Opinions on Buffet items?

As a former chef from Canada and having done a few buffets in my time (20+ years in Hotels and Restaurant, internationally), you have to determine the type of food/cuisine your serving, and then decide the number of items, your standard is in most cases 3-4 meats, 2-3 veg, 2-3 starches and then sauces or gravy's, some will offer a special item each day.

Asian and Indian do it this way and western basically the same, I was at a buffet in North Carolina when I went by bus to Florida a few years back and it was BBQ/Soul food, there motto was "we use everything but the oink", they had everything plus veggie associated with the south like greens, black eyed peas, sweet potato's and fresh cornbread.

One thing you have to consider, is can the food sit, and can it be replenished quickly, can the area handle a place like your, I mean are there any others like the one your opening, uniqueness is the key, along with a good menu and atmosphere.

well to be honest i think a buffet is not always the best choice , there is so much waste , also the food dries out in the chaffing dishes , it reduces in volume and becomes salty . that being said you

really have to have good technique when executing a buffet items must be watery in consistency so they can sit in heat and thicken up you will only learn this after experimenting and timing food items after you have placed them in chaffing dishes with sternos so get a watch ready

always need a variety ; beef ,fish , chicken/poultry, pasta no meat , pasta with meat ,grilled vegetables ,vegetarian option , lasagna, roasted pot , mash pot, rice pilaf , wild rice , risotto , soup , chowders , stews , pot roast, salad lettuce cold , pasta salad , fresh fruits , cold cuts prosciuto , salamy ect. assortment of cheeses , crackers, Breast of Chicken w/Apricot Sauce,

Potato Au Gratin,Green Beans Almondine,Sliced Roast Beef in Gravy,Chicken Piccata,Barbecued Spareribs,Fried Chicken,Corn-on-the-Cob,Baked Beans,Braised Sirloin Tips w/Rice,

Hawaiian Baked Ham,Baked Stuffed Pork Chop,Escalloped Apples,Stuffed Crown Roast of Pork

W/Gravy,Hand Carved Prime Rib of Beef

Chicken Cordon Bleu

Lyonaisse Potatoes

hope this helped and good luck

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