How to Make Various Heights of Serving Dishes on a Food Table

Create an attractive display for a gathering with a few common items that can be found in your home or local discount store. When the main focus is on the food, such as at a buffet or holiday party, you can really make it pop by placing the food on a variety of levels. This allows each item to be seen and not get lost among the choices. Even simple dishes like bowls of nuts, veggie trays and fruit look better when highlighted on pedestals. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1

Place tall, sturdy boxes on an empty food table along the back, or directly in the center if the table will be seen from both sides. The boxes need to be as wide as your serving platters in order to create a steady display.

2

Set inverted cake pans, coffee cans or stacks of hardcover books to make a variety of heights. Arrange the display so that the tallest platters are in the center or back of the food table. Gradually bring the height down to table level.

3

Drape a tablecloth over the boxes, pans and cans so that the fabric loosely pools around the containers. A large piece of decorative fabric or flat sheet can be used in place of a tablecloth since the varying heights make a larger surface area to cover. Add a smaller second or third layer of fabric for more color.

4

Set serving platters on the different levels, rearranging until they all fit attractively. Baskets can be tipped so they seem to overflow with rolls. Add extra pedestals on the outside of the fabric by inverting glass cups and placing decorative plates on top.