How do I select an event dining format, such as sit down, food stations, family style, and buffet?
It depends on what your priorities are. We work with our clients to determine the format that suits their event best. We also often do hybrids or combinations of different styles, such as having two plated courses followed by dessert stations. In general, the sit down format offers a restaurant-like experience where the food is plated and immediately served very fresh, at least at Componere where we cook food ala minute. Guests can relax and converse at their table and don’t need to get up to get their food. In family-style service, the food is served on platters and passed around the table, creating a more casual feel. Family-style is often popular for Wine Country events. Food stations involve guests going from station to station getting a variety of different, often smaller, plates of food and can create more of a cocktail party or supper club feel. For buffets, guest typically line up to fill dinner plates from a buffet line.
