Helpful Tips for Buffet-Style Catering

Buffets are one of the easiest and most affordable options for catering a large event or party. A self-serve style lunch and dinner plan is an excellent option for big crowds since it allows everyone to customize their own meals, gauge their own appetites, select their own portions, and best of all, clean up after themselves!

Continue reading to learn more reasons why buffets are an excellent catering plan for your upcoming gathering or event, including a fantastic meal option that suits all occasions.

BBQ Catering in Carmel, Indiana 317-688-7290

BBQ Catering – Carmel, Indiana 317-688-7290


When you have several mouths to feed, but a limited amount of time and/or money to make it happen, a buffet is the way to go. Not only does a buffet plan help you in terms of schedule and budget, it works well to please everyone by providing options. It can also reduce costs since you needn’t hire professional waiters and cleanup crews. There are many advantages to buffet-style catering, but it is important to remember a few tricks of the trade for a flawless operation.

If you are planning a buffet for an upcoming event, consider these pointers ahead of time to create a terrific experience for your guests:

Manage Crowd Flow

When a buffet is not set up properly, the movement of buffet-goers can become quite unruly. The line can get backed up, packs can gather, and spaces can get invaded, all of which can disrupt the flow and turn the buffet into a disorderly process. To combat poor buffet flow, set up your line in a way to direct the movement of your crowd. There should be a start, middle, and end.

For instance, plates should be at the front, followed by inexpensive appetizers and snacks, main cuisines in the middle, and then utensils and napkins at the end. If you notice, drinks are not mentioned because it is better to have a drink station that is separate from your main buffet. This also helps to manage and control crowd flow.

Drink stations and dessert stations should be at separate tables, moderately far from the main buffet, in order to help improve fluidity of movement, as well as, provide more breathing room for guests to enjoy their treats. Also, having a drink station makes it easier for guests to grab refills.

Another tip for crowd flow management is to set up a predesignated dining area that is away from the buffet line. This gives guests a destination to end up at after serving themselves at the buffet and helps to prevent dawdlers. You may want to even consider putting utensils and napkins on tables in the dining area to better direct guests after the buffet.

Remember the Small Stuff

It is the small things that matter when serving yourself at a buffet line. Things like salt and pepper shakers, condiments, sugar packets, coffee stirrers, and more make dining that much more convenient and enjoyable for your guests. Don’t forget these small items for their sake!

At the same time, you want to make sure everything is in abundance. Guests hardly reuse plates and glassware for refills or second helpings. So put out extra stacks of everything from plates and glasses, to saucers, napkins, utensils, and more. A helpful hint: place napkins with their folded edges facing forward to make them easier to grab!

When hosting a buffet-style event, a huge bonus is that guests throw away their own trash. But if there are no trash cans available, it nullifies this bonus entirely. For this reason, it is imperative to have an abundant amount of trash receptacles available for guests to dispose of their garbage. Place two by the buffet line, and a few around the venue to ensure ease of accessibility for guests.

Hire the Right Caterers

BBQ Restaurant Catering 317-688-7290

Carmel BBQ Restaurant 317-688-7290

Choose Rackz BBQ if you are looking for a fun and delicious meal idea to serve to your guests! We provide custom BBQ catering services at an affordable price here in Indianapolis and its surrounding areas. Choose from a wide range of custom, homemade catering options, from smoked meats and homemade appetizers, to made-from-scratch side dishes, pies, and more! Contact us at 317-688-7290 to place a call ahead order, or to learn more about our catering selections and prices, anytime.

Understanding the Cost of Catering Service

Before making any final decisions about which catering service to go with for your upcoming occasion, it is important to understand how different types of caterers might price their services. When you sit down with a catering representative at a company of your choice, you may be in for a total surprise when you read the quote they offer you. Furthermore, they may even try to up-sell you on services and amenities you do not need.

To avoid being caught off-guard by an expensive or unnecessary catering quote, it is helpful to understand how some catering services segment their prices, and how to match your catering needs with the right provider in order to save money. With this knowledge, you can ensure that you pay for only what you need. Continue reading to learn some common catering price models, and how to find the proper catering service for your particular event.

BBQ Catering in Carmel, Indiana

BBQ Catering in Carmel, Indiana 317-688-7290

Varying Costs of Catering Services

It is important to understand that catering services differ among providers, from fancy and formal, to casual and simple. The type of catering service you choose will have a major impact on the cost and amenities you receive. If you are planning a wedding, you would want to choose a more formal, all-inclusive service that can additionally provide wait staff, linens, table décor, and more. If you are planning a family reunion at a local park, you could opt for a less formal catering service that can provide hot meals, deliveries, drop-offs, and cleanup, saving you time and money. Overall, the less formal the catering service, the less expensive it will be.

Common Pricing Models

Restaurants that offer catering services generally use a conditional method that is fitting to their unique business model. This means that most catering companies price their services differently. It all depends on their available resources, experience, number of staff, and more. A more accomplished and experienced company may be able to provide lower costs and additional discounted rates, while a new company just starting out may not be able to offer any deals in order to cover their overhead costs. Here is a list of factors that change, and ultimately determine, the total cost of catering service from company to company:

The Distance in Which the Caterer Needs to Travel to the Appointed Destination
The Type of Venue
Amenities Offered (i.e. On-site smoker, chocolate fountain, champagne tower, etc.)
Start Time and Duration of the Event
Number of Guests
Special Requests and Preferences
Type of Food, Beverage, and Dessert Menu
Cost of Food
Requested Number of Catering Staff
Gratuity
And More

Large-Scale Catering

It is also important to know that some caterers use certain “thumb rules” when providing their services that affect the total cost of catering. These rules are specific to each company, and will differ among caterers and their business models. For example, many large-scale catering companies will typically add an additional 5 to 10% of food so there is never a potential for shortage. This also covers them in the case that a dish or part of the menu is dropped, prepared incorrectly, or disrupted in any way. It is like a safe-guard that ends up costing customers more money, but also protects them from a lack of food. It is also good for clients to know that large-scale caterers often charge three times the rate of the actual food cost. This means if they are preparing a dish that is $10 per person, they will charge clients $30 a plate to cover their overhead and services they provide along with the courses.

A Simpler and More Affordable Approach to Catering…

Rackz BBQ Carmel, IN 317-688-7290

Rackz BBQ
317-688-7290

If you are looking for a simpler, more cost-effective approach to catering, choose Rackz BBQ for authentic smoked meats and southern classics that are sure to fit the budget. We can customize a catering menu specific to your party’s theme, personal preferences, dietary restrictions, and more! We also offer delivery services, drop off service, set up, breakdown, and cleanup for all clients. Aside from catering, we also accept call-ahead orders for pickup when you just don’t feel like cooking dinner. Contact us at 317-688-7290 to learn more about our barbecue catering services and selections here in Carmel, Indiana.