When hosting 12 people or less for a dinner party, sometimes it’s easier to serve plates in the kitchen instead of having guests serve themselves at a formal buffet.

Why? Sometimes it’s hard to get folks to step up to the plate (pun intended!) and start a buffet, meanwhile the food gets cold. That’s a drag. And there’s a bonus in it for host, as there are fewer dishes to wash since you won’t be using serving dishes and utensils.

Now for a party of more than 12 people, by all means, go buffet style.

photo: fulton davenport