Buffet etiquette??

[Thriving30]

I'm having a little buffet at work to celebrate going on mat leave, and I'm not really sure how much food to buy. I work in a hospital so all colleagues work quite closely together. There will be about 40 members of staff on duty and around 8 have put their name down for the buffet and will be contributing towards it.. These are mainly my close colleagues. I do get on with everyone though! I'm obviously bringing sweet things for everyone to enjoy but I'm also thinking of bringing a few savoury bits as well, but not sure on the etiquette for the buffet in general? I am expecting staff who aren't contributing to help themselves as well which may make it awkward if the people who are contributing have a late lunch and don't get much (or any) food! But equally I don't want it to just be to take something if you've contributed.. How do I handle this fairly? Thanks
Edited to add for context, it's a shared staff room which everyone eats in at different times depending when they get a break, but there's usually 8-10 people on their lunch at the same time

I'd open the food at a time that suited the majority of your core group, setting aside some food for those in that group you know can't make it until later. After the core group had eaten and presumably done the presentation to you etc, I'd just make it known to the rest of my colleagues that there was some food left if anyone fancied it.

Isn’t it a bit weird to do a buffet to go on maternity leave?

Hopefully those people who have chosen not to put their names down won't be so rude as to swoop in on the free food anyway until invited to!

No.

The worst outcome is there's not going to be enough food for everyone, and that won't be the fault of those that brought the food.

Just let the contributors at it first and save a plate for any missing out

Not at all. Depends on your work environment. I have certainly had them and attended them. Especially if you are a well established team and like each other .

Maybe save a couple of trays of stuff for those working late?

Is there a way that you can perhaps put the buffet out at a time almost all who have contributed can do? Then find a way so those who have contributed are able to pop down and get a few bits to put in a lunchbox or something (so put it out between 12-1 for example) then when all who have contributed have been able to get something. Maybe share a picture in a group chat of what is going to be there so they can say can you save me x,x and x and someone can box it up. Then you can leave the rest out for the gannets. Unfortunately in a workplace of your size something like this will attract the CFist of gannets.

When I worked in a similar setting, staff each bought in a platter/packet crisps/a cake/bottle of softdrink etc to all the share. OR, the person just bought a cake for everyone to share. I've never seen it where only a few people pay like this because there are bound to be people thinking its a free for all, and those that paid will get annoyed.

As someone else said, can you keep back some platters for those that paid? You said only 8 people that have paid. I'd put a selection on a plate for each of them- cake/biscuit/sausage roll or whatever, then wrap in clingfilm with their name on it. IF they share THEIR plate with others, fair enough, but otherwise, they each get their own share.

to 'celebrate' going on leave? I mean celebrate the baby sure thing but going on leave?

Can you just send an email out reminding of date but don't call it a buffet lunch, call it bring and share. Maybe also say something along the lines of 'to avoid us all bringing the same, please could you note what you plan to bring next to your name e.g John crisps, Sally sausage rolls'

Have you given a start time? If not tell those who have paid when and where to come and then open up whatever is left to the others half an hour later.

Don't overthink it - get a variety of food, including plenty of stuff that won't curl up and be unattractive if left out - put it out on the day and that's your job done. If you run out of food, not the end of the world!

That is what I would do, almost like 2 sittings. Split everything into 2 lots and that way hopefully everyone would get an opportunity. Although I would think it incredibly rude for someone to get a full feed without any contribution.

Tbh I’d buy a couple trays of sandwiches/ wraps Costco is great for them and some sweet treats really it should be them organising it rather then you that’s how it’s worked everywhere I’ve worked.

I also think it's a bit weird. It's also complicated with some people paying/bringing food and others not. How does that work? Personally I'd just buy a couple of big Costco cakes and tell everyone to help themselves, first come, first served.

Not at all weird! We would definitely have a buffet for someone leaving, birthday, promoted, going on mat leave, Tuesdays!

People have to pay to attend a buffet at work for someone going on ML?
How strange

Just take in s few bags of cookies or donuts and leave them in the staff room!

This. At my job there is very little turn over. A new member of our team has been there 15 years lol. We celebrate everything with a buffet or lunch.

Strange is an odd choice of word to use. It's a really good excuse for a buffet which my workplace really enjoys and have done it on multiple occasions, if people bring crisps or a packet of biscuits or something it's still nice for people to have a variety of food to choose from, it's very inexpensive. And it's optional, of course there will be people that don't bring anything, my question isn't about that - it's about the etiquette of a buffet so that it's fair for the people who do bring something, to make sure they get some food!

Paying though?
That's the strange bit or have I misunderstood

I've never had a buffet at work for someone, the person leaving just brings in some cakes for the team etc

I think you either need to make it a contribution only event so only those who contribute get food, or make sure there’s enough for everyone.

Where are you getting that they've paid to attend from?

Nobody has paid to attend they are contributing food. It's called a fuddle in many places.

Someone mentioned it upthread

Oh so people are being expected by the Op to contribute food but only a few have joined in ?

😬
I think organising your own buffet is the issue.
Where I work the outgoing person brings in cakes or someone else organises it for them

This is normal where I work too

We just set the time for the fuddle as we call it, lay everything out and if people can't make it so be it. There's usually plenty left anyway.

Savoury stuff we do is quiches, sausage rolls, picnic eggs, pork pies, samosas etc.

Enjoy your send off OP!