it may seem impossible to expect lasting appeal in something that is being constantly diminished by hungry guests. Yet each person viewing the buffet and eating from it has as much right to have the total visual experience as the first person to pass. Remember,too,the guests at a buffet who wait in line gazing at the food while others are making their selections. You want their appetites to be heightened as they survey the display and plan their looks with the first few serving can easily take the appetite away.
A well-designed buffet will have elements and patterns that hold throughout service--its focal point, its height, its color, its unity, its overall harmonious arrangement of dishes and trays of food. Simplicity is important here . A simple layout will hold its pattern. It is easy to replenish. Platter arrangement of good, simple design will retain rhythm and color and focus when portions are gone. Even an empty tray will still function as part of the overall design.