Cooking For A Crowd:Tableware Solutions

If you love to entertain a large family or a plentiful circle of friends, you may occasionally want to set the table with something a little more special then paper plates and plastic forks.  Instead of using your best china or further wearing out your everyday tableware, you may want to invest in a number of plates and utensils.  Only use them on special occasions and store them away after each party.  

What Do You Need?

Purchase white or clear, durable plates and bowls.  Types of dishes like Corelle ware and simple glass dishes are good bets.  Look for them at thrift centers, warehouse or discount stores, party supply shops or anywhere you know you can get a good deal.  Also check out local restaurant or catering supply stores that are open to the public.  This is where you can get the best bargains.

To pick out inexpensive items that look like the "good" stuff; be it dishes, utensils or table linen; go with simplicity.  Look for clean lines and subtle tones. No flash, frills, fringe, borders, cartoons or bright colors.  Dress up plain white or clear dishes with very colorful tablecloths, napkins, napkin rings and the like.

For forks, knives and spoons, you really don't need super high quality.  All you need is something that will survive the dishwasher.  If you can't easily bend the fork tines, you're good to go.  Again, look for these at restaurant/catering supply stores.  

How to Choose Large-Capacity Cookware 

The Best of Both Worlds

My philosophy is to "mix and match".  Plates and utensils are easy to load in the dishwasher.  Consider using paper bowls and plastic glasses for even easier clean-up.  Especially plastic glasses because you will most likely offer different types of beverages throughout the evening (cocktails, wines, water).  Also use paper or plastic for salad, the fruit course and dessert.   You can coordinate the colors of the plasticware with your table linen, or choose white or clear.