Renting plates for a buffet on a budget

tbouch · March 2010

I am on a tight budget for my wedding and I'm having a buffet for my reception. I was wondering if it would be ok to have guests use the same plate when they go up for seconds in order to save money?

ceilidhsaunders · March 2010

My mom is making a buffet for my reception, which 200 people are invited to. It sounds like a lot of work, and it is, but she does it every year for her annual Christmas party. I bought really nice plastic plates from Costco that can be used after the wedding or thrown out.

Anyways, I'm only giving one plate per person. I don't think its really that much of a "health hazard" unless they are going to be digging into the buffet food with their own utensils.

pjseabee · March 2010

Seriously, I really do understand the budget needs, but personally,I think it's gross. And yes, it is a health hazzard. If a person goes up with a dirty plate (with any leftover item they didn't eat, or maybe sneezed or coughed on) & then touches the serving utensil on their dirty plate & then puts the untesil back in the food, you now have cross contamination of whatever was on that guests plate and whatever food they just served themselves. PLUS... you have to think of food allergies. What if you're serving a dish with peanuts or shellfish in it and that's what happens to be on the guest's plate when they serve themselves a 2nd helping of chicken. I'm speaking from personal experience on that one, and believe me, you don't want a guest in the ER, they won't have fond memories of your wedding and the ambulance & medics might disrupt the party a bit.

Lasairiona · March 2010

Using the same plate is a health violation. If you can't afford rented dishes, get sturdy Chinet plates from Costco.

Lasairiona · March 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_food-cakes_renting-plates-buffet-budget?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:23Discussion:992a37b1-f519-42ac-9ee4-a466c8fc380dPost:5f24de20-9ff5-4cb8-897a-4c9ce2fc5d29">Re: Renting plates for a buffet on a budget</a>:
[QUOTE] Anyways, I'm only giving one plate per person. I don't think its really that much of a "health hazard" unless they are going to be digging into the buffet food with their own utensils.
Posted by ceilidhsaunders[/QUOTE]
You obviously have never taken a single food handler's class from the local health dept. Using your own utensils to dish your food is a major health violation as well. One specific reason that a clean plate is used each time through the line is that it may have been awhile from the time you filled your plate to when you cleaned it up. During that time, bacteria is already starting to grow on the plate from being set out with no temperature control at all. Chafing dishes keep the food warm while sitting on a plate does not. You will be held responsible if anyone becomes ill afterward due to your ignorance and lack of concern for anyone's health. Children and older guests are at very high risk for getting sick from this type of thing.

ceilidhsaunders · March 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_food-cakes_renting-plates-buffet-budget?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:23Discussion:992a37b1-f519-42ac-9ee4-a466c8fc380dPost:a7cda69c-2b7d-4006-bce7-0ea1374522c2">Re: Renting plates for a buffet on a budget</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Renting plates for a buffet on a budget : You obviously have never taken a single food handler's class from the local health dept. Using your own utensils to dish your food is a major health violation as well.
Posted by Lasairiona[/QUOTE]

I wasn't suggesting they use their own utensils. I meant to imply that they should not use their own utensils.

Lasairiona · March 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_food-cakes_renting-plates-buffet-budget?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:23Discussion:992a37b1-f519-42ac-9ee4-a466c8fc380dPost:abac2a8d-1c87-4283-a750-a1bbe00a811e">Re: Renting plates for a buffet on a budget</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Renting plates for a buffet on a budget : I wasn't suggesting they use their own utensils. I meant to imply that they should not use their own utensils.
Posted by ceilidhsaunders[/QUOTE]
That's a given that most people are aware of.

scotialee · March 2010

Whoa guys, I understand this is a health issue, but chill out. The gals who planned on using only one plate probably didn't realize it was such a big deal... I've never taken a "food handler's class" and didn't really realize what a big deal this was and I think I've even used the same plate twice at buffet restaurants (and I'm really picky about hygiene to the point that I rarely even eat homemade foods).

Now that I know this is such a big deal, I'm definitely not going to limit the number of plates at my reception, but seriously, calm down!

brianabrad · March 2010

Sam's club sells wonderful clear plastic plates along with matching forks, spoons, etc. I wuld personally say plan one plate per person and then purchase at least half again for people who want seconds. So if you have 100 people get 150 plates. And you could always buy more than you plan to use . . if you leave them in the package you could return them (very budget friendly) and then you have them if you need them.

Also, don't forget cake plates!

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