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<h2><strong>Budget Friendly Buffets with Massive Visual Appeal</strong></h2>
<h3>By Christy Lamagna CMP, CMM, CTSM</h3>
<img class="alignright wp-image-10513" src="https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/budget-friendly-buffets-with-massive-visual-appeal.png" alt="If you are in a rut with the ‘same old same old’ when it comes to plated meals, why not consider a buffet? Think you can’t afford it or that if you’ve had one buffet meal, you’ve had them all? You’re in for a pleasant surprise. Budget friendly buffets with massive visual appeal" width="432" height="299" />If you are in a rut with the ‘same old same old’ when it comes to plated meals, why not consider a buffet? Think you can’t afford it or that if you’ve had one buffet meal, you’ve had them all? You’re in for a pleasant surprise.

When strategically approached, food is not just served and eaten, it can become part of the décor and entertainment. Inspired presentation and preparation can bring new appeal to standard foods, elevating diners’ perception and enjoyment significantly while remaining within budget. Keep reading to find out how to make oatmeal (is there a more ‘basic’ food?) sour cream and water colorful, fun and packed with unexpected flavor. Yes, sour cream and water are about to get interesting.

Let’s start with oatmeal.  Instead of serving it with brown sugar, raisins and cinnamon, why not add some pizzas and create a toppings bar? Options may include sweet and savory enhancements.  For savory, think: peas, Pecorino cheese, cracked pepper, pistachios, sautéed mushrooms, bacon bits, scallions and feta cheese. For ‘sweet’ offerings think beyond brown sugar and include: dried cherries, chocolate chips, assorted jams, maple syrup, rock crystal sugar and almond butter.

Mashed potatoes go from ‘ho hum’ to ‘give me some’ when toppings are added. Sun dried tomatoes, roasted garlic, caramelized onions, blue cheese crumbles, chopped parsley, olives, salsa- the ideas are endless.

Serving Mexican food? Why not create a sour cream bar and add some zing to an otherwise unexciting condiment? Cilantro lime, zesty jalapeno, chipotle, sriracha, or sweet creamed corn add an unexpected flavor burst. As long as you’re being creative, why not give some zip to your salsa? Instead of the traditional, ‘hot, medium, mild’ offer mango, peach, roasted tomato with red peppers, pineapple, and black olive cilantro?

Dessert, considered the best part of the meal by many, can also get predictable.  Until now that is. Replace ice cream with gelato and while you’re at it, create a sundae bar completw with waffle and sugar cones. Toppings can edge out the main dish when they’re delicious enough. Brownie bites, crushed chocolate bars, pretzels, Swedish fish, marshmallows, sweetened cereal (think Captain Crunch or Fruit Loops) and a myriad of other dry toppings are usually huge hits. Add wet options: hot fudge, peanut butter sauce, warm caramel, wet walnuts, Nutella, whipped cream and a variety of fruit syrups. What’s not to love?

Beverages aren’t left out of the buffet fun. Gourmet water bars, can include strawberries, cucumbers, lemon, lime, orange slices and more. Iced tea bars can include flavored teas, sweet tea, decaf tea and sugar free tea. Lemonade can be infused with strawberries, lime, or mixed with iced tea. Are all easy ways to get attendees away from expensive cans/bottles, customize their drink and add variety in an unexpected place.

Each of these options are examples of food that would otherwise be ignored, transformed into visually appealing, delicious and still affordable offerings. Take it a step beyond and have attendees take photos of their creations, text their flavor combinations and name their unique concoction. Food is only as interesting as the people preparing it, so tap into your imagination and let the deliciousness begin!

Bonus: click the below button for gourmet whipped cream recipes.[/vc_column_text][mk_button corner_style="rounded" size="large" url="https://strategic.events/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/gourmet-whipped-cream-recipes.pdf" bg_color="#1d1848"]Get Whipped Cream Recipes[/mk_button][/vc_column][/vc_row]