Renting dishes question

MJandDL

Okay so if I'm renting plates/cups/flatware and doing food buffet style, do I set the plates up at the beginning of the food line or at the table and have people carry them up? Also, am I supposed to provide extra clean plates for seconds?

nafallon

I would have the silverware and glasses on the tables and the plates at the start of the food line.  Or if there is going to be a drinks station you could put the cups and glasses there.  I imagine the second plate question is a matter of the health code where you live.

lyndausvi

I would have the plates at the buffet.  

Like PP I imagine second plates depends on health codes and/or the caterers.  Personally, I would provide new plates regardless if it's required or not.

ElisabethJoanne

Ask your caterer or the rental company, "We're having a buffet dinner for X number of people. How many plates should we rent? glasses? forks?"

FWIW, most of the caterers we talked to included the rentals in the per-head price. The one caterer who had a separate line for plates, glasses, etc., still did it per-head. I asked him if he brought extras (because someone will drop their fork on the floor, etc., even if no one goes back for seconds), and he said he did.