Are grazing tables good?

SueDonim

A grazing table must be a nightmare for anyone with allergies or for vegetarians/vegans.

We're vegan, our children are not. Some have allergies.

However, as with any meal, people ask or know of the allergies and preferences. Our daughters (for example) say butter, eat this instead.

Allergies could be serious, I believe.

Vegans typically make animal based choices - no issues caused.

SueDonim

A grazing table must be a nightmare for anyone with allergies or for vegetarians/vegans.

👏👏👏
Biscuits in amongst the fruits, cheeses?
Cheeses amongst the fruits and vegetables?
Ham with the salads?

What about coeliacs, lactose-intolerant and vegetarians?

So thoughtless and in fact irresponsible.

kittylester

The people we have contacted provide separate food. First question as I am GF.

Agreed.

The foods can be noted or prepared separately, as at any other meal.

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No.
I don't like other people touching my food.
I have been in quite fancy places and still noticed people not washing their hands after using the loo.
It's not just children who aren't very careful.

Also as a vegetarian it can be off-putting to have meat or fish items too close to each other... and then there's allergies too!

Lots of tasty colourful ideas for a buffet out there.

Looks a mess to me and is it not just a buffet? One thing I would say is, if you have any Coeliac guests, you would have to keep any food for them completely separate so they do not encounter cross contamination.

We have covered that.

For my granddaughter’s 18th there was a grazing table. It looked great, but in my opinion, it is not very hygenic, and soon becomes messy. It is perfectly possible to have a buffet with copious choices in separate dishes or plates looking very colourful.

Homestead62

Looks a mess to me and is it not just a buffet? One thing I would say is, if you have any Coeliac guests, you would have to keep any food for them completely separate so they do not encounter cross contamination.

I am coeliac and so is one of my grandsons who is 6’3” with an appetite to match. We were all at a memorial afternoon ’do’ last month and I had a feeling there would be nothing safe to eat other than a few slices of ham or cheese before everything was destroyed.

I was right so the picnic for two in the boot of DD’s car which I had prepared ‘just in case’ was a life saver.

I think it would be a no from me too.
My guts are very fragile and would be very wary of contamination from all those hands diving in.
I prefer restaurant sit down meals but shun tapas bars too as I don't like fiddly little plates which are usually too spicy for me.

We had one last year at a small family party, it was fantastic and everyone loved it.

merlotgran

Homestead62

Looks a mess to me and is it not just a buffet? One thing I would say is, if you have any Coeliac guests, you would have to keep any food for them completely separate so they do not encounter cross contamination.

I am coeliac and so is one of my grandsons who is 6’3” with an appetite to match. We were all at a memorial afternoon ’do’ last month and I had a feeling there would be nothing safe to eat other than a few slices of ham or cheese before everything was destroyed.

I was right so the picnic for two in the boot of DD’s car which I had prepared ‘just in case’ was a life saver.

Yes, it's a nightmare for people with auto-immune conditions, intolerances or allergies trying to negotiate eating away from home. Even if restaurants say the food is gf, mistakes can be made.

kitty if you like the look of them why not just have one board as a centrepiece and have other buffet type items around it?
I don't know how many of you there will be but a largish board might be nice to start the event off - even if it deteriorates quickly.

People who are fussy about hygiene or cautious with foods touching can simply not eat it as there will be other delicious things to eat!

We have a lot of vegetarians and some vegans in our immediate family so to the person who said "no salads" I'd say lots of lovely salads always go down well here - puy lentil ones, quinoa ones, tomato ones ... obviously you know your guests best.

NotSpaghetti that is exactly what the caterer offers along with ordinary buffets and the grazing tables. Think that is the way to go.

We think there could be 50 people!!

kittylester

NotSpaghetti that is exactly what the caterer offers along with ordinary buffets and the grazing tables. Think that is the way to go.

We think there could be 50 people!!

I misunderstood. I'd no idea you were hiring caterers.

I'd think platters round grazing boards could be lovely.

Yes, there are lovely vegan and vegetarian salads, mains, etc.

GF/allergies can easily be accommodated separately as well.

Another option is a charcuterie board and a cheese board with the buffet.

I’ve never heard of grazing tables but I am not really a fan of buffets. I can’t be doing with all the juggling involved, plus as has been said, they soon look messy.

I would far rather be seated at a table and order food from a menu which is then brought to me.

Sounds great kitty I'm sure your caterers will manage the various dietary considerations well.

NotSpaghetti

Another option is a charcuterie board and a cheese board with the buffet.

Our daughters use of special boards for cheese and meat, whilst it doesn't work for vegans, is a lovely surrounded by normal buffet trays (which aren't as messy and easily removed to refill).