White Gold Plastic Serving Tray

A 15 x 10-inch tray of appetizers serves roughly 10 to 20 guests, depending on the menu. If it’s the main food of the event, plan on the lower end. For a buffet of 100, five to eight trays, plus a spare or two to rotate in, is a good starting point.

The serving trays (white, black, gold-rim and gold glitter) are listed as dishwasher-safe and reusable. The 12-pack platters, serving bowls, utensils and dessert stands should be hand-washed in warm, soapy water. Each product page shows whether the item can go in the dishwasher.

Warm food, yes: several of our trays are listed for hot or cold dishes. Keep them away from direct heat, such as ovens, burners and chafing-dish flames. For a hot buffet, keep mains in chafing dishes and use these trays for cold and room-temperature food like sandwiches, fruit, cheese and desserts.

Put a tiered stand at the back as the centerpiece, with cupcakes or small desserts on each tier. Set lower trays and bowls in front of it, and put plates, forks and napkins at the start of the table. Leave room between items so guests can reach everything without leaning over the stand.