Food wastage: Buffet

 

You may have heard that while buffets are really popular among Asians, Asians are also one of the top contributors to food waste. The whole idea of buffet has been tainted by this poor reception that when everyone thinks about buffet, it’s always going to be about the “all-you-can-eat” buffet. However, buffet is not about that. What people have been misunderstanding for years is that buffet is about self-serving meals that you and I can collect at any pace, without the need for servers or waiters. In fact, we are going to talk about buffet catering services. The horrors and amount of food wastage can be seen at restaurants but what about a catered buffet? Do we also waste the same amount of food? Fortunately, we don’t!

Those who have tried ordering buffet catering will know that it is required to send in the number of pax, you will be serving for that buffet lunch or dinner. Because based on the number of pax you send in, the catering service will determine how much food to be prepared. Besides, the costing is also based on the number of pax, so there is no point trying to give a different number from the intended number. By giving them a number, buffet caterers are less likely to create a huge amount of food wastage. Moreover, no one goes for only one serving during a buffet dinner or lunch. There is always close to zero worries when it comes to food wastage, but when it comes to food shortage, the concerns are never-ending.

The same goes for mini buffet catering. Mini buffet in Singapore, meals are packed for a smaller group of diners.  It is hardly possible to have food wastage and even so, they can be kept in the fridge with the containers, the food came with and be reheated for a second meal. As mini buffet delivery are usually meant for family-sized diners, the amount of food is usually given at an exact estimate, unlike the standard buffet catering where there are usually additional top-ups to prevent any food shortage.

Other kinds of buffet delivery in Singapore like the high tea catering also follow closely to the number of pax given by the customers. The up and coming type of catering is mini party set, whereby the menu is already planned to the number of pax. Additional food is also considered additional costing by the caterers. Therefore it is near impossible for caterers to just provide extra food especially when it is catered for a small number of pax.