The Butlered Buffet

If you really think about it, servers walking around with appetizers/finger food is a form of buffet.  You can choose your own portions (if you're gutsy) and build a plate, just like a buffet.  You're probably balancing a drink and a napkin too.

So, the same rules should apply:

1. Here, "walking the buffet" is done more stealthily.  As you walk through the room, notice what people have on their plates.  If you see lots of half-eaten things, steer clear.  If you see just empty skewers, go for whatever was on those skewers!  Of course, don't be afraid to chat up a server and ask what else is coming from the kitchen today.  It's an important part of building your plate, and therefore "running the butlered buffet."

2. Positioning counts.  Get near the kitchen to get it hot and get it early.

3. Make friends with the server who has your favorite dish.  Make sure they know to find you when they have a few left and want to get back to the kitchen to refill.

4. Avoid anything that involves silverware unless you have mastered the one hand drink/plate handle (video coming in future post), or you aren't drinking.  If you have to park at a table, you run the risk of not being able to flow with the food.

ADVANCED TECHNIQUE: Ask your favorite server what's for the main course (if there is one), and you can start planning your plate NOW.  If you don't like what's on the main course, get a friend next to you to take one of everything you take from the server and put it on your plate when they walk away.  Look, it's your meal, nobody is looking out for it but you.